Halloween comes early, and a major open studios event, now independent, happens right on time.
Monday, October 16
With seven days to go, NHdocs, a.k.a. the New Haven Documentary Film Festival, picks up at noon with a screening of Go Through the Dark at Ives Main Library.
Tuesday, October 17
In a virtual talk sponsored by several groups at Yale, conservation journalist Ben Goldfarb discusses his most recent book, Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet. Here’s some background: “Approximately 40 million miles of roadways encircle the earth, but humans tend to regard them only as infrastructure for our convenience. Yet roads have far-reaching—and deadly—consequences for the nonhuman world: one million animals are killed by cars each day in the U.S. alone. Roadways also fragment wildlife populations into inbred clusters, disrupt migration for creatures from antelope to salmon, allow invasive plants to spread, and even bend the arc of evolution itself.”
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Wednesday, October 18
East Rock Brewing hosts a trivia night focused on the romantic, arcane topic of “New England lore.”
Thursday, October 19
At Witch Bitch Thrift, a “haunted house experience featuring locally sourced fear” opens its creaky doors at 6 p.m., a few days before a medium stops by for a 7 p.m. group session on Sunday.
At 8 p.m., Yale Cabaret begins a three-day, five-show presentation of Romeo and You-liet, a collaboration with the Yale sketch comedy troupe Red Hot Poker. “Step into Verona’s age-old feud and steer the fate of the star-crossed lovers in this interactive retelling. Every choice we make rebuilds Shakespeare’s iconic tale into something simultaneously recognizable and uniquely yours.”
Friday, October 20
Two Roads Brewing in Stratford celebrates Roadsmary’s Baby, its seasonal pumpkin ale, all weekend. First up, from 5 to 10 tonight, is a horror film competition and screening party. Next, on Saturday from 4 to 10, is a pumpkin festival with live music, food trucks, pumpkin carving, a costume party and a screening of Scream. Finally, from noon to 5 Sunday, a kid- and dog-friendly family fall festival features costume contests, face painting, a moon bounce and pumpkin decorating.
A New Haven Jazz Underground show at Three Sheets features original jazz from the Wes Lewis Quartet. “Following the 6-to-7 p.m. set, the event will open into a jam session until 9 p.m.,” a press release says, “so be sure to bring your horns/voice/charts!”
At 7:30 in Orange’s High Plains Community Center, the Orange Players present their opening performance of the romantic comedy Almost, Maine. “One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.”
Saturday, October 21
Taking up the charge instead of Artspace this October, nearly 100 artists have banded together for an open studios weekend in the historic Erector Square complex. From noon to 5 today and Sunday, the artists will invite the public into their studios to “talk… about their work, see work in progress, and learn about the creative process. All ages can participate and be introduced to a variety of art forms and media, including painting, collage, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics, dance, music and more.”
Also at noon, during the New Haven Chalk Art Festival, The Shops at Yale invite the public to “stroll the Chapel and Broadway districts to view and vote on elaborate chalk art designs by more than 75 talented artists at two locations, enjoy a Family Fun Zone with free chalk, exclusive offers to retailers and restaurants, a raffle and more!”
At 1 in Guilford, a Halloween Spooktacular Car Show at SJ Shop, an auto detailing and performance specialist, promises “food trucks, DJ, indoor spooky walkthrough, trophies, raffle prizes/giveaways and more,” including “a chance to see some of our builds.”
From 5 to 10 at Armada Brewing, a Paranormal Night Market promises “a captivating fusion of mysticism, wonder, and curiosities” between vendors, mediums, fortune-tellers, magicians, performers and more.
At 7, a Spooky-Ookey BingoMania event at the Annex YMA Club offers a bring-your-own-food (but buy-your-own-drinks) bingo night hosted by local drag artist Kiki Lucia.
Finally, at 9, Baila Con Gusto hosts a Halloween Salsa Social in the undercroft of the Episcopal Church of St. Paul & St. James, with “Latin social dancing, … a Halloween costume contest, competitive games with prizes, spooky surprises, an open-level salsa dance lesson, candy, and more”—plus a theme: “murder mystery at the haunted cathedral.”
Written by Dan Mims. Image 1, featuring a view of the Erector Square complex, by Dan Mims. Image 2, of Wes Lewis, by @spectrefoto. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
