Even as the city channels Turkey, Syria, Ethiopia, the Alps, Ireland and these entire United States, several local pre-holiday traditions make it feel as if the most wonderful time of the year has already begun.
Monday, November 18
At 12:10 p.m. in Yale’s Sterling Law Building (127 Wall St, New Haven), Syrian-Turkish journalist and 2019 Yale World Fellow Onur Burçak Belli—who “has covered conflicts in Turkey for Die Zeit, a German weekly newspaper,” among “13 years of experience writing for international media outlets”—discusses “Turkey’s recent incursion into Syria and her work as a journalist in the region.” Free.
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Tuesday, November 19
From 6 to 7 p.m. in the Ely Center of Contemporary Art (51 Trumbull St, New Haven), “a group of trans-identified community members” join Kellie Ann Lynch and Lindsey Bauer of the Elm City Dance Collective to perform Trans Body II, “a special project that they created together while exploring the context of transgender identity, history and corporeality.” Free.
Wednesday, November 20
At The State House (310 State St, New Haven), the 7-piece Anbessa Orchestra, which “draws its inspiration from the diverse musical culture of Ethiopia, combining these unique sounds with the more western sounds of Funk, Jazz, R&B and Rock,” meets likewise hard-to-define project Nick Di Maria’s WiRED, whose combination sound “is explorative, original and simply danceable.” The show starts at 8 p.m. and costs $15 in advance or $20 day of.
Thursday, November 21
Friday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), the Christmas Market—formerly known as the Holiday Bazaar—returns to Trinity Church on the Green (230 Temple St, New Haven) with all of its popular hallmarks: affordable handmade crafts and knitwear, a rummage tag sale, a silent auction, savory food for purchase while you shop and a cookie walk to top it off. A newer feature is also returning: a champagne preview happening from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, where $25 gets you bubbly, “traditional and modern Christmas nibbles” and the chance to shop early—including an exclusive “buy it now” option for items in the silent auction. All proceeds go towards maintaining “one of the first and finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States”: the church itself.
Friday, November 22
High George, the sixth-story bar at the Blake Hotel (9 High St, New Haven; 203-390-5352), is joining Elm City Social in turning its rooftop bar space into a ski lodge for the winter season—or, in High George’s parlance, a ski lounge. During a launch party tonight from 5 to midnight, the bar, which has heaters going and panels installed to keep cold weather at bay, promises a new, presumably seasonal food and drink menu; an Alpine theme; music by DJ Shaki starting at 8; and shot specials as well as ice luges.
Saturday, November 23
“The Game”—the annual football game between Yale and Harvard—is in New Haven this year, which means you can expect a busy, rowdy weekend downtown. Of course, nowhere will be busier than the Yale Bowl (81 Central Ave, New Haven; 203-432-1400) come today’s noontime kickoff. General admission tickets cost $20 for adults and $8 for children, while reserved seats in better sections start at $40 for adults and climb all the way to $100 for the very best seats.
Promising “nearly 225” varieties of beer from “nearly 65” breweries—nearly half of which are based in Connecticut—the fifth annual Elm City Brew Festival returns to College Street Music Hall (238 College St, New Haven; 877-987-6487) from 1 to 5 p.m. (or noon to 5 for VIPs, who pay a little more for early bird privileges). Regular tickets cost $45 in advance or $50 day of, with VIP tickets going for $60.
Songs + Stories, a monthly singer/songwriter and storyteller series at pizza spot Next Door (475 Humphrey St, New Haven; 475-234-5969), picks up tonight from 9 to midnight. Hosting is Saul Fussiner, who’s also performing his original one-man show I’ve Heard Those Drums All My Life: An autobiography in six trips to Ireland. Additional performers include musicians Claude Cahn and Sean Condron. $5 cash cover ($6 with credit card).
Sunday, November 24
Creative Arts Workshop (80 Audubon St, New Haven; 203-562-4927) follows up the opening of its yearly Celebration of American Crafts yesterday with its annual Bowl-A-Thon today. From 1 to 5 p.m., for a $20 suggested donation, you can “choose a beautiful handcrafted mug or bowl [made by one of CAW’s expert local potters], fill it with hearty soup donated by local restaurants, and support the New Haven Community Soup Kitchen.”
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Image depicts handmade ornaments for sale during a past Christmas market at Trinity Church. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
