Offerings include four world premieres commissioned by the Festival among its 24 ticketed events, five unforgettable headliner bands (including the legendary Wailers, the Festival's first-ever reggae headliner), family friendly activities, as well as dozens of talks, tours, and more.
Grammy-nominated musician Jimmy Greene will return on the Green and this year, the Festival will introduce new programs such as ALTAR’d Spaces and the Big Read as well as new collaborations with the New Haven Documentary Film Festival and the African Literature Association Annual Conference at Yale.
Ticketed Events
Dance
BLACK GIRL: LINGUISTIC PLAY
Camille A. Brown and Dancers
June 15 and 16, 8 pm
University Theatre, 222 York Street ($35/$55)
Award-winning choreographer Camille A. Brown uses the rhythmic play of social dance, double dutch, steppin’, tap, and live original music to represent a nuanced spectrum of black womanhood in a racially and politically charged world. From play to protest, the performers come into their identities—from childhood innocence, to girlhood self-awareness, to maturity—all the while shaped by the bonds of sisterhood.
Music
Co-Commission
(BE)LONGING
Byron Au Yong and Aaron Jafferis
Presented in Association with Long Wharf Theatre
June 17 and 18, 2 pm
Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive ($20/$35/$55)
Created by the award-winning team of Byron Au Yong and Aaron Jafferis, (Be)longing is a powerful performance event reflecting our society’s collective emergence from large-scale tragedies. Locally cast singers, beatboxers, and hip-hop artists present an original, staged oratorio about belonging, isolation, healing, and community. Prompted by our collective understanding and judgments around the Virginia Tech and Newtown tragedies, (Be)longing reflects on the impact of violence and considers deeper ways to connect and build communities of safety and support.
Theater
Commissioned World Premiere
THE END OF TV
Manual Cinema
June 19–22, 8 pm
University Theatre, 222 York Street ($35/$55)
Taking the performance world by storm, Manual Cinema is one of the hottest tickets in cities around the world. The company transforms the experience of attending the cinema, combining shadow puppetry, theatricality, cinematic techniques, innovative sounds, and music to create immersive stories. Manual Cinema experienced a gigantic success with its European debut at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival including eight 5-star and eight 4-star reviews. Now Arts and Ideas premieres an original, Festival-commissioned work by Manual Cinema right here in New Haven.
Music
Co-Commissioned World Premiere
WHITMAN, MELVILLE, DICKINSON - THE PASSIONS OF BLOOM
By Martin Bresnick
June 20, 8 pm
Sprague Hall, 470 College Street ($35/$65)
Martin Bresnick's world premiere oratorio—a large-scale work for soloists, chorus and orchestra—takes the thoughts of Harold Bloom, master teacher and secular evangelist of American Literature at Yale University, on a musical journey of passion, insight, and personal revelation. Performed by Yale Choral Artists under the direction of Jeffrey Douma, this world premiere is modeled on Bach’s St. John Passion oratorio, but centers on the lives of legendary poets Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and Emily Dickinson.
Theatre
WE ARE CITIZENS
Theatre of the Oppressed NYC
June 21, 5:30 pm and 8 pm
Bregamos Theater, 491 Blatchley Avenue ($25)
We Are Citizens is the culmination of a three-day intensive New Haven residency with Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, a company whose mission is to partner with communities facing discrimination to inspire transformative action through theatre. New Haven residents will take the stage in this dynamic performance exploring experiences of oppression. The actors all have powerful stories to share and they’ll invite you to join them onstage to upend the old narratives and find new solutions.
Music
Co-Commissioned World Premiere
WU MAN + MIRÓ QUARTET
June 22, 8 pm
Sprague Hall, 471 College Street ($35/$65)
East meets West as Grammy-nominated musician Wu Man and the award-winning Miró Quartet perform a Festival-commissioned world premiere work by Chinese composer Xiaogang Ye. Rarely is a western audience the first to experience new music from this legendary Chinese artist. The performance marks Wu Man's return to the Festival—recognized as the world's premier pipa virtuoso—and the Festival debut of the Austin, Texas-based, internationally touring Miró Quartet.
YALE-CHINA FELLOWS
June 22–24
1156 Chapel Street ($25)
The International Festival of Arts and Ideas and Yale-China Association Arts Fellowship is an 18-month experience for emerging professional Chinese artists. Fellows spend six months in residence in New Haven learning from practicing artists and professors at Yale and in the greater New Haven community, while developing a project of their own to be premiered at Arts and Ideas. The program is made possible through a special partnership with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETO-NY).
in-between: CAI Ying
Inspired by the childhood games played by CAI Ying, in-between explores the individual experiences, the relationships between the individual and the collective, and the process of change itself. It invites the audience to create a space using rubber bands, in which they can experience gravity, tension, and body motions that they are unfamiliar with.
The Chaos Project: Phoebe Hui
The Chaos Project is a series of kinetic “elements” built with electronics, music wires, and piano keys retrieved from an abandoned grand piano. Acts of performance by the acoustic sculpture and the audiences—the ever-present element of chance these acts engender—are integral for unexpected sonic outcomes.
Onnie Chan
What does it feel like to be contained in our chaotic world? Using elements of the ancient Chinese game, Mahjong, Never Stand Still gives audience members an opportunity to travel on a journey with people halfway around the world, in Hong Kong for a completely new experience.
Debe Sham
Working with New Haven public schools, sculptor Debe Sham will help students find their voice in their city as they design their own urban playground. Students will develop small models that will be realized as life-sized sculptures at our Pop-Up Festivals and on the New Haven Green.
Contemporary Circus
LEO
The Anti-Gravity Show
June 23, 8 pm and June 24, 12 pm, 3 pm
University Theatre, 222 York Street ($35/$55)
A mind-bending, funny, surreal, and surprisingly touching work, LEO challenges the senses through the clever interplay of acrobatic physical theatre and video projection. Directed by the Montréal actor and director Daniel Brière, and based on an original idea by the multi-talented performer Tobias Wegner, LEO is now touring in countries all around the world, dazzling audiences and critics from New York to Berlin, from Melbourne to Hong Kong with stops in Montréal, Moscow, and London along the way.
Theater
YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE
Presented in Association with Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre
June 23 and 24, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm
Off Broadway Theater, 41 Broadway ($25)
Attend open rehearsal readings of exciting new work created by emerging music theatre artists. These readings are the culmination of the annual Yale Institute for Music Theatre, an intensive two-week summer lab that allows composers, book writers, and lyricists the opportunity to develop their work with a team of professional directors and music directors as well as a company of actors and singers.
Special Event
LUX and GRAVITAS
Celebratory Dinner, Performance, and Dessert Reception
June 23, 5:30 pm
Starts at Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, 121 Wall Street ($275/$500)
The Festival culminates this year with a celebratory evening and farewell to Mary Lou Aleskie, groundbreaking Executive Director of the Festival for 11 years. Your ticket includes a roaming dinner at Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library with artists and special guests close to Mary Lou; a premium seat for the evening’s gravity-defying circus performance LEO; and a dessert reception and champagne toast after the show at The Study.
Headline Concerts on the KeyBank Stage
TROKER
June 17, 6 pm (Free)
Six musicians from all over Mexico, with different influences but the same goal of creating mesmerizing rhythms and presenting unrepeatable live experiences, Troker’s sound careens between the sublime and the dangerous. Metal riffage merges with powerhouse funk drumming and DJ scratching, and melodic horn lines are pulled from jazz and the mariachi traditions of the band’s homeland. From SXSW to the Glastonbury Festival the band has toured around the world creating music that excites the audiences’ senses, but more importantly, music that inspires the soul.
FULASO
June 17, 6 pm (Free)
Fulaso’s FUnky LAtin SOul sound creates a soul-affirming, dance floor-burning party. Their music emanates from New York City and is rooted in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Colombia, mixing the hottest boogaloo classic arrangements with bumpin' neo-soul originals. The band blends traditional music with sixties soul and funk grooves to create a powerful new sound. Headed by an unstoppably soulful songstress, Fulaso surprises and delights audiences with hefty brass and raucous rhythms.
JIMMY GREENE QUARTET AND THE NEW HAVEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
June 18, 7 pm (Free)
Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, arranger, and Connecticut native Jimmy Greene wrote and recorded the album Beautiful Life three years ago to celebrate the life of Ana Márquez-Greene, his 6-year-old daughter who was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Now, Greene has released a sequel, Beautiful Life, Volume 2, and is bringing his music to the New Haven Green. He’s joined by musicians of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, one of the region's premiere symphonic ensembles, for an evening of poignant, reflective music that celebrates a beautiful life.
RUSTED ROOT
June 24, 7 pm (Free)
The quintessential live band, Rusted Root has honed the perfect combination of musical intuition, freedom, and virtuosity for two decades, shaping their sound into their own vision of roots music and world rock. The powerhouse ensemble’s sweat-inducing and hypnotic live performances have brought them on tour alongside everyone from Santana, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers Band, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page’s reunion tour, and now The Wailers. Rusted Root transcends age, generations, and cultures.
THE WAILERS
June 24, 7 pm (Free)
The Wailers Band put reggae on the map. They brought reggae to the attention of the world outside of Jamaica, elevating Bob Marley to superstardom, and in the process, bringing the music of their home to audiences on every continent. Now steered by famed bassist and founder Aston "Familyman" Barrett, old-school members welcome the new-generation talent of drummer Aston Barrett Jr.––"Fam's" son and nephew of Wailers co-founder Carlton "Carly" Barrett––and bring their timeless, distinctive music, intricate arrangements, and lyrics to fans everywhere.
Ideas Programs
IDEAS ON FOOT: DIXWELL’S ROOTS
June 4, 5:30 pm
Goffe Street Special School/Prince Hall Masonic Temple, 106 Goffe Street
Explore the Dixwell neighborhood of today, recalling the importance of its historical African American sites: an 1854 school built for African American children before the New Haven schools were integrated in 1859; churches that were part of the Underground Railroad; and community institutions such as the Dixwell Community House.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: YOUTH, GUNS, AND THE CULTURE OF VIOLENCE
June 8, 5:30 pm
New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm Street
The Arts and Ideas high school Fellowship students are teaming up with Citywide Youth Coalition to present a Town Hall discussion as part of "Activate (Be)longing," a community-building exercise in conjunction with (Be)longing. Local hip-hop playwright Aaron Jafferis opens the discussion with the question, "Why do young people in this country shoot each other, or get shot?"
IDEAS ON FOOT: THE CHANGING ROLE OF DOWNTOWN
June 12, 5:30 pm
New Haven City Hall, 165 Church Street
Stroll through history learning about the people and institutions that shaped old New Haven: the site of the founding of the Knights of Columbus; one of the longest running St. Patrick's Day Parades in the U.S.; entertainment entrepreneurs Maurice Bailey (Shubert Theater owner) and Sylvester Poli (Loew’s Poli Theatre); New Haven’s role in the Amistad incident, and more.
ON TYRANNY: TWENTY LESSONS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
June 13, 5:30 pm
Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel Street
Author Timothy Snyder’s November 2016 Facebook post introducing 20 lessons on preserving our democratic freedoms went viral. His book On Tyranny is set for global publication. Join the Housum Professor of History at Yale as he talks about his guide to identifying and understanding the frightening parallels between our current reality and that of 20th century Europeans.
WE THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT THE ECONOMY?
Presented in Association with WNPR and New England News Collaborative
June 14, 5:30 pm
Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel Street
Since the inauguration, we've seen executive orders on immigration, controversies surrounding Russia, and tweets about crowd size and wire tapping. But hold on—wasn't it supposed to be about the economy? In 2016, 84% of voters claimed that was their number one issue. Join John Dankosky, host of NEXT on WNPR, in a lively discussion recorded for broadcast that looks at the new economic reality under Donald Trump.
JENNIFER NANSUBUGA MAKUMBI IN CONVERSATION WITH DR. AARON BADY
June 15, 12:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Ugandan author Makumbi reads from her debut novel, Kintu. In this tale of immigration and home, a woman travels back to Uganda to organize her husband’s funeral and is stunned to discover a web of deception. Makumbi’s writing relies heavily on Ganda oral traditions, especially myths, legends, folktales, and sayings.
IMAGINING NEW HAVEN: CANDY/A GOOD AND SPACIOUS LAND
June 15, 5:30 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
After a joint artist residency at the Yale Art Gallery, photographers Jim Goldberg and Donovan Wylie collaborated on a book project to explore New Haven’s urban landscape. Presented in conjunction with the newly published Candy/A Good and Spacious Land and an exhibition of Goldberg and Wylie’s work at the Yale Art Gallery.
AMINATTA FORNA IN CONVERSATION WITH JOYA URAIZEE
June 16, 12:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Scottish-Sierra Leonean author Forna discusses her novel, The Hired Man, set in Croatia. This suspenseful story focuses on a local hunter and a British family that has come to live in his town. A dark and infamous history of the place bubbles to the surface with the arrival of newcomers.
IMAGINING NEW HAVEN: ENGAGING THE CITY
June 16, 1:30 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
Join Nicholas Dawidoff, writer; Lisa Kereszi, critic, photographer, and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Yale School of Art; and Elihu Rubin, Associate Professor, Yale School of Architecture, for a discussion about the city of New Haven and how one engages with it, tries to capture it, and learns from it. Introduced and moderated by Pamela Franks, Senior Deputy Director and Seymour H. Knox, Jr., Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. In collaboration with the book and exhibition Candy/A Good and Spacious Land.
IMBOLO MBUE IN CONVERSATION WITH JOYCE ASHUTANTANG
June 16, 5:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Cameroonian novelist Mbue talks about her 2016 debut book, Behold the Dreamers. It tells the story of a Cameroonian couple living in New York City after immigrating; the fragility of making ends meet; and the vulnerability of their relationship and their future security to the rise or fall of an employer’s fortunes.
OKEY NDIBE IN CONVERSATION WITH DANIEL MAGAZINER
June 17, 12:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Nigerian-American author Ndibe discusses his 2016 memoir Never Look an American in the Eye: A Memoir of Flying Turtles, Colonial Ghosts, and the Making of a Nigerian American, which examines the differences between Nigerian and American etiquette and politics; considers American stereotypes about Africa (and vice-versa); and juxtaposes African folk tales with Wall Street trickery.
CITIZENSHIP: AN EXPLORATION
June 20, 5:30 pm
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Auditorium, 100 College Street
Citizenship has been the underlying theme of much of our national conversation in recent months. Beyond the legal sense of “membership in a particular nation state,” citizenship has broader meanings that encompass belonging, self-definition, inclusion, and exclusion. This interdisciplinary panel discussion moderated by Dr. Michael Rowe, explores the idea of citizenship: who has it, who grants it, and why?
IDEAS ON FOOT: WOOSTER SQUARE, THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE
June 21, 5:30 pm
Wooster Square Park, 570 Chapel Street
The historic buildings of Wooster Square tell stories of the diverse groups that settled in this neighborhood before the turn of the 19th century: the mutual aid societies that helped Italian immigrants; a former synagogue that dates back to 1855; an area called home by Irish immigrants in the 1820s; and more.
TALKING AROUND THE PORCH: STORIES ON AUGUST WILSON
A Conversation with Constanza Romero and Harry J. Elam, Jr.
June 22, 5:30 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
The late American playwright August Wilson, whose Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fences premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre, chronicled the 20th Century African American experience in his epic ten-play American Century Cycle. This dialogue between Wilson's wife Constanza Romero and Wilson scholar Harry J. Elam, Jr. will discuss his life and his art, and engage his famous ten-play history cycle.
TAYLOR MAC AND BASSEM YOUSSEF IN CONVERSATION
June 24, 3 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
One is a playwright, actor, singer-songwriter, performance artist, director, and producer. “A critical darling of the New York scene” (New York Magazine), Time Out New York has called Mac, “One of the most exciting theater artists of our time.” The other is a comedian, writer, producer, physician, media critic, and television host, who has been called “The Jon Stewart of Egypt.” Together they will talk about building community through humor and art during our current times.
ALTAR’d Spaces
For over 200 years, four churches on the New Haven Green have made history as sanctuaries and meeting houses for all who enter, no matter their sense of alienation. This summer they take up one more purpose: arts incubators. For two weeks, folk music, theater, spoken word, and dance will come together within their walls. These acts channel the Festival’s original essence: that there is nothing more spiritual than a community creating together.
Shoreline Ballet, Inc.
June 10, 3 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
A new adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, featuring dancers from the school.
Alison Cook Beatty Dance
June 10, 6 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
An award-winning dance company brings New York-premiered pieces to New Haven.
Taylor Ho Bynum + Friends
June 11, 6:30 pm
Center Church on the Green, 311 Temple Street
Creative music draws upon jazz, classical, folk, and popular music traditions.
Mariachi Mexico Antiguo
June 13, 6 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
An unforgettable musical adventure through Mexico.
Rap Guide to Climate Chaos
June 13, 7:15 pm
Center Church on the Green, 311 Temple Street
Canadian rapper Baba Brinkman brings science to life on stage.
The Survivors Swing Band
June 13, 8:30 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
A seven-piece jazz band playing the classics of a bygone era.
Rolie Polie Guacamole
June 14, 4:30 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
An award-winning "kindie" band with a high energy, interactive, and educational show.
Deborah Lifton
June 14, 6 pm
Trinity Church on the Green, 230 Temple Street
One of today’s most compelling sopranos performs a selection of contemporary American opera and popular song.
Olive Tiger
June 14, 7:15 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
Cello, violin, guitar, drums, bass, and electronics craft a unique blend of melody-driven orchestral rock sounds.
Happenstance Theater
June 14, 8:30 pm
Trinity Church on the Green, 230 Temple Street
In this devised, clown-esque piece, a troupe of eccentrics creates a “BrouHaHa!”
Tere Luna and Val Ramos Duo
June 19, 7:15 pm
Trinity Church on the Green, 230 Temple Street
Featuring songs and colorful folkloric dances of Mexico, romantic Bolero songs, and Spanish rumba Flamenca.
Afro Peruvian New Trends Orquestra
June 19, 8:30 pm
Center Church on the Green, 311 Temple Street
Instrumental mini big band performing awesome Afro Peruvian and Pan American jazz music.
The Word Citywide High School Poetry Jam
June 21, 6 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
A showcase of the Weekly Word Warriors’ original poetry.
LayaVinyasa
June 21, 8:30 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
SriKrishna Leelamrutham encaptures Lord Krishna's compassion, courage, and mischief.
Film Programs
NHdocs 2017: The 4th Annual New Haven Documentary Film Festival
June 1-11
Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall Street
Eleven days of memorable documentaries––from the best local productions to the internationally renowned. Premieres include Stephen Dest’s I Am Shakespeare: The Henry Green Story, about a New Haven high school student with a double life, and Tlaxcala Dreams, Sebi Medina-Tayac’s look at a small town in rural Mexico—many of whose residents now live in Fair Haven. Jim O'Connor’s Food Haven (2017) celebrates New Haven’s culinary scene while Jennifer Abod’s The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen (2016) celebrates the life of longtime New Haven resident and dance guru. And much, much more!
Second Wave Verité: The Cinema of Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker
June 9-11
Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall Street
Award-winning documentarians Pennebaker and Hegedus have played a crucial role revitalizing the cinema verité tradition in the digital era. Our selection of their recent documentaries spans twenty-five years of filmmaking from The War Room, a behind-the-scenes look at Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign for president, to Unlocking the Cage, their animal rights feature that was first shown in 2016, but will be screened in a newly updated version. The filmmakers will be present to discuss their films over the long weekend.
Startup.com (2001): June 9, 7 pm
The War Room (1993): June 10, 1 pm
God Spoke: Al Franken (2006): June 10, 3 pm
Kings of Pastry (2009): June 10, 7 pm
Unlocking the Cage (2017): June 11, 1 pm
Panel discussion, Unlocking the Cage and animal rights: June 11, 3:30 pm
Scene on the Green
A wide variety of free events on the historic New Haven Green. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, join us for an eclectic and energizing mix of performances, artists, and activities from across the Northeast.
New Haven Dances! The City's Largest Dance Lesson
June 17
Shimmy your way down to the Green for a dance party you won't forget. Young, old, two left feet, dance enthusiasts, and dance professionals are all welcome to join us as we get the energy flowing through the streets of New Haven.
LIMITLESS 2nd Annual Teen Dance Competition
June 17, 12 pm
An all-style teen dance competition for a cash prize and the Limitless King or Queen titles, curated by Bryce Howard of Future Project and New Haven Academy.
HI Crew presents: Refacing New Haven
June 17 and 18, All Day
An inviting and captivating piece of temporary public art: a walk-through exhibit composed of plywood cube structures resembling a miniature city block, placed strategically throughout the Green, exploding with colorful graffiti-esque styles and design.
Box City
June 17 and 18, 12-4 pm
Calling all young thinkers and tinkerers! Come out and help construct a model city of the future made out of cardboard boxes. Local architects, makers, and city planners will assist, offering advice and distributing permits to Box City's young entrepreneurs!
New Haven Story Project Listening Stations
June 17, 18, and 24, 1-5 pm
As part of the BIG READ, New Haven Story Project has been collecting stories of Immigration and Migration. Come learn something new from your neighbors, and get some insight into their stories at The Listening Stations. Stories have the power to change the world.
108 Monkeys Yoga
June 17 and 24, 11AM-12 pm
108 Monkeys invites you to ignite connection and tune up our commitment to compassion and empathy by engaging in synchronized movement and breath in a shared space: the great urban outdoors of the New Haven Green. All levels of experience and ability are welcome. Please bring your own mat; limited number available if needed.
Creative Music Play-In
June 18, 5-6:30 pm
Internationally recognized composer/performer Taylor Ho Bynum will lead an interactive "Play-In" on the New Haven Green. Open to all levels, participants will play simply arranged folk songs, with some exciting group improvisation mixed in. Don't worry, no experience with improvisation necessary, just bring your instrument!
The Rejuvenary River Circus
June 20, 2:30 pm
Arm-of-the-Sea combines large-scale visual storytelling with live music in contemporary works of mask and puppet theater. The Rejuvenary River Circus is an allegorical tale that follows Malakai the water messenger as he travels between Mountain Peaks and the Deep Blue Sea. When the old man falls ill, his granddaughter Rachel is faced with the challenge of restoring her grandfather––the River––back to health.
Abbie Gardner
June 21, 12 pm
Abbie Gardner, the fiery Dobro player with an infectious smile, has been touring with Americana darlings Red Molly for the past eleven years. No stranger to solo performing, she has recorded three CDs, each with award-winning songs. Tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, ride the back of her by-now familiar, formidable slide guitar licks. She may channel Lucinda WIlliams and Bonnie Raitt, but remains pure Abbie.
Soro Bindi
June 21, 2:30 pm
Soro-Bindi is an exciting, interactive performance that incorporates traditional Ghanaian dances, songs, and stories. Artist Iddi Saaka drives his audience through Africa with various dances such as the Kpanlogo dance and the Bawa harvest dance, then invites students to learn about and play traditional Ghanaian instruments.
Li Liu
June 22, 2:30 pm
Acrobat Li Liu invites Festival audiences to learn simple movements and tricks, while teaching them about the historical significance of traditional lion and dragon dances, and encourages them to imagine what it is like growing up in both contemporary and historical China.
Open Ring Circus
June 22, 6:30 pm
Featuring giant inflatable sculptural set pieces, innovative and mesmerizing imagery, and live music by innovative music composers from Montréal, Canary's Silence by Open Ring Circus follows a group of city-dwellers caught in a black-out as they traverse a dark, unplugged, urban environment, meeting both obstacles and stunning pleasures along the way.
Asana and Art: Mash-up Yoga Class
June 22, 7:30 pm
Join Margot Broom from downtown New Haven's Breathing Room Yoga Center for a special Asana and Art mash-up yoga class comprised of gentle, beginner-friendly movement and a hands-on, civic and personal mindfulness practice through group abstract painting.
The Bossa Nova Project
June 23, 12 pm
The Bossa Nova Project was founded by Brazilian native singer-songwriter/pianist Isabella Mendes to share happiness and love through music. The Project was inspired by the original Bossa Nova movement which took place in Brazil in the 60’s. With elements of classical, samba, and jazz, Bossa Nova brought people together through songs about love, the beach and life.
Ginga Brasileira
June 23, 2:30 pm
This professional ensemble performs a colorful, crowd-pleasing repertoire of Afro-Brazilian dances that fuse rhythmic music with high-energy gymnastics and martial arts.
Gospel Fest: Made in New Haven
June 23, 6:30 pm
Curated by Mae Gibson Brown, GospelFest will showcase a 100-voice mass choir, spoken word artists, and dancers, celebrating local talent as well as honoring New Haven's Mary Atkinson Joyner, a Gospel promoter for over 50 years.
Exchange
June 24, 1-5 pm
A Broken Umbrella Theatre, New Haven’s own theater company specializing in original work based on New Haven history, celebrates local telegraph operator George Coy’s groundbreaking 1878 invention: the world's first telephone exchange. Broken Umbrella will examine the public’s relationship with the telephone, communication, and personal exchange by recording and sharing first-person stories and incorporating some of the content into dialogue, song lyrics, or soundscapes for performances of Exchange during New Haven’s “City Wide Open Studios” in October, 2017.
Sea of No Plastic
June 24, 12-4 pm
Sea of No Plastic is a visual art installation in response to how our culture of disposable plastics has caused severe harm to our oceans and planet.
Trashion Fashion
June 24, 5:30-7 pm
Trashion Fashion supports local artists of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging creative solutions to the world’s waste problems with a unique runway experience that features wearable art made from materials that have been diverted from the waste stream.
The Human Library: Don’t Judge a Book By its Cover
June 24, 12-4 pm
The Human Library™ is designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. The Human Library is a place where real people are on loan to readers. A place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated, and answered.
New Haven Photo Day
June 24
What would a day in the Elm City look like in photographs? Join photographer Chris Randall in an exploration of New Haven during the Festival. Photo Day images will be sorted, printed, judged, and delivered to the Green for exhibition and awards. This free event is in partnership with Creative Arts Workshop.
Trex
Yale’s hulking Beinecke Library. Common Ground School’s mighty farm. The sun-dappled Mill River. The Farmington Canal, stretching from New Haven to Northampton. Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum. Criss-crossing New Haven, this year’s Trex are designed to open up the city, inviting newcomers to experience its cultural mosaic for the first time, and longtime residents to savor its gems anew. From kayaking to culinary pilgrimages, the programs form a single directive: explore. You never know what you might find.
Bike Tours (12 events)
June 18-24, Free
Explore the New Haven area and Southern Connecticut coastline with Elm City Cycling. Complete list at artidea.org/biketours.
Boat Tours (4 events)
June 16 and 17, $30
Kayak tours of Lighthouse Point Park and canoe tours of Mill River with the City of New Haven's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Trees. Schedule available at artidea.org/boattours.
Exhibition Tours (18 events)
June 13-24, Free
Guided tours of various exhibits at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New Haven Museum, Yale Center for British Art, and Yale University Art Gallery. Complete list available at artidea.org/gallerytalkstours.
Food Experiences (5 events)
June 15-23, $20-$40
Five experiences at local foodie locations. Complete list available at artidea.org/foodexperiences.
Walking Tours (22 events)
June 13-24, Free
Nearly two dozens tours and talks at sites, buildings, and neighborhoods throughout New Haven. Complete list available at http://artidea.org/walkingtours.
Master Classes and Workshops (8 events)
June 18-23, Free
For a complete list of titles and schedule, go to http://artidea.org/masterclasses.
Additional Programming
THE BIG READ
April 11-June 17
Broadening our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book, the NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Showcasing a diverse range of contemporary titles that reflect many different voices and perspectives, the NEA Big Read aims to inspire conversation and discovery. The 2017 Big Read centers on Luis Alberto Urrea's book, Into the Beautiful North, with related free events offered throughout Greater New Haven.
POP-UP FESTIVALS
Lively one-day neighborhood Festivals take place each year just prior to Arts and Ideas in downtown New Haven. Community Steering Committees, local arts and business partners, and Festival volunteers and staff host local talent, family activities, and vendors in New Haven’s historic and culturally rich neighborhoods
Fair Haven Pop-Up Festival: Diversity and Unity
June 3, 2-7 pm
Enjoy the rich multicultural cuisine, music, dance, and activities from our very own neighborhood, highlighting our local talent. Latinos, Immigrants, Refugees, Muslims, Blacks, and Queers: making Fair Haven great! Mi gente!
Dixwell Pop-Up Festival: It Takes a Village
June 4, 2-6 pm
An old-school block party; including an open-air market, free hamburgers and hotdogs for the children, and music and activities highlighting our local talent and showcasing our African American culture.
Hill Pop-Up Festival: Discover Our Hill
June 10, 1-5 pm
Come and discover all that the Hill has to offer––from parks and schools to health centers and art museums. This one-day celebration will include live music, crafts projects, local vendors and artists, a climbing wall, and even free hamburgers and hotdogs for our young people!
June 17, 6 pm (Free)
Fulaso’s FUnky LAtin SOul sound creates a soul-affirming, dance floor-burning party. Their music emanates from New York City and is rooted in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Colombia, mixing the hottest boogaloo classic arrangements with bumpin' neo-soul originals. The band blends traditional music with sixties soul and funk grooves to create a powerful new sound. Headed by an unstoppably soulful songstress, Fulaso surprises and delights audiences with hefty brass and raucous rhythms.
JIMMY GREENE QUARTET AND THE NEW HAVEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
June 18, 7 pm (Free)
Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, arranger, and Connecticut native Jimmy Greene wrote and recorded the album Beautiful Life three years ago to celebrate the life of Ana Márquez-Greene, his 6-year-old daughter who was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Now, Greene has released a sequel, Beautiful Life, Volume 2, and is bringing his music to the New Haven Green. He’s joined by musicians of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, one of the region's premiere symphonic ensembles, for an evening of poignant, reflective music that celebrates a beautiful life.
RUSTED ROOT
June 24, 7 pm (Free)
The quintessential live band, Rusted Root has honed the perfect combination of musical intuition, freedom, and virtuosity for two decades, shaping their sound into their own vision of roots music and world rock. The powerhouse ensemble’s sweat-inducing and hypnotic live performances have brought them on tour alongside everyone from Santana, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers Band, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page’s reunion tour, and now The Wailers. Rusted Root transcends age, generations, and cultures.
THE WAILERS
June 24, 7 pm (Free)
The Wailers Band put reggae on the map. They brought reggae to the attention of the world outside of Jamaica, elevating Bob Marley to superstardom, and in the process, bringing the music of their home to audiences on every continent. Now steered by famed bassist and founder Aston "Familyman" Barrett, old-school members welcome the new-generation talent of drummer Aston Barrett Jr.––"Fam's" son and nephew of Wailers co-founder Carlton "Carly" Barrett––and bring their timeless, distinctive music, intricate arrangements, and lyrics to fans everywhere.
Ideas Programs
IDEAS ON FOOT: DIXWELL’S ROOTS
June 4, 5:30 pm
Goffe Street Special School/Prince Hall Masonic Temple, 106 Goffe Street
Explore the Dixwell neighborhood of today, recalling the importance of its historical African American sites: an 1854 school built for African American children before the New Haven schools were integrated in 1859; churches that were part of the Underground Railroad; and community institutions such as the Dixwell Community House.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: YOUTH, GUNS, AND THE CULTURE OF VIOLENCE
June 8, 5:30 pm
New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm Street
The Arts and Ideas high school Fellowship students are teaming up with Citywide Youth Coalition to present a Town Hall discussion as part of "Activate (Be)longing," a community-building exercise in conjunction with (Be)longing. Local hip-hop playwright Aaron Jafferis opens the discussion with the question, "Why do young people in this country shoot each other, or get shot?"
IDEAS ON FOOT: THE CHANGING ROLE OF DOWNTOWN
June 12, 5:30 pm
New Haven City Hall, 165 Church Street
Stroll through history learning about the people and institutions that shaped old New Haven: the site of the founding of the Knights of Columbus; one of the longest running St. Patrick's Day Parades in the U.S.; entertainment entrepreneurs Maurice Bailey (Shubert Theater owner) and Sylvester Poli (Loew’s Poli Theatre); New Haven’s role in the Amistad incident, and more.
ON TYRANNY: TWENTY LESSONS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
June 13, 5:30 pm
Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel Street
Author Timothy Snyder’s November 2016 Facebook post introducing 20 lessons on preserving our democratic freedoms went viral. His book On Tyranny is set for global publication. Join the Housum Professor of History at Yale as he talks about his guide to identifying and understanding the frightening parallels between our current reality and that of 20th century Europeans.
WE THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT THE ECONOMY?
Presented in Association with WNPR and New England News Collaborative
June 14, 5:30 pm
Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel Street
Since the inauguration, we've seen executive orders on immigration, controversies surrounding Russia, and tweets about crowd size and wire tapping. But hold on—wasn't it supposed to be about the economy? In 2016, 84% of voters claimed that was their number one issue. Join John Dankosky, host of NEXT on WNPR, in a lively discussion recorded for broadcast that looks at the new economic reality under Donald Trump.
JENNIFER NANSUBUGA MAKUMBI IN CONVERSATION WITH DR. AARON BADY
June 15, 12:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Ugandan author Makumbi reads from her debut novel, Kintu. In this tale of immigration and home, a woman travels back to Uganda to organize her husband’s funeral and is stunned to discover a web of deception. Makumbi’s writing relies heavily on Ganda oral traditions, especially myths, legends, folktales, and sayings.
IMAGINING NEW HAVEN: CANDY/A GOOD AND SPACIOUS LAND
June 15, 5:30 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
After a joint artist residency at the Yale Art Gallery, photographers Jim Goldberg and Donovan Wylie collaborated on a book project to explore New Haven’s urban landscape. Presented in conjunction with the newly published Candy/A Good and Spacious Land and an exhibition of Goldberg and Wylie’s work at the Yale Art Gallery.
AMINATTA FORNA IN CONVERSATION WITH JOYA URAIZEE
June 16, 12:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Scottish-Sierra Leonean author Forna discusses her novel, The Hired Man, set in Croatia. This suspenseful story focuses on a local hunter and a British family that has come to live in his town. A dark and infamous history of the place bubbles to the surface with the arrival of newcomers.
IMAGINING NEW HAVEN: ENGAGING THE CITY
June 16, 1:30 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
Join Nicholas Dawidoff, writer; Lisa Kereszi, critic, photographer, and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Yale School of Art; and Elihu Rubin, Associate Professor, Yale School of Architecture, for a discussion about the city of New Haven and how one engages with it, tries to capture it, and learns from it. Introduced and moderated by Pamela Franks, Senior Deputy Director and Seymour H. Knox, Jr., Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. In collaboration with the book and exhibition Candy/A Good and Spacious Land.
IMBOLO MBUE IN CONVERSATION WITH JOYCE ASHUTANTANG
June 16, 5:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Cameroonian novelist Mbue talks about her 2016 debut book, Behold the Dreamers. It tells the story of a Cameroonian couple living in New York City after immigrating; the fragility of making ends meet; and the vulnerability of their relationship and their future security to the rise or fall of an employer’s fortunes.
OKEY NDIBE IN CONVERSATION WITH DANIEL MAGAZINER
June 17, 12:30 pm
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street
Nigerian-American author Ndibe discusses his 2016 memoir Never Look an American in the Eye: A Memoir of Flying Turtles, Colonial Ghosts, and the Making of a Nigerian American, which examines the differences between Nigerian and American etiquette and politics; considers American stereotypes about Africa (and vice-versa); and juxtaposes African folk tales with Wall Street trickery.
CITIZENSHIP: AN EXPLORATION
June 20, 5:30 pm
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Auditorium, 100 College Street
Citizenship has been the underlying theme of much of our national conversation in recent months. Beyond the legal sense of “membership in a particular nation state,” citizenship has broader meanings that encompass belonging, self-definition, inclusion, and exclusion. This interdisciplinary panel discussion moderated by Dr. Michael Rowe, explores the idea of citizenship: who has it, who grants it, and why?
IDEAS ON FOOT: WOOSTER SQUARE, THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE
June 21, 5:30 pm
Wooster Square Park, 570 Chapel Street
The historic buildings of Wooster Square tell stories of the diverse groups that settled in this neighborhood before the turn of the 19th century: the mutual aid societies that helped Italian immigrants; a former synagogue that dates back to 1855; an area called home by Irish immigrants in the 1820s; and more.
TALKING AROUND THE PORCH: STORIES ON AUGUST WILSON
A Conversation with Constanza Romero and Harry J. Elam, Jr.
June 22, 5:30 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
The late American playwright August Wilson, whose Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fences premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre, chronicled the 20th Century African American experience in his epic ten-play American Century Cycle. This dialogue between Wilson's wife Constanza Romero and Wilson scholar Harry J. Elam, Jr. will discuss his life and his art, and engage his famous ten-play history cycle.
TAYLOR MAC AND BASSEM YOUSSEF IN CONVERSATION
June 24, 3 pm
Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel Street
One is a playwright, actor, singer-songwriter, performance artist, director, and producer. “A critical darling of the New York scene” (New York Magazine), Time Out New York has called Mac, “One of the most exciting theater artists of our time.” The other is a comedian, writer, producer, physician, media critic, and television host, who has been called “The Jon Stewart of Egypt.” Together they will talk about building community through humor and art during our current times.
ALTAR’d Spaces
For over 200 years, four churches on the New Haven Green have made history as sanctuaries and meeting houses for all who enter, no matter their sense of alienation. This summer they take up one more purpose: arts incubators. For two weeks, folk music, theater, spoken word, and dance will come together within their walls. These acts channel the Festival’s original essence: that there is nothing more spiritual than a community creating together.
Shoreline Ballet, Inc.
June 10, 3 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
A new adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, featuring dancers from the school.
Alison Cook Beatty Dance
June 10, 6 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
An award-winning dance company brings New York-premiered pieces to New Haven.
Taylor Ho Bynum + Friends
June 11, 6:30 pm
Center Church on the Green, 311 Temple Street
Creative music draws upon jazz, classical, folk, and popular music traditions.
Mariachi Mexico Antiguo
June 13, 6 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
An unforgettable musical adventure through Mexico.
Rap Guide to Climate Chaos
June 13, 7:15 pm
Center Church on the Green, 311 Temple Street
Canadian rapper Baba Brinkman brings science to life on stage.
The Survivors Swing Band
June 13, 8:30 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
A seven-piece jazz band playing the classics of a bygone era.
Rolie Polie Guacamole
June 14, 4:30 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
An award-winning "kindie" band with a high energy, interactive, and educational show.
Deborah Lifton
June 14, 6 pm
Trinity Church on the Green, 230 Temple Street
One of today’s most compelling sopranos performs a selection of contemporary American opera and popular song.
Olive Tiger
June 14, 7:15 pm
United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street
Cello, violin, guitar, drums, bass, and electronics craft a unique blend of melody-driven orchestral rock sounds.
Happenstance Theater
June 14, 8:30 pm
Trinity Church on the Green, 230 Temple Street
In this devised, clown-esque piece, a troupe of eccentrics creates a “BrouHaHa!”
Tere Luna and Val Ramos Duo
June 19, 7:15 pm
Trinity Church on the Green, 230 Temple Street
Featuring songs and colorful folkloric dances of Mexico, romantic Bolero songs, and Spanish rumba Flamenca.
Afro Peruvian New Trends Orquestra
June 19, 8:30 pm
Center Church on the Green, 311 Temple Street
Instrumental mini big band performing awesome Afro Peruvian and Pan American jazz music.
The Word Citywide High School Poetry Jam
June 21, 6 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
A showcase of the Weekly Word Warriors’ original poetry.
LayaVinyasa
June 21, 8:30 pm
First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street
SriKrishna Leelamrutham encaptures Lord Krishna's compassion, courage, and mischief.
Film Programs
NHdocs 2017: The 4th Annual New Haven Documentary Film Festival
June 1-11
Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall Street
Eleven days of memorable documentaries––from the best local productions to the internationally renowned. Premieres include Stephen Dest’s I Am Shakespeare: The Henry Green Story, about a New Haven high school student with a double life, and Tlaxcala Dreams, Sebi Medina-Tayac’s look at a small town in rural Mexico—many of whose residents now live in Fair Haven. Jim O'Connor’s Food Haven (2017) celebrates New Haven’s culinary scene while Jennifer Abod’s The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen (2016) celebrates the life of longtime New Haven resident and dance guru. And much, much more!
Second Wave Verité: The Cinema of Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker
June 9-11
Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall Street
Award-winning documentarians Pennebaker and Hegedus have played a crucial role revitalizing the cinema verité tradition in the digital era. Our selection of their recent documentaries spans twenty-five years of filmmaking from The War Room, a behind-the-scenes look at Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign for president, to Unlocking the Cage, their animal rights feature that was first shown in 2016, but will be screened in a newly updated version. The filmmakers will be present to discuss their films over the long weekend.
Startup.com (2001): June 9, 7 pm
The War Room (1993): June 10, 1 pm
God Spoke: Al Franken (2006): June 10, 3 pm
Kings of Pastry (2009): June 10, 7 pm
Unlocking the Cage (2017): June 11, 1 pm
Panel discussion, Unlocking the Cage and animal rights: June 11, 3:30 pm
Scene on the Green
A wide variety of free events on the historic New Haven Green. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, join us for an eclectic and energizing mix of performances, artists, and activities from across the Northeast.
New Haven Dances! The City's Largest Dance Lesson
June 17
Shimmy your way down to the Green for a dance party you won't forget. Young, old, two left feet, dance enthusiasts, and dance professionals are all welcome to join us as we get the energy flowing through the streets of New Haven.
LIMITLESS 2nd Annual Teen Dance Competition
June 17, 12 pm
An all-style teen dance competition for a cash prize and the Limitless King or Queen titles, curated by Bryce Howard of Future Project and New Haven Academy.
HI Crew presents: Refacing New Haven
June 17 and 18, All Day
An inviting and captivating piece of temporary public art: a walk-through exhibit composed of plywood cube structures resembling a miniature city block, placed strategically throughout the Green, exploding with colorful graffiti-esque styles and design.
Box City
June 17 and 18, 12-4 pm
Calling all young thinkers and tinkerers! Come out and help construct a model city of the future made out of cardboard boxes. Local architects, makers, and city planners will assist, offering advice and distributing permits to Box City's young entrepreneurs!
New Haven Story Project Listening Stations
June 17, 18, and 24, 1-5 pm
As part of the BIG READ, New Haven Story Project has been collecting stories of Immigration and Migration. Come learn something new from your neighbors, and get some insight into their stories at The Listening Stations. Stories have the power to change the world.
108 Monkeys Yoga
June 17 and 24, 11AM-12 pm
108 Monkeys invites you to ignite connection and tune up our commitment to compassion and empathy by engaging in synchronized movement and breath in a shared space: the great urban outdoors of the New Haven Green. All levels of experience and ability are welcome. Please bring your own mat; limited number available if needed.
Creative Music Play-In
June 18, 5-6:30 pm
Internationally recognized composer/performer Taylor Ho Bynum will lead an interactive "Play-In" on the New Haven Green. Open to all levels, participants will play simply arranged folk songs, with some exciting group improvisation mixed in. Don't worry, no experience with improvisation necessary, just bring your instrument!
The Rejuvenary River Circus
June 20, 2:30 pm
Arm-of-the-Sea combines large-scale visual storytelling with live music in contemporary works of mask and puppet theater. The Rejuvenary River Circus is an allegorical tale that follows Malakai the water messenger as he travels between Mountain Peaks and the Deep Blue Sea. When the old man falls ill, his granddaughter Rachel is faced with the challenge of restoring her grandfather––the River––back to health.
Abbie Gardner
June 21, 12 pm
Abbie Gardner, the fiery Dobro player with an infectious smile, has been touring with Americana darlings Red Molly for the past eleven years. No stranger to solo performing, she has recorded three CDs, each with award-winning songs. Tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, ride the back of her by-now familiar, formidable slide guitar licks. She may channel Lucinda WIlliams and Bonnie Raitt, but remains pure Abbie.
Soro Bindi
June 21, 2:30 pm
Soro-Bindi is an exciting, interactive performance that incorporates traditional Ghanaian dances, songs, and stories. Artist Iddi Saaka drives his audience through Africa with various dances such as the Kpanlogo dance and the Bawa harvest dance, then invites students to learn about and play traditional Ghanaian instruments.
Li Liu
June 22, 2:30 pm
Acrobat Li Liu invites Festival audiences to learn simple movements and tricks, while teaching them about the historical significance of traditional lion and dragon dances, and encourages them to imagine what it is like growing up in both contemporary and historical China.
Open Ring Circus
June 22, 6:30 pm
Featuring giant inflatable sculptural set pieces, innovative and mesmerizing imagery, and live music by innovative music composers from Montréal, Canary's Silence by Open Ring Circus follows a group of city-dwellers caught in a black-out as they traverse a dark, unplugged, urban environment, meeting both obstacles and stunning pleasures along the way.
Asana and Art: Mash-up Yoga Class
June 22, 7:30 pm
Join Margot Broom from downtown New Haven's Breathing Room Yoga Center for a special Asana and Art mash-up yoga class comprised of gentle, beginner-friendly movement and a hands-on, civic and personal mindfulness practice through group abstract painting.
The Bossa Nova Project
June 23, 12 pm
The Bossa Nova Project was founded by Brazilian native singer-songwriter/pianist Isabella Mendes to share happiness and love through music. The Project was inspired by the original Bossa Nova movement which took place in Brazil in the 60’s. With elements of classical, samba, and jazz, Bossa Nova brought people together through songs about love, the beach and life.
Ginga Brasileira
June 23, 2:30 pm
This professional ensemble performs a colorful, crowd-pleasing repertoire of Afro-Brazilian dances that fuse rhythmic music with high-energy gymnastics and martial arts.
Gospel Fest: Made in New Haven
June 23, 6:30 pm
Curated by Mae Gibson Brown, GospelFest will showcase a 100-voice mass choir, spoken word artists, and dancers, celebrating local talent as well as honoring New Haven's Mary Atkinson Joyner, a Gospel promoter for over 50 years.
Exchange
June 24, 1-5 pm
A Broken Umbrella Theatre, New Haven’s own theater company specializing in original work based on New Haven history, celebrates local telegraph operator George Coy’s groundbreaking 1878 invention: the world's first telephone exchange. Broken Umbrella will examine the public’s relationship with the telephone, communication, and personal exchange by recording and sharing first-person stories and incorporating some of the content into dialogue, song lyrics, or soundscapes for performances of Exchange during New Haven’s “City Wide Open Studios” in October, 2017.
Sea of No Plastic
June 24, 12-4 pm
Sea of No Plastic is a visual art installation in response to how our culture of disposable plastics has caused severe harm to our oceans and planet.
Trashion Fashion
June 24, 5:30-7 pm
Trashion Fashion supports local artists of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging creative solutions to the world’s waste problems with a unique runway experience that features wearable art made from materials that have been diverted from the waste stream.
The Human Library: Don’t Judge a Book By its Cover
June 24, 12-4 pm
The Human Library™ is designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. The Human Library is a place where real people are on loan to readers. A place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated, and answered.
New Haven Photo Day
June 24
What would a day in the Elm City look like in photographs? Join photographer Chris Randall in an exploration of New Haven during the Festival. Photo Day images will be sorted, printed, judged, and delivered to the Green for exhibition and awards. This free event is in partnership with Creative Arts Workshop.
Trex
Yale’s hulking Beinecke Library. Common Ground School’s mighty farm. The sun-dappled Mill River. The Farmington Canal, stretching from New Haven to Northampton. Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum. Criss-crossing New Haven, this year’s Trex are designed to open up the city, inviting newcomers to experience its cultural mosaic for the first time, and longtime residents to savor its gems anew. From kayaking to culinary pilgrimages, the programs form a single directive: explore. You never know what you might find.
Bike Tours (12 events)
June 18-24, Free
Explore the New Haven area and Southern Connecticut coastline with Elm City Cycling. Complete list at artidea.org/biketours.
Boat Tours (4 events)
June 16 and 17, $30
Kayak tours of Lighthouse Point Park and canoe tours of Mill River with the City of New Haven's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Trees. Schedule available at artidea.org/boattours.
Exhibition Tours (18 events)
June 13-24, Free
Guided tours of various exhibits at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New Haven Museum, Yale Center for British Art, and Yale University Art Gallery. Complete list available at artidea.org/gallerytalkstours.
Food Experiences (5 events)
June 15-23, $20-$40
Five experiences at local foodie locations. Complete list available at artidea.org/foodexperiences.
Walking Tours (22 events)
June 13-24, Free
Nearly two dozens tours and talks at sites, buildings, and neighborhoods throughout New Haven. Complete list available at http://artidea.org/walkingtours.
Master Classes and Workshops (8 events)
June 18-23, Free
For a complete list of titles and schedule, go to http://artidea.org/masterclasses.
Additional Programming
THE BIG READ
April 11-June 17
Broadening our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book, the NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Showcasing a diverse range of contemporary titles that reflect many different voices and perspectives, the NEA Big Read aims to inspire conversation and discovery. The 2017 Big Read centers on Luis Alberto Urrea's book, Into the Beautiful North, with related free events offered throughout Greater New Haven.
POP-UP FESTIVALS
Lively one-day neighborhood Festivals take place each year just prior to Arts and Ideas in downtown New Haven. Community Steering Committees, local arts and business partners, and Festival volunteers and staff host local talent, family activities, and vendors in New Haven’s historic and culturally rich neighborhoods
Fair Haven Pop-Up Festival: Diversity and Unity
June 3, 2-7 pm
Enjoy the rich multicultural cuisine, music, dance, and activities from our very own neighborhood, highlighting our local talent. Latinos, Immigrants, Refugees, Muslims, Blacks, and Queers: making Fair Haven great! Mi gente!
Dixwell Pop-Up Festival: It Takes a Village
June 4, 2-6 pm
An old-school block party; including an open-air market, free hamburgers and hotdogs for the children, and music and activities highlighting our local talent and showcasing our African American culture.
Hill Pop-Up Festival: Discover Our Hill
June 10, 1-5 pm
Come and discover all that the Hill has to offer––from parks and schools to health centers and art museums. This one-day celebration will include live music, crafts projects, local vendors and artists, a climbing wall, and even free hamburgers and hotdogs for our young people!
