Dwight Chapel

Dwight Chapel was the original home of the Yale University library ...

Dwight Chapel

Lighthouse Point

The New Haven Harbor lighthouse is also known as the Five Mile Point Light, because it sits on a point of land five miles from the New Haven Green.

Lighthouse Point

New Haven Green

The New Haven Green was used as the main burial grounds for the residents of New Haven during its first 150 years...

New Haven Green

Jump into the New Year with the Polar Plunge

Elm City Parks Conservancy invites you
to First Day New Haven Winter Festival featuring the 10th annual
Polar Plunge for Parks.

January 1st
11am-3pm
@ the Carousel
Lighthouse Park, New Haven

First Day is a family oriented event and a fun, exciting and invigorating way to begin the New Year.

ECPC’s Polar Plungers are the brave souls who jump into the icy waters of Long Island Sound to raise money for New Haven’s fanstastic neighborhood parks and community environmental groups.

Each year on January 1st, brave souls around the world start the New Year by plunging into icy water. Head on over to the Carousel at Lighthouse Point Park for the Elm City Parks Conservancy’s Winter Festival, 11 AM - 3 PM, for fun activities featuring New Haven’s version of this time-honored and wonderfully wacky tradition, POLAR PLUNGE for PARKS. Are you a brave soul willing to jump into the icy waters to raise money for New Haven’s spectacular parks
(like East Rock Park?) Then PLUNGE!

If you are only a semi-brave soul then WATCH!

All you can eat brunch $10 person -- plungers eat free! Plungers also get exclusive use of the hot tubs where you’re bound to meet new friends.

For more information & registration and pledge forms, check out this website: http://firstdayplunge-nh.yolasite.com/

SHE’LL JUMP FOR FERP (Friends of East Rock Park)! but only with your help and kind donation!)

Rachel Smith, a Wilbur Cross High School freshman will be freez'n for a reason again at this year’s Polar Plunge for Parks event on January 1st at Lighthouse Point Park! Elm City Parks Conservancy shares part of the pledge money raised by Rachel with her favorite local park or open space, so funds raised over her registration fee support FRIENDS OF EAST ROCK PARK!

Cheers and Happy Holidays to New Haven and ALL it's wonderful parks!

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charity, Events, holidays |

The Crane at 360 State does the Heavy Lifting as 1200-year-old tradition lives on

By Andy Ross

“I can pick your pocket with it,” boasts Jimmy Enerling, (sitting in the booth seen right) referring to the high-tech crane he operates. The towering steel marvel – which resembles a giant erector set – is capable of hoisting about 18,000 pounds of cargo at a time and then lowering it gingerly, accurately, and safely into place 20 or 25 stories up on a skyscraper’s construction site. Enerling, a veteran crane operator who pairs up with his son as a two-man team on many jobs, routinely lifts 70 tons of steel a day while perched inside his crane’s control room cockpit.

The machinery he runs gets taller each time another floor is added so Enerling has a rare panoramic view of downtown New Haven and the shoreline coast while working on the 35-story construction of a 660,000 square foot mixed use development at 360 State Street. His self-lifting crane raises itself hydraulically, 20 feet at a time, as the work progresses – enabling it to reach dizzying heights and keep crews constantly supplied with materials. The process is referred to as “jumping”, and each time the

crane jumps to another level it has to be inspected again for safety. After several jumps Enerling is now sitting high in the sky, but he doesn’t get to dwell very much on the awe inspiring view from his portable office. “I need to stay focused,” he says, “so I don’t spend much time sightseeing.”

“So far the use of this extraordinary piece of equipment, combined with skillfully, coordinated human teamwork, has resulted in remarkable speed and efficiency”, as Bruce Becker, President of Fairfield-based development firm Becker and Becker, explains.

Although the magnificent, monstrous crane has a reach of almost 500 feet (almost as long as two football fields) it is agile enough to snatch a construction worker’s lunch box. Manipulating it takes experience, expertise, and a light but confident touch. A gust of wind can cause it to sway several feet from side to side rather unpredictably. Even the slightest error, distraction, or miscalculation can escalate a routine procedure into a life-threatening situation of catastrophic proportions.

A less weighty assignment last Friday December 12th had Jimmy testing his skills by scooping up a 7 foot pine tree and setting it into place adjacent to the American Flag on the most important beam, the last one. This ancient 1200 year old Scandinavian tradition called “Topping

out” declares the moment when the highest structural point in a building’s construction has been reached. There is raucous good cheer from the crowd as the last steel beam is hoisted into place by the massive crane operator’s delicate touch. The tree is gently dropped on top of the beam to publicly announce to the world that the building project has so far been successful. The evergreen is adopted as a symbol of good health and good luck to future occupants of this - New Haven’s second tallest structure.

So far we are completing a floor every 4-5 days, which is 33 percent ahead of schedule,” reports Becker, whose company was chosen by New Haven as the site developer over half a dozen other bidders. He is also the lead architect for the building project – which involves at least a dozen other design specialists and architects. Becker has a projected completion date of November 2010, and attributes the rapid pace so far to “good weather, plenty of available labor, and one of the most experienced construction crews in the business.”

Another factor contributing to the speed of completion is that the builders are using precast cement planks for the flooring, plus prefabricated architectural facade panels for the front side of the structure. The crane lifts the hefty precast units into place, making it possible to avoid using any wet cement at all on the upper floors of the building.

Michael Moore, the Senior Superintendent for the site and an employee of Suffolk Construction

Company, is overseeing the project, managing millions of dollars worth of equipment, hundreds of tons of supplies, and dozens of boots on the ground. He has been in the construction business for more than 30 years, and says that it is the most fascinating work of all. (pictured left) Developer Bruce Becker and Site Superintendent Michael Moore

Delivery trucks line up at the gate at sunrise, so Moore – who lives in Northbrookfield, Massachusetts – starts his commute to New Haven by four o’clock each morning, six days a week. Working from his small trailer Moore orchestrates the talents of 120 people covering two shifts a day, overseeing 10 electricians, 10 plumbers, 10 sheet metal workers, 25 carpenters, 35 iron workers, and a host of other men and women who represent nearly every professional designation and niche within the building trades. Half a million pounds of materials arrive at the work site each day, and hundreds of decisions, problems, and various issues land on Moore’s desk. But that’s the end of line, because as Moore says “The buck stops here, with me.”

Part of Moore’s critical role, he explains, especially when working on an urban construction site like this one, is to maintain smooth working relationships with local residents and town officials. “We want to be good neighbors for the time we are here,” he says, “and do everything possible to respect concerns about noise, traffic, and clutter.”

Based on feedback from Ken Gleasman, Chairman of the New Haven Downtown Wooster Square Management Team and Bitsy Clark, the downtown area Alderman, Moore is doing a stellar job. “We have not had any complaints from residents or businesses”, says Gleasman and Clark concurs.

Author’s note: Additional aerial shots of this building are available. Contact andy@andyrossgroup.com for info.

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business, new haven, news, People, Real Estate |

Friends Of East Rock Park Holiday Cards Are Here!

The Second Annual FERP Photography Faceoff garnered some fantastic photos and artwork that in turn were crafted into note cards.

Each packet contains one of each of 10 photographs of East Rock Park (taken by members of the New Haven community).

We're not going to show them all so you'll have to purchase a pack to see for yourself...but take a look at these.....Why not send some as holiday cards?

You can purchase these lovely packets of 10 assorted cards at the following local stores:

Romeo and Cesare’s – 771 Orange St.

P&M Orange St. Market – 721 Orange Street

Nica’s Market – 603 Orange St

Lulu’s Café – 49 Cottage St. Nica’s Market – 603 Orange St.

Café Romeo – 534 Orange St.

Friends of East Rock Park is a community and environmental advocacy group;
Encouraging neighbors to meet each other, celebrate the environment and
become stewards of the park. They help build connections by hosting social events and
work days, and supporting other neighborhood efforts. All events are free
and open to everyone.

Photos by: Enzo Figueres, Juli Stupakevich

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ecology, education, marketplace, news |

NSM: January Music in New Haven

Sunday, January 10

2:30 & 4:00 pm Neighborhood Music School’s Greater New Haven Youth Ensembles Winter Concert

NMS’s auditioned ensembles in concert. 2:30 pm-Concert Band and Concert Orchestra; 4:00-Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Youth Orchestra. Location: Battell Chapel, College Street at Elm, New Haven. Adults $10, Seniors $5 & Children 12 & Under $5. Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.
Friday, January 22

4:00 pm Neighborhood Music School Children’s Concert - Jose Conde & Baby Loves Salsa

Baby Loves Salsa is the story of a group of kittens and puppies from the streets of New York City who go on to become the best Salsa band in the land. Young and old alike will want to dance to the beat of original songs written by singer-songwriter José Conde. This talented performer draws inspiration from his Cuban roots, mixing Afro-Latin styles to his bilingual songs. The show is focused on educating young children about Salsa and all about Spanish in a way that families can enjoy together.

All proceeds support the Neighborhood Music School's Preschool & Toddler Program. Pizza party follows. Tickets: $10 adults; $5 children over 2 years. Location: Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

Friday, January 29

7:00 pm Neighborhood Music School’s Winter Dance Concert

The NMS Dance Department presents its annual Winter Concert at ECA’s Arts Hall, 55 Audubon Street. Tickets: $10; FREE for 12 & under.Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

Saturday, January 30

1:00-3:00 pm Semester II Open House

An afternoon of mini-lessons, sample Dance and Early Childhood classes, teacher consultations and an instrument petting zoo.

Register now for classes starting February 1. Location: Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

Sunday, February 14

12:15 pm Bach’s Brunch

Be My Valentine romantic music by Mozart, Elgar, Dvorak and Greig. Nina Crothers (violin), Leena Crothers (piano), Darylin Manring (cello). Location: Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

Friday, February 19 Bach’s Lunch

12:10 Bring your lunch and feast on great music. FREE.

Piano Quartets by Schumann & Saint-Saens performed by Viara Albonetti (violin), Bethany Eby (viola), Yun-Yang Lin (cello) Ingeborg Schimmer, piano. Location: Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

Friday, February 26 Bach’s Lunch

12:10 Bring your lunch and feast on great music. FREE.

Armchair Traveler – Enjoy music & dance from around the world performed by Naomi Senzer (flute), Ingeborg Schimmer (piano), and Leslie Prodis (dance). Location: Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

Saturday, February 27 – Sunday, March 7

Performathon 2010

A marathon week of music and dance recitals - to raise money and awareness for the school’s Financial Aid program. Over 600 students will participate in Performathon 2010 hoping to raise more than $35,000 in support of those who could not otherwise afford the quality music and dance education that Neighborhood Music School offers. Location: Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St. New Haven. Free. Call (203) 624-5189 for more information, or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

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|

Twas The Night after SantaCon

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the roads;

Not a creature was stirring, Not even at Toads

When out on the Green there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the barstool to see what was the matter.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But dozens of Santas and a few wayward Deer

The Santas were glowing from Top Hat to ear
With Good Ol' Ebenezer bringing up the rear

They were dressed all in suits, from their heads to their tails,
And their clothes were quite rumpled and smelled much like ale;

They sprang to the next bar, when the crew gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard Them exclaim, as they stumbled from sight,
"Merry Chrismukkah to all, and to all a good-night!"

Pictured in no particular order: Ebenezer Scrooge, Erik Hluchan, Sarah Ficca, Litsy Witkowski, Win Davis from the Town Green District, Joey Dorwart.

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drink, Events, history |

Don't forget to Vote: NBC30’s Golden Local Competition

Dear Downtown Business Owners, Boosters and Elm City Beat Readers,

Downtown New Haven has been nominated for a Golden Local award by NBCConnecticut.com for Best Holiday Shopping. We are up against Hartford for the honor, the Golden Local trophy, and bragging rights. We all know that our shops are much cooler. Now is our chance to let the rest of the state know it! Here is some basic information:

Voting is open through Wednesday, December 16. Voting ends at noon tomorrow and it is so close! The link to the voting page is http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/around-town/debates/?=123

Benefits:

Once a winner is crowned, NBCConnecticut will help plan an insider's party and/or award presentation to celebrate!

Bragging rights as the best shopping area in Connecticut!

How you can help:

Spread the word and play an active role in driving people to vote for Downtown New Haven on NBCConnecticut.com. Send e-mail blasts and tweets to your colleagues to vote.

Come on New Haven!
Talk it up!

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Events, new haven |

Downtown New Haven Transformed into a Winter Wonderland

By Andy Ross

As the New Haven Downtown Holiday Winter Wonderland celebration festivities continue through this Thursday December 17th, the downtown streets have come alive with artfully trimmed and colorful decorations expressing the holiday spirit. The scene in the thriving epicenter of New Haven which combines fashion, food, art, and music – guaranteeing that a stroll through town will be delightfully distracting because of the combined sights, sounds and smells.

Activities this year also include horse drawn carriage rides through the chilly and sometimes

blustery streets of New Haven’s downtown area. But helping keep everyone warm is the INFO New Haven information center at the corner of Chapel and College streets, where hot cider is served up along with freshly roasted hot peanuts and popcorn - all free! Deputy Director for Town Green Special Services District Daisy Abreu on right and volunteer Heather Hinckley on left serving up hot treats at Info New Haven.

Meanwhile 1,200 candle lit luminaries glow in sweeping rows along the upper Green’s

intersecting pathways, and roaming Christmas Carolers and musicians brave the cold to delight gathering crowds with their musical talents. The 50 member group of the Yale Undergraduate Gospel Choir, for example, fills the air with traditional holiday carols. The array moves from one street corner to the next, delighting hundreds of shoppers, visitors and residents with their songs.

Professional models – both male and female – stand as still as statues in the windows of local retail stores, showcasing the finest collections of winter and holiday apparel and accessories. When they wink or shift positions it causes passersby to do the

double-take and ask themselves “did that mannequin just move?”

While those models stand motionless, the economy seems to be moving right along. A peek inside a dozen or so area restaurants reveals no signs of a slowdown, and although many were filled to capacity the friendly hosts somehow manage to still seat everyone promptly. Combine all of that with the many seasonal specials in restaurants and retail shops, and everything comes together at once to create a fun-filled downtown experience and holiday atmosphere.

Phil Kline's “Unsilent Night,” a free outdoor sound sculpture of boom box carols, traveling throughout the downtown streets last week.

Also worth noting is that INFO New Haven will be offering consumers a gift bonus with any purchase of $50 or more between Friday, November 27th and Friday, January 15th. Those who shop at one of New Haven’s more than 50 shops and boutiques may bring the receipt to INFO New Haven, located at 1000 Chapel Street, to receive their free gift voucher – including those that can be redeemed for a drink at any area restaurant and others that provide free admission to the luxurious Criterion Cinema on Temple Street.

Jessica Rose, Doug Rosa both of New Haven along with Ian Trotta of Scottsdale AZ are seen here breaking out into a good old fashion snow ball fight on a street corner while their parents took in the sights. Children can get involved in the festivities by decorating their own luminaria bags at the “Light Your Way” station, which is sponsored by Casey Family Services. The luminaria will be lit every Thursday in December from 6-9 p.m. For more information call 203-773-9494.

The Town Green District and the Broadway and Chapel Merchants Associations have combined their efforts to create all of these free family-friendly attractions.

More information is available at the website http://www.infonewhaven.com/holidays, where you can download a full calendar of what’s happening in downtown New Haven.

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entertainment, Events, food, holidays, marketplace, music, shopping |

Be-Speaking of Branford & Arturo Franco-Camacho

By Jan Ellen Spiegel , CT Food Blog

The man who set the New Haven restaurant scene on its ear when he introduced Nuevo Latino food in 1999 at his (now defunct) restaurant Roomba, and upped the ante three years ago with the upscale Bespoke/Sabor is about to establish a beachhead in that cute little downtown strip of Branford.

And we mean beachhead.
Come the new year, look for not one, but two new restaurants from Arturo Franco-Camacho. No specific menus – not that he and his wife Suzette are divulging yet. But we can say this:

The first of the two will be called The Suburban and will be in the space now occupied by Brunello’s Ristorante (Tenderloin before that; Pesce before that; I don’t remember before that). Goal is February and the concept is gastropub – that new-fangled British export that is part bar, but with food that ratchets up the refinement level a few (or more, or many more) notches.

The Franco-Camacho’s are going after a modern European take with fresh and local foods and a simpler presentation than, say, Bespoke. “You can go any night of the week and be comfortable,” explains Suzette.

The space is much smaller than the Bespoke space and that is part of the goal, she says: “We really miss the intimate small space we had with Roomba.” (And I’m betting/HOPING this will be cozy without Roomba’s noise levels. Great food, but you couldn’t hear yourself eat.)

The other new restaurant will be pretty much across the street. No name yet, but the concept is modern Mexican (remember Arturo is a native of Tijuana) and it’s to be less formal than either Bespoke or Roomba. Think April or so for this one.

And for all of you worried about the burrito carts – still known as the Roomba carts to many, but now actually called the Tijuana Taco Company for the name of Franco-Camacho’s original 1996 carts that predate his restaurants – all four of them will stay right where they are in downtown New Haven.

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food, news, People |

Cheshire author Ron Gagliardi Book Signing NH Museum

Cheshire author Ron Gagliardi be on hand to sign his new book, Noah's Desktionary and Allmanack, dressed as Noah Webster 5:30 p.m. Thursday Dec. 17 at the New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Avenue, New Haven.

The author will regale attendees with a brief history of the book as a 35-year quest to create a "novanary," a dictionary for newly coined words, phrases and slogans.

Also on hand to sign copies will be the book's illustrator, John D'Andrea. A percentage of the purchase price will be donated to the New Haven Museum and other charities.

Mr. Gagliardi is the former executive director of the Naugatuck Historical Society Museum and is town historian of Cheshire, where he resides. He is the author of Cheshire in Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series. He has compiled Naugatuck Revisited from the archives of the Naugatuck Historical Society and other collections.

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book, Events, People |

World Premiere Of Lil’s 90TH To Begin Jan. 6

NEW HAVEN – Long Wharf Theatre continues its long tradition of premiering works by new American voices with the world premiere of Lil’s 90th by Darci Picoult., directed by Jo Bonney, taking place on Stage II from January 6- February 7, 2010.

Curtain times are Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3p.m. and 8p.m., and Sundays at 2p.m. and 7p.m. Tickets are $30-$65.

As Lillian nears a milestone birthday, she and her family put the finishing touches on the much-anticipated party at which she’ll make her singing debut. There’s a speech to be written, a band to rehearse and, of course, an outfit to choose. But then Lil’s husband Charlie’s secret gets out the birthday surprise that he hoped would make her day may instead tear their lives apart. In Picoult’s playful and poignant new play, it is the power of love that stands the test of aging. Obie Award-winning director Jo Bonney helms this intimate and consideration of life in twilight.

The play stars Lois Smith as Lil (Hartford Stage’s Dividing the Estate) and David Margulies as her husband Charlie (Long Wharf Theatre’s The Price and Rocket to the Moon), along with Nick Blaemire, Kristine Nielsen (Long Wharf Theatre’s The Singing Forest), and Lucy Walters.

“Partners in life, but rarely seen together on stage before, legendary actress Lois Smith and Long Wharf’s beloved David Margulies brought me this wonderful play, taking me up on my offer to find a play in which they could appear together. This is indeed a rare, not-to-be-missed opportunity to see two truly great actors perform together. I can’t wait,” said Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein.

Picoult was inspired to write the play when she had heard of an elderly woman who, in celebration of her birthday, performed a cabaret act for friends and relatives. That nugget provided the impetus for this family drama, a play with warmth and compassion.

Edelstein believes Margulies and Smith bring a unique perspective to the work. “Lois has an American authenticity that is matched by very few performers. You have to think of Julie Harris to think of what kind of texture Lois brings to a role. David Margulies is one of our great character actors. David brings power, masculinity and vulnerability to his performances. They are both very warm actors and audiences love them when they see them,” Edelstein said.

The creative team is comprised of Frank Alberino (sets), Ilona Somogyi (costumes), Lap Chi Chu (lighting), Jill DuBoff (sound), Erin Hill (musical director), April Donahower (dramaturg), and Lisa Chernoff (stage manager).

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.

FAST FACTS

Lil’s 90th, by Darci Picoult, directed by Jo Bonney

January 6 -November 7, 2009
Stage II
Press Night: Wednesday, January 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$65
Performance Schedule: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Box office phone number: 203-787-4282
Website: www.longwharf.org.

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

Darci Picoult
Playwright

Ms. Picoult’s one woman show, My Virginia, was presented in theatres and solo festivals both nationally and internationally. Her play, A Good Life, was produced by the New Group in New York City. She is also developing her play Mother Daughter Variations with director Lisa Peterson. Other plays include Ancient Lights, which was workshopped at New York Theater Workshop and read at Lincoln Center as part of the New York Public Library Reading Series, and Making The World Round, a piece about interracial adoption. She is a 2005 Sundance screenwriting fellow, having participated in the 2005 Sundance Feature Film Labs with her screenplay Mother Of George and is the recipient of the 2006 Maryland Film Fellowship Award, the 2006 Annenberg Film Fellowship Program and was one of three finalists from the United States for the Sundance NHK award. Ms. Picoult taught writing for the Legacy Project at the Public Theater and currently teaches acting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts/ New York University. She is the recipient of the 2008 National Theater Conference’s Paul Green Award for her playwriting.

Jo Bonney
Director

Ms. Bonney directed world premieres of plays by Suzan-Lori Parks, Naomi Wallace, Michael Weller, Alan Ball, Eric Bogosian, Neil LaBute, Christopher Shinn, Darci Picoult, Will Power, Danny Hoch, Universes, Jose Rivera, Diana Son, Jessica Goldberg, Warren Leight,. She has also directed productions of plays by Charles Fuller, Lisa Loomer, Anna Deavere Smith, Caryl Churchill, Lanford Wilson, Dael Orlandersmith, Nilo Cruz, John Osborne. She has worked at The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Second Stage, NY, The Goodman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, MCC,NY, Geffen Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Playwrights Horizons, Arena Stage, Mark Taper Forum, Signature Theatre, NY, Long Wharf Theatre, The New Group, NY, Classic Stage Company, NY, Humana Theatre Festival, Almeida Theatre, London, Edinburgh Theatre Festival. Ms. Bonney is the recipient of a 1998 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Direction, Lucille Lortel Best Musical and Lucille Lortel Best Revival. Editor of Extreme Exposure: An Anthology of Solo Performance Texts from the Twentieth Century (TCG).

Nick Blaemire
Tommy

Mr. Blaemire is honored to be a part of this wonderful play.He appeared in the Broadway/touring productions of Cry-Baby (Original Cast), Glory Days (Music and Lyrics - Cast Recording available on Sh-K-Boom Records), Altar Boyz (1st National Tour). He appeared regionally in James Lapine's Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing (Vineyard Playhouse), Little Shop of Horrors (Casa Manana Theatre), The Unauthorized Biography of Samantha Brown (OCPAC), Joe Iconis' The Black Suits (SPF @ The Public Theatre). His film and television credits include Assassination of a High School President (featuring Bruce Willis and Mischa Barton), "Guiding Light," "Great Books: The Jungle." He is currently writing the music and lyrics for the new original musical Finding Robert Hutchens, with a book by Paul Downs Colaizzo, commissioned by Broadway Across America. Proud University of Michigan graduate and AEA member. Thanks to Jo, Darci, James and Paul for this opportunity, the boys at Paradigm, Mr. Pletes, and as always, BBF.

David Margulies
Charlie

Mr. Margulies has appeared at Long Wharf Theatre in The Price, Rocket To The Moon and She Stoops To Conquer. In New York he was seen last spring in Chasing Manet (Primary Stages). On Broadway his credits include Conversations With My Father(in which he co-starred), Comedians, The West Side Waltz, Wonderful Town, 45 Seconds From Broadway, Angels In America (where he was the third and last of the Roy Cohns) and Brighton Beach Memoirs. Mr. Margulies appeared Off-Broadway in All That I Will Ever Be, The Accomplices (Actors Equity's Richard Seff Award for both,) and many others. Regionally he has performed in The Rivals (Hartford Stage), Hamlet (McCarter Theatre), the American premiere of Hysteria as Freud (Mark Taper Forum), The Happy Time (Arlington's Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes Award 2008, best leading actor in a musical) and others. In films he has just finished filming Roadie, and is in the upcoming All Good Things. He has also appeared in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2 (as the Mayor of New York,) All That Jazz, Dressed To Kill, and more. He was Tony Soprano's lawyer Neil Mink.

Kristine Nielsen
Stephanie

Ms. Nielsen recently appeared at Long Wharf Theatre in The Singing Forest. Her Broadway credits include To Be Or Not To Be, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Spring Awakening, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Green Bird, Jackie, The Iceman Cometh. She appeared off-Broadway in Why Torture Is Wrong…; Die Mommie Die!; Crazy Mary; Betty’s Summer Vacation (Obie Award); Omnium Gatherum; Dog Opera (Obie Award); Machinal. Her regional theatre work includes Williamstown, McCarter, Guthrie, Huntington, La Jolla, Actors Theatre of Louisville. On television and film Ms. Nielsen worked in Morning Glory, The Savages, Small Time Crooks, 3 of the Law & Orders. She was trained at Northwestern and the Yale School of Drama.

Lois Smith
Lil

Recent theatre work includes Horton Foote's The Trip To Bountiful at New York's Signature Theater and Goodman Theater in Chicago (lot of awards!), as well as last season's The Tempest at Steppenwolf in Chicago (playing Lord Gonzalo) and Dividing The Estate at Hartford Stage. Her first professional job in theatre was as a teenager in a Broadway play in the 50's, Time Out For Ginger. In between, some favorite stage roles include the original Orpheus Descending on Broadway, as well as The Grapes Of Wrath and Buried Child (two Tony nominations), both moved to Broadway from Steppenwolf, where she is a member of the ensemble. Her films include East of Eden, Five Easy Pieces (National Society of Film Critics Award), Fried Green Tomatoes, Next Stop Greenwich Village, How To Make An American Quilt, Twister, Dead Man Walking, Minority Report, and Hollywoodland. She recently completed shooting Roadie, an independent NYC film directed by Michael Cuesta. On television, she played Sookie's grandmother on the first season of “True Blood” on HBO, and many dramas and comedies for the past 50+ years.

Lucy Walters
Deirdre

Ms. Walters’ New York theatre credits include Bang Day (3Graces), F*ckPlays (Working Man’s Clothes), 365/365 (The Public), The Most Beautiful Lullaby You’ve Ever Heard (City Attic Theater). Some of her other theatrical credits include Flesh and the Desert, Betrayal, Stonewater Rapture. Ms. Walters has appeared on film and television in “Lipstick Jungle”, “Guiding Light”, “As the World Turns”, Dumping Lisa (BOPfilm), and Anorexic Girls with Guns. Recently received a B.A. from University of Texas at Austin in Theatre, Dance and Plan II. Ms. Walters was the recipient of the Marcia Gay Harden Theatre Scholarship (U.T. at Austin).

www.longwharf.org

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entertainment, People, theater, yale |

1st Wooster Square Community Tree Lighting Celebration

By Andy Ross

On the evening of Friday, December 4th an official tree lighting ceremony came to the park at Wooster Square, and the new event for the area’s residents will hopefully become an annual holiday celebration.

“For years and years there has always been a lighted tree on the park in the same location,” explained Beverly Carbonella, President of the Wooster Square Historic Association which organized the event. “But this was first official tree lighting ceremony for Wooster Square.”

The 7-foot tall (pictured left) evergreen may be modest in stature but now stands proudly draped in traditional multi-colored Christmas tree lights at the top of the park on the Chapel street side alongside the Christopher Columbus Monument.

Elsie Chapman, a board member of the group, decided to organize the neighborhood residents because it is a wonderful opportunity to gather, mingle, and meet one another while sharing the feeling of a close-knit community.

To be sure the Wooster Square neighborhood is always doing something where neighbors can get involved and experience an authentic hometown spirit. Among other successful events there is the annual springtime Cherry Blossom Festival which celebrated its 36th year in 2009 and

Soup for Sundays – a weekly Sunday evening soirée that runs from November through March.

Soup for Sundays involves neighbors hosting soup parties featuring a choice of two homemade soups in an open house setting, and participants are only required to bring their own bowl. The Saint Andrew’s Italian Festival is a neighborhood staple in the summertime, and Wooster Square holds a successful year-round Farmer’s Market and an active Block Watch.

These kinds of gatherings make the area brim with community pride, and the tree lighting ceremony was no exception.

As Wooster Square Historic Association board member Bonnie Rosenberg observed, ““Folks seemed to be meeting and greeting neighbors that they hadn't previously known. I especially liked seeing all of the babies, kids, and dogs that were having fun romping in the park around a lit tree while drinking warm cider, munching on cookies, and singing. It was a warm and fuzzy evening all around.”

Pictured top to bottom: Diana Karwan with son Will and dog Darwin

Officer Peter Krause (Pete the Cop) sipping hot cider with neighborhood resident Chris Piscitelli

Pictured: Wooster Square Historic Association Board Members Bonnie Rosenberg, President Beverly Carbonella and Board member Elsie Chapman

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Events, holidays |

Elm Shakespeare reads "Gift Of The Magi" at Kehler Liddell

Elm Shakespeare Company Artist Director James Andreassi will read the holiday classic "Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry in this FREE FAMILY PROGRAM at Kehler Liddell Gallery.

This is the perfect opportunity to shop Westville Village and stay for dinner -- Delaney's Restaurant is offering a free appetizer for every two stamped attendees from the reading. Seating is limited, please RSVP to 389-9555.

Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Ave., 389-9555

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Events, free, holidays |

Long Wharf Theatre Partners With Iris For Used Clothing Drive

NEW HAVEN – Long Wharf Theatre is partnering with IRIS – Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services to collect clothing and blankets for refugees settling in Connecticut this holiday season.

Donations can be dropped off at Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, Monday through Friday 10-5, Saturday-Sunday 12-5 or the evening of any performance, Tuesday through Sunday. The drive will run through January 3, 2010.

“The play currently playing on our stage, Have You Seen Us?, is at its core a story of displaced and souls seeking solace and comfort, and sometimes finding it through the good graces of strangers. Long Wharf Theatre supports IRIS and their outstanding work bringing solace and comfort to those who need it most,” said Ray Cullom, Long Wharf Theatre’s managing director.

IRIS — Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services welcomes and resettles approximately 150 refugees each year. IRIS also provides legal services to asylum seekers and other immigrants. Currently, over half of IRIS’s refugee clients come from Iraq. Others come from Afghanistan, Congo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and other countries.

IRIS is seeking gently used clothing, blankets and quilts for donation to the many refugees – children, women, and men – who have been invited by our government to start new lives in the United States. Some of the most needed items include gloves, hats, scarves, warm socks, long underwear, winter boots, work shoes, and clothing that could be used to go on a job interview.

“Most refugees come from warm climate countries and don’t have appropriate cold weather clothing. For example, a family from the Congo came to us a month ago carrying only small bags, and wearing flip-flops and summer clothing. Many people had to leave most of their clothing behind and may not have the appropriate clothing for the jobs that they may get here,” said Chris George, executive director of IRIS.

Any clothing not used by refugees will be placed in IRIS’s soon-to-open thrift shop. All proceeds from purchase of the clothes will go towards funding IRIS’s services. “The donations have a double use for us,” George said.

For more information about IRIS, visit www.irisct.org or call 203-562-2095. For more information about Long Wharf Theatre’s programming, visit www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.

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charity, Events |

2010 Children’s Concert Series Kicks Off with José Conde – Baby Loves Salsa

New Haven, CT -- Neighborhood Music School brings back its popular Children’s Concert Series, starting with the upbeat sounds of Baby Loves Salsa – featuring the José Conde Band which will take place on Friday, January 22 at 4:00 pm at the School, 100 Audubon Street in New Haven. Tickets are $10.00 for Adults, $5.00 for Children age 2 and older, and free for Children under 2. Proceeds will benefit Neighborhood Music School’s Preschool and Toddler Programs. Tickets are on sale now at Neighborhood Music School, or by calling 203-624-5189.

Baby Loves Salsa is the story of a group of kittens and

puppies (gattitos y perritos) from the streets of New York City who go on to become the best Salsa band in the land. Young and old alike will want to dance to the beat of original songs written by singer-songwriter José Conde. This talented performer draws inspiration from his Cuban roots, mixing Afro-Latin styles to his bilingual songs, including “Somos la Banda” (We are the Band), “Bailar Rapido” (Dance Fast) and “Mi Familia es las Musica” (Music is my Family) and others. The show is focused on educating young children about Salsa and all about Spanish in a way that families can enjoy together. More information about Baby Loves Salsa is available at www.babylovessalsa.com. This performance is made possible in part through the support of SAFT - World Leader in High Technology Batteries.

Future concerts in the series will feature Jay Mankita, a masterful guitarist, singer and songwriter, who is well known for his funny songs like “From a Dog's Stance”, “Tracy at the Bat”, and “The Cliche Song” as well as for his more moving material - songs like “Living Planet”, “Morning Face” and “Bread Alone”. Jay will perform on Friday, February 26. Next, the series features NMS faculty member, Naomi Senzer and Friends on March 19 performing “The Owl and the Pussycat”, written by Edward Lear with music by Laurence Scott, and “Willie Was Different”, written by Norman Rockwell with music by Seymour Barab. Performers include Naomi Senzer (flute), Julie Levene (clarinet), and Ellen Higham (violin and viola). Both shows are at 4pm at Neighborhood Music School.

Neighborhood Music School (NMS) is a nonprofit community arts school offering high-quality music, dance and drama instruction and programming at sites in New Haven and on the Shoreline. Established in downtown New Haven in 1911, NMS is now among the ten largest schools of its kind in the country, with 130 professional and dedicated teachers providing unique learning experiences to 3,000 children and adults residing in more than 80 towns throughout Connecticut. NMS programs are made possible in part with support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. To learn more about NMS, call 203‑624‑5189 or visit www.nmsmusicschool.org.

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music |

Family Day: Two Museums, Twice the Fun

When: Sunday, December 6, 2009 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:

Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG)
1111 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06510
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Yale Center for British Art

Description: Families are invited to come and explore the Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art. The afternoon includes fun for the whole family with special art-making activities, storytelling in the galleries and tours for children ages 4 to 10. Enjoy discovering the collections and learning more about the art right here in New Haven.

Open To: General Public
Admission: Free
Sponsor(s): Yale University Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art

Contact Information:

Yale University Art Gallery
203-432-0600
artgalleryinfo@yale.edu

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art, Events, free, yale |

Two upcoming dates with New Haven's own STEVEN DEAL

By Dan Goodwin

Tweefort has teamed up with Seditionary Kitten Records and is proud to announce two dates with New Haven pop, punk, rock veteran STEVEN DEAL. Deal's rock roots go back to New Haven's glorious punk/new wave heyday.

Steven Deal has been playing since he was 13 years old. Deal first had to sneak into clubs, but at age 18 he got a notarized note from his parents to play when his band, Bleached Black, got its first record deal with Relativity/Sony. Deal toured the USA and Canada several times as a support act for groups such as Dinosaur Jr., Das Damen, The Screaming Trees and The Neighborhoods, to name a few. Deal has worked with producers Lou Giordano (Husker Du, Volcano Suns, GooGoo Dolls, etc.) and Peter Katis (Interpol, Philistines, Jr., Babyheads, Zambonis, etc.) among many others. Deal has also played in bands such as Chopper, The Absolute Zeros and The Naomi Star and appeared in the New Haven punk/new wave documentary "It Happened But Nobody Noticed."

After a 10+ year writing hiatus, singer-songwriter Steven Deal returns with the pop punk album he's always wanted to record. Clocking in at under 40 minutes total running time, RADIO TWELVE is his first solo album ever. RADIO TWELVE contains 11 "hate" songs — beer and brandy-soaked pop anthems, stories of romantic misery, self-loathing and megalomania. With a little help from his friends Dan Kohler (Naomi Star), Lisa Hammer (Requiem In White, Mors Syphilitica, and of the TV series "The Venture Brothers"), Chris Cretella, and Dave Parmelee, Deal has offered a window to the world of disappointment, unfulfilled promise and resentment, all the while never losing a keen pop sensibility or lyrical prowess. Semi-autobiographical and very real, RADIO TWELVE is a concise damnation of the romantic condition.

December 12: Hew Haven Artspace Underground, featuring the solo debut of STEVEN DEAL. Opening will be New Haven's Swarm The Moon. ArtSpace New Haven will also present a fashion show with 15+ designers and a DJ set by Peter Kuhn. 50 Orange St., New Haven, CT. Doors open at 7 p.m. $5. $6 drinks by 116 Crown. All ages.

New Haven's Swarm The Moon was formed in the summer of 2009 by Anthony Acock (drums,) Thom Smith (guitar), Tim Leonard (vocals/guitar) and Matty Mauro (bass). The band is a blend of equal parts noise, pop and rock. They have already drawn comparisons ranging from early Promise Ring to Sonic Youth.

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=185833749796&ref=mf

January 8: STEVEN DEAL "Radio Twelve" CD release show — with Boy Genius (NY) and Mold Monkies. Cafe Nine, 250 State St., New Haven, CT. 10 p.m. FREE. 21+.

Boy Genius is an indiepop band based out of Brooklyn, NY. They find inspiration in the pop and college rock anthems of the ’90s, including R.E.M., The Lemonheads and Miracle Legion. Boy Genius' latest album, "Staggering," is creating major buzz on indiepop blogs around the country.

Mold Monkies contain members of The Absolute Zeros, of which Steven Deal was a member. The play their own brand of powerpop and draw influence from and comparison to bands such as Guided By Voices, Blur, The Kinks and Husker Du.

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=347558930124&ref=mf

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entertainment, music, new haven |