Is it too soon to think about the weekend? Arts Council Marketing Director Jennifer Gelband offers her top five arts picks for this week (there's a bonus this time around!), 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.
Most Likely to Succeed | March 17, 1:30 p.m. | Neighborhood Music School.
Most Likely to Succeed is an award-winning film that will forever change the way you think about education. It reveals the growing shortcomings of conventional methods in preparing students to succeed in the 21st century. It goes on to profile compelling new approaches that promote critical thinking, creativity and leadership rather than rote memorization.
Harvard-trained educator Maria Giarrizzo-Bartz, Ed.M, one of the founding directors of ATLAS, will lead a post-screening community conversation. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the film has been an official selection of two dozen of the world’s top film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca, and AFI DOCS.
Free and open to all ages. For more information, contact Maria Giarrizzo-Bartz,
mbartz@neighborhoodmusicschool.org or atlasmiddleschool.org
New Haven Symphony Orchestra Pops Celebrates St. Patrick's Day Weekend | March 17, 2:30 p.m. | Hamden Middle School.
March 18, 3 p.m., Shelton High School.
The NHSO Pops will transform Connecticut into the Emerald Isle for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. NHSO Pops Conductor Chelsea Tipton will lead this festive program and the orchestra will be joined by Irish singer and YouTube sensation Cathy Maguire and dancers from the Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy.
Tickets: $35-49; college student tickets are $10; KidTix (under 18) are free with the purchase of an adult ticket; Blue Star tickets for active military personnel and their immediate family are free.
More info: 203.865.0831 x 20 or www.NewHavenSymphony.org
Pedals, Pipes & Pizza: A Hands-On Introduction to the King of Instruments | March 24, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | United Church on the Green
The New Haven Chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites young pianists, ages 8-18, to a fun day of exploring the "King of Instruments," the pipe organ. Enjoy a pizza lunch then visit both First and Summerfield Church and Woolsey Hall. Free but preregistration requested: 203.671.9393 or info@sacredmusicCT.org by March 23.
108 Monkeys Host March Mat-Ness, March 18, 3-5 p.m. | Breathing Room
A yoga service organization dedicated to practicing justice through the art—and science—of yoga. Join for March Mat-ness (pun fully intended), a two-hour yin yoga and sound bath experience in collaboration with The Conduit Center and yoga instructor/singer, Jess Rawling. In the words of founder Peg Oliveira, "They allow some space for you to notice what feelings, thoughts and emotions might be lingering beneath the habitual chaos of your daily mind-scape."
Tickets: $45.
More info: http://108monkeys.org/Next/march-mat-ness/
Saturday Series Season Finale, March 17, 1 p.m., Thornton Wilder Hall in the Miller Cultural Complex.
The program will feature the Tanglewood Marionettes’ “The Fairy Circus,” featuring over 20 beautifully hand-crafted marionettes. It is a showcase for turn-of-the-century-style trick puppetry. The puppets will dance, play instruments, juggle, contort, transform, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease, all to the best-loved music of favorite composers. This show is perfect for younger children and family audiences.
Tickets: $2 children; $3 adults, available at the door only and cash only.
The Arts Commission’s Peter C. Hereld Sunday Series finale, March 18, 2 p.m. Thornton Wilder Hall in the Miller Cultural Complex.
The program will feature Hamden’s very own Brennan-Lucey Dancers & Friends. World Champion Stephen Brennan and National Champion Meghan Lucey, both of Riverdance fame, will be joined by other musical guests to present a rollicking afternoon of Irish dance, music and history. This performance is not to be missed!
Tickets: $7; $5 senior citizens, students, 12 and under, available at the door only and cash only.
More info: 203.287.2546 or www.hamdenartscommission.com