Things have lightened up around town. Sunnier, yes. But we’re also between the big anchoring summer events such as Arts & Ideas and the New Haven Open at Yale. So take this week to just enjoy the extraordinary things Yale has to offer even at a slow time of year. Singing! Live theater! And yes, a climbing wall on a parking island right downtown.
Monday, July 8
Ben Erickson has been in a lot of cool experimental local bands with a lot of different people over the years. Tonight he’s a part of the new Saloon Singer’s Showcase series at Cafe Nine. Also on the bill: singer-songwriter Mark Ferraro and the band The Business People (a class of person who can be expected to know a little something about saloons). 8 p.m., no cover. 250 State Street, New Haven. (203) 789-8281.
Tuesday, July 9
Neighborhood Music School’s Twilight Tuesdays Concert presents the folk/blues/pop act Brother Sun in the Park for the Arts (behind the school on Audubon Street between Whitney and Orange). Dinners provided by Abel Caterers are available for sale at 6:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7:15. Admission is $20 for adults/teens and $5 for the 12-and-under set.
sponsored by
Wednesday, July 10
A five-session “Choral Skills Workshop,” sponsored by New Haven Oratorio Choir, commences tonight at 7 p.m. and continues each Wednesday through August 7 at Church of the Redeemer, 185 Cold Spring Street, New Haven. NHOC’s director Daniel Shaw teaches. (203) 248-4416. $25.
The Long Wharf’s regular theater season doesn’t start again until fall. But for a summer treat, the theater has booked a national tour of the revue Smokey Joe’s Café (pictured above), based on songs by the pioneering rock songwriting duo Lieber & Stoller. These were the guys behind scores of hits recorded by Elvis, the Shangri-Las and Peggy Lee. It’s at the Long Wharf (222 Sargent Drive, New Haven; 203-787-4282) today (and tonight—there are afternoon and evening performances, some dates) through July 28.
For a more modern rock experience, The Mantles, Juan Wauters of The Beets and The Mendition of the Quay intelligently rock BAR (254 Crown Street, New Haven) for free starting at 9 p.m.
Thursday, July 11
The third production of the Yale Summer Cabaret 2013 season is the fantastical play The Shoemaker’s Prodigious Wife by the great Federico García Lorca. Tonight is opening night. The show continues through July 20, with no performances on the 15th or 16th and all starting at 8 p.m. Get there early for drinks and dinner. 217 Park Street, New Haven. (203) 432-1567. $25 or $20 for Yale faculty and $14 for students.
The reggae star Luciano makes it feel like summertime at Toad’s Place (300 York Street, New Haven; 624-TOAD). 10 p.m. $25, $20 in advance.
Friday, July 12
Mark Mulcahy, the legendary leader of Miracle Legion and now-internationally renowned solo artist, grew up in the fertile New Haven music scene of the ’70s and ’80s. Mulcahy’s just released his first new album in six years, the brilliant and lyrical Dear Mark J. Mulcahy, I Love You, and is headlining an 8:30 p.m. bill tonight in the Spaceland Ballroom (295 Treadwell Street, Hamden). $15, $12 in advance.
Saturday, July 13
The summery reggae/ska/Jamaican soul rhythms continue with The Royal Swindle rocking the intimate Stella Blues (204 Crown Street, New Haven; 203-752-9764; call ahead to confirm timing and cover charge, if any). The Swindle-ers hail from such other revered local ska acts as The Stepbacks and Sgt. Scagnetti.
Nore Davis and Aaron David Ward wrap up a yock-filled two-night stand at the Joker’s Wild comedy club (232 Wooster Street, New Haven). Shows are Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 8 & 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 14
You might have noticed a giant climbing wall reaching skyward some weekends on the parking island which divides Broadway from Elm Street downtown. That frolicsome exercise opportunity is sponsored by Trailblazer and will be up today from noon to 4 p.m. You can climb for free, and experts will be on hand to make sure you don’t fall. Those under 18 years old will need a parent present to sign off.
Written by Christopher Arnott.
Readers are encouraged to verify dates, times, locations and prices before attending events.
