New Haven is full of inspirations this week, like the civil rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr., considered and remembered today through community gatherings. Later in the week, screenings of 50-year-old avant-garde movies motivate us to think differently about the art of storytelling, and about the world. Then a world-class gallery does its part to catalyze a new generation of arts appreciators.
Monday, January 20
The Yale Peabody Museum’s Great Hall of Dinosaurs celebrates greatness with its second straight day of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., steel, Japanese and circle drummers, plus break dancers and a drill squad, get your bones moving. Upstairs in the auditorium, a spoken-word open mic runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a curated poetry slam to follow from 1 to 4:30. 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven; 203-432-8987.
Also celebrating MLK Day, musicians from Music Haven join the St. Luke’s Steel Band for a 2 p.m. show at St. Luke’s Church (111 Whalley Ave, New Haven). Erik Clemons—executive director and president of ConnCAT (Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology), which provides employment services to adults and after-school arts education for kids—will join as a guest speaker. Free.
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Tuesday, January 21
Do your children eat their broccoli? Do you? Well, It’s Not About the Broccoli, according to author Dina Rose. The book and the talk Rose is giving tonight at R.J. Julia (768 Boston Post Rd, Madison; 203-245-3959) are geared towards getting kids to eat well, but it seems like her advice on developing good habits over time could benefit any of us. 7 p.m. Free.
Wednesday, January 22
Renting a desk at a coworking space is an increasingly popular option for small business-runners, freelancers and other people who can work anywhere but prefer the community of a shared office space. Tonight from 6 to 8 p.m., downtown coworking hub The Grove (760 Chapel St, New Haven) hosts a panel on “The Connecticut Coworking Movement” that covers “the future of coworking, with insight and case studies provided by coworking leaders from across the state.” Free; registration required.
Thursday, January 23
“New Wave Europe: Cinema Circa 1962” at the Whitney Humanities Center (53 Wall St, New Haven; 203-432-0670) is the rare chance to become well-acquainted with a bold and important era of filmmaking in just a three-day period, and to give a commensurate boost to your cocktail conversation reserves. Starting this evening with a love triangle in Jules et Jim (Francois Truffaut), screen-capped above, at 7 p.m. and a dozen vignettes in Vivre Sa Vie (Jean-Luc Godard), the conference picks up its stride tomorrow with four films, then peaks on Saturday with five films and two panels. Free.
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Friday, January 24
Michael Sayers is the man behind the mic during the “Midwinter Beach Party” dinner-and-a-show tonight at 7 p.m. at Consiglio’s (165 Wooster St, New Haven; 203 865-4489). “Party” is part-mystery theater and part-“interactive comedy show,” with “games, prizes” and a three-course Italian meal offering choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. $55 (tip, tax and drinks not included).
Saturday, January 25
Oh my ganache! It’s three weeks before Valentine’s Day, which gives you plenty of time to get back into a chocolate mood after gorging today at the perennial Valentine Chocolate Festival. Held in St. Thomas More Chapel (268 Park St, New Haven), a $10 advance ticket ($15 at the door), benefitting the Montessori Children’s School, allows you to sample up to twenty desserts made by both professionals and amateurs, and to vote for your favorite. There are official judges casting their votes, too, so expect the confectioners to bring their A-games. 1 p.m.
Sunday, January 26
Expectations are lower today at the ambitious Yale University Art Gallery, but only because the average attendee is a little smaller than usual. From 1 to 3:30 p.m., it’s the museum’s Annual Family Day, with “art-making activities, storytelling from around the world and tours for children ages 3 to 10.” Free.
Written by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
