Is it too soon to think about the weekend? Arts Council Marketing Director Jennifer Gelband offers her top five arts picks for this week, going into next. These come from our member organizations and are also featured in The Arts Council's weekly newsletter. To subscribe to that, click here.
Comedian Iliza Shlesinger | Nov. 24 | Doors at 7 p.m. | College Street Music Hall.
Shlesinger is one of today’s leading comedians with fan base who show their loyalty by creating their own Iliza-inspired swag to wear to her shows. She recently completed the inaugural season of Truth & Iliza, her very own late-night talk show on Freeform. All ages, $25-40.
Watch a video of Iliza performing on Comedy Central. More information and tickets available at www.collegestreetmusichall.com.
The Connecticut Yuletide Carolers Concert | Nov. 26 | 7 p.m. | United Methodist Church of Branford.
Start the holiday season listening to Victorian carolers fill the winter air with the bright sounds traditional and contemporary Christmas a capella in four-part harmony. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
The Connecticut Yuletide Carolers was formed in 2006 by Guilford residents Michael and Lori Cartwright and has grown to 25 singers making over 60 performances throughout New England. There is a suggested donation of $15 to benefit the church’s general operating fund.
More info www.ctyuletide.com or (203) 673-9485.
Orchestra New England’s 44th Season: Colonial Concert XXXVIII | Nov. 25 | 8 p.m. | United Church on the Green.
O.N.E., one of America’s premier small orchestras, founded in New Haven, announces the 44th season of performances, starting with Colonial Concert XXXVIII.
This year's musical time-travel event features the “recent” and perhaps finest of Haydn's great symphonies, the vocal charm of baritone Zachary Johnson, and an extraordinary slow movement from one of Mozart the Younger's “new” piano concertos. The audience will also be wowed by the hottest popular song from Paris 1784, composed by Jean-Paul-Egide Martini. Organist Walden Moore (Trinity Church) joins in his 7th Colonial performance.
Before the performance, at 6 p.m., enjoy a night out in “Olde New-Haven” with a pre-concert dinner, a longstanding New Haven holiday tradition at the historic Graduate Club, across Elm Street from the United Church concert venue.
More information and tickets: www.orchestranewengland.org/events
48th Annual Celebration of American Crafts | Nov. 25-Dec. 24 | Creative Arts Workshop.
This annual exhibition and sale of fine crafts and special events is open Wed-Sun, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. There is something for everyone from clothing to jewelry, soft sculptures to prepared food. Expect to see handmade works from favorite returning Celebration artists as well as new, local artists covering a variety of price points.
The event is a signature fundraiser for Creative Arts Workshop’s mission to foster creativity in greater New Haven. More info: creativeartsworkshop.org
Murray & Peter Present A Drag Queen Christmas | Nov. 30 | 8 p.m. | Shubert Theatre.
A Drag Queen Christmas – The Naughty Tour, starring contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race on VH-1, performing live on stage and rocking the catwalk. It's an evening of holiday songs and outstanding drag performances with your favorite queens.
More info: http://shubert.com/