East Rock figures in both a community celebration and a murder mystery book signing this week. And the Fourth of July is so potent this year, its revolutionary spirit pervades July 2, 3, 6 & 7 as well.
Monday, July 2
July 4 comes a few days early with an American-themed, family-friendly evening of stories, sing-alongs and crafts 6:30 p.m. at Mitchell Branch Library (37 Harrison St., New Haven, 203-946-8117).
Tuesday, July 3
Tomorrow night, you watch the fireworks exploding from East Rock Park. Today, you can listen to New Haven-raised author Patrick Mascola read from Hell on East Rock, his new mystery novel set during an East Rock fireworks display in 1953. New Haven Free Public Library (133 Elm St., New Haven; 203-946-8835), at 2 p.m.
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Wednesday, July 4
It’s Independence Day, so where are the bombs bursting in air? Atop East Rock, at the annual New Haven Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks show. The sky will light up at 9 p.m., but the festivities begin five hours earlier at 4 p.m. with everything from a free-books table (courtesy of New Haven Reads) to food vendors, a tour of East Rock’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument and live music. For those who can’t make it to the summit (parking is at English Drive and Davis Street), there’s a second designated viewing area, a ground-level one, at Wilbur Cross High School on Mitchell Drive. (203) 946-8200.
Thursday, July 5
The exceptional indie-folk act Wye Oak, from Baltimore, is touring behind their third album, Civilian. It’s a gentle yet firm collection of tender emotions and raging guitars. Wye Oak plays The Space (295 Treadwell St., Hamden; 203-288-6400). Other Colors opens the 8 p.m. show. $12.
Friday, July 6
Dan Greene’s dreamlike art exhibit The Knife Thrower closed a couple of weeks ago at Intercambio on Chapel Street. Tonight we see another shade of Greene—the revered indie musician of Bug, Butterflies of Love and Mountain Movers notoriety. Greene’s playing solo at 5 p.m. at Café Nine (250 State St., New Haven; 203-789-8281).
That means Dan Greene has figured strongly in the first two monthly events known as On9, a widespread evening of special performances, sales, demonstrations and other attractions which center attention on New Haven’s beloved Ninth Square shopping and eating district. The first Friday of each month, On9 has a different theme—for July, it’s “Independence On9.” A key event is “New Haven’s First Street Table,” at which 75 guests (at $29.99 a head) will sit at a long table erected on Orange Street (between Chapel and Crown) and partake of a three-course repast featuring food from nine different participating restaurants. Other Independence On9 excitements include a celebration of the 100 anniversary of ACME Office Furniture at 33 Crown Street, a walking tour of the “Path of Stars” public art which honors Ninth Square history (and has been embedded in the sidewalks, Hollywood Walk of Fame style, since 1994), a selection of “red, white and blue foods” at green well Organic Tea & Coffee, fresh local art exhibits, and a picnic-oriented event at Elm City Market. On9 runs from 6 p.m. until, naturally, 9.
Saturday, July 7
It’s just a few days after Independence Day, which provides a special context for a guided tour of the current Yale University Art Gallery exhibition Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: America Rising. The display is the final installment of a trilogy of exhibits beginning last July, heralding the return to the YUAG of treasures which had been on loan or on tour to other galleries. The homecoming included John Trumbull’s famous work The Declaration of Independence. For the America Rising tour, meet in the museum lobby at noon. 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. (203) 432-0600. For painterly glimpses of what it was like before America rose, you can always check out the Yale Center for British Art across the street.
Sunday, July 8
City Gallery holds an opening reception for its new exhibit, Over Time, today at this time: 2-5 p.m. featuring artists Barbara Harder, Susan Newbold and Karen Wheeler. The theme is the passage of time—whether that means changes in the topography of the earth, how humans age or other timely musings. 994 State St., New Haven. (203) 782-2489.
There’s also a new show at Creative Arts Workshop (80 Audubon St., New Haven, 203-562-4927), of student work in a number of disciplines. It’s augmented with an art tag sale. 2-5 p.m.
Written by Christopher Arnott.
