Pathos, glee, experience, questioning, ritual, discovery and catharsis—all are at hand this week in New Haven.
Monday, May 16
In partnership with host Best Video (1842 Whitney Ave, Hamden; 203-287-9286), the Greater New Haven Jewish Community Center presents a 7 p.m. screening of Sarah’s Key (2010), a film that jumps between the past and the present. The past portion depicts the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup of July 1942, when French police, at the behest of Nazi occupiers, arrested some 13,000 Jews, locked them in a Paris velodrome, then shipped them to the death camp Auschwitz. The present part depicts a journalist researching the roundup, who finds herself increasingly moved and fundamentally altered by what she uncovers. $7, or $5 with a JCC member ID.
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Tuesday, May 17
Long Wharf Theatre has a lot going on this week. There’s My Paris (pictured above), the “new musical about the life and times of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec”—a spirited, colorful and skirt-lifting affair written by a Tony Award-winner, scored by another Tony-winner and directed and choreographed by yet another Tony winner. Then there’s the kid-oriented When She Had Wings, about a nine-year-old girl with a dream to fly and a hero to help her get there. Tonight’s performances—happening on different stages, of course—both begin at 7 p.m., with My Paris tickets costing $103.50 and When She Had Wings seats running $5 a pop. 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven. (203) 787-4282.
Wednesday, May 18
“Garage-folk/psychedelic rock band” Elison Jackson, fronted by recent New Haven-to-Philadelphia transplant Sam Perduta, headlines BAR’s free 9:30 show tonight. Doubling as a record release party for EJ’s new EP Silver Sounds: Hallucinations—which features sonic evolutions like “heavier drums, driving synth and atmospheric bowed upright bass”—the bill’s other acts include “woozy, psychedelic pop project” Grubby Little Hands and Connecticut-based indie rock group Lea. 254 Crown Street, New Haven.
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Thursday, May 19
Stephen Davis and Jon Lukomnik, two of the three co-authors of What They Do With Your Money: How the Financial System Fails Us and How to Fix It, are coming to R.J. Julia (768 Boston Post Rd, Madison; 203-245-3959) for a 7 p.m. discussion this evening. Arguing that investment institutions regularly place their own interests above those of investors and the broader economy, and explaining “how a tyranny of errant expertise, naive regulation and a misreading of economics combine to impose a huge stealth tax on our savings and our economies,” the book confirms and illuminates, with academic rigor, some of the outrageous revelations that have animated our national discourse for the past eight years. Register here.
Friday, May 20
It’s spring, and Common Ground High School is giving us lots of chances to act like it. Tonight’s, lasting from 6 to 8:30, offers a free “family-friendly evening adventure in West Rock Park,” involving an all-ages campfire to start and a “night hike and exploration,” aided by a near-full moon, at 7:15. 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven. (203) 389-4333 x1221.
Saturday, May 21
This afternoon, Blackstone Library (758 Main St, Branford; 203-488-1441) gathers area writers and readers with its first “Local Author Expo.” Starting at 1 p.m., with opening remarks from television personality and author Ann Nyberg, some 30 local scribes will “interact with the public, while selling and signing their books,” until 5 p.m. Free to attend.
Sunday, May 22
Australian standup comic Jim Jefferies has a made a career out of telling contentious stories and jokes just boozily enough to let those he offends believe he might not really mean it, and to let those he edifies know that he really does. Jefferies brings that habit to College Street Music Hall (238 College St, New Haven; 203-867-2000) tonight for a 7 p.m. show, which’ll no doubt include routines from his forthcoming Netflix special, Freedumb. $36.50-46.50.
Written by Dan Mims. Photographed by T. Charles Erickson. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
