This Week in New Haven (November 28 - December 4)

With two dance parties, two art openings and two venues meriting two listings apiece, twice is clearly nice this week in New Haven.

Monday, November 28
“Known for his stable of heteronyms, or literary alter egos;” credited with “introducing Portuguese readers to non-Peninsular authors and thinkers;” and considered “Portugal’s finest Modernist poet,” Fernando Pessoa, who died in 1935, gets the “Mondays at Beinecke” treatment today at 4 p.m., when student Adam Mahler, class of 2017, discusses Pessoa’s legacy over tea in the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. 121 Wall Street, New Haven. (203) 432-2977.

sponsored by

Tuesday, November 29
Come back to the Beinecke for “Politics as Usual: Five Centuries of Politics and Music,” a concert by the Yale Collegium Musicum today starting with a pre-show lecture at 4:30 p.m. Part of the historically informed performance movement—in which present-day musicians adapt their methods and repertoire to recreate live music experiences of previous eras—YCM’s program includes “medieval French political satire from Le Roman de Fauvel; ceremonial music from Renaissance Italy; 17th-century German songs for the Winter King and Queen of Bohemia; and English music of execution and restoration in the 17th and 18th centuries.”

Wednesday, November 30
Today at the Ives Main Library (133 Elm St, New Haven; 203-946-8835), two info sessions aim to benefit New Haveners’ professional and/or civic lives. During the first, “How to Apply for Jobs at Yale,” which lasts from noon to 1, “representatives from Yale University… discuss the hiring process, share helpful tips and answer questions about working at Yale.” During the second, “The Bill of Rights: A Discussion,” which begins at 6 p.m., “professor and attorney Howard Blau presents on the Bill of Rights and their importance.” Free.

Thursday, December 1
Open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Christmas Eve, Creative Arts Workshop’s Celebration of American Crafts—an exhibit and sale of fine art, furniture and other goodies made by artisans based near and far—has a couple of special events planned, too. The first happens tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. for $25: a “drink local” affair featuring “samples of local beer, wine and cocktails while you shop for handmade holiday gifts.” 80 Audubon Street, New Haven. (203) 562-4927.

24 days before the holiday, Toad’s Place (300 York St, New Haven; 203-624-8623) hosts radio station Hot 93.7’s Christmas Party. Featuring up-and-coming hip hop headliner D.R.A.M., with Justine Skye, Phressher and ANOYD filling out the bill, plus “beats by the Hot 93.7 Dream Team” and special guest Wyclef Jean, the doors open at 8 p.m. $25, or $20 in advance.

sponsored by

Friday, December 2
A new job to unwork at is Artspace’s new exhibit to work at understanding. “ work as a social, material and economic process, as well as a legitimating discourse that privileges certain activities and life choices,” the featured artists—of whom there are about 10—“explore this understanding of work with regard to cultural production, its relation to broader labor conditions and current social and political movements.” Officially opening to the public today, the show gets a free opening reception this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. 50 Orange Street, New Haven. (203) 772-2709.

Saturday, December 3
The “original DJs, MCs, ‘Boppettes,’ bartenders, waitresses, doormen and managers” of Boppers Nightclub, which closed 20 years ago at the corner of College and Crown Streets, are throwin’ a “Boppin’ Reunion” tonight at the Annex YMA Hall (554 Woodward Ave, New Haven). The idea is to “relive the music and magic of New Haven’s greatest rock & roll dance club,” whose staff and entertainers were known for putting in a unique amount of effort—devising “routines, line dances skits,” plus “choreographed dances, sing-alongs interaction games,” of the sort that make modern-day weddings so fun and memorable, and of which you can expect plenty at tonight’s party. Regular advance tickets cost $20 and get you in as early as 7:30 p.m., while a $30 option gets you in at 7 with a chance of snagging some permanent seating, while $50 VIP tickets offer guaranteed seating as well as a souvenir T-shirt and a drink voucher.

Sunday, December 4
The National Parks Seen: Two Views, a joint exhibit by local fine art photographers Robert Lisak and David Ottenstein, gets a free opening reception today at the Gallery at EleMar (2 Gibbs St, New Haven; 203-782-3544). The idea is to “capture the beauty of our national parks and also explore the attempts to reconcile the lofty goals our national parks embody,” including “to preserve pristine nature, to accommodate thousands of visitors and to reflect the meaning of the American character.” The reception lasts from 2 to 5 p.m., though you can also visit during regular gallery hours—Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 9 to 4 and Saturday 9 to 1—through January 14, 2017.

Written by Dan Mims. Image depicts detail of one of Robert Lisak’s photos set to appear in The National Parks Seen: Two Views. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.