Abiba Biao Photos.
In the warm August sun, a light breeze moved through downtown New Haven. The soft strumming of a bass guitar made its way through the air and drums quickly followed suit. Then came R&B performer Avery Joi’s voice as her words serenaded the crowd below her.
“I want you to hold me, just like I want you,” she said.
Music, food, and games filled Green Sunday, as the city concluded its third and last installment of its Open Streets Festival accompanied with a carnival on the Green. Curated by artist and Sweets & Sounds Founder Angel Dahfay, the festivals were intended to transform the way city residents view, experience and engage with the public streets that shepherd them through the city.
"It’s about reimagining what our public spaces can be," Dahfay said at a press conference for the events earlier this summer.
Outside of City Hall, owner Joleen Lee stood with her business Indiigo Culture, a sustainable collective that sells handcrafted goods sourced from artisans across Southeast Asia.
“We wanted to really be able to tell the stories of our makers and to also present arts and culture,” she said. “A lot of our items here are made using traditional techniques.”
Since starting the business in 2020, Lee said that she has received a lot of support and encouragement from the New Haven community, and hopes to launch her website in the coming weeks. She also discussed future plans for expansion.
“Ideally, we hope to own our own boutique store … but I think the next step really is to [raise awareness among] current boutiques and shop owners [who] are aligned with us and want to know more about slow fast fashion.”
On the Green, members of the 40+ Double Dutch Club (pictured at top) unfurled their brightly colored jump ropes as festival goers stepped up for their double dutch challenge. The organization, which has a chapter in New Haven, is open to women ages 40 and older to encourage health, community involvement, and fitness.
The chapter meets every Saturday from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Dixwell Q House.
“We try to engage community to get people to join as well as engage children because people don’t come outside anymore,” said member Ieshia Spearing.
Captain of the chapter Xan Walker said that the group hopes to expand by including a youth chapter, and emphasized the importance of physical and recreational activities for all ages.