nothin New Haven Independent | Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

There are 64 days until spring. And while we’ve been spared serial snowstorms and frigid temperatures, sweaters and turtlenecks are already feeling old. However, there’s a Danish tradition, called Hygge,” which translates into getting together with friends for conversation (put away that phone), lighting candles, and enjoying a warm beverage by the fireplace; in short, coziness of the soul. Sounds like a plan! (Check out The Little Book of Hygge” by Meik Viking.)

Saturday, Jan. 14

Scents and Sensibility 

Velya and Ehris Urban will present a whiff of the stinky past with historical tidbits such about King Henry VIII’s festering leg wound, baldness being cured” by combining chicken droppings with potassium salts, and spreading it on bald areas and much more. The event takes place at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Saturday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Participants will learn about the medicinal benefits of various herbs and essential oils including how cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar for diabetics, and how rosemary has been recognized as a memory tonic since the ancient Egyptians, and is currently being studied for use in Alzheimer’s

Finally, they’ll create their own 8‑oz herbal reed diffuser based on preferences/needs. Choose one of four blends:
Sleeping Beauty – bedroom scent for insomnia, stress, anxiety
Dear John – bathroom scent for sanitizing, odors
Doggone It! – pet odors
All in the Family – family room and family area scents for refreshing, uplifting

Registration is required. Space is limited. To register, call 203 – 488-1441, ext. 318.

Fiddler April Verch at Branford Folk Music Society 

The Branford Folk Music Society kicks off its new year on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m., when it presents dynamic Canadian fiddler, singer and step dancer April Verch in concert in the auditorium of the First Congregational Church of Branford, 1009 Main St., on the Town Green.For more than two decades, Verch has been recording and captivating audiences worldwide, exploring new and nuanced places each step of the way. Next month, she will release The April Verch Anthology (Slab Town Records), an 18-track collection celebrating her life’s work. She hand picked the songs on this compilation, which offer a mix of regional Canadian, American old-time, bluegrass, country and Americana tracks. Copies will be available for sale at the Branford Folk concert.Admission is $25 for non-members, $20 for members and $5 for children age 12 and under. For more information, call 203 – 488-7715 or access the society’s Web page at www.branfordfolk.org/

Sunday, Jan. 15

Solo Show by Bob Dietz

The paintings of Bob Dietz will be on exhibit at Friends & Company, 11 Boston Post Road, in Madison during January and February.

An opening reception will take place Sunday, Jan. 15, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. where you can meet the local artist and enjoy wine and appetizers.

Sunday, Jan. 15 and Monday, Jan. 16

Peabody Museum’s 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice 2017

The Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven, will open its doors in honor of Dr. King and his efforts to ensure environmental and social justice among all people. The weekend’s activities will include world-class performances and educational activities for visitors of all ages.

Sunday’s events (noon to 4 p.m.) include the 8th annual Teen Summit, a Community Poetry Open Mic, the Lahsaan Langley Project with eh music of Earth, Wind & Fire, and Coffin Kaneka Company West African dance performers.

Monday’s events (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) feature various hip hop, jazz and R&B performances, drumming performance and drum circle, as well as two MLK videos and a poetry slam.

At the New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave., there will be storytelling and the Amistad exhibit, featuring Joy Donaldson and Waltrina Kirkland Mullins.

For details, go to http://peabody.yale.edu/events/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day-schedule

Monday, Jan. 16

Annual Martin Luther King Breakfast

The 18th annual Martin Luther King Breakfast will be Monday, Jan. 16, at 8:30 a.m. at St. Therese Church, 105 Leetes Island Road in Branford. The speaker for the breakfast is James Barber, Southern Connecticut State University Director of Community Engagement. Barber has been with the university for more than 40 years in various capacities and has served as a mentor to many young people. The Branford High School Music Makers will perform at the event.

Tickets for the breakfast, available at the door on the morning of the event, are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Funds raised from ticket sales will benefit the Community Dining Room and fuel assistance for the elderly. This breakfast is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Eunice Lasala at 203-488-6063.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Activity Day and Open House

CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School will hold an Activity Day and Open House at the school, 28 School St. on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Meet teachers and students, stay for the art, music, and science activities, and enjoy some refreshments. RSVP at [email protected], call 203 – 433-4658, or visit www.CTExperiential.org.

The Road Ahead: Stories of the Forever War

Matt Gallagher, co-editor of Fire and Forget and author of Young Blood joins Branford native Adrian Bonenberger, author of The Afghan Post for a panel discussion about the new veteran fiction anthology The Road Ahead at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. Writers and editors Brian Castner and Teresa Fazio complete the panel.

The Road Ahead is a diverse collection of fictional works written by 24 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, reflecting the evolving nature of what has become American’s Forever War.”

To RSVP, visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203 – 488-1441, ext. 318.

Sunday, Jan. 22

The Argyle Sax Quartet 

The Argyle Sax Quartet will perform at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., on Sunday, Jan. 21, from 2 to 3 p.m.

The ensemble performs in a wide range of musical genres, entertaining audiences with selections in classical styles, jazz styles, pop and novelty themes. Concertgoers can expect to enjoy works by Rimsky Korsakov, Glen Miller, The Beatles and more; an eclectic mix with something for everyone.

Thursday, Jan. 26
Shoreline Chamber Annual Awards Dinner

The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, at 5:30 p.m., at Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Beck Ave. 

Brewing Up Business in 2017 will be the theme of the dinner. Award winners are: Branford Art Center ¬ Small business of the Year; Liza Janssen Petra – Community Service Award; Advanced Office Systems, Rich Sgueglia – Chamber Partner of the Year; Jason Iglesias of the Marketplace – Chamber Volunteer of the Year; Floor Craze, Jose Cuapio – New Business of the Year; Sally Esborn of Mosaic Printing – Val Karlawish Award ; Chris Velardi and Keith Bishop of Bishops Orchards – Legacy Award Winners.

Tickets are $50 for members, $60 for non-members. Call the Chamber office at 203 – 488-5500 or email [email protected] for more information or to purchase tickets.

Saturday, Feb. 4

28th Annual Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River 

Audubon Shop owner Jerry Connolly will again lead the popular land-based excursions to view Bald Eagles along the Connecticut River, beginning Saturday, Feb. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Additional trips are planned for Feb. 11, 18, 25, and March 4. 

Bald Eagles make their way down the Connecticut River from Canada every winter in search of ice-free fishing. Participants will observe these majestic birds from a variety of locations along the river. Ticket prices are $25, which includes a soup & sandwich luncheon at Otter Cove Restaurant in Old Saybrook following the field trip.

Reservations must be made in advance by calling 203 – 245-9056. Carpool from the shop at 907 Boston Post Road in Madison at 7:45 a.m. or meet at first stop (Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam) at 8:30 a.m.

Winter Wildlife, Bald Eagles 

If you prefer to view Bald Eagles from the river, Connecticut River Expeditions of Haddam will offer cruises to view winter wildlife and nesting Bald Eagles from Feb. 4 through March 19.

Departures on Fridays are at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., leaving from Eagle Landing State Park, 1 Marine Park.

RiverQuest has a heated cabin, but participates are urged to dress in warm layers since the best views will be from the open decks. Bring cameras and binoculars, which will also be available on board. Cost is $40 per person.

For more information visit www.ctriverquest.com or www.ctrivermuseum.org

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