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

Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

There’s a jackpot of cool events this week, especially on Saturday. Forget household chores! You can leave the house in the early morning and return in the evening, enriched, fit, well read, and satiated. You can even sneak in some kitty snuggles. Read on for more cool events in the weeks ahead. Got a cool event? Email [email protected].

Friday, Feb. 23

Yale Philharmonia Orchestra 

Conducting fellow David Yi leads the Yale Philharmonia in a concert in Morse Recital Hall (Sprague Hall), 470 College St. New Haven, tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The program includes Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 2 in B‑flat major, Op. 19, with Szymon Nehring, piano; Wieniawski, Légende for solo violin and orchestra, Op. 17, with Sirena Huang, violin; Ravel, Tzigane for solo violin and orchestra, with Sirena Huang, violin; and Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61.

Tickets from $10, Yale faculty/staff from $8, students from $5. For more information, call 203 – 432-4158.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Annual Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River

Audubon Shop owner Jerry Connolly will lead the final land-based excursion for the season to view Bald Eagles along the Connecticut River, on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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.

Animal Tracking Classes

The Branford Land Trust will sponsor Animal Tracking Classes from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during these free classes led by Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner at the Lake Saltonstall preserve.

Meet at the Regional Water Authority parking lot on the north side of Hosley Avenue, 0.3 miles from Brushy Plain Road. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky under footing. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. Watch BLT’s Facebook page for possible schedule changes. For details, call Tom Cleveland, 203 – 981-9040.

Fitness on the Water – Self Defense Workshop 

Fitness on the Water, 469 East Main St., will host a Self Defense Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Retired U.S. Marine and Connecticut State Trooper Roger Weissinger will equip participants with basic self-defense techniques to protect themselves in a dangerous situation. The workshop is open to 14 years and older, and admission is $20 per person. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call 203 – 208-0027.

BCC Winter Food, Supply Drive 

The Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road, will celebrate its seventh shelter anniversary with a winter food and supply drive to benefit shelter and feral cats on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Unopened canned and dry cat and kitten food, paper towels, kitchen trash bags, Tidy Cat clumping litter, laundry (HE) and dish detergent are especially needed. Join the volunteers for cake and refreshments.

For more information on the kitties’ wish list, visit the website at www.branfordcompassionclub.org.

Fireside Book Chat and Afternoon Tea 

Looking for book recommendations? Blackstone Library will hold a fireside book chat and afternoon tea from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, to discuss favorite books of 2017 and share anticipated books for 2018. Bring a list of titles. Tea will be provided.

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

Soup for All 

Soup for All to Support the Foodbank takes place Saturday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1109 Main St. Sponsored, hosted, and cooked by BSA Venturing Crew 424 & Girl Scout Troop 60341, the event features a variety of home made soups, bread, & cookies to support the Foodbank.

Suggested donation: three food items or $5 per person. Blizzard reschedules to March 10. For more information, call 203 – 376-2819 or [email protected] or go to BSA Crew 424 on Facebook.

For Peace Wall 

Artists for World Peace (AFWP) is bringing its 6x6 For Peace Wall of original artwork to the Grand Opening Celebration of the Love Tribe Open Hearts Arts Life Center, 1008 Main Street, Branford on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Hundreds of original 6x6 painted canvases donated to AFWP by artists from all over the USA will be available to purchase with all proceeds going to AFWP Native Eyes Project, which will provide free eye care to Native American communities on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and the Eastern Pequot Nation in North Stonington.

For more information, visit www.artistsforworldpeace.org or email Wendy Black-Nasta at [email protected] or call 860 – 685-1789.

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Books n’ Brews Book Club 

Each month, Books & Brews offers two titles to choose from, each with its own discussion group to take part in. On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Modern Romance” by Aziz Ansari or NOS4A2” by Joe Hill will be discuused. Meetings take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thimble Island Brewery, 16 Business Park Drive.

Come to the meeting and grab a book for next month, or borrow one from Blackstone Library (place a hold on online catalog), or purchase a copy. New members are welcome. Read one of the titles, and visit meetup.com to connect with the group and RSVP to the meeting.

Bring your own snacks. Thimble Islands offers a selection of craft beers (must be 21+ to drink alcoholic beverages), wine, soda, and water. No purchase necessary to take part in the book club.

Thursday, March 1

Jazz at the Brewery

The Branford Jazz Concert Series and the Stony Creek Brewery present an evening of music featuring Jeremy Galloway Quartet Hartt School of Music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, at the Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave. (See top photo)

Tickets are $25 per person and include an exclusive pint glass and a free beer. Food truck on site. Proceeds benefit the Branford Jazz Music Scholarship Fund. For more information or tickets, call 203 – 488-8304.

Friday, March 2

First Friday Game Night

F2G2 (First Friday Game Group) meets the first Friday of each month at the Blackstone Library to play a wide variety of tabletop board and card games. The next meeting is Friday, March 2, at 6 p.m. If participants have never played anything other than Monopoly or Scrabble, games are provided and taught.

With nearly 100 games in their collection, there’s something for everyone. Adults of all experience levels are welcome. This month is Mystery Game Night! Haunted houses, solving murders, hunting down Jack the Ripper, and communing with spirits will all be part of the evening.

For more information, call 203 – 488-1441.

Harp vs. Harp: Edmar Castaneda & Grégoire Maret 

As part of the Ellington jazz series, Edmar Castaneda, harp, and Grégoire Maret, harmonica, perform at Morse Recital Hall (Sprague Hall), 470 College St., New Haven, on Friday, March 2, 7:30 p.m. , in a concert showcasing the musical range and imagination of two remarkable artists.

Tickets from $20; students admitted free.

Saturday, March 3

Dudley Farm Winter Farmers’ Market

Support local farmers and artisans at the Dudley Farm Winter Farmers’ Market taking place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at the Dudley Farm, corner of Routes 77 and 80.

Special feature is Needle-Felting. Liz Rinaldo, of Flat Brook Farm, will demonstrate making felted soap, using soap made from her own goats’ milk. Carol Gilbert, of Double G” Alpacas, will show how to needle-felt animals. The public is offered free lessons on how to make a felted pendant, first-come first-served. Other items include all-natural and organic meats, eggs, maple syrup, honey, salsa, kettle corn, beeswax candles, soap, natural body products, clothing, and quilted, knitted, felted and painted gifts.

For more information, visit dudleyfarm.com or call 203 – 457-0770.

Fiction Writing Workshop 

Award-winning novelist, Susan Strecker, will host a three-session workshop on March 3, 10, and 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, at Blackstone Library. Topics covered will include eight tips and tricks for writing a novel, the essential elements of successful books and the importance of hooking the reader. Writers of all experience and ability levels are welcome.

Space is very limited. Registration required. Please note that you are registering for all 3 sessions. For more information, call 203 – 488-1441.

Tuesday, March 6

Healthy Families in the Digital Age 

Branford Families is presenting a series of programs for parents and kids, titled Growing Healthy Families in the Digital Age.” The free programs take place at 6:30 p.m. at Walsh Intermediate School (unless otherwise noted). For reservations, email [email protected].

…And — What IF Things do Go Wrong?” Risks & Digital Lives features a presentation and discussion on the risks and dangers when the rules are broken. From the perspective of a Youth Officer, the program covers the legal issues related to social media, new laws in effect, parent responsibilities, school issues, and other risks in the digital lives of children.

Tuesday, April 3: The Lay of the Land: Screen-time, Devices, and Schools” is a panel presentation by school staff, consisting of the WIS school counselor, social worker, the school district’s director of technology, and Dr. Mary Alice Curran, Professor of Social Media Citizenship. What are the rules, how does it work with 1:1 device ratio. What if scenarios during school hours.

May: Growing up KIND in the Digital World. Digital can be real: Review of good digital spaces” for independent time for all age groups. Don’t Be Mean Behind the Screen” movement. Special surprise presentation.

June 16  Family Fun:Summer Sites and Awesome Apps. Branford Families will have a booth during the Branford Festival with a few good apps running and options for family togetherness in a digital world.

Sunday, March 11

Pancake Breakfast

As part of her Senior Capstone Project, Olivia Sullivan will host a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 11, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at Eli’s on Branford Hill. Proceeds will support the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter.

The cost is $8 per person. RSVP to Olivia at [email protected].

Sunday, March 18

Branford Forum schedule

Due to renovations at the Blackstone, the Branford Forum’s spring talks will be at the Willoughby-Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road in Branford, Sundays at 2 p.m.

On March 18, local artists Nancy Eisenfield and Jennifer Davies, will speak on Creating and Understanding Visual Art.”

The April 22 presentation is being finalized.

On May 20, Yale Law School Professor Stephen Carter will discuss Lucky Luciano and New York’s First Black Woman Prosecutor.”

The talks are free. For further information, email [email protected]

Wednesday, March 21 to Sunday, March 25

Shrek, the Musical at BHS 

Tickets are on sale for Branford High School Performing Arts presentation of Shrek, the Musical, which takes place Wednesday, March 21, to Sunday, March 25, at the Cathyann Roding Auditorium.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Shrek will be played by Logan Distasio, and Fiona by Maddie Oberempt.

Tickets are $18; $15 for students and seniors. For reservations and information, call 203 – 315-7972.

Through March 31

Cityseed Winter Market

If you’ve been missing the hustle and bustle of summer’s farmers’ markets head into New Haven for Cityseed’s Winter Farmers Market, which recently opened at the Metropolitan Business Academy School, 115 Water St, open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (the except is Sunday, Feb. 12).

Offerings include winter root veggies such as potatoes, onions, and carrots; jams, jellies, and pickles; fresh herbs, micro mixes, goat cheeses, meats, seafood, dairy products, bacon, eggs, artisan baked goods, and more. Special guests on hand throughout the season, as well as the Caseus Food Trick.

For more information, go to facebook.com/cityseed. Park in the Community and Ikea lots.

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