Green things—like capital, a soccer pitch, a farm and, of course, city and town greens—color this week in New Haven.
Monday, June 11
Perhaps you dream of dancing under the stars on an island somewhere. If you’re willing to settle for the island in the middle of Broadway, then you can fulfill that dream right here in New Haven, every Monday through July 30 from 8 to 10 p.m. Organized by the Yale Student Salsa Society, Salsa Under the Stars is about “music, free spirit and dancin’ in the streets (not literally… please).” Free.
Tuesday, June 12
After taking Monday off, the 2018 International Festival of Arts & Ideas proceeds with a day of eclectic diversions emblematic of the wider festival’s breadth: a moderated discussion and a guided installation tour examining the relationship and intersections between fine art and hard science; a talk by the photographer whose large portraits you may have noticed around the upper green; a performance starring double reed instruments, with logistical and historical insights; and a storytelling session focused on some of history’s forgotten contributors.
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Wednesday, June 13
Collab, a New Haven-based “small business, nonprofit and for-profit support program” that provides “capital, mentorship and other resources” to early-stage ventures in Connecticut, is putting on a Pitch Day at The Grove (760 Chapel St, New Haven). Lasting from 6 to 8 p.m., the intention is “to celebrate six Connecticut ventures—addressing issues like food insecurity, loneliness and waste reduction in cities.” Register here.
Thursday, June 14
The 2018 World Cup begins today with an 11 a.m. match between Saudi Arabia and host nation Russia, followed by games between various exciting frontrunners and underdogs in the days to come. It’s a strange year to watch the tournament from New Haven. Team USA failed to qualify; Anna Liffey’s, the local year-round diehard soccer spot, closed last autumn; and it isn’t clear whether there’s going to be a communal Pitkin Plaza viewing station like there was for the 2014 men’s and 2015 women’s tourneys, in part because neighboring soccer-loving bar The Trinity is still closed for repairs following a September fire in the apartments above it. But a good bet is Christy’s Irish Pub (261 Orange St, New Haven; 203-624-0811), an avowed soccer bar that just so happens to open at 11 a.m.
Friday, June 15
The Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs kicks off its 2018 Summer Concert Series from 7 to 8 p.m. Featuring different performers most Fridays throughout the summer—tonight’s player is Ellen Dickinson, an alumna adviser to the guild—listeners are invited to bring a chair or blanket to Branford College (74 High St, New Haven), with the carillon perched high above in Harkness Tower. Free.
At 8 p.m. today and tomorrow, Air Temple Arts (11 Research Dr, Woodbridge; 203-632-9318), an “aerial dance, circus and movement” studio, presents How the Light Gets In, a set of “vignettes that meld theater and circus in innovative ways to explore stories both universal and deeply personal, humorous and serious.” $16.
Saturday, June 16
Hindinger Farm’s Strawberry Festival, “held every June as the strawberries ripen,” happens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The docket includes “family hayrides, Brian making his famous balloon characters, Kelly’s ice cream, lots of food, live entertainment from Five in the Chamber and of course beautiful, delicious, red, juicy strawberries!” Free to attend. 835 Dunbar Hill Road, Hamden. (203) 288-0700.
You can’t go wrong with either of two big shows tonight, one free and one ticketed. The free one, at 7 p.m., is an Arts & Ideas concert on the New Haven Green and features social media sensation Ruth B., whose stripped-down ballads showcase her prodigious talents as a vocalist and pianist. The ticketed show, at College Street Music Hall (238 College St, New Haven; 203-867-2000; 8 p.m.; $30-35), features headliner Jenny Lewis, who became an indie darling as part of Rilo Kiley, then branched out into country, Americana and, most recently, ’90s-tinged pop-rock.
Sunday, June 17 – Father’s Day
Opening Friday from 5 to 10:30 p.m., continuing yesterday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and finishing today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Branford Festival on the Green—the Branford Town Green, of course—features food from loaded baked potatoes to pad thai to funnel cakes; live music from Bon Jovi (a tribute) to David Bowie (also a tribute); kids’ stuff from a rock wall to “inflatables”; a craft fair; a road race; a car show; and even a well-timed “father of the year” contest. Free to attend.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Image depicts the New Haven Green during yesterday’s IFAI performance by Flor de Toloache. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
