Deck the halls for a (comparatively) quiet week anchored by a (proverbially) silent night.
Monday, December 22
From 5 to 6 p.m., a quintet of students from Neighborhood Music School perform “Mozart and holiday favorites” in the Ives Main Library lobby.
At 7, the choirs of St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church present Et In Terra Pax, “a concert of music and readings for the Christmas season.”
Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
Center Church on the Green, New Haven’s founding church, holds a Christmas Eve Carol Sing at 3:30 p.m. followed by a lessons and carols service at 4.
At 8, Stella Blues hosts an Xmas Eve Turnup. “Escape the holiday stress, have a few drinks and hang with [bartender] Tako! Beer pong in the front room, pool in the back!”
Thursday, December 25 - Christmas
The Spiritual Fellowship, “a supportive community where people gather to share what’s on their minds and hearts,” holds a Christmas party “for those in need of fellowship” from 3 to 8 p.m. at Trinity on the Green.
From 4 to 7 at Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, Nu Haven Kapelye performs its annual Christmas Day klezmer show. “We’ll perform Yiddish songs, and a wide variety of traditional klezmer dances: joyful freylekhs, boisterous bulgars, reflective horas, energetic kolomeykes and more.”
Friday, December 26
At 8 p.m. back at Stella Blues, the next Beats, Bits & Bites promises retro gaming consoles, bite-sized snacks and, starting at 9, DJs.
Saturday, December 27
During an early slot at 5 p.m. and a late slot at 9, Bingo Loco, “the most outrageous bingo party in the USA,” comes to Toad’s Place. “We’ve turned traditional bingo on its head—this is a full-blown party rave with DJs, dance-offs, lip-sync battles, confetti showers, and wild prizes you won’t believe.”
At 6, Nick Saint: Private Elf, a Christmas-themed murder mystery dinner, offers “a night of suspense and intrigue” (and a buffet) at Twisted Vine in Derby. “When night falls on Toyland Town, some elves play rough. But it’s nothing compared to what happens on The Island of Misfit Toys: the seamy underbelly of the North Pole; Santa’s dirty little secret. It’s no place for an elf, especially on Christmas Eve. Nick’s partner, Smiles Thirdly, just found that out. Twice, at close range. Nick needs your help to investigate, but if you come to The Island, don’t be a sap.”
At 8, legendary Connecticut ska band Spring Heeled Jack headline their third annual Holiday Romp & Stomp at Hamden’s Space Ballroom. Openers include Amazing Royal Clowns, Joker’s Republic and Lady Hatchet Quartet.
At 9, DJs Nusnce, Hugh Betta, NotBryan and Nature, Boy curate a pajama dance party at Cafe Nine.
Sunday, December 28
Back at Toad’s Place, a 3 p.m. “Road to Memphis” Holiday Blues Blowout features The Chicago Dawgs, “an authentic Chicago blues band” whose members “just happen to live in Connecticut,” plus a guest list of a dozen or more local and regional blues all-stars.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
