Lots of music and rhythm in special places this week—in libraries, in parks, and in a historic 18th-century homestead.
Monday, July 16
Mark Zarillo presents a Family Drumming Circle and Concert 6:30 p.m. at Mitchell Branch Library. (37 Harrison St., New Haven; 203-946-8117).
At night, the weekly stand-up comedy series Fistful of Jokes hopes to raise fistfuls of dollars to benefit Bonnie L. Taylor (mother of scenesters Ryan and Adam Taylor) in her long fight against breast cancer. The generous jokesters include Dan Soder, Mike Finoia, Roger Miller, Vinnie Pagano, Andrew Morgan, Rob Pugliese and host Jerry Morgan. 7 p.m. at Café Nine (250 State St., New Haven; 203-789-8281). $5.
Tuesday, July 17
Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps is a literate and alliterative klatsch of stringed instruments, percussion and an accordion. The band kicks off the Twilight Tuesday concert series at the Park of the Arts behind Neighborhood Music School (100 Audubon Street). It’s a dinner/movie combo, with the meal at 6:30 p.m. and the concert at 7:15 p.m. $20, $5 children. Reservations recommended: (203) 624-5189 x15.
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Wednesday, July 18
Some day, they say, your prints will come. The Yale University Art Gallery lecture today is on “Things You Can Learn from Prints.” Alexandra Greist, Yale’s Florence B. Selden Fellow of Prints, Drawings and Photographs leads the illuminating gallery talk. 12:30 p.m., 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. (203) 432-0600.
In the evening, you’ll find the local barbershop quartet The Usual Suspects fitting in neatly amid the homespun sweetness of the Pardee-Morris House (325 Lighthouse Rd., New Haven). The quartet, which has been harmonizing together since 2009, is an offshoot of the Coastal Chordsmen choral organization. The concert is part of the P-M House’s inaugural Twilight Concert Series. The 7 p.m. show is free.
Thursday, July 19
You’ll have plenty of time to see the Arts Council of Greater New Haven’s ninth annual members show, entitled Encompass—it’s up on the council’s walls from July 20 through Sept. 14. But you’ve only got one chance to schmooze with the artists and Arts Council staffers and fellow art-lovers at Encompass’ opening reception, which should encompass many of the things we like about the local arts community. The shindig is from 5-7 p.m. on the second floor of 70 Audubon St., New Haven. (203), 772-2788.
Friday, July 20
Nona Hendryx’s career has something for every discerning pop music fan: hit records with the funked-up girl group Labelle, pioneering journeys into hip-hop and alternative music, three albums with Talking Heads and appearances on records by Yoko Ono, Dan Hartman, Keith Richards, Cameo and others. Can such a legacy be contained in such an intimate environment as Café Nine (250 State St., New Haven; 203-789-8281)? We’ll find out tonight. The Nona Hendryx experience commences at 9 p.m. $20.
Saturday, July 21
The Institute Library continues to grow the variety of live events it hosts and sponsors. Today at 2 p.m. there’s a reading of the new comic drama Clutter by Indiana playwright Lou Harry. The cast includes four key members of the New Haven Theater Company. The Institute Library is aiming to stimulate eager minds not just through literature but through performance, discussion and debate. 847 Chapel Street, New Haven (second floor). $5.
Saturday night, New Haven Green’s the place to picnic, relax, then rise to your feet for the upbeat whimsical soul-pop of Mayer Hawthorne. Accomplished local pop rocker Seth Adam opens the 6 p.m. show, the first of two Music on the Green concerts this summer sponsored by Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Sunday, July 22
Two female singer-songwriters with a old-time folk friendliness—the lyrical Lys Guillorn and the bluesy Baby G—share a bill with the 1930s-style folk/jazz combo Mornin’ Old Sport, whose members hail from California, Colorado and New Jersey but found a common love for jaunty old Americana when studying together at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. All these cool sounds converge at The Outer Space (295 Treadwell St., Hamden; 203-288-6400). 8 p.m., $8.
Written by Christopher Arnott.
