As colleges around town hunker down for final exams, there’s no shortage of reasons for the rest of us to be out and about.
Monday, December 9
At Mitchell Library (37 Harrison St, New Haven; 203-946-8117), life coach Millie Grenough offers advice on “How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World,” especially during the holidays. “Bring your real self to this gathering and… Grenough will help you find practical ways to really enjoy these days.” Free.
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Tuesday, December 10
The Pixies, “the most influential, pioneering band of the late 80s alt/rock movement,” headline an 8 p.m. bill at College Street Music Hall (238 College St, New Haven; 877-987-6487). Opening the show is Kristin Hersh, a singer-songwriter who’s released 20 albums between her bands and solo career. $45-60.
Wednesday, December 11
Aiming to “create a real connection between audiences and artists,” Simply Intricate, the next concert in the Kallos Chamber Music Series, starts at 7:30 p.m. inside First Presbyterian Church (704 Whitney Ave, New Haven). Featuring “distinguished violist Ettore Causa,” who sits on the Yale School of Music faculty, and “the most beloved piano quartets of our time,” the performance is followed by a likewise intimate reception afterward. $16-26.50.
Thursday, December 12
PULSE, the local Chamber of Commerce’s young professional networking group, hosts a “Cocktails & Candy Canes” Holiday Social from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The site is Barcade (56 Orange St, New Haven), where the arcade games are about as old as the attendees, who can enjoy “complimentary appetizers, game tokens, and Happy Hour drink specials.” Registration is free, though organizers do request a toy donation for the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
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Friday, December 13
Chapter & Verse, a free local reading series featuring prose but mostly poetry, returns to Koffee? (104 Audubon St, New Haven; 203-465-6244) at 6:30 p.m. The theme this time? “Witness.”
Aaron Novik’s ambient, experimental No Signal project, notable right off the bat for starring two guitarists and two clarinetists—each pair tuned a half step apart—comes to Firehouse 12 (45 Crown St, New Haven 203-785-0468). Tickets cost $20 for the 8:30 show or $15 for the 10 p.m.
Saturday, December 14
Common Ground High School’s 2019 Winter Festival, promising a local craft fair as well as “children’s activities, a bake sale, food and a raffle,” lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also make a wreath using “fresh greens and other seasonal decorations from nature” for $8 a pop. 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven. Free to attend.
Not far away, Westville is celebrating the holiday season in style, with an Anti Mall Shop Small Market at Lotta Studio (911 Whalley Ave, New Haven) from noon to 8 p.m.; open studios at West River Arts (909 Whalley Ave) from noon to 5; an opening reception for group show Deck the Walls and “launch of the UNFRAMED art sale” at Kehler Liddell Gallery (873 Whalley Ave, New Haven) from 3 to 6 p.m.; a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. in the lot at Whalley and Blake; and a concert by “local South African Soulstar, Thabisa! and her band” at Kehler Liddell at 7 p.m. Free to attend.
Sunday, December 15
With four shows total, at 1 and 5 p.m. both yesterday and today, the New Haven Ballet, with help from New York City Ballet Prinicipal dancers Lauren Lovette and Joseph Gordon, presents The Nutcracker at the Shubert Theatre (247 College St, New Haven; 203-562-5666). “Come and experience Clara’s dream world brought to life—from the enchanting party where she meets the charming nephew of her Uncle Drosselmeyer and is enthralled by dancing dolls, to the daring battle between the Mouse King and brave Nutcracker Prince.” $25-73.
Written by Dan Mims. Image, of The Pixies in concert, photographed by Andy Keilen. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
