Magical realism: a genre of storytelling, yes, but also a fair summation of the week ahead.
Monday, December 17
After a full-on Yule Ball last week, this week’s Harry Potter tribute is more like a low-key night at the Three Broomsticks, with The Beer Collective (130 Court St, New Haven; 203-507-2602) hosting a Potter-themed team trivia session from 7 to 10 p.m. There’s no cover, but there is a two-item minimum per person.
Tuesday, December 18
“In the aftermath of a deadly civil war, a mysterious plague is killing the children of San Isidro. Moises, the village doctor, whose wife was brutally murdered by enemy soldiers, has shut himself away. Coaxed back to his practice by the desperate townspeople, Moises discovers he has extraordinary healing powers. But can he help those who destroyed his world?” So ask the producers of the magical realism-infused Seven Spots on the Sun, a Yale School of Drama show that finishes tonight with an 8 p.m. performance at the Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel St, New Haven; 203-432-1234). $25, or $20 for Yale employees and $15 for students.
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Wednesday, December 19
At Creative Arts Workshop (80 Audubon St, New Haven; 203-562-4927), the Celebration of American Crafts, “a much-anticipated annual juried sale” of “fiber art, small-scale sculpture, handmade books and jewelry, ornaments, clothing, limited edition prints and photographs, pottery and ceramics and more”—with “many objects being one-of-a-kind”—enters its final week. If you’re looking for a Christmas gift embodying “excellence, originality and mastery,” this might be your move. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Friday, 11 to 8 Thursday and 11 to 5 Saturday and Sunday.
Thursday, December 20
Out of an enormous number of film and TV adaptations, director Brian Desmond Hurst’s 1951 version of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge (pictured above), is probably the standard-bearer. You’ve likely seen it, but you probably haven’t seen it surrounded by objects that were around when and where Dickens was, as you can do at the Yale Center for British Art (1080 Chapel St, New Haven; 203-432-2800) during a free screening that starts at 6 p.m.
Another touchstone of the holiday season happens at Woolsey Hall (500 College St, New Haven) at 7:30 p.m., when the New Haven Symphony Orchestra presents Handel’s Messiah with help from the Christ Church Choir. $15-74; $10 for college students; and free for youth under 18 with the purchase of a greater or equal number of adult tickets.
Friday, December 21
From 4:30 to 7 p.m. in Edgerton Park (75 Cliff St, New Haven; “enter at upper Cliff Street and Edgehill Road Gates”), the paths will be lined with hundreds of glowing lights for a Winter Solstice Luminary Walk. “Visitors will enjoy a dose of winter magic as they stroll the paths, explore the greenhouse [where wreaths and other decorations can be purchased] and enjoy warm refreshments in the Carriage House,” organizers say.
Collecting Christmastime toys for the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, the locally rooted but often-touring funk band Kung Fu presents its eighth annual Toys for Tots show at Toad’s Place (300 York St, New Haven; 203-624-8623), where the doors open at 8 and the music—including one set of Kung Fu originals followed by a set of Stevie Wonder tributes—starts at 9. “Special guests” include the fantastic funky fusion foursome TAUK and funk keyboarding legend Nigel Hall. $25, or $20 in advance; donations of new, unwrapped toys encouraged.
Saturday, December 22
Santa Claus is coming to the Yale Bookstore (77 Broadway, New Haven) to “read stories to children and take photos with families” from 1 to 3 p.m. “Snacks will be provided,” as will face painting. Free.
From 7 to 9 p.m.—and “at least an hour before and after”—“a loose cabal of songwriter-types” called Love Rhombus are convening with listeners at Never Ending Books (810 State St, New Haven) for a free show with a house party vibe. “Songs, apizza, beverages, bring some, share some, be lovely.”
Starting at 9 p.m., Barracuda Bistro & Bar (1180 Chapel St, New Haven; 203-691-5696) is hosting a Feo Christmas Sweater Party, and, as even those who don’t know a lick of Spanish may be able to deduce, “feo” means ugly. Prizes are promised to those wearing “the best (or worst) sweaters.” No cover.
Sunday, December 23
Goodwill Southern New England’s annual Fantasy of Lights drive-through display of twinkly oversized seasonal imagery has been going strong in Lighthouse Point Park (2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven) since mid-November. Just before the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day rushes—the display is open on New Year’s Eve and Day, too—you can see it today from 5 to 9 p.m. $10 per car, $25 per minibus and $50 per full-size bus.
Written by Dan Mims. Image depicts a scene from A Christmas Carol (1951). Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
