Magic is both learned and hereditary; vision is both musical and constitutional; and pink is both historical and vehicular this week in New Haven.
Monday, May 21
Curious Goods New Age Shop (417 Campbell Ave, West Haven; 203-932-1193) is certainly good at piquing curiosity. Tonight from 7 to 9, it’s hosting a workshop focused on “fairy magic and how to attract fairies to your home and garden,” covering “fairy spells and herbal magic” along the way. $15.
Tuesday, May 22
To Cafe Nine (250 State St, New Haven; 203-789-8281) comes a rare talent: vocalist and violinist Claire Wellin, whose project Youth in a Roman Field, a scenic detour from her work in buzzy Brooklyn band San Fermin, is sumptuous but efficient—especially efficient tonight, with just Wellin (and not her bandmates) “weaving string loops with soaring violin melodies and powerful vocals.” Opening the 8:30 bill is a natural choice: local act Olive Tiger, which “lushly combines electronics with organic elements of chamber pop, defying the boundaries of genre in favor of obsessive exploration.” $5.
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Wednesday, May 23
At 5 p.m., the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (121 Wall St, New Haven; 203-432-2977), in conjunction with its exhibition Text and Textile, welcomes Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s museum, for a talk about “Pink: The History of a Color.” Free.
At 6 p.m., the Ives Main Library (133 Elm St, New Haven; 203-946-8130) is hosting the first session of a three-part constitutional convention, which, by next September, will result in a finalized draft of a document that may or may not resemble the United States Constitution. It’s a purely theoretical exercise, of course, but the topics in play aren’t: “equal rights, balance of power, term limits, health care, the penal system, immigration, electoral college vs. popular vote, tax system” and more. At today’s session, ringleader Howard Blau “will discuss issues important to creating a new Constitution and attendees will provide their idea as to what issues would be vital to include in a Constitution today.” Free.
Thursday, May 24
The New Haven Land Trust is holding a grand opening celebration for its Pond Lily Nature Preserve (42 E Ramsdell St, New Haven), which is part of an effort “with numerous partner organizations and hundreds of volunteers to help the West River reclaim its natural course.” Organizers promise “drinks, snacks and an early summer evening by the river.” 5:30 to 7 p.m. Free.
Friday, May 25
A performance of The Woman Who Saw All—“the story of Appalachian psychic and spiritualist Mamie Bell Johnson as told through the eyes of her grandson, Andy Morgan”—happens at 8 p.m. in Lyric Hall (827 Whalley Ave, New Haven; 203-389-8885). After the hourlong show, in which Morgan, a magician by trade, offers “a visceral and moving experience of spiritualism and the occult in the 1920s,” there’s an optional “social reception and ‘talk back’ session on how our lives are illuminated by spiritualism, psychic experiences and magic.” $20; “not recommended for children under the age of 16.”
Saturday, May 26
Co-hosted by the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, New Haven Bike Month and the New Haven Free Public Library, the sixth annual Fair Haven Neighborhood Festival, lasting from noon to 4 p.m. in Criscuolo Park (Chapel St and James St, New Haven), “will celebrate family in all of its forms,” via “food, local live music, bike activities, tours and more.” Free to attend.
Sunday, May 27
The 24th Annual Memorial Weekend Car Show pulls into the north lot at Quinnipiac University (275 Mount Carmel Ave, New Haven). If the timing is consistent with last year’s show (where the above photo, featuring details of a pink 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, was taken), the first vintage cars—among hundreds of lovingly preserved “stock, modified, custom muscle, street rods, pro street and special-interest” cars manufactured during or before 1986—should arrive around 8 a.m., with things winding down at about 3 p.m. $4 general admission; free for kids under 12 years old.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
