The week ahead is a good teacher, whose subjects include horticulture and geek culture plus local wines and local pizza.
Monday, August 5
In concert with Docunight, whose mission is to illuminate Iran through the medium of film, Sterling Memorial Library (120 High St, New Haven) hosts a free double feature starting at 7 p.m. Billed first is Like a Woman (2017), a documentary about the persecuted reformer Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani, who happens to be the daughter of former Iranian president (and key Iranian Revolution figure) Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Also on the bill is Janbal (2017), a film “inspired by an ancient Hormuz Island myth” that uses “stories told by the island’s dwellers as its starting point and playfully finds its form from there.”
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Tuesday, August 6
Presented by Jazz Haven and host Neighborhood Music School (100 Audubon St, New Haven; 203-624-5189), Grammy-winning saxophonist and hometown hero Wayne Escoffery links up with organist Pat Bianchi, guitarist Mark Whitfield and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. for a 7 p.m., $15 performance. The show is part of the ongoing New Haven Summer Jazz Festival, which began in June but hits its apex this month.
Wednesday, August 7
The itinerary of the 109th Plant Science Day at Lockwood Farm (890 Evergreen Ave, Hamden) commences at 10 a.m. and runs ’til 4 p.m., spanning educational activities for adults and kids including research presentations, field experiments, technical demonstrations, barn exhibits and a keynote lecture that should benefit academics, professionals, gardeners, homeowners and others who tend to plants in one way or another. Free.
Thursday, August 8
At Yale Summer Cabaret (217 Park St, New Haven; 203-432-1567), it’s opening night of the season’s final production: Latinos Who Look Like Ricky Martin. Written by Emilio Rodriguez and directed by Jecamiah M. Ybañez, this “smart new comedy” follows “members of a university Latinx affinity group” as they vie for leadership. “Tensions run high as members are pitted against each other, identities are called into question, and communal cultural dirty laundry is aired. In an identity-aware zeitgeist, what is the genuine connection that determines whether or not someone can represent and speak for an entire group?” $29, or $19 for Yale faculty/staff and $16 for students.
Friday, August 9
Brace yourself for the riot of bright colors and over- and undersized fonts and images that is Terrificon’s website, then brace yourself for a longer drive than usual. Terrificon, an iteration of the popular ComicCon format, comes to Mohegan Sun (1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville) from 2 to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, with daily tickets ($26-30) and weekend passes ($75) available. Along the way, attendees can expect hundreds of exhibitors including about 150 sellers of comics and collectibles; expert panels; copious cosplay; and appearances by more or less recognizable celebrities including top-liners Val Kilmer and Billy Dee Williams—who, along with the other notables, are offering a la carte photo ops and autographs for additional fees that can be paid in advance.
Saturday, August 10
From noon to 7 today and noon to 6 tomorrow, Bishop’s Orchards (1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford; 203-453-2338) hosts the 13th Annual Shoreline Wine Festival, which “celebrate[s] fine wines from Connecticut wineries and vineyards from all over the state,” offers “some of the area’s finest foods” for purchase and ties it all together with a pastoral setting and “live music and entertainment.” Day tickets—there are no weekend passes—cost $38.50 for imbibers and $11 for designated drivers.
Sunday, August 11
Next Door Pizza and Bar (175 Humphrey St, New Haven; 475-234-5969) offers to fill your brain with some of its secrets and your stomach with all-you-can-eat pizza during a $50 pizzamaking class that goes from noon to 2pm. Organizers also promise a serving of “New Haven pizza history” from co-owner Doug Coffin, who many locals may recognize as the patriarch of Big Green Truck Pizza.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
