Niche culture nurtures, while popular culture connects.
Monday, April 27
At 6 p.m. at Mitchell Branch Library, Brian Tims, president of the Connecticut Map Society, leads “a close examination and discussion” of “A New and Correct Map of the United States of North America Layd Down from the Latest Observations and Best Authorities Agreeable to the Peace of 1783” (1784).
Wednesday, April 29
At 7 p.m. at Best Video in Hamden, a screening of Jacob Hurwitz-Goodman’s new film Muscle Beach will be joined by Hurwitz-Goodman himself. The movie “mov[es] uncannily between documentary and dramatic neo-noir,” following “weightlifting influencer Ike Catcher play[ing] Abe, a fictional version of himself, a bodybuilder in search of his missing best friend. Over the course of a day, Abe finds himself on a paranoid journey of tainted supplements, supernatural conspiracies, and naked greed, into the heart of American weird.”
Thursday, April 30
At 7 p.m., Lost in New Haven hosts the next New Haven PechaKucha—a night of speedy presentations limited to 20 slides, which are in turn limited to 20 seconds apiece. The theme this time: false advertising.
At 7:30 in the black box theater inside EBM & Civvies Vintage, New Haven Theater Company opens a three-week run of The Weir, “an Olivier Award-winning play about ghosts, fairies, graveyards and beer. Set in a remote country pub in Ireland, newcomer Valerie arrives and becomes spellbound by an evening of ghostly stories told by the local bachelors who drink there. With a whiff of sexual tension in the air and the wind whistling outside, what starts out as blarney soon darkens as the tales drift into the realm of the supernatural. Then, Valerie reveals a startling story of her own.”
’80s three-hit thriller Belouis Some comes to Cafe Nine to top off an 8 p.m. installment of the Party Out of Bounds series. Also featured: goth rock band Midnight Psychic and DJ R.I.C.H.A.R.D., who’s set to spin “’80s alternative, new-wave, no-wave, and post-punk.”
Friday, May 1
From 5 to 10 tonight and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow, the 2026 CT Foodie Fest promises more than 25 curated food trucks, additional beer and cocktail trucks, live music, local vendors and, on Saturday, family activities including “bounce houses, face painting, cornhole, balloon artists” and more.
At 7, a Harry Potter trivia night casts a spell at Armada Brewing.
Starting at 8, journeyman band Remember September’s restless ambling between jam, ska, blues and saloon rock feels right on target for a Friday night at Stella Blues.
Saturday, May 2
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the New Haven Green, the New Haven chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents Pedals, Pipes and Pizza—back-to-back tours of the organs at Trinity Church and Center Church (pictured above) followed by a pizza lunch at United Church.
From 10 to 2, a Spring Fair “designed especially for children in PreK through 2nd grade” features “live music, creative movement, food, magic, giant bubbles, puppets, animal encounters, ziplining, henna, face painting, nature crafts, and more” at venerable child care center Leila Day.
Fair Haven Day festivities begin with an 11 a.m. parade from the John S. Martinez School to the Fair Haven School, where a festival from noon to 5 convenes “live cultural performances, youth activities, local vendors, and community resources”—and makes way at 6 for a wrestling show.
From 11 to 8 (and 11 to 7 tomorrow), the New England Taco Festival returns to the Guilford Fairgrounds, convening “over 20 taco vendors serving up over 100 different tacos” for sale alongside at least one full bar. Other diversions come with the price of admission: “free lucha libre wrestling, free mechanical bull rides, free jackass rides, free mariachi bands [and] free taco-eating contests.”
A 1 p.m. panel talk named after its topic “brings together a diverse group of scholars and artists for a two-hour public discussion at Firehouse 12 about attention: what it is, how to cultivate it, why it matters, and what gets in its way,” with a reception to follow.
At City Gallery, a 2 p.m. reception marks the opening of Eclectic, “an exhibit of encaustic and assemblage works” by Amy Arledge.
From 4 to 6:30 p.m., Connecticut Roller Derby competitors swing around East Haven’s Veterans Memorial Ice Rink like Darth Maul’s conjoined lightsabers during a Star Wars-themed, two-days-early May the Fourth bout between teams of skaters dressed up as Jedi and Sith. “Cosplay is highly encouraged.” Also, “seating is limited so bring a chair to be closer to the action.”
Sunday, May 3
Star Wars cosplay, but not BYO seating, is also encouraged during a May the Pours Be with You party starting at noon at Armada Brewing. “Cantina-inspired cocktails,” a special “galaxy-inspired beer release” and a food truck outside with a themed menu help fuel themed bingo at 1 and 5, themed trivia at 3, a themed costume contest at 5 and a “lightsaber showdown” at 6:30.
Written by Dan Mims. Image features a view of the Fisk Organ at Center Church on the Green. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
