This week goes in one year and out the other.
Monday, December 30
A larger-than-usual lineup serves up a sampler platter of locally rooted music at Cafe Nine (250 State St, New Haven; 203-789-8281), featuring Ports of Spain, Snake Oil, Elison Jackson and Witch Hair as well as Chester-based American Elm and New York City-based Reese Florence. Free with RSVP or $5 at the door.
Tuesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve
Ready to say goodbye to 2019? Here are 19 methods.
Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
As it does every first day of the year, the Elm City Parks Conservancy has organized a Plunge for Parks fundraiser at Lighthouse Point (2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven). You can pay $25 for the right to hot tubs and breakfast after you take a dip in the frigid Sound, or you can pay $10 to spectate and dine. “Everyone,” meanwhile, “will enjoy the live music,” with crafts for kids and a raffle as well.
Also taking the plunge is New Haven’s next mayor, Justin Elicker, alongside a number of other public officials being sworn in during a public ceremony at Hillhouse High School (480 Sherman Pkwy, New Haven). The ceremony starts at noon and is followed by a reception in the school’s cafeteria.
Thursday, January 2
Less than 48 hours after your New Year’s blowout of choice, you might not want to be anywhere near alcohol. That’s no problem at Musical Intervention, whose weekly open mic, which starts at 7 p.m. or so (performers should arrive earlier to reserve a spot) and promises “the most diverse [open mic lineup] around,” offers a “sober space” that’s “all about the music.” Admission is free, though donations are welcome.
Friday, January 3
The State House (310 State St, New Haven) hosts the second annual We The Heroes Ball, “a cabaret show featuring a variety of queer artists performing nerd-themed numbers for your dollars.” Those dollars benefit the New Haven Pride Center—whose mission is “to provide educational, cultural and social enrichment for the LGBTQ+ community, its allies and members”—and those artists are Akira AK, Kiki Lucia, Giganta Smalls, Sienna Rose, Professor M, Hazel Tart and Megami. $12 in advance, or $15 at the door.
Saturday, January 4
At 10:30 a.m., Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper, author of numerous popular works for kids and teens—including the seminal The Dark is Rising young adult fantasy series—comes to RJ Julia (768 Boston Post Rd, Madison; 203-245-3959), where she’ll be reading and signing recent works for children The Shortest Day and The Word Pirates. Free; registration requested.
And it’s back to The State House (310 State St, New Haven) for the club’s first dance party of 2020, when DJs Wave and R.I.C.H.A.R.D. “celebrate the new decade” by enlisting the “best” alternative, new wave and post-punk music of two earlier decades: the 1980s and ’90s. $5.
Sunday, January 5
Yoga practitioner Jackie Waszczak invites you to “find your balance”—that is, to “soothe a stiff body and stagnant or over-stressed mind”—at Counter Weight Brewing (23 Raccio Park Rd, Hamden; 203-821-7333), where a $20 Vinyasa class starts at 10 a.m. and includes a voucher redeemable for a beer at the acclaimed brewery.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
