I cing and candles and balloons arrive a week before that big honorary birthday.
Monday, December 13
Led this year by locally educated pro saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, Yale’s Modern and Legacy Combos swing through Yale’s Harkness/Sudler Hall (100 Wall St, New Haven) for a Jazz Combo Fall Showcase starting at 7:30 p.m. In what might be a first since the onset of the pandemic, this indoor show appears to invite both Yalies and the general public to attend in person, as long as they present “proof of vaccination and matching photo ID” at the door.
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Wednesday, December 15
Amarante’s Sea Cliff (62 Cove St, New Haven; 203-467-2531) offers a $65 gingerbread house workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. $65 tickets include the sugary building and decorating supplies; “wine, soft drinks, light bites and prizes”; and, ultimately, “an evening of fun with our master chocolatier Richard Agamie.” Call to reserve your spot.
Thursday, December 16
At 7 p.m., “a viewing party to celebrate Aedan O’Brien’s Sweet Dreams Society residency” at the Graduate New Haven hotel promises a show of “Aedan’s latest paintings”—colorful, exaggerated pop culture portraits—with “live music, small bites and more” in Old Heidelberg (1151 Chapel St, New Haven), the hotel’s downstairs bar.
Friday, December 17
New Haven Ballet is back with its annual production of The Nutcracker at the Shubert (247 College St; 203-562-5666). “Set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, this wonderful classic leads audiences into the home of the Von Stahlbaum family as they celebrate the holidays with a festive party, and brings to life young Clara’s vivid dream after the party concludes.” The first of four shows through Sunday starts at 7 tonight, with tickets ranging from $54.60 to $77, after fees.
Whitneyville Cultural Commons (1253 Whitney Ave, Hamden) and Sophie’s Party Supplies team up for a fresh and airy take on the holiday season: a Christmas Balloon Spectacular, a.k.a. “a Christmas-themed balloon exhibit,” from 7 to 10. “Bring the whole family to enjoy pictures with Santa, music, activities, raffles, the most magical Christmas themed balloon displays you’ve ever seen in person, and so much more!” Tickets, including fees, cost $22.85 or, for kids ages three to 11, $17.55.
Locally rooted and rollicking “electro-fusion” band Kung Fu’s 11th annual Toys for Tots show at Toad’s Place (300 York St, New Haven; 203-624-8623) kicks off at 8 with special guest Baked Shrimp. Advance tickets cost $28.52 including fees, with an additional request: “Please bring an unwrapped toy to be collected and donated to the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.”
Saturday, December 18
A three-hour, $40 Quilting 101 workshop starting at noon at MakeHaven (770 Chapel St, New Haven) teaches “the basics of quilt-top making,” with participants taking home “a piece ready to be turned into a wall hanging or expanded to a full quilt.”
“Christmas Is Here Again,” declares the St. Luke’s Steel Band during a concert at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (111 Whalley Ave, New Haven; 203-865-0141) from 2 to 3:30 this afternoon. The show is free to attend, though donations to the church are accepted.
[Ed. Note: Due to forecasted rain, this event has now been postponed to Friday, December 31.] Three days ahead of the day itself, this year’s Winter Solstice Luminary Walk in Edgerton Park (75 Cliff St, New Haven) lights the park’s paths with “over 1,000 luminary lanterns” from 5 to 9 p.m. It also promises “a glowing, musical parade of lanterns [at 8 p.m.], light sculptures by local artists including Atelier Cue, festive beverages, and demonstration tables,” adding up to a “celebratory atmosphere as we ring in the arrival of longer days.”
Written by Dan Mims. Image by Elena Schweitzer/Shutterstock. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
