It’s like a game of Where’s Waldo, but instead it’s Where Does Art Come From: Nova Scotia. Florida. India. Selma. Cairo. War-torn California. Prison. The forest. And of course New Haven.
Monday, July 13
A Cry in the Wilderness
Singer-songwriter Ben Caplan, born in Ontario and currently residing in Halifax, has been called the Canadian Tom Waits. He’s grizzled and ragged-voiced and seems at home in bluesy bars. But he’s more a screamer than Waits is, and more of a wilderness-wandering soul-searcher than a jaded hipster. Caplan’s at Cafe Nine (250 State St.) on a rare U.S. tour, with Steve Gilbert and fellow Halifaxian Taryn Kawaja opening. 9 p.m. $10, $8 in advance. (203) 789‑8281.
Tuesday, July 14
Miller Time
Florida rapper Jake Miller has a brand new album out, Rumors, and started a national tour last week. He’s at Toad’s Place tonight with opening acts Jasmine V and Alex Angelo. 9 p.m. 300 York St. (203) 624-TOAD.
Wednesday, July 15
Daughter of the Revolution
India’s Daughter, the BBC documentary about the 2012 gang rape on a bus in Delhi, is being screened 6 p.m. in the Community Program Room of the main (Ives) New Haven Free Public Library. Reference Librarian Soma Mitra will lead a discussion after the film, which was banned this year in India.
Read New Haven
Andrew Bardin Williams of the Placing Literature website (which charts works of fiction by the real-world locations where they take place) is starting a new book discussion group, featuring stories set in New Haven. The first installment of Get Lit in New Haven asks you to read “The Wedding of the Two-Headed Woman” by Alice Mattison. There’ll also be an introductory talk by Williams on “The Dynamic of New Haven.” 6 p.m. at the main (Ives) New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St. (203) 946‑8835.
Thursday, July 16
Artistic Nature
Two artists inspired by nature exhibit at the New Haven Lawn Club. Bethany resident Anne Doris Eisner does abstract black and white paintings. Roy Money is a photographer. The opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit is up through Sept. 8. 193 Whitney Ave. (203) 777‑3494. You needn’t be a Lawn Club member to visit its gallery.
Friday, July 17
Marching to Selma
There’s an afternoon screening of the Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma, 2 p.m. at the main (Ives) New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St. (203) 946‑8130.
And Justice for Art
Artspace opens an ever-timely exhibit, “Arresting Patterns,” a group show of artists who “seek to uncover the often-overlooked patterns of racial disparity in the United States Criminal Justice system.” The artworks use repetitive imagery as one method of showing how society absorbs and accepts certain messages. “Arresting Patterns” is curated by Sarah Fritchey, Titus Kaphar, and Leland Moore. Featured artists include Jamal Cyrus, Maria Gaspar, Titus Kaphar, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Adrian Piper, Laurie Jo Reynolds, Dread Scott, and Andy Warhol. 50 Orange St. (203) 772‑2709.
Rose Up
The “Treasures from the Yale Film Archive” series screens Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo, now 30 years old and celebrating movie styles of 40 years earlier. 7 p.m. at the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St. (corner of Church). Free.
Shaken Down
If you’re still recovering from the Grateful Dead “Fare Thee Well” concerts earlier this month, Dead tribute act Shakedown is at Toad’s Place (300 York St., 203 – 624-TOAD) with Just Wingin’ It and Leaf Jumpers.
Saturday, July 18
Telecaster and Voice
Ace country/rock guitarist Redd Volkaert (from Austin) and alt-country songwriter/guitarist Robbie Fulks (from Chicago) combine for a night of clever lyrics and skillful playing at Cafe Nine. Opening act is Eddie Seville of the beloved local band Steel Rodeo. 9 p.m. 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281. $15.
The Forest Gets Sun
The Foresters — the three Nork brothers from Bethany — have progressed impressively as a band, from straight-ahead punk rock to some wild neopsychedelic workouts and cool harmonies. The Foresters have a new album, Sun Songs. The release party is 7 p.m. at Lyric Hall, 827 Whalley Ave. (203) 389-8885.
Of Course You Know This Means War
Spill the wine, take that girl. Reacquaint yourself with that friend of yours, the Cisco Kid. Remind yourself that the world is a ghetto, and that life is so strange. Ask “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” War — the unique funk/soul/R&B ensemble that ruled FM radio for much of the 1970s — will be waged on New Haven Green at 7:30 p.m., the opening blast in the two-concert free 2015 Music on the Green series.
Sunday, July 19
Money Meeting
The monthly New Haven Coin & Currency Show at the Annex Club (554 Woodward Ave.), run by the Coin Superstore, is today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free parking and free admission — so no exchange of coins in those respects.
