Big Read Kick Off

The 2025 Big Read launches with an engaging kickoff event centered around Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. This event will feature a thought-provoking panel discussion examining the novel’s themes and their relevance to our world today.

Attendees can also enjoy interactive activities, refreshments, and free copies of Fahrenheit 451 provided by the library (while supplies last).

Panel...

Who Am I?

Join New Haven Poet Laureate Sharmont “Influence” Little for an engaging writing workshop that invites participants to explore their identities through introspection and creative expression. This interactive session encourages attendees to reflect on who they are and share their stories through the power of words. Whether you're an experienced writer or new to the craft, this workshop offers a...

Civics 101

Join The Honorable Clifton Graves for an engaging introductory discussion on civics. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding or just getting started, this discussion is a great opportunity to learn and ask questions in an open and informative setting.

Sensation vs. Thinking

"We bombard people with sensation," he said, "That substitutes for thinking." – Fahrenheit 451

Join Mercy Quaye for an insightful discussion on the overwhelming nature of mass media. In a world flooded with information, media often evokes strong emotions but doesn’t always leave room for critical thinking and deeper analysis. This conversation will explore how we process media, its impact on...

Science Fiction: The Truth Telling Genre

In Partnership with The Black Futures Institute

Join Juanita Sunday and New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd for an insightful conversation on how science-fiction serves as a powerful tool for warning signs of potential futures. Through discussions of novels like Fahrenheit 451, Parable of the Sower, 1984, and others, they will explore how these works challenge us to confront pressing issues and shape a better, more equitable future. This...

Sister City Film - China: Hi, Mom (你好，李焕英) (2021)

A comical and deeply touching fantasy, Hi, Mom follows a young Chinese woman who, after experiencing a personal tragedy in 2001, unexpectedly time-travels back to 1981. There, she meets and befriends her late mother, seeing her as a young woman with hopes and dreams of her own. Through humor, heartfelt moments, and self-discovery, she attempts to change the course of her mother’s life for the...

Sister City Film - Israel: Cinema Sabaya (2021)

In a small-town community center, a group of Palestinian and Israeli women comes together for a video workshop led by Rona, a young filmmaker from Tel Aviv. As they document their daily lives and share personal footage, they confront their own beliefs, challenge preconceptions, and break down the social and cultural barriers that divide them.

Through storytelling, laughter, and raw emotion,...

Sister City Film - Sierra Leone: Amistad (1997)

Based on true events, Amistad tells the powerful story of the 1839 revolt of Mende captives aboard the Spanish slave ship La Amistad. After seizing control of the vessel, the captives are later captured off the coast of Long Island, sparking a landmark legal battle in the United States. As the case moves through the courts, the nation wrestles with fundamental questions of slavery, justice, and...

Sister City Film - France: Amélie (Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) (2001)

In a charming Parisian café, Amélie, an imaginative and painfully shy young woman, unexpectedly discovers her talent for bringing joy to others. With a whimsical spirit, she embarks on a secret mission to improve the lives of those around her—playing Cupid, guardian angel, and mischievous do-gooder in equal measure.

But when she encounters a mysterious and intriguing stranger, Amélie must...

Sister City Film - Mexico: The Chambermaid (La Camerista) (2018)

Directed by Lila Avilés, this critically acclaimed drama follows Eve, a dedicated hotel worker in Mexico City, as she navigates the routines of an unseen world, striving for something greater while being surrounded by luxury she can never claim as her own. A visually stunning and deeply human story, The Chambermaid is a must-watch for those who appreciate powerful, minimalist storytelling.

Sister City Film - Vietnam: Don't Burn (Đừng đốt) (2009)

In the spring of 2005, an elderly mother in Hanoi receives a diary—one that belonged to her daughter, Dang Thuy Tram, a young doctor who served at a liberation front hospital during the Vietnam War. From 1968 until her tragic death, she documented her experiences, hopes, and sacrifices in the pages of her journal. Decades later, her words resurface, sparking a national sensation in Vietnam and...

CT Public Film: Where Then Shall We Go? (2025)

The unhoused community in New Haven is growing. The pandemic, rising housing costs, and inflation has led to an increase in people experiencing homelessness across the city. In 2022, a family in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods opened up their backyard for people to live in, aspiring to create a self-governing community separate from the overburdened city shelter system. We follow the...

Sister City Film - Nicaragua: La Yuma (2009)

La Yuma tells the inspiring story of a young girl from a poor Nicaraguan barrio who dreams of becoming a boxer. While she longs to spend her days training, her mother insists she work at a second-hand clothing store under the watchful eye of manager Scarlett. Despite these challenges, Yuma’s determination remains strong.

When her friend Yader, a former gang member turned gym owner, signs her...

Sister City Film - Italy: The Hand of God (2021)

Set in 1980s Naples, Italy, The Hand of God follows Fabietto Schisa, a teenager who is deeply passionate about both cinema and football. When Napoli, his local football team, signs the legendary Diego Maradona, Fabietto decides to stay home to watch Maradona play instead of joining his parents on vacation.

The film is a personal story for director Paolo Sorrentino, who uses the coming-of-age...

What is Quantum? And How Can I Be Involved?

Dive into the fascinating world of quantum technology with Dr. Florian Carle, Managing Director of the Yale Quantum Institute, as he unravels the mysteries of quantum science in a way that’s accessible to all.

Fair Haven Day

Neighborhood Festival

The celebration kicks off at 11:00 AM with the Parade Line-Up at Martinez School (100 James Street), followed by the Parade Step-Off at 12:00 PM. Join us as we march through the heart of Fair Haven, celebrating our vibrant community spirit! After the parade, the fun continues from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Fair Haven School (164 Grand Avenue) with a lively festival featuring food, entertainment,...

WEB (Whalley, Edgewood, Beaver Hills)

Neighborhood Festival

Come out to the WEB Neighborhood Festival for a fun, free day of activities! Enjoy a children’s author reading, a hands-on gardening workshop, and a lively Capoeira session. Explore the neighborhood’s unique architecture on a guided tour, learn about the Armory Building, and connect with local non-profits. Satisfy your cravings with delicious food from local food trucks and groove to beats from...

Honoring Hill Legends: Moving On Up

Neighborhood Festival

Join us for the 2025 Hill Neighborhood Festival as we celebrate the incredible contributions of our community! This year, we are honoring longtime Hill advocates Ms. Ann Boyd, Mr. John Dye, Hip-Hop Bearer Mr. Lee Stucky, and the brave Veterans of the Vietnam War. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, we also pay tribute to our heroes at the Veterans Memorial located in Hill South on...

West Hills/West Rock

Neighborhood Festival

Let's gather at the West Hills/West Rock Neighborhood Festival—a free event full of fun and community spirit! Start your day with exciting morning workshops where you can learn new skills and connect with neighbors. Afterward, unwind and celebrate with a small concert, bringing live music and good vibes to the heart of our neighborhood. It's a day of creativity, connection, and celebration—...

Destination Newhallville: A Family Adventure

Neighborhood Festival

Come celebrate community, fun, and the heroes who make a difference in Newhallville! This free, family-friendly event is filled with kids' activities, toys, and games that will bring smiles to faces of all ages. It’s more than just a day of play — it’s a chance for neighbors to come together and honor the local heroes who inspire and support our community. Whether it's first responders, educators...

Elm City Freddy Fixer Weekend

Neighborhood Festival, Gala, and Parade

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade, and we’re celebrating in a big way! Join us for a weekend full of excitement and community spirit. The festivities kick off on Saturday, May 31st with our Neighborhood Festival from 12PM–4PM at Dixwell Q House Plaza. Later that night, the Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade will be having their 7th Annual Gala from 7PM–11PM...

Cancionero de Luto

Join the Yale Choral Artists and Victory Players, led by Dr. Jeffrey Douma, for a powerful world premiere performance of Cancionero de Luto (Mourning Songbook) by Armando Bayolo.

Juneteenth Jamboree

Jumpstart your two-week Festival experience with a performance that pays homage to the Juneteenth holiday and celebrates our collective dedication to harmony and truth!

City of Floating Sounds

Presented by New Haven Symphony Orchestra, International Festival of Arts & Ideas and Yale Schwarzman Center

Experience a magical summer evening on the New Haven Green with the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, as the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center, presents City of Floating Sounds, a free, open-air concert that celebrates New Haven’s rich history and culture. The evening begins with an immersive journey through New Haven, where participants playing Huang...

DJ Kasey Cortez

Kasey Cortez is a multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of music, theatre, photography, design, fashion, and installation art. Her creative work is driven by a curiosity about collective culture, the subtleties of human behavior, and the quiet rhythms of everyday life. With nearly a decade of experience as a yoga teacher, Kasey brings mindfulness and intention into every project....

Sons of Mystro

Complete your Juneteenth holiday weekend with a night of mesmerizing music featuring violin sensations, Sons of Mystro, and youth collaborations. Mentored by Black Violin, Sons of Mystro is a musical duo that plays over ten popular music genres. They use their violins to interpret reggae classics, American pop songs, and their creations, accompanied by a DJ & a drummer. They are winners of the...

Mireya Ramos: GUERRERA

Latin Grammy winning, multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy nominee vocalist, musician, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – NY’s only all women mariachi.

SQUONK: Brouhaha

Brouhaha, Squonk’s newest show, is an immersive outdoor spectacle bursting with rollicking music, dazzling imagery, and the thrill of audience participation. At the center of this riotous romp is the Squonkcordion, an enormous musical instrument the audience gets to play. Experience the joy of community, the power of live music, and the pageantry of Squonk’s visual extravaganza.

HHTTS (Hang Him To The Scales)

HHTTS is an indie Asian dreampop/shoegaze band from Brooklyn, New York. HHTTS began like many indie bands—as a weekend passion project, rehearsing once a week while its members balanced full-time jobs.

Christine Tassan et les Imposteures

For more than twenty years that the group has been rolling its hump in the world of jazz manouche and revisited song, Christine Tassan and the Impostors has been able to win the esteem and loyalty of an ever-growing audience.

Joshua Redman (Quartet)

Joshua Redman is one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists to have emerged in the 1990’s. Born in Berkeley, California he is the son of legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff. In 1991 Redman graduated from Harvard College summa cum laude and had already been accepted by Yale Law School, but deferred entrance for what he believed was only going to be one year....

Seny Tatchol Camara

Seny Tatchol is a master drummer, dancer, and cultural educator from Guinea, West Africa. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Manding culture, Seny has spent his life studying, performing, and teaching West African drumming and dance. With a deep understanding of rhythm and an infectious love for sharing his craft, he brings both technical expertise and cultural authenticity to every...

Sol and The Tribu

Sol and The Tribu is a group of Cuban musicians who blend traditional Caribbean music and modern technology with a Miami twist. As ambassadors of the New Miami Sound, they pride themselves on what makes Miami “The Magic City,” with its blend of Caribbean influences and American swamp funk.

Caribbean Festival

Join us for an unforgettable multi-cultural celebration at the New Haven Caribbean Heritage Festival, where the vibrant tastes, sounds, and culture of the Caribbean come alive! Experience a delightful array of Caribbean food trucks while browsing stunning island apparel, jewelry, crafts, and more. Enjoy the colorful representations of various Caribbean nations, and live performances that showcase...

Cirque Kikasse (Art Walk)

Presented by International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Yale Schwarzman Center and Westville Village Renaissance Alliance

Cirque Kikasse is a breathtaking acrobatic show! An extraordinary mobile circus where trampoline, balances and juggling meet. The truck can transform into a terrace, offering fast food and bar service. A unique and turnkey party zone!

Cirque Kikasse (Wake Up the Green)

Presented by International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Yale Schwarzman Center and The Committee of the Proprietors of the New Haven Green

Cirque Kikasse is a breathtaking acrobatic show! An extraordinary mobile circus where trampoline, balances and juggling meet. The truck can transform into a terrace, offering fast food and bar service. A unique and turnkey party zone!

Family Business: (A)Pizza Play

A Broken Umbrella Theatre

Inspired by the real stories of New Haven apizza pioneers, Family Business: (A)Pizza Play follows the Carbonizatto family’s pizza shop from it’s immigrant beginnings as it passes down over generations. This production explores New Haven’s pizza magic (la magia dell'apizza) from New Haven’s cultural and historic connection to pizza.

Minty Fresh Circus

Conceived by Monique Martin, Minty Fresh Circus is a US-based circus show performed by an all-Black cast, with a majority-Black creative team celebrating the healing power of Black music and movement, infused with the joy and resilience of those who traversed the transatlantic slave trade.

Grounded in Sankofa (a Ghanaian word encouraging one to learn from the past to inform the future) with...

Hartbeat Ensemble: Woodhull/Beecher

HartBeat Ensemble presents a staged reading of Woodhull/Beecher, a new play by Leslie Gabel-Brett exploring the tension between hope and despair in the struggles for personal and social justice. Victoria Woodhull – feminist, spiritualist, free-love advocate and first female presidential candidate – clashes with Henry Ward Beecher – minister, abolitionist, brother to Harriet Beecher Stowe and, to...

Theatre "Art in Resistance"

Panel Discussion

Keynote: Martyna Majok

Martyna Majok was born in Bytom, Poland and raised in Jersey and Chicago. She was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her Broadway debut play, Cost of Living, which was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. Other plays include Sanctuary City, Queens, and Ironbound, which have been produced across American and international stages, and the libretto for Gatsby: An American Myth,...

Making Memories: Neurons, Quantum Computing, and Art

Panel Discussion

How Do We Get it Right New Haven?

Workshop

Keynote: Autumn Peltier

Autumn Peltier is Anishinaabe-kwe and a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation and an internationally recognized advocate for clean water. She is a water protector and has been called a “water warrior”. Peltier addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly on the issue of water protection at the age of thirteen in 2018.

Peltier lives on the Unceded Anishinawbe Territory on Manitoulin...

Stir the Style: Wasn't Expecting That....

You thought you knew what was coming. You thought you knew what the end would be. But when you get there, you realize it is something entirely different. It makes you think, “Hmmm… wasn’t expecting that!”

This year we Stir the Style with narratives of surprise, disappointment, triumph, and transformation—tales where the destination wasn't quite what was imagined, but the journey proved remarkable...

Savor the Legacy: Jacques Pépin

Join us for a special evening with Jacques Pépin, legendary French chef, author, and artist. Pépin will share stories from his extraordinary career—from cooking for French presidents to co-starring with Julia Child in the Emmy-winning Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home.

PechaKucha New Haven (#44): The “False Advertising” Edition

Take the absolute best event in New Haven (PechaKucha New Haven, of course), smash it into the absolute best Arts & Ideas Festival in the history of the world, and what do you get? The best thing in the world. An event that could change your life, regrow your hair, make your teeth shine bright, and save the world. Yes, it is the "False Advertising" edition of PechaKucha New Haven at the...

That's Funny: Stories That Make You Laugh

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." —Victor Hugo

Sometimes there is nothing more refreshing than a nice – deep - belly laugh. A laugh that makes your side hurt, your eyes water and your breath hard to catch. A laugh so powerful that - at least for a moment - you forget all about your troubles.

Beaver Hills Tudor Tour

A walking tour of New Haven’s “Tudor Capital”! Beaver Hills is one of New Haven’s earliest planned and developed neighborhoods, and is home to some of the best examples of unique and well-preserved Tudor revival houses in the city. We will explore the heart of this neighborhood and talk in detail about a number of representative examples, chat with some homeowners about their houses, and discuss...

Spotlight Talk

Join Gallery staff for spotlight talks on displays across the museum. Brooke Krancer, Senior Curatorial Assistant, Yale Center for British Art, reflects on the exhibition Romney: Brilliant Contrasts in Georgian England. Daniel Menzo, the Marcia Brady Tucker Fellow, Department of Photography, discusses the exhibition David Goldblatt: No Ulterior Motive. Miranda Saylor, the Alice and Allan Kaplan...

Tapping the Possibilities

Learn about the treatment processes we use to take the water from the Lake Whitney reservoir and turn it into reliable, high-quality drinking water.

More Than Oysters: A Walking History of "Fair Haven East"

The borough of Fair Haven East, incorporated in 1872, represents the city’s one (and only) experiment with this semi-autonomous form of local government. With much of the waterfront already built out for the oystering trade, residents sought a different approach to developing the steep, wooded hills to the east of the village. By directly electing their neighbors to serve as government officials...

Factory International: City of Floating Sounds

Presented in Partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center & New Haven Symphony Orchestra

City of Floating Sounds is an invitation to connect with our surroundings and each other. Experience a shifting soundscape as you journey through the city. Can you find other audience members to create a richer sound?

Pushing the boundaries of classical music performance, City of Floating Sounds uses cutting-edge creative technology to take music out into the city. Guided by a bespoke mobile...

New Haven's Closet: 400 Years of Queer History in the Elm City

Take a walking tour of Downtown New Haven, but seen through a queer lens. Discover a hidden history—four centuries in the making—among the nine squares in the country’s first planned city. See where Cole Porter got his kick from champagne…Doors’ front man Jim Morrison was bloodied and arrested…Bette Davis had a bumpy night…Judy and Liza played on parallel streets…Jodi Foster’s hang out the night...

Shining Light on Truth: Blacks Lives at Yale & in New Haven at the Grove Street Cemetery

An introduction to the Grove Street Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark and the nation's first publicly chartered burial ground organized with streets and family plots, established in 1797. This tour will focus on the lives and legacies of Black New Haveners including William Grimes and family; John, Vashti, and Courtland Creed; Bias and Margaret Stanley; Mary Ann Goodman; the Park and Bassett...

The Path of Memory, the Space Within: From Synapses to Quantum Physics

Join visual artist Serena Scapagnini and scientist Florian Carle for a walking tour of New Haven to discover Serena’s original artworks created during her residency at the Yale Quantum Institute. The stops include installations on the New Haven Green, at the Robert B Haas Family Arts Library, and at the Yale Quantum Institute. The artworks are site-specific, composed of copper plates encapsulated...

Sketching in the Galleries

Inaugurated in 1867, Street Hall—today part of the Yale University Art Gallery—housed the first collegiate school of art in the country. Its curriculum permitted students from a variety of disciplines to sketch from live models and original works of art. Take part in this centuries-old practice by joining us for an evening of guided sketching. Offered in conjunction with the International...

CAES: The Nation's Oldest Agricultural Experiment Station Turns 150!

Get to know the CAES through this guided tour of the grounds and explore this renowned scientific institution! The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), established in 1875 (turning 150 years old this year!), is the first agricultural experiment station in the United States. The main mission of the CAES is research. The CAES programs exist to educate the public and to transfer new...

MakeHaven: A Hub for Makers, Artists, and Innovators

Step into MakeHaven, New Haven’s community workshop where creativity meets cutting-edge technology. Explore a space designed for artists, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists, equipped with tools for woodworking, metalworking, textiles, 3D printing, laser cutting, and more. See firsthand how materials transform—from wood cut with precision lasers to metal shaped by water. Learn how our members bring...

Alice Washburn in Westville

The first third of the 20th century is known as the era of “The Comfortable House,” a time when technological improvements and ongoing traditional styles helped bring the lifestyle of the growing American suburbs to more and more people. Designer-contractor Alice Washburn (1870-1958) was only one of many creators whose Tudors and Bungalows and Colonials in many ways still shape what we think of...

Whitman on Walls! (WoW!)

WHITMAN ON WALLS! (WoW!) is a hybrid project juxtaposing film and live performance in response to New York poet Walt Whitman's radical "Song of Myself." Devised by Compagnia de' Colombari Director Karin Coonrod in response to performance cancellations in 2020, Colombari's original production of MORE OR LESS I AM, based on Whitman's iconic poem, was transformed into seven short films featuring 50...

TRACES

A Visual Memoir by Bill Graustein

Traces reflects Bill Graustein’s ongoing practice of exploration, rooted in deep attention and quiet inquiry. The photographs serve as markers of a personal journey – moments of discovery, excitement, discomfort, and care. Graustein approaches the work not to explain, but to witness as he walks the boundary between reverence and trespass, seeking to better understand his own place within layered...