Some would call this the summer doldrums. But July’s arts are where you find them: in libraries, churches, sweaty clubs and back yards of historic houses. Long Wharf has turned their stage into a beach. Surf’s up!
Monday, July 7
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
It’s travel season. The Peabody on the Road series, which brings museum artifacts to local libraries, has a special display of “how different cultures carried things.” Carry yourself to the Fair Haven Branch Library at 4 p.m. to see old picnic hampers, shoulder poles and more. (203) 946‑6796.
Tuesday, July 8
Oobleck bibliotheque
More library fun. (Those places are air conditioned, you know.) The Super Scientist Series at the main (Ives) New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St., is making oobleck (a la Dr. Seuss’ Bartholomew), not to mention “elephant toothpaste.” Please don’t get oobleck on the books. Intended for ages 5 to 12. (203) 946‑8129.
Wednesday, July 9
Two Rosenthals
It was cool enough when it was just Phil Rosenthal doing concerts of traditional folk tunes and his own inspired originals, in his inimitable banjo style. But now Rosenthal, who in his youth was a member of the noted bluegrass ensemble The Seldom Scene, has two grown children who’ve gone off on their own musical paths. When they can make it home, Daniel Rosenthal (who tours internationally with the famed Either/Orchestra and with his own jazz quintet) and Naomi Sommers, a solo singer-songwriter in the modern folk vein, join Phil and perform as the Rosenthals. Sommers is in Europe right now and can’t make the July 9 outdoor Rosenthals gig at the historic Pardee-Morris House (325 Lighthouse Rd.), so Phil and Daniel will perform as a duo. The Rosenthals is more than a family get-together, though. It’s become a bonafide side project, with an album released last year.
Bikini Time
The second show of Long Wharf Theatre’s summer season celebrates surf, sun and fun, indoor East Coast style. The Bikinis, a “musical beach party” scored with pop hits of the 1960s, was originally developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Norma Terris Theater in Chester. The show shimmies at the Long Wharf through July 27. No surfing in Long Island Sound after the show, now! 222 Sargent Dr. (203) 787‑4282.
Thursday, July 10
Of Course You Know This Means War
Jacinto Lirola leads a post-screening discussion about The War to End All Wars … 100 Years Later. The screening? Stanley Kubrick’s WW1 opus Paths of Glory, based on the Humphrey Cobb novel and starring Kirk Douglas. 5:30 p.m. at the main (Ives) New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St. (203) 946‑8130. Free.
Friday, July 11
Of Course You Know This Means War, Too
The Yale Summer Cabaret opens its third show of the season (already!): We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Nambia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884 – 1915. This is a new production of the war-and-racism drama by Jackie Sibblies Drury. The original New York production won an Obie Award for the Long Wharf Theater’s Associate Artistic Director Eric Ting. $10-$40; there’s also a restaurant there if you want to eat before the show. 217 Park St., New Haven. (203) 432‑1566.
Saturday, July 12
Grin and Bearington It
Rustic indie-rock folkies M.T. Bearington and Snake Oil are just what you need on a sultry summer night. Some angst, some melody, some idle musings and a beer. 9 p.m. $5. Café Nine, 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281.
Sunday, July 13
Church Silks
St. Michael’s Church turns 125 this year, and the local a capella group Silk ‘n’ Sounds has had a pretty long and harmonious existence themselves. The troupe gives a free anniversary-celebrating concert at the church, 29 Wooster Place, at 4 p.m.
