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Advice Chats with The Arts Council

December 13, 2-5pm, Church on the Rock, 95 Hamilton Street, New Haven
Let the Arts Council staff help you find exhibition space/opportunities, performance/rehearsal space, and develop new ways to promote your work or creative events and activities. Shola Cole, the Arts Council’s coordinator of community programs, and Debbie Hesse, the organization’s director of artist services and programs, will be available for one-on-one appointments. To schedule an appointment call (203) 772-2788. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may have to wait for an available slot.

No, Seriously at the Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven presents No, Seriously, in the Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery, 70 Audubon St., 2nd floor, New Haven. This exhibition will be on display from December 14th, 2012 until February 1st, 2013. There will be an opening reception - that will also serve as a holiday party for the arts community - on Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

No, Seriously will feature works by Ian Applegate, Beans Cunningham, Raheem Nelson, and Vin Paneccasio.

The exhibition is sure to enliven the imagination with its whimsy, satire and artistry. While the artists come from varied backgrounds and have different styles, ranging from marker drawings to iPad renderings, the tradition of animation ties them all together. This winter show was curated by Debbie Hesse and Steve Olsen.

For more information about No, Seriously and the Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery, call the Arts Council at (203) 772-2788.

See Photographs by Hank Paper

TWO SIDES IF THE STREET: CUBA AND AMERICA
Photographs by Hank Paper
The American Dream and Cuba’s own version of the same as seen through a photographic comparison of both cultures.

December 2 - December 26, 2012
Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10 – 8; Fri. & Sat. 10 – 5; Sun. 1 – 4

Keyes Gallery
Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library
146 Thimble Island Road
Stony Creek (in Branford), CT 06405
203-488-8702

See the Work of Mohamad Hafez

WORK OF MOHAMAD HAFEZ FEATURED IN KOHN-JOSELOFF GALLERY
Cheshire Academy, 10 Main St., Cheshire, CT 06410

OLD FACADES
Sculptural work by Mohamad Hafez

December 13th, 2012 – February 13th, 2013
Artist Reception and Talk: Thursday, December 13th, 2012, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Artist talk begins at 6:45pm in the Gallery

Hafez, a native of Damascus, has created plaster and wood replicas of buildings used for torture in Syria that are culturally significant as they draw attention to the social and political issues in the Middle East today.

Erector Square Holiday Art Show

Saturday, December 15th and Sunday, December 16th from 12-5pm

Looking to find that unique holiday gift? FRED.GIAMPIETRO Gallery artists will be exhibiting specially priced art work for holiday gift giving. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments as you look around the show. Located in Building 4 (next to Lori's Cafe) in Erector Square 315 Peck St., New Haven, CT.

Artists include: Clint Jukkala, Zachary Keeting, Peter Ramon, Karen Dow, Chris Joy, Elizabeth Gourlay, Emilia Dubicki, Jonathan Waters, Danny Huff, Joe Fucigna, Chris Mir, and friends.

For more information on the event please visit www.giampietrogallery.com or call 203.777.7760

Trunk Show & Open House at Luckey & Merrill Studio

Kristin Merrill

Open Studio and Trunk Show featuring Owen Sea Luckey, a textile artist and Kristin Merrill, a jeweler and sculptor.

While the lines and structure of Owen Sea Luckey's creations are familiar she pushes the boundaries of what you expect, incorporating holes, bright pops of color and funky embellishments.Those eclectic interests and skills weave together to become RE-DO, a line of whimsical re-imagined sweaters. Luckey transforms recycled garments into wearable art using traditional craft techniques— knitting, felting, sewing, embroidery. Each one-of-a-kind sweater enjoys unique embellishments: antique buttons; repurposed fabrics; hand-knit accents."I love to create one-of-a-kind pieces that people can't wait to wear, " Owen says.

Kristin Merrill's sculptures incorporate pieces of driftwood indigenous to the Short Beach shoreline. To them she adorns pearls, hand-cast sterling elements, copper and symbolic found objects. "The driftwood goes through a metamorphosis at the end of its life and falls into the sea, and finds its way to the shore. By resurrecting it in my sculptures, I create a new phase in its life". The same transformation echoes in her jewelry, where individual elements - sterling silver, semiprecious stones, amber, pearls, and driftwood - join together to become something new and different.

Celebrate both artist's new studio at an opening reception Friday, December 14 from 5 to 8 pm. Open House Saturday, December 15 from 10 am to 4 pm. December hours are December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20 from 10 am to 3 pm, or by appointment. Free and open to the public. 181 Main Street, Branford. 203-481-1100. www.owensealuckey.com, www.kristinmerrill.com

Sideways Studio Holiday Show & Sale

Enjoy the creations of four New England artists

Hayne Payless Pottery
Mara Lavitt Textiles
Meg Little Hand-Tufted Wool Rugs
Liz Pagano Mixed Metals & Monoprints
Plus: New Lamps by Sideways & Askew "Where Paper & Clay Collide" A Collaboration by Pagano & Bayless

December 15-16, 22-23
Noon - 5pm or by appointment (call 860-767-3141)
56A Pond Meadow Road, Ivoryton, CT
www.sidewaysstudio.com

Family Open House at Long Wharf

Go back in time to a more chivalrous era at Long Wharf Theatre’s 6th Annual Discovery Day, a fun family open house event taking place December 15 from 9 am to noon.

The theme of this year’s event is “Quest for Long Wharf Castle: A Day of Myth, Magic, and Monsters.” Admission to the event is pay what you can. All donations from this event will go towards funding a family friendly Spring production entirely adapted, produced, designed, and built by the Next Stage residents, early career professionals training in specific fields of theatre.

Discovery Day has become a much beloved event for parents and staff alike over the course of its five year history. This year, kids ages three and up will have the opportunity to go on a quest. Led by a group of noble knights, kids will create their own stained glass windows, horses and unicorn puppets, build their own Robin Hood and princess hats, and learn fierce battle cries, leading up to an interactive theatrical adventure.

Over the course of the day, through the various activities, kids will get a glimpse into the inner workings props, costumes and scene shops, and take a fun acting workshop with a member of the Long Wharf Theatre artistic team. For more information about Long Wharf Theatre’s Education Department and Discovery Day, visit www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.

Civic Orchestra of New Haven Winter Concert

The Civic Orchestra of New Haven (CONH) will present its Winter Concert on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 3pm at Battell Chapel, located at the corner of Elm and College Streets in New Haven. A contribution of $10 for students and seniors and $15 for an individual is suggested.

The program features Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture, Chadwick’s Symphonic Sketches, and Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances, Op. 46. In addition,the orchestra is pleased to welcome the Waterbury Youth Chorus under the direction of Melissa Rooklidge. The chorus will join the orchestra in performing a variety of seasonal selections.

For more information about the concert, please visit www.conh.org or email conh@sbcglobal.net. Comprised of more the 60 professional and serious amateur musicians, the Civic Orchestra of New Haven has been a vital part of the greater New Haven community for more than 60 years.

Daniel Levin Quartet

Friday, December 14th at 8:30 and 10:00 p.m.
Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street New Haven, CT
Tickets are $18 (first set) and $12 (second set)
Tickets are available at http://firehouse12.com or (203) 785-0468

On Friday, December 14th, Firehouse 12 is pleased to present cellist Daniel Levin and his quartet featuring trumpeter Nate Wooley, vibraphonist Matt Moran, and bassist Peter Bitenc. This is one of Levin's longest running ensembles and has evolved and developed over the past decade. Their latest album Organic Modernism (Clean Feed) was released in 2011. Find out more about Daniel Levin here: http://daniel-levin.com/

Greater New Haven Community Chorus Presents Serious Fun!

The Greater New Haven Community Chorus will be presenting its annual Fall Concert – Serious Fun! – at Battell Chapel at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2012, 300 College Street, New Haven (located at the corner of Elm and College Streets, on the campus of Yale University).

Explore the "serious fun" of choral music, including selections for men's and women's chorus, vocal jazz, holiday standards and more, by some of the great composers! The performance will be led by Noah Blocker-Glynn, Artistic Director, with accompanist Mark Sullivan and GNHCC's Choral Conducting Scholarship Recipient for the 2012-2013 season, Matthew Cramer.

Tickets are $20.00 at the door or $15.00 if purchased in advance. Tickets may be ordered in advance online at www.GNHCC.org.

Greater New Haven Community Chorus (GNHCC) is a non-auditioned, mixed-voice chorus which draws its membership of over 100 voices from throughout the greater New Haven area. GNHCC strives to embrace the wide diversity of the New Haven community and is committed to making quality music accessible and approachable for audiences and members alike.

Performances at Best Video

Happy Ending

Best Video Performance Space
1842 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT
(203) 287-9286

Wed., Dec. 12, 8 PM, $5 cover: Graylight Campfire
Graylight Campfire's music is inspired by the hundred years of popular music that beams in from long gone radio stations, where Lester Flatt and Jimi Hendrix sound natural playing aside each other, where The Grand Ole Opry goes electric and distorts into the sound of factories closing and money tight, where a voice howls back to the history of howling, of wolves and Wolf.

Thurs., Dec. 13, 8 PM, $5 cover: Happy Ending
Happy Ending--which features Arts Paper writer Hank Hoffman on guitar and vocals--plays electric rock ‘n’ roll, mixing original compositions influenced by garage rock, folk rock and psychedelia—oftentimes with a political slant—with cover songs from the 1960′s and 1970′s (expect “Walk Away Renee” by the Left Banke and a raucous, anarchic version of “Helter Skelter” by The Beatles, among others).

Wed., Dec. 19, 8 PM, $5 cover: Mimosa
Mimosa Steel Pan Duo plays lyrical, mellow music on tenor and double second pans from Trinidad. Small in size, but big in sound, this band plays for parties, restaurants, libraries, and in all kinds of intimate venues where a traditional full steel band could not fit. The arrangements by composer/player Debby Teason are lively, creative and fun.

Thurs., Dec. 20, 8 PM, $5 cover: Big Fat Combo
The Big Fat Combo hail from Cheshire and offer their own, wry, well-crafted take on rock 'n' roll. The quartet is a classic rockabilly group: upright bass and drums, rhythm and lead guitar. Led by singer Tom Hearn, the Big Fat Combo not only play their original tunes ("Tag Sale," "Banned by Sam the Clam's" and "Chicks Dig it," among others) but also riff on classic rock 'n' roll, garage rock, punk, country and even some easy listening chestnuts ("Que Sera Sera," "It was a Very Good Year") that they make fully their own.

Join Music Haven & Haven String Quartet

Friday, December 14, 2012
6:00 p.m.
Music Haven Winter Performance Party
Join the Music Haven community as we celebrate the accomplishments of our 60 young students! Performances by Music Haven students and their teachers, the Haven String Quartet, will be followed by a potluck feast. Come for the music, stay for the food and community spirit!
Admission: Free. Please bring a dish to share at the potluck reception immediately following the concert.
Charles Garner Recital Hall
Southern Connecticut State University, Engleman C112
501 Crescent Street, New Haven

Saturday, December 15, 2012
Pre-concert Talk: 6:30 p.m. with Roya Hakakian
Concert: 7:30 p.m.
The Haven String Quartet presents "Immigrant Voices: The Arab World"
The Haven String Quartet continues its exploration of immigration with a program of music from the Arab world, including works by Reza Vali, Mohammed Fairouz, Aleksandra Vrebalov and a new work by local composer Mark Kuss (Professor of Music at Southern Connecticut State University). Special guest musician Mani Mirazee will join the performance on setar. The evening will kick off with an appearance by Roya Hakakian, renowned Iranian-American author and poet (http://www.royahakakian.com), who will lead a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. concert.
The Unitarian Society of New Haven, 700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden.
Admission: $20 general admission, $10 students & seniors

"Sunday in the Park with George"

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA (James Bundy, Dean; Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean) presents SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, music and lyrics by Steven Sondheim, book by James Lapine, and directed by Ethan Heard, December 14 to December 20 at the University Theatre (222 York Street).

ABOUT SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
In 1884, George Seurat painted a masterpiece by holding fast to his personal vision and disregarding everything (and everybody) else. Celebrated as a genius today, he died alone, without having ever sold a single canvas. A century later, another artist named George is adrift, despite great success. Accomplished and desired, he’s lost touch with his inspiration—why, he wonders, does he make art at all? In today's culture of success and celebrity, Sondheim and Lapine's landmark musical poses a fundamental question about the "art of making art": how can an artist both stay true to himself and share his vision with the world?

Tickets, $10-$25, are available online at drama.yale.edu, by phone at (203) 432-1234, and in person at the Box Office (1120 Chapel Street at York Street).

The Rat Pack & Shrek at the Shubert

THE RAT PACK IS BACK – The Christmas Show
December 15 & 16, 2012
Saturday 8:00pm
Sunday 3:00pm
The Rat Pack is Back with all the popular standards and classic holiday hits!

SHREK – THE MUSICAL
December 28–30, 2012
Friday 7:30pm
Saturday 2:00 & 7:30pm
Sunday 1:00 & 6:30pm
Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, this hilarious musical features a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery. SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!

Shubert Theater and Box Office, 247 College Street, New Haven
800-228-6622
www.shubert.com

Square's Rhomboidal Dream at NMS

New Haven musician/producer and Neighborhood Music School faculty member Istvan B’Racz and Conn. lighting designer Jamie Burnett are teaming up with NYC’s T-Byrd Burnett and Loop 2.4.3 (created by Yale alumn Thomas Kozumplik) for a new multi-media adventure.

The working title is Square’s Rhomboidal Dream - a journey in sight and sound. The performance will be a work in-progress, scheduled for a New York City premiere in early 2013. New Haven gets the first taste on Friday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m. at Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven, Conn. The $15 admission price includes an opening reception at 7:30 p.m. (performance at 8 p.m.).

The 55-minute show will present a series of soundscapes, audio explorations, and sonic songs which “weave inner images, both implied and real, into an impressionistic mirror of the world around us.” Creative lighting will be enhanced by video projections of images from the performers’ personal lives, though often represented in an abstract way. Original music of a wide range of moods, instrumentations, and styles will lead the narrative of the journey.

ARTFARM Presents Submerged!

Since 2008 ARTFARM has been touring the northeast with a small environmental circus called Circus for a Fragile Planet. On December 14 the company will be coming home to Middletown with a new performer and an updated script of their current show, SUBMERGED!

SUBMERGED! will perform Friday, December 14 at 7 pm at Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green Street in Middletown.

ARTFARM’s SUBMERGED! is a sixty minute, five person circus about water-related environmental issues. The show starts on the beaches, lawns and bathrooms of central Connecticut and journeys around the globe, exploring human impacts on the hydrosphere through the artistry, imagination and spectacle of circus. In SUBMERGED!, an Austrian Scientist travels with four Fossil Fools who flip, juggle, and fly their way through six forms of water pollution, rising sea levels, and the basic challenge that a billion people face -- access to drinkable water.

The December 14 public performance will be a “coming out party” for an updated script and a new cast member, Nettie Lane of Brattleboro, Vermont. Lane is founder of PIE Productions and is a graduate of the Professional Track Training Program at the New England Center for Circus Arts. She joins Wheeler, Venezuelan-born circus performer Joel Melendez of Harwinton, and local acrobat-clowns Megan Berritta and Maegan Fuller in the Fragile Planet company.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for kids. The performance is recommended for all ages. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Info: (860) 346-4390 or info@art-farm.org.

Whitney Players Holds Auditions

The Whitney Players Theater Company is holding auditions for “Thirteen” and “Godspell, Jr.”, Thursday, December 20th from 6 to 9:30 pm. Please bring sheet music to sing, and be prepared to dance. Thirteen will be a teen show and Godspell, Jr. is for teens and younger actors. Rehearsals begin in January and the shows will run in March and April, 2013. Auditions will take place at Thornton Wilder Auditorium, in the Miller Library Complex, 2901 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden. The show is co-sponsored by the Hamden Arts Commission and is being directed by Cindy Simell-Devoe and choreographed by Joan Christensen. For more info, call 203-281-6007.

Six Summit Gallery Call to Artists

Six Summit Gallery, 6 Summit St. Ivoryton, CT
www.sixsummitgallery.com | 860-581-8332

Six Summit Gallery invites you to create your own mini gallery! From January 15- April 15 we will display over 30 artists, sculptors and illustrators in their own designated or shared spaces, with little restrictions. Email your interest in submission with link or photos to salon@sixsummitgallery.com.

This is a peace operative. We are encouraging smaller work. We hope to cover nearly every bit of wall space in the Gallery for a beautiful salon effect, and have as many sculptures as necessary to complement the show. You will not be required to gallery sit. We invite you to have your own meetings/receptions at the Gallery, and we will host and publicize at least 2 more. You may bring your own tags, bios, artist statements, cards and display them as you see fit. We will supply tags and hang art for a small fee, or you may do it yourself. You will be allowed to share your space with your counterparts! You may replace art if it sells, or not, within reasonable time frames. As part of the peace operative, the Gallery will have final say on acceptance, and everything else related to the show, in case of any discrepancies. Fees will be $45-$95 dollars monthly depending on the size of the space occupied. Artists receive a 90% payout. You may be allowed up to three spaces alone or shared.

ELIGIBLE WORK: This show is open to all artists regardless of place of residence. Original work in oil, water color, pastel, acrylic, mixed media, collage, graphics, photography, sculpture. All work must be for sale. The Show Committee reserves the right to disallow the exhibition of any work which, in the opinion of the Committee, is considered detrimental to the good public image of the show and its sponsors, which is too fragile to handle, or which is not accurately represented. Six Summit Gallery is a fully insured and secured gallery, however, its officers or agents are not responsible for loss or damage of any kind. We reserve the right to photograph work or use submitted images for publicity. Please call us with any questions, or email us with submission intentions (with photo or link) at salon@sixsummitgallery.com.

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven
70 Audubon Street, 2nd Floor, New Haven, CT 06510
203-772-2788
info@newhavenarts.org
www.newhavenarts.org