H istory, neuropsychology and epic high fantasy start a week that finishes in a festive mood.
Monday, April 25
This week’s virtual Mondays at Beinecke lecture looks to the distant local past. Starting at 4 p.m., Michael Morand, the library’s communications director, discusses new research on 18th-century New Havener and “blackman farmer” Jethro Luke, telling “a fuller story” of “Luke, his family, other enslaved and free Black people, and the land of town and campus on which they lived and worked.”
Tuesday, April 26
In a 3:30 talk organized by Yale’s Whitney Humanities Center, psychologist Elizabeth Spelke examines “arguably the most effective learners on the planet”: human children. “In five short years, they develop a commonsense understanding of whatever physical, cultural, and social environment they find themselves in, building systems of knowledge that are unique in the living world,” she writes. “How might they do this? In this talk, I look to interdisciplinary studies of infants and young children for possible answers.”
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Wednesday, April 27
At 6:30 sharp, a trivia night at East Rock Brewing Company (285 Nicoll St, New Haven; 475-234-6176) quizzes players on a popular but in many ways obscure literary property: The Lord of the Rings.
Thursday, April 28
Liz De Lise’s voice ranges from Disney princess to Karen O to the lead singer of the celebrity band inexplicably playing a 1980s teen-movie prom gig, but the overall effect of their band Lizdelise’s indie rock is hard to compare to anything else. It’s pleasant and it’s pining, it’s paced and it’s driving, and I hope I can make time to hear it live sometime after 7 p.m. at The State House (310 State St, New Haven; $10 at the door). Two New Haven acts are opening: Big Sigh and The Split Coils.
Friday, April 29
At noon, the Yale Center for British Art broadcasts a live conversation between Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama—“a painter and sculptor who uses the transformation of materials to explore themes of commodity, migration, globalization, and economic exchange. His installations and wall-based works consider the ways in which capital and labor are expressed in common materials”—and “independent film and moving image curator, writer, and researcher” Karen Alexander. Register here.
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A free Season Launch Party for this year’s International Festival of Arts & Ideas happens tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. in room N100 of Gateway Community College (20 Church St, New Haven). “Join us in kicking off our 2022 season in style with a night of drinks, bites, giveaways, dancing, tunes by Cuban jazz pianist Nachito Herrera, DJ Ch’Varda—and more. This is your first chance to see the 2022 Festival line-up and experience a taste of the artistry with live performances.” Everyone’s invited, though RSVPs are requested and donations accepted.
Saturday, April 30
Offering 60-mile, 40-mile, 20-mile and 12-mile bicycle rides as well as an East Rock base-to-summit ride, two-mile family rides and a hike around the base of East Rock, this year’s Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride offers more ways than ever to raise funds for local nonprofits doing local environmental work.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 10 to 5 tomorrow, the Meriden Daffodil Festival returns to Hubbard Park (999 W Main St, Meriden), though you have to park elsewhere and take a shuttle bus over. Attractions include a large food tent, a juried craft fair, carnival rides, live music and, today only, a parade at 11:30 a.m.
A car show co-presented by Mercedes-Benz of North Haven, Automobilia Auto Salon and host District (470 James St, New Haven) expects “a flex” of Aston Martins, Porsches, BMWs and, we have to assume, some Benzes, for starters. “Show off your ride or enjoy the views with BBQ, drinks, and a live DJ” from 3 to 6 p.m.
Written by Dan Mims. Image 1, featuring a moment from last year’s Arts & Ideas festival, photographed by Dan Mims. Image 2 features Liz De Lise. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
