International conflict and local love are in the air.
Monday, February 4
At 4 p.m. in Luce Hall (34 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven), Ivan Safranchuk, a senior fellow of the Institute of International Studies at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, is set to discuss US-Russian relations—which just reached yet another new low with the official dissolution of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a Cold War agreement that was crucial to ending that era’s nuclear arms race. Free.
Tuesday, February 5
Roxane Gay (pictured above), an award-winning and best-selling writer known for her focus on “feminism, race, gender and their intersections” and currently a visiting fellow at Yale, reads portions of her work starting at 7 p.m. in Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall (1 Prospect St, New Haven). Following the reading is a Q&A led by the famed poet, playwright and Yale professor Claudia Rankine. Free.
Wednesday, February 6
At The Range at Lotta Studio (911 Whalley Ave, New Haven), PechaKucha, a recurring series that gathers slates of local speakers to “share [their] work, love [and] inspiration,” returns for a “Winter Can’t Stop Our Vibe” edition based on the math-ish theory that “creativity + community = warmth—and we all need some of that.” Speaking of -ishes, “doors open at 6 p.m. and the talks begin promptly(ish) at 7 p.m.,” with “a food truck of some sort… in the works.” BYOB. Free, with donations to the tip jar encouraged.
Also starting at 7 p.m., just down the block at Kehler Liddell Gallery (873 Whalley Ave, New Haven; 203-389-9555), is the beginning of six-part weekly workshop “How to See + Make Photographs.” Led by Kim Weston for the seemingly impossible price of $20, the class, which involves successive discussions and critiques, is intended for people who already have “basic photography skills.” “Please bring your portfolio, or 4-5 printed images, and your camera to the first class.”
Thursday, February 7
“After 40 Turbulent Years, What’s Next Between the US and Iran?” Legendary reporter Robin Wright, a senior fellow with the federal US Peace Institute and the Woodrow Wilson Center think tank as well as a contributor to The New Yorker, attempts to answer that question at 5 p.m. in Luce Hall (34 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven). Free.
Friday, February 8
Staging each Friday (8 p.m.), Saturday (8 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.) until the 17th, with BYO cabaret-style seating for the Fridays and Saturdays, the Milford Arts Council (40 Railroad Ave, Milford; 203-878-6647) presents These Shining Lives, a play about turn-of-the-century Chicago women who were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation by their employer and fought an uphill battle to try to hold the company accountable. Tickets cost $20, or $18 for seniors and $16 for MAC members.
Saturday, February 9
The Love Swap, a pre-Valentine’s Day fashion swap at Lotta Studio (911 Whalley Ave, New Haven) “created to understand the importance of letting go, refilling your closet and being kind to our environment.” Along with purchasing a ticket, which costs $5 in advance or $7 at the door, attendees should “bring a box or bag of unwanted, gently used clothing and accessories to exchange with other participants.” Plus, “there will be vendors selling food, clothing and art.”
Valentine’s Day is also top of mind at Three Sheets (372 Elm St, New Haven; 475-202-6909), where a character going by the name Tug Valentino hosts the bar/restaurant’s “third annual live dating game.” Coinciding with another edition of Art in the Back, Music in the Front—the latter provided by Dr. Nick and The Lovetones—as well as a tap takeover by New England Brewing Co., would-be contestants can apply by filling out a form with questions like “What’s your theme song?” and “Where do you see yourself in five beers?” Free to attend.
Sunday, February 10
At 2 p.m. in William L. Harkness Hall’s Sudler Hall (100 Wall St, New Haven), Colorado senator Michael Bennet, who graduated from Yale Law in 1993, anchors a town hall-style conversation presented by Yale group Every Vote Counts, “a student-led, nonpartisan organization dedicated to addressing voter suppression and increasing civic engagement.” Free.
Written by Dan Mims. Image, of Roxane Gay, photographed by Jay Grabiec. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
