Public park parties, abstract art affairs and many more moments begin with a tribute to the ultimate man of letters.
Monday, October 7
Ahead of National Dictionary Day—which is timed for foundational lexicographer (and New Havener) Noah Webster’s birthday on October 16—the next virtual Mondays at Beinecke talk, starting at 4:30 p.m., features “highlights from the library’s extensive collections related to Noah Webster [and] his life, family, and work.”
Also, New Haven Restaurant Week is underway.
Tuesday, October 8
Every Tuesday this month, Best Video in Hamden is screening a horror film selected by one of its members. Tonight’s selection, rolling at 7 p.m., is Mother Joan of the Angels, “a 1961 Polish horror art film on demonic possession.”
Wednesday, October 9
From 5:30 to 8:30 at the Yale School of Architecture, the New Haven Preservation Trust’s annual Celebration of Preservation fundraiser “feature[s] a lecture by Françoise Bollack, author of Old Buildings, New Ideas (2023), food and drink catered by Chestnut Fine Foods, and a silent auction.”
At 7:15 at The Cannon, NHdocs, a.k.a. the New Haven Documentary Film Festival, presents what organizers say will be its final screening ever: Humans and Other Animals (2024), a “globally acclaimed documentary [that] will take you on an epic journey... from cutting-edge science to high-stakes spying... that forever changes how you see animals—including yourself.”
Thursday, October 10
At 5:30 p.m. at the Yale University Art Gallery, “join Fritz Horstman, Education Director, Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, to experiment with color phenomena—such as simultaneous contrast and the illusion of transparence—and to discuss his new book Interacting with Color: A Practical Guide to Josef Albers’s Color Experiments (Yale University Press, 2024).”
From 6 to 8, the gallery at mActivity hosts an opening reception for Capitol America II, a followup to a past exhibition of local photographers Robert Lisak and David Ottenstein’s stunning shots of America’s state capitols (including Oregon’s, pictured above).
The world premiere of falcon girls opens for previews tonight at 8 at Yale Repertory Theatre. “It’s the ’90s in rural Falcon, Colorado. Six teenage girls on the FFA horse judging team are determined to make it to nationals come hell or high water. But to do that, they must grapple with jealousy, rivalries, sex, Jesus, AOL chat rooms, impossible expectations, and rumors of a serial killer.”
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Friday, October 11
At noon, sculptor Rana Begum, whose monumental abstract works “draw from the urban landscape” and “absorb and reflect varied densities of light to produce an experience for the viewer that is both temporal and sensory,” stars in the Yale Center for British Art’s next Artists in Conversation virtual talk.
At 8, Three Sheets hosts a show headlined by Creatures, a quirky instrumental three-piece with a woodwind element, and rounded out by Discount Fireworks, Fatal Film and My Fellow.
Saturday, October 12
A Centennial Celebration at Hamden’s Sleeping Giant State Park marks “100 years to the day since this beloved landmark first opened its gates to the public.” Ceremonial remarks at 10 a.m. lead to a festival at 11 offering food trucks, a beer garden, guided hikes, a “trading post” selling limited-edition party merch, live music and more.
From 10 to 4, North Haven coffeehouse Crossroads hosts Camp Crossroads, an annual “ode to iconic slasher films” featuring live music, 15 vendors and food from Chef Sil’s Vegan Kitchen, whose presence proves any slashing here is strictly in the movies.
Speaking of which, from 11 to 8 at Hamden’s Whitneyville Cultural Commons, the 8th Annual Compassionfest convenes “delicious vegan food and animal-friendly product providers, nonprofits [and] local artisans” along with “music, yoga and healing workshops for all ages.” Given the October timing this year, there’s also a jack-o’-lantern lighting and pumpkin swap at sundown.
One of four loosely connected New Haven Open Studios weekends this month expands beyond city limits. A West Haven variant involves multiple locations including the artist studios at 14 Gilbert Street, set to open from noon to 4 today and tomorrow, while an Amplify the Arts Festival at the Eli Whitney Barn promises “live performances, art exhibitions, and more” from 1 to 7 today and noon to 6 tomorrow.
From noon to 4, the next New Haven Chalk Art Festival invites us to “stroll the Chapel and Broadway districts to view and vote on elaborate chalk art designs by more than 60 talented artists”—and to “enjoy a Family Fun Zone with free chalk, exclusive offers to retailers and restaurants, a raffle and more!”
The Shubert, meanwhile, invites us to “join the original ‘Columbia,’” Nell Campbell, for a screening of the “original, unedited” version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, replete with live performers, audience participation and a costume contest.
Sunday, October 13
A Fall Festival at Peter’s Rock Park in North Haven offers a guided hike to the summit, family-friendly activities and complimentary drinks and snacks.
An opening reception from 2 to 5 at Kehler Liddell Gallery features abstract works by Eddie Hall, who upcycles and paints discarded windows to create “vibrant colors and patterns,” and Sheldon Krevit, whose paintings and drawings feature speckled surfaces invoking the gravel beneath our feet and the stars above.
At 5, Breakwater Books in Guilford hosts an Authors in Conversation event featuring local poets Jen Payne and Julie Fitzpatrick, who are set to discuss Payne’s new book, Sleeping with Ghosts.
Written by Dan Mims. Image, photographed by Robert Lisak and appearing at mActivity as part of Capitol America II, features an image from inside the Oregon State Capitol. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
