There’s high drama this week in New Haven. Several intriguing theatrical productions are staged around the city, just as the results of the investigation into the human skeleton unearthed by Hurricane Sandy last year are climactically announced. Meanwhile, both the 45th annual Celebration of American Crafts and this season’s New Haven Restaurant Week get cooking.
And, of course, it’s Halloween on Thursday. Boo!
Monday, October 28
Today’s highlight isn’t scary at all. From 6 to 8 p.m. this evening, longtime Antioch University New England faculty member David Sobel gives a talk, “21st Century Children Need Nature: Designing Natural Play Areas,” in Yale’s Kroon Hall (195 Prospect St, New Haven). Sobel’s C.V. reveals he’s been studying “place-based education” and nature’s special role in childhood development for over 20 years. The event is sponsored by the Urban Resources Initiative and Leila Day Nurseries, the local childcare center that’s operated uninterrupted for a whopping 125 years.
Tuesday, October 29
At 6:30 p.m. tonight, outdoor gear shop Trailblazer (296 Elm St, New Haven; 203-865-6244) hosts a pre-Halloween “Pint Night” to benefit local farmers’ market organizer CitySeed. A $5 donation to the nonprofit makes you eligible to win raffles and a costume contest, which take place in-store. That donation also gets you a pint glass to hold your complimentary draught of City Steam beer after the party moves to nearby bar/grill Box 63 (338 Elm St, New Haven).
Wednesday, October 30
The Yale School of Drama puts on a ghastly plot this week at Iseman Theater (1156 Chapel St, New Haven). Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit tells the tale of a wealthy woman who pledges to save her hometown and its inhabitants from financial ruin, but only if one of them murders the man who cheated her many years before. Directed by Cole Lewis, performances of the play began yesterday at 8 p.m. and continue daily through Saturday, when there’s also a 2 p.m. matinee. $20, $10 for Yale students.
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Thursday, October 31
Happy Halloween! Add the finishing touches to your costume and put some candy in a bowl outside your front door, because you’re going out tonight.
Last October, Hurricane Sandy knocked over the Lincoln Oak tree on New Haven Green, revealing human skeletal remains beneath. From 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. this evening, the big reveal is at the New Haven Museum (114 Whitney Ave, New Haven; 203-5620-4183). The museum hosts “Getting to the Root of It,” a panel talk featuring the teams of experts and researchers who were tasked with uncovering the bones’ secrets, and who will be doing just that tonight. Free.
Lucifer comes to Lyric Hall (827 Whalley Ave, New Haven; 203-389-8885) tonight through Sunday for the premiere run of local songsmith Christoph Whitbeck’s rock opera The Devil Plays Poker. Performances officially begin at 8 p.m., with BYOB “pre-show gatherings” starting an hour before each show. Attendees of tonight’s performance are enthusiastically encouraged to don costumes. $10.
Yale Cabaret is certainly dressing up. Tonight through Saturday, the crew and players “transform the Cabaret into a 1950s broadcast studio” for Radio Hour, featuring nostalgic live reproductions of two “classic radio programs”—Gunsmoke and Ray Bradbury’s Zero Hour. Shows start at 8 p.m., with 11 p.m. showings tomorrow and Saturday. $20, $10 for Yale students. 217 Park St, New Haven; (203) 432-1566.
If you missed the official and unofficial parties around town last Saturday, or if you just want to get some more mileage out of your dancing shoes, cocktail bar Ordinary (990 Chapel St, New Haven; 203-907-0238) is freeing up its back room for Halloween-themed grooving, complete with DJ and projections, starting at 10 p.m. $5.
Friday, November 1
Vintanthromodern Vintage’s roving fashion boutique, the Vintanthromobile, has been rolling up to the city’s festivals, fairs and other outdoor happenings for many months now. In a role reversal, Vintanthromodern is hosting its own festivities tonight to mark the grand opening of its brick-and-mortar shop (1175 State St, Studio 212, in New Haven’s Trolley Square). Food trucks, local artisans and a DJ will be on hand to celebrate from 5 to 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ninth Square, wind down with Wine On9. A $15 ticket entitles you to a special tasting glass to bring to about a dozen area businesses, each pouring a wine chosen by The Wine Thief.
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Saturday, November 2
The Celebration of American Crafts, the annual craft exhibition and holiday shopping extravaganza held at Creative Arts Workshop (80 Audubon St, New Haven; 203-562-4927), kicks off its 45th edition at 11 a.m. today (last year’s is pictured above). Artisanal wares from over 300 artists based around the country—embodying “the finest in glass, ceramics, jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, handcrafted furniture and much more,” according to the curators at CAW—will be on display. Even better that a portion of proceeds benefits CAW.
Sunday, November 3
New Haven Restaurant Week begins today and lasts through Friday, November 8, arranging $18 and $32 prix fixe lunches and dinners at many of New Haven’s finest eateries. Drinks cost extra, but then again, you may be in the mood to splurge, having saved on the meal.
Yale Opera is presenting pieces of several different operas over the course of two non-identical programs this weekend in Morse Recital Hall (within Sprague Hall, 470 College St, New Haven; 203-432-4158). Called Opera Scenes, the first show occurred yesterday at 7:30 p.m., featuring scenes from five operas including Puccini’s La Bohème. The second performance happens today at 2 p.m. and showcases scenes from five operas as well, including Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. $10-12, $5 for Yale students.
Written by Dan Mims. Photograph by Katherine Spencer Carey.
