Festival Stories

There may be couples as meticulous and thorough when considering parenthood as Nir Paldi and George Mann do in their quick-paced performance of “No Kids,” running through Saturday at Iseman Theater as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. Yet few do so with as much vim, veracity and imagination as Paldi and Mann.

“No Kids,” a rivetingly seamless piece the couple wrote (and directed, as well), is a physical and artistic achievement for this dynamic duo as they roll out everything but a big brass band to illustrate points and keep the story visually, aurally and intellectually...

Kronos’ current lineup includes violinists David Harrington (founder) and John Sherba, violist Hank Dutt, and cellist Sunny Yang. As a quartet, they strive to fearlessly explore new musical territory, dedicated to reinventing the string quartet format with every piece. They have become one of the most praised ensembles of today for their expansive recording repertoire, touring history, and collaborative endeavors. Kronos has earned more than 40 awards, including a Grammy for Best Chamber Music Performance in 2004. They reimagine the works of 20th-century masters, contemporary composers, jazz...

Circa has traveled to over 39 countries in the past 15 years, selling out venues, bringing audiences to standing ovations and inviting praise from reviewers around the globe. As a leading contemporary circus, Circa is a trailblazer of daring physical and emotional performances, pushing limits and challenging the limits of genre. Yaron Lifschitz, artistic director, joins his vision with the skills of his noteworthy cohort of talented circus artists. In addition to performing shows internationally, Circa also runs a Training Centre in their Brisbane studio with classes for all ages and provides...

HOME is an improvised story brought to life by director Geoff Sobelle, seven featured actors, and you, if you care to join the stage to meet your new roommates. Jean West, guest writer for Deadline News, talks of her unanticipated cameo in the play as a new bride, celebrating the cast’s ability to “blur the lines between themselves and the audience.” The performance revolves around the memories of home-making, starting a family, and following mundane rituals in the context of one house. As it is built before our eyes, we get a sense of how the space impacts the people, and how those people...

The question of if or when to start a family is something many adults ask themselves at some point in their lives.

In a play that's part of the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, a real-life same-sex couple explore that question.

Personal and professional partners George Mann and Nir Paldi are co-artistic directors of the British theater company Ad Infinitum and creators of the show, No Kids.

Mann said Paldi originally came up with the theatrical idea. “I was terrified of going there," he said. "So my first response was, ‘No! We’re not going to do that!’ And then a few years after that, I...

To parent, or not to parent? That is the question.

That’s also the distillation of “No Kids,” a two-character play running Wednesday through Saturday, June 12-15, at Iseman Theater as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas.

“It’s about dreams and fantasies, and imagining the joys and difficulties one might experience when having kids,” said Nir Paldi who, with George Mann, wrote, directed and performs in “No Kids.”

“It’s about the process of us trying to decide whether we should have them or not,” Paldi said. “And if so, how?”

Paldi and Mann’s same-sex perspective promises a seldom-...

David Harrington founded the groundbreaking, ever-progressive, neoclassical chamber group Kronos Quartet in the early 1970s.
The premiere of a new Kronos Quartet concert program at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas on June 18 lets us know where Harrington’s head was when he first thinking of creating his incredible combo.

“When we were thinking about what we would do at Arts & Ideas, one of the pivotal points for me and a lot of us was what was going on in the 1960s.
“Growing up at that time shaped everything about the music I’ve encountered and the people who’ve inspired me. For me,...

They are fearless and anything but predictable.

They fly through the air and spring across the stage. They swing from trapezes and dangle from above. They perform extraordinary feats of balance and agility, these three figures — one female and two males — who seem to defy the limits of physical possibility.

And if that isn’t enough, they succeed in turning motion into emotion, drawing their audience into an engrossing world of humanity and feeling.

Australia-based Circa has been called an ensemble company of artists at the forefront of contemporary circus arts. In the past 15 years they have...

Performers, speakers and New Haven citizens are raring to go because it’s time for day two! We’re so excited that the festival is in full swing. Grab your friends, slather on some sunscreen and go have fun.

Sunday, June 9, 2019
Bike Tours: BICYCLE CULTURE IN NEW HAVEN @ 9:00am
Bike Tours: 1779 BRITISH INVASION @ 2:00pm
Join Elm City Cycling in promoting a more cyclist-welcoming community. Embark on a 15-mile ride around the city and open your eyes to the rich bike scene you’re a part of. Engage your muscles and your brain by learning about history with every pump of the pedals. You’ll need to...

The Festival is right around the corner! Are you ready to jump into hundreds of fun events? Day one is packed with events to engage all of the senses. We want to prepare you for the outdoor and indoor excitement, so keep reading for our suggestions on getting a full festival experience.

Saturday, June 8, 2019
Bike Tours: EAST COAST GREENWAY SOUTH @ 9:00am >
Walking Tours: MAKE HAVEN @ 11:00am >
Bike Tours: BIKE SHARE NEW HAVEN: RENT, RIDE, RETURN @ 2:00pm >
Walking Tours: WESTVILLE STUDIOS, GALLERIES, AND PUBLIC ART @ 3:00pm >
If you’re taking part in our tours, beat the heat: carry water bottles...

You’re eyeing that super intriguing Ideas talk, imagining the great discussion to come. There aren’t many opportunities like this to talk with city planners, dancers, hip hop historians, youth activists, cooks, tai chi champions and a variety of other impressive individuals for free. How can you glean the most from these valuable conversations? Here’s a list of questions and tactics to challenge yourself with while you participate in any and all of the Ideas talks this June.

Before attending:
Consider taking notes to help you focus on and remember the discussion.
Ask yourself:

• What do I think I...

The headline concerts on the New Haven Green—the big shows on Saturday and Sunday evenings—are among the most visible and exciting parts of each year's Festival. They are completely FREE and open to everyone to enjoy, so what are you waiting for? There are a number of ways that you can have fun at the concerts! Here are a few tips and tricks from our veteran Festival attendees.

JUST SHOW UP!
First and foremost, just show up! The headline concerts (like all Festival activities on the Green) occur on the "lower" part of the Green between Temple and Church Streets, are 100% free to everyone, and...