Whether local or visiting, or rising or risen, New Haven embraces artists. This week, poets get fair hearings while visual artists inspire chit-chat on Chapel Street. Over the weekend, orchestral ensembles build to impressive crescendos.
Impressed yet? Give it a week.
Monday, November 11
It’s Veterans Day, and the West Haven VA hospital (980 Campbell Ave, West Haven) is keen to mark it. At 10 a.m. (with same-day registration opening two hours before and costing $20), there’s a “5K Walk/Run for Fun” to benefit the construction of a new building devoted to “providing free accommodations to the families of veterans receiving inpatient care.” Then, at noon, the teachers and students of Music Haven will perform a free concert in the hospital’s Community Care Living Center, on the third floor of Building 2.
Tuesday, November 12
This afternoon, Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (121 Wall St, New Haven; 203-432-2977) hosts whom it calls “one of the greatest twentieth-century American poets.” Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning John Ashbery reads from some of his poems, which are wont to confound and surprise, starting at 4 p.m. Free.
Wednesday, November 13
Celebrated British sculptor Nicola Hicks has selected 7 of her works to display in the Yale Center for British Art for a “special exhibition” alongside paintings from the YCBA’s permanent collection. The show officially starts tomorrow (and lasts until March 9, 2014), but the opening is tonight at 5:30 p.m., and it’s a little unusual: the artist herself is having a conversation with “independent art curator” Patterson Sims, to onlookers’ delight. According to the YCBA, the group of works on display “underscores [Hicks's] interest in art that captures expression and emotion, and that demonstrates human empathy for the life-force of different creatures.” 1080 Chapel St, New Haven; (203) 432-2800.
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Thursday, November 14
Project Storefronts storefront Lipgloss Crisis (756 Chapel St, New Haven; 203-909-2203) is Petra-fying New Haven. An opening party tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. celebrates the retailer/event space’s new exhibition of “lenticular printed GIFs, 3D prints, painting and illustration” (including the work pictured above) by local artist and first-time solo exhibiter Petra Szilagyi. “Music and refreshments,” as well as “interactive pieces” for attendees to have some fun with, are promised. The exhibition ends on December 6. Free.
Friday, November 15
The full throat and smooth tone of Cat Power, a.k.a. Chan Marshall, have captivated critics and increasing numbers of off-mainstream music listeners for going on two tumultuous decades. But maybe her base isn’t so indie anymore; Marshall’s most recent and most self-assured album, SUN, released in 2012, is also her best-selling. Tonight at 7 p.m., Cat Power performs in the Meeting House of the Center Church on the Green (250 Temple St, New Haven). $36-40.
WAVEMACHINE is a poetry series led by David Gorin, who invites “established and emerging poets” to read next to local ones. Typically these readings occur in a “non-institutional environment”—often Gorin’s apartment. Tonight’s free reading at 7 p.m. occurs in the gallery of the Yale School of Art (1156 Chapel St, New Haven), but you can still expect that “non-institutional” vibe. The featured poets are award-winning Wellesley College professor Frank Bidart and up-and-comer novelist Garth Greenwell.
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Saturday, November 16
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is throwing a pleasurably paradoxical fundraising party tonight to celebrate its 120th anniversary and “German-American roots.” On one hand, it’s a swanky affair in Southern Connecticut State University’s Adanti Ballroom (345 Fitch St, New Haven), with cocktail attire required. On the other hand, the ballroom is being playfully transformed into a German biergarten with “a strolling accordion player,” among other musical entertainment. “German artisanal hors d’oeuvres” and “Oktoberfest-inspired dinner” are on the many-splendored menu, which is capped off by a dessert bar featuring the likes of Black Forest Cake and Apple Streudel. It’s like music to New Haven’s ears, though it comes at a price: tickets go for either $135 or $250. For more info or to buy tickets, click here or call Nikki Besitko at (203) 865-0831 x16.
Sunday, November 17
Igor Stravinsky’s Pagan sacrifice-themed orchestral bombshell The Rite of Spring is still satisfying the gods 100 years after its debut. Now in fall, too: the decidedly youthful and unstuffy RiteNow Project, spearheaded by conductor Paolo Bortolameolli, celebrates the masterpiece’s centennial tonight at 8 p.m. with a “one-time-only” performance at Woolsey Hall (500 College St, New Haven). The program, performed by Bortolameolli’s Zephyrus Project Orchestra, includes Stravinsky’s original masterpiece along with one Rite-inspired work from each of eight young but accomplished composers, many of them present or past Yalies. The show is free, but space is limited. Spring into action and reserve your seat here.
Written by Dan Mims. Image courtesy of Petra Szilagyi.
