This week goes in one year and out the other.
Monday, December 30
A larger-than-usual lineup serves up a sampler platter of locally rooted music at Cafe Nine (250 State St, New Haven; 203-789-8281), featuring Ports of Spain, Snake Oil, Elison Jackson and Witch Hair as well as Chester-based American Elm and New York City-based Reese Florence. Free with RSVP or $5 at the door.
Tuesday, December 31 โ New Yearโs Eve
Ready to say goodbye to 2019? Here are 19 methods.
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Wednesday, January 1 โ New Yearโs Day
As it does every first day of the year, the Elm City Parks Conservancy has organized a Plunge for Parks fundraiser at Lighthouse Point (2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven). You can pay $25 for the right to hot tubs and breakfast after you take a dip in the frigid Sound, or you can pay $10 to spectate and dine. โEveryone,โ meanwhile, โwill enjoy the live music,โ with crafts for kids and a raffle as well.
Also taking the plunge is New Havenโs next mayor, Justin Elicker, alongside a number of other public officials being sworn in during a public ceremony at Hillhouse High School (480 Sherman Pkwy, New Haven). The ceremony starts at noon and is followed by a reception in the schoolโs cafeteria.
Thursday, January 2
Less than 48 hours after your New Yearโs blowout of choice, you might not want to be anywhere near alcohol. Thatโs no problem at Musical Intervention, whose weekly open mic, which starts at 7 p.m. or so (performers should arrive earlier to reserve a spot) and promises โthe most diverse
Friday, January 3
The State House (310 State St, New Haven) hosts the second annual We The Heroes Ball, โa cabaret show featuring a variety of queer artists performing nerd-themed numbers for your dollars.โ Those dollars benefit the New Haven Pride Centerโwhose mission is โto provide educational, cultural and social enrichment for the LGBTQ+ community, its allies and membersโโand those artists are Akira AK, Kiki Lucia, Giganta Smalls, Sienna Rose, Professor M, Hazel Tart and Megami. $12 in advance, or $15 at the door.
Saturday, January 4
At 10:30 a.m., Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper, author of numerous popular works for kids and teensโincluding the seminal The Dark is Rising young adult fantasy seriesโcomes to RJ Julia (768 Boston Post Rd, Madison; 203-245-3959), where sheโll be reading and signing recent works for children The Shortest Day and The Word Pirates. Free; registration requested.
And itโs back to The State House (310 State St, New Haven) for the clubโs first dance party of 2020, when DJs Wave and R.I.C.H.A.R.D. โcelebrate the new decadeโ by enlisting the โbestโ alternative, new wave and post-punk music of two earlier decades: the 1980s and โ90s. $5.
Sunday, January 5
Yoga practitioner Jackie Waszczak invites you to โfind your balanceโโthat is, to โsoothe a stiff body and stagnant or over-stressed mindโโat Counter Weight Brewing (23 Raccio Park Rd, Hamden; 203-821-7333), where a $20 Vinyasa class starts at 10 a.m. and includes a voucher redeemable for a beer at the acclaimed brewery.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.