T his holiday-season Saturday offers as many options as Santa has reindeer.
Monday, December 4
At Home Restaurant in Branford, a 6 p.m. Home for the Holidays benefit for the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter promises “hors d’oeuvres, … drink specials and of course LOTS OF RAFFLES.”
Tuesday, December 5
At 6 p.m., native New Havener Andy Horowitz comes to the New Haven Museum to present “his first hometown lecture as the newly appointed Connecticut State Historian,” curiously titled “Pizza & Freedom: Why CT History Matters.”
At 7:30 in Morse Recital Hall, “a celebration of composers of color” sees quintet Imani Winds performing works by Andy Akiho, Paquito D’Rivera, Damien Geter, Wayne Shorter, Carlos Simon and Billy Taylor.
Wednesday, December 6
Celebrating a century since the birth of 16mm film, a remarkable screening of “a dozen short films produced from the first days of 16mm through the 1980s” spans “advertisements, newsreels, Scopitone films, trailers, and more” at 8:30 p.m. in Yale’s Humanities Quadrangle.
Thursday, December 7 – First Night of Hanukkah
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., MakeHaven presents “an interactive virtual workshop and networking opportunity that takes you through the innovator’s product journey, from prototype to manufacturing. This fast-paced, high-level overview helps innovators understand and chart their journey to manufacturing… with actionable steps to help everyone from budding entrepreneurs to experienced innovators make the leap to large-scale production.”
At 4:30, which these days comes after sundown, New Haven lights the city menorah on the Green.
At 5, Musical Intervention, a local nonprofit that helps people empower themselves through musical expression and production, celebrates eight years in its home at 23 Temple Street with “a vibrant showcase featuring the talented members of the Musical Intervention community and cherished friends who have collaborated with us throughout the years.”
A four-day, five-show run of Chicago—“a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen”—opens at the Shubert at 7:30.
Friday, December 8
The Strand Theater in Seymour puts Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Randy Quaid back on the big screen with a 7 p.m. showing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989).
At 7:30 in Woolsey Hall, the Yale Schola Cantorum chamber choir presents “a festive Christmas celebration” featuring “John Rutter’s Gloria and well-known carols in new and familiar arrangements” with brass and organ accompaniment.
Saturday, December 9
“Come browse through relics of your childhood,” say the organizers of Toyconn, a vintage and modern “toys, comics, video games and collectibles show” at the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Come see Santa, decorate a cookie, make a craft, roast s’mores at the fire pit, and have a nice warm festive drink!” say the organizers of A Holiday in the Barn at Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford, also lasting from 10 to 3 (with the same hours tomorrow and next Saturday).
From 11 to 4:30, Hamden’s annual Silverbells festival offers brunch with Mrs. Claus (registration required), a holiday hula demonstration with Hawaiian food, “heartwarming caroling,” an art show, craft activities, vendors and a toy drive, all centered around Hamden Library’s Thornton Wilder Hall.
For 14 hours starting at noon, a Bad Santa Bar Crawl promises a “festive frenzy” and “merry marathon” with “thousands of participants” sliding down the chimneys of 10 or so downtown bars and clubs.
Starting at 1 in First Presbyterian Church, an Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services Craft Fair presents a market stocked with “international food, handmade gifts and eco-friendly home items” made by “immigrant women from Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria and all over the world.”
At 3, led by principal pops conductor Chelsea Tipton in SCSU’s Lyman Center, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra performs their 2023 Holiday Extravaganza—“a holly-jolly concert of classic carols and new festive favorites… includ[ing] “Carol of the Bells,” “I Saw Three Ships,” “Waltz of the Flowers” from The Nutcracker, “Sleigh Ride,” “White Christmas,” and more! The NHSO will welcome for the first time special guests the Shoreline Ringers handbell ensemble as well as a visit from Santa Claus!”
At Armada Brewing from 7 to 10, Home for the Holidays: A Christmas Cabaret convenes “talented performers [who] will fill the air with holiday cheer, bringing you the best of Christmas classics and contemporary hits. Get ready to tap your feet, sing along, and maybe even dance in your seat!”
Puerto Ricans United’s annual Parranda holiday celebration at Bregamos Community Theatre starts at 7 and promises “live music (musica navideña), a DJ, food, coquito, raffles, and a cash bar.”
DJ Dooley-O powers an Ugly Sweater Holiday Party (and contest) at Playhouse Studios from 8 to 11:30.
Sunday, December 10
After a community choral concert and toy and coat drive yesterday, The Shops at Yale host an ice carving competition and a cappella concert today on Broadway Island. From noon to 4, “five professional ice carvers from all over New England will each transform 900lbs of ice into a spectacular sculpture” alongside “performances by accomplished Yale a cappella groups” and a hot cocoa competition “while supplies last.”
At 1:30 in Battell Chapel, the Yale Glee Club, with Yale Symphony Orchestra and “soloists from the Yale School of Music and the Institute of Sacred Music,” lead their annual Messiah Audience Singalong.
Later, at 4:30 in Battell Chapel, the Civic Orchestra of New Haven presents Dreams & Triumphs, a concert of works by Jean Sibelius, Max Bruch and Beethoven.
At Cafe Nine at 4, “Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez are comin’ home to the Elm City” for the 11th Annual Beehive Holiday Blowout, a “super-festive soul and R&B lovers’ holiday show.” Ohlman, by the way, is the longtime vocalist for the Saturday Night Live Band.
At Jazzy’s Cabaret from 7 to 9, Jazzy’s 1st Annual Holiday Show & Toy Drive features “the smooth sounds of [live] jazz, R&B, and soul” with Nate Barnes, “one of the most talented drummers on the East Coast.”
Written by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
