After an all-out Valentine’s, New Haven puts on some music or a movie, whips up a pot of soup and pulls out a puzzle.
Tuesday, February 18
At 6, Lyric Hall hosts a Best Video-curated screening of Mulholland Drive (2001), a “surrealist neo-noir mystery art film” by David Lynch that confused and frightened me as a teenager.
From 7 to 9, the Institute Library’s next Listen Here! event promises “storytelling for grownups”—more specifically, “captivating short stories read aloud by actors from the New Haven Theater Company… Tea and cookies served.”
At 8, Space Ballroom in Hamden hosts country crooner Willow Avalon, a “southern belle raising hell” thanks in part to an otherworldly warble, with excellent indie folk openers Anna Bates and Darryl Rahn.
Wednesday, February 19
From 7 to 11, The Cellar on Treadwell hosts its weekly Karaoke Night, part of a series we covered last year.
Thursday, February 20
At 10 p.m. the day before the film’s official release (but a few hours after local theaters’ first screenings), the Yale Film Society hosts a free “advance” screening of horror movie The Monkey in Room L02 of Yale’s Humanities Quadrangle. “When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.”
Friday, February 21
At 6 p.m. just over the Woodbridge line, New England Brewing Company hosts New Haven-based party band the Rum Runners to benefit the upcoming Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Saturday, February 22
At the High Lane Club in North Haven, Yale Swing, Blues & Fusion predicts an early end to winter with Hop Into Spring, a two-day Lindy Hop and Balboa swing dance workshop headlined by instructors Jen Barnett and Dominic Hanna. Today’s schedule begins at 11 a.m. and finishes with an 8 p.m. dance social, while tomorrow’s starts at 10:30 and ends with a 7 p.m. social.
Madison’s annual Souper Bowl along the Boston Post Road in downtown Madison runs from noon to 2:30. “Local restaurants, civic organizations, businesses, and community groups will showcase their culinary talents by serving up their best soups and chilis. Stroll the sidewalks, savor delicious creations, and cast your vote for your favorites!”
In Yale’s Humanities Quadrangle, a double feature of films by Michael Roemer features special attendee Michael Roemer. First, at 1, with a director Q&A to follow, is Dying (1976): “With extraordinary intimacy, we hear from three people facing death with differing mindsets, and from the families soon to be left behind. Filmed over two years, this masterful documentary confronts the taboo of death with honesty, compassion, and even joy.” Second, at 4, is Pilgrim, Farewell (1982): “With minimal staging and a small cast (which includes Elizabeth Huddle and Christopher Lloyd), this American Playhouse co-production tells the story of Kate, a woman angered by her terminal cancer diagnosis, trying to find peace with her family.”
At 7:45 at Best Video in Hamden, “Ahoy Indie Media is going to be filming our pilot episode of the Ahoy Cabaret—an hour-long variety show featuring local musical guests and host Rob Meglio… Doors open for food, drink, and mingling at 7…”
Nearby at Space Ballroom, Melt, an indie rock band spanning pop and soul, headlines an 8 p.m. bill opened by Léa the Leox, an R&B-rooted singer with a light touch.
Sunday, February 23
At 12:30 p.m. (signups start at noon), Armada Brewing hosts another “fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat Speed Puzzle Competition.”
Written by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
