A quiet, bookish start builds to a big, bold weekend, especially for Milford.
Monday, June 2
At 7 at the First Congregational Church of Madison, in an event presented by RJ Julia, bestselling local author Amy Bloom talks with bestselling author Abraham Verghese about his latest book, The Covenant of Water. “Hear the stories behind this epic tale of love, family, and resilience set in South India—a novel that’s captured millions of readers around the world.”
Tuesday, June 3
At 6 p.m. at Mew Haven Cat Cafe, a Purrs & Pages session offers “a quiet cat time dedicated to reading. Bring a book, or read one of the cat books we have. Low volumes are a must. Cats may try to sit on your books.”
Wednesday, June 4
At 12:30 p.m., the Yale University Art Gallery hosts a performance by the Haven String Quartet along with “conversation, close looking at artwork, and a question-and-answer session.” (You can also see and hear HSQ at Armada Brewing on Friday starting at 7.)
At 8, the Movies in the Plaza series continues in Pitkin Plaza with a screening of Along Came Polly (2004), a rom-com that sees if a risk analyst and a free spirit can make it work.
Thursday, June 5
From 6 to 8 p.m., a Teen Thursday at the Yale Center for British Art offers teenagers “a themed art-making activity, an invitation to explore the galleries, refreshments, behind-the-scenes access to the museum, and a designated space to hang out.”
You have to be 21+ to participate in a beginner-friendly beer brewing meetup at MakeHaven, this time focused on pilsners. “Whether you're a seasoned brewer or a complete newbie, everyone is welcome to drop in, participate in the brewing process, and share the joy of crafting beer.” Also, “bring a couple of your own favorite [local] beers (or mead!) to share, and we’ll do the same!”
Driving, “dark, reverb-heavy noise rock and moody post-punk” band Young Widows headline an 8 p.m. show at Hamden’s Space Ballroom, sharing the bill with artier and even harder-hitting openers Rid Of Me and Kal Marks (who are reportedly going hiatus for “a long time” after this month).
Friday, June 6
From 11 to 6 today and 10 to 5 tomorrow, Milford’s Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church’s 52nd annual Fair on the Green convenes “over 100 of the finest artists and craftspeople from the East Coast.” Goods for sale include “wooden furniture, pottery, jewelry, quilts, hand-dipped candles, tie-dyed clothing, silk and dried floral arrangements, gourmet food, pet treats, paintings and photography.”
At 6 p.m., the first installment, I think, of the Restoration Songwriter Series at Lyric Hall features singer-songwriter Melissa Ferrick.
Stage, TV and film actor Skylar Astin—an original Broadway cast member of Spring Awakening and the star of CBS’s So Help Me Todd, who’s nevertheless “best known for portraying the role of Jesse Swanson in the Pitch Perfect movie franchise”—comes to the Shubert for a one-night-only performance starting at 8.
Saturday, June 7
Starting as early as 7 a.m., the New Haven Bicycling Club’s start-when-you-want East Rock Century 2025 invites cyclists to lap and climb East Rock Park as many times as they can—including a 23-lap, 100-mile option—with a well-, well-earned after-party at 6 p.m. at East Rock Brewing.
The 17-person crews racing in this year’s Dragon Boat Regatta at New Haven Community Boating, a.k.a. the Boat House at Canal Dock, start rowing at 8 a.m., with semifinal races at 11 and the finals at noon.
From 11 to 4, the 68th annual Little Folks Fair caters to tykes and their families with “bounce houses, a kid-friendly animal exhibit, our famous little train, [a] circus arena and much more” on the Guilford Town Green.
From noon to 9 at Milford’s Jamieson Skate Park, the all-ages Scooped Up Skate Park Fest features a lineup of 10 bands (including the organizing band, Scooped Up) along with skate contests, giveaways and food and other vendors.
Also at noon in Milford—surrounded by festivities that begin at 10 and end at 2—the 2025 United Way Duck Race “brings thousands of people to the Downtown area to watch our giant payloader drop up to 10,000 rubber ducks into Milford Harbor! Each duck has a number on the bottom that corresponds with your purchased ticket number. As ducks make their way down the Harbor, our finish line team scoops them up and records the winning ducks, in order, for a wide variety of prizes!”
At 3 and 6 p.m. at ACES Educational Center for the Arts, “New Haven's favorite local circus”—Air Temple Arts—presents Air Temple Takes Off!, “a cabaret of show-stopping circus featuring brand-new feature acts from our amazing… staff and students.” Acts include “Chinese pole, handstands, contortion, juggling, and plenty of aerials.”
Sunday, June 8
Starting at about 9:30 a.m. and finishing at 3 p.m., Milford’s 23rd annual Pirates Day, inspired by the legend that Captain Kidd hid pirate treasure just off the coast on Charles Island, invites celebrants to “dress like a pirate, rock out with Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate, and (of course!) watch Captain Kidd and his mutinous crew invade Milford Harbor.” Other attractions include a treasure hunt replete with a map, a “real-life mermaid” photo op and a steel drum performance.
Also starting at 9:30 a.m. (though its “official opening” happens at noon), New Britain’s annual Little Poland Festival expects “over 30,000 participants from across all of New England and the East Coast who come out to enjoy our exciting entertainment lineup on two stages, traditional folks dancing performances, dozens of restaurants serving delicious Polish food, beer gardens, over 100 vendor booths, an antique car show and plenty of attractions for our youngest festival goers.”
Back in New Haven, and back in time, the Pardee-Morris House hosts The Women of ’76 at 2 p.m. This one-woman performance by actor Rita Parisi highlights “five women who witnessed the American Revolution and changed the course of history. Among them will be Baroness von Riedesel, wife of a Hessian general and chronicler of life in Revolutionary War military camps; Prudence Wright, minute woman and spy catcher; and Nancy Hart, a southern frontierswoman who faced the enemy and won.”
At 4 in Woolsey Hall, New Haven Chorale’s 75th Anniversary Gala Concert features multiple guest conductors leading the choir through works by four composers, including a world premiere. Organizers also promise “a few surprises involving our audience and former members!”
Written by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
