This Week in New Haven (February 6 – 12)

S aturday is a proxy for Valentine’s Day—and a microcosm of Black History Month.

Monday, February 6
At Ives Main Library at 6 p.m., “learn how to make beautiful, stamped cards just in time for Valentine’s day! All materials will be provided.”

Tuesday, February 7
As of this writing, a few spots remain for UConn Master Gardener Program county coordinator and former Marsh Botanical Garden manager Eric Larson’s 3 p.m. shade gardening workshop at Hamden’s Miller Library.

Wednesday, February 8
As part of the Francis Conversations with Writers series, professor, acclaimed author and Yale alum Emily Bernard comes to the Beinecke Library mezzanine at 5 p.m.

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Mardi Gras - The New Haven Free Public Library

Thursday, February 9
At noon, the decorated journalist Clarissa Ward, who’s “spent nearly two decades reporting from front lines in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt and Ukraine for CNN, ABC, CBS and Fox News” and is currently CNN’s chief international correspondent—and another Yale alum—discusses “her work in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and other hot spots.”

The Medical Lens, a new exhibition in the rotunda of Yale’s Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, chronicles the history of medicine after the advent of photography—so, since the mid-1800s. And you can take a tour with refreshments today at 4:15 p.m. followed by a related talk at 5.

Then it’s on to moving pictures. At 6, NXTHVN screens Unsung Heroes: The Music of Jazz in New Haven, then hosts “a live panel discussion and Q&A featuring musicians and community leaders, moderated by scholar and co-writer of the film, Frank Mitchell.” Meanwhile, at 7, The Godfather (1972) screens in Yale’s Humanities Quadrangle, followed 24 hours later by The Godfather Part II (1974).

Friday, February 10
Yale Cabaret’s 2023 Yale Dragaret, this year focused on “Black drag culture and queer history,” showcases local drag artists tonight at 8 and 11 and Yale performers tomorrow at the same times.

Saturday, February 11
Prior to a 5 p.m. farewell party at and for the former Stetson Library, the New Haven Free Public Library system celebrates Black History Month all over the city. At 11 a.m. at Ives Main Library, the Haven String Quartet performs “a family-friendly concert celebrating music by Black composers.” At 1 p.m. at the new Stetson Library, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo presents a puppet show and puppet-making workshop. At 2, Wilson Library hosts “a fun celebration of power and purpose through the art of storytelling” featuring “poetry, drums, singing for all to enjoy!” Also at 2, Mitchell Library screens Quincy (2018), a “documentary profil[ing] music and culture icon Quincy Jones, offering unprecedented access to his private life and stories from his unparalleled career.” And new Stetson offers “Black History crafts for the entire family” at 3.

From noon to 4, Armada Brewing hosts “Wish You Were Beer,” a vendor market oriented towards Valentine’s Day gifts. And from 1 to 5, Strange Ways hosts its own market “featuring three incredible Connecticut artists who are offering the perfect gifts for your Valentine.”

DJ Shaki’s Overnight Flight, featuring international vinyl from Shaki himself plus Kryssi B, Ross Menze and Stefan Christensen, takes off at 8 at Cafe Nine.

Comedy troupe The Regicides, an offshoot of A Broken Umbrella Theater, perform an 18+ “date night of comedy improv” at Lotta Studio at 8:30.

At 9, entertainment and a bit of voyeurism will be on the menu as Dot Mitzvah hosts a live version of The Dating Game with live musical help from Dr. Nick & The Lovetones.

Powered by local cover act Modern Refuge, a Lonely Hearts Ball at The Trinity is “calling the lovers, the jaded, the lonely, the romantics, the wild ones” starting at 9:30.

This proxy Valentine’s Day finishes at Oak Haven with a 10 p.m. Anti-Valentine’s Black Heart Party aiming to “get scandalous and celebrate everything NOT Valentine’s.”

Sunday, February 12
At 10 a.m., Super Bowl Sunday starts as it usually does in New Haven: with Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services’ Run for Refugees, a “5K run/walk” fundraiser in East Rock.

Then, starting at noon, Jazzy’s Cabaret honors Rihanna’s impending halftime Super Bowl performance with a Galentine’s Weekend Rihanna Brunch promising “unlimited mimosas, live DJ, dancing and more!”

Light, Kehler Liddell Gallery’s seventh annual juried show, gets an opening reception today from 2 to 5, having sought out “flame[s] to warm us,” “torch[es] to carry,” “ray[s] of sunshine,” “path[s] of enlightenment” and “flash[es] of brilliance” from an impressive array of 75 artists.

At 3, a “Super Bowl of Songwriters” at Cafe Nine features home-teamers Seth Adam and Frank Critelli and (relative) away-teamers Charlie Diamond and George Mallas.

And then, of course, it’s the Super Bowl itself. Starting at 6:30 p.m., catch it on Fox, at home or your favorite bar.

Written by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.

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Dan has worked for a couple of major media companies, but he likes Daily Nutmeg best. As DN’s editor, he writes, photographs, edits and otherwise shepherds ideas into fully realized feature stories.

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