Novel and unusual experiences fill the eventscape this week in New Haven.
Monday, January 13
The college football championship game, between LSU and Clemson, kicks off at 8 p.m., and you can catch it at any number of local sports-friendly bars. You might want to get there early, though.
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Tuesday, January 14
At 6:10 p.m., essayist, journalist, memoirist and professor Charles Siebert, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine with plenty of other credits to his name, comes to the Yale Law School (127 Wall St, New Haven) to answer the question, “What on Earth Are They Saying?” By “they,” he means nonhuman animals, some of which Siebert has covered in stories “about the fight for legal personhood for chimpanzees, the lives of retired ape movie stars, the relationships between parrots and veterans with PTSD, and the importation of wild elephants by U.S. zoos.” Co-presented by the Poynter Fellowship in Journalism and the Law, Ethics & Animals Program at Yale Law School, organizers say Siebert “will speak about his many experiences visiting with, and writing about, animals, and what they reveal to us about themselves and us.” Free.
Wednesday, January 15
Not for the first time, this week’s themed trivia night at East Rock Brewing Company (285 Nicoll St, New Haven; 475-234-6176) is devoted to The Office, which, after all, boasts nine seasons of material to quiz people about. The trivia starts at 7:30, though it’s a good idea to arrive before then. Free to play.
Thursday, January 16
“A very rare performance” is promised tonight at The State House (310 State St, New Haven), where iconoclastic rapper/producer Lil B—an absurdly prolific and arguably absurdist recording artist who would seem to exist entirely on the internet if not for the occasional live appearance—is headlining a show that probably starts later than the official 7 p.m. start time. The Brooklyn-based opener is an act many locals will know: JOATA, a.k.a. José Oyola (pictured above), whose music offers an exceptional fusion of indie rock, hip hop and Latin, with lyrics in both English and Spanish and noticeable references to New Haven, where he came musically of age. $23 in advance, $25 day of.
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Friday, January 17
Curiosity and perhaps aggression will be satisfied at Pine & Iron Axe Throwing (770 Chapel St, New Haven), which hosts its grand opening from 5 to 11 p.m.
Starting at 8 p.m., ’80s tribute act Jessie’s Girl fills College Street Music Hall (238 College St, New Haven; 877-987-6487) with “stunning renditions of the world’s most vibrant songs, all while dressed up as the unforgettable characters of that decade,” including “Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince and many more… So throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray on that hair—because its time to party like it’s 1989!” $25-40.
Saturday, January 18
At 4:30 p.m. in Yale’s Henry Luce Hall (34 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven), singer Hamid Al-Saadi and backing trio Saafafir—comprising Amir El Saffar, Dena El Saffar and Tim Moore—demonstrate the “sophisticated melodies, infectious rhythms, and eloquent poetry” of the Iraqi Maqam, a musical tradition that is “a direct reflection of Iraq’s history, geography, culture, and folklore.” Organizers describe Al-Saadi as “one of the few vocalists keeping the maqam alive today, when so many elements of this profound tradition are in danger of extinction.” Free.
Sunday, January 19
Beginning one day before the holiday, the two-day, 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice event features “world-class performances, a community open mic and poetry slam, and educational activities for visitors of all ages.” The full schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but we do know that the annual teen summit component begins at 11:30 a.m. today.
Written by Dan Mims. Image features JOATA. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
