Does the presence of numerous legends promise a legendary week in New Haven? We’re about to find out.
Monday, August 20
It’s the second day—and second and third sessions, respectively starting at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.—of the main draw at the Connecticut Open pro women’s tennis tourney, with today’s regular adult tickets starting at $30. The tournament, held at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale (45 Yale Ave, New Haven; 203-776-7331), runs through Saturday, when the singles and doubles champions will be crowned. In the meantime, Men’s Legends events on Thursday and Friday evenings feature matches between James Blake, Tommy Haas, Todd Martin and John McEnroe.
Tuesday, August 21
Thimble Island Brewing Company (16 Business Park Dr, Branford; 203-208-2827) hosts its weekly trivia game from 7 to 9 p.m. “Thinkers and drinkers unite!” organizers say. Free.
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Wednesday, August 22
Reggae legends Toots and the Maytals—“credited with giving the genre its name,” according to their bio—come to College Street Music Hall (238 College St, New Haven; 203-867-2000) for an 8 p.m. show opened by also-legendary “American ska and rock fusion” act Fishbone. You’ve almost surely heard the headliner’s biggest songs, like “Funky Kingston,” “54-46 Was My Number” and “Pressure Drop.” You might not have heard any of Fishbone’s stuff, but the live show is apparently stellar. $30-40.
Thursday, August 23
Protect Our Pollinators: Gardening to Save the Bees & Monarch Butterflies—a free “presentation on the importance of pollinators today and the steps you can take to help protect our pollinators now”—happens at 6 p.m. in Hagaman Memorial Library (227 Main St, East Haven; 203-468-3890). “Free refreshments served; free seeds distributed!”
Friday, August 24
It’s time to get jazzed. From 4 to 8 p.m., coinciding with this summer’s final Happy Hour in the Plaza event, Jazz Haven’s 2018 New Haven Jazz Week fills Temple Plaza, an outdoor space between College, Chapel, Temple and Crown Streets, with performances by Alec Rice Quintet, Andrew Beals Quintet and Adam Rogers DICE. The afterparty’s at Cafe Nine (250 State St, New Haven; 203-789-8281), starting at 9 p.m. and featuring Kelly Green with special guest George Coleman.
Meanwhile, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., locally legendary jazz act Eight to the Bar leads a night of swing dancing over at Amarante’s Sea Cliff (62 Cove St, New Haven; 203-467-2531). The cover is $10, with appetizers and cocktails available for purchase.
Saturday, August 25
It’s back to Temple Plaza today for the second annual New Haven Craft Beer Fest. Featuring 31 breweries and nearly 60 different beers; music and lawn games; and, available for purchase, food from presenting sponsor Prime 16, organizers promise “unlimited drink samples with short lines and an opportunity to meet the people behind the beer.” Tickets to both regular sessions, from noon to 2 and 3 to 5, cost $30, while an early-access ticket to the VIP session from 11 a.m. to 2 costs $40.
Sunday, August 26
At the Space Ballroom (295 Treadwell St, Hamden), former Deep Purple bassist/co-frontman Glenn Hughes is leading “a turn-back-the-clocks, two-hour live extravaganza homage to his tenure in… one of music history’s most seminal and influential rock and roll groups.” 8 p.m. $40-45.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Image depicts a pollinator—specifically, a Great Golden Digger Wasp—in Edgewood Park. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
