Groove, July 2012

magazine

Community. Culture. Connection.

Arts & Idea’s

THE McLOVINS

PAGE 7

PAGE 30

Preview

Interview

FR

INAU EE GU ISSU RAL E

Vol. 1 No. 1

TOAD’s PLACE

A History of the Place Where Legends Play PAGE 34

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On the Cover: Arts & Ideas Performers Photo by Mary Beth Mehan Publisher: Oliver Collins Editor in Chief: Samantha Epstein Managing Editor: Katherine Rojas Music Editor: Hannah Woomer Arts and Lifestyle Editor: Christina Andrioti Copy Editor: Kelley Bligh Contributing Writers: Christina Andrioti, Kelley Bligh, Oliver Collins, Katherine Rojas, Mike Sembos, Tochi Unebochi, Hannah Woomer

Rosanne Cash Performs at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas

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Photography Editor: Sean Elliott Contributing Photographers: Sean Elliot, Charlotte Greene, Casey Roche Production Manager: Todd S. Rogers

Director of Advertising: Oliver Collins Account Executive: Kristin Onofrio Director of Marketing: Janele Morriss Marketing Assistant: Leah Salindong Groove Magazine is published monthly by Groove Media from our office at 11 Osborn Avenue New Haven CT 06511.

Phone: (203) 859-8327 Subscriptions: $60 yearly. Send name, address, zip code with payment. All ads must be in by 5pm on due date. Advertisers should check their ad on publication. Groove magazine shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad for a typographical error or errors in the publication except to the extent to the cost of the space which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publishers reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The entire contents of Groove Magazine are copyright 2012 Groove Magazine. No portion may be reproduced by any means without written permission of the publisher.

Arts & Ideas: A Time for Educational Fun in the Sun

by Katherine Rojas

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Arts Listings

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Long Wharf Theatre Will Shine A New Look

by Katherine Rojas

Contributing Graphic Designers: Samantha Epstein, Gary Sandler, Katie Piccin Circulation Manager: Rich Gabriele

Letter from Publisher

Interview with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead

MUSIC 29

The Return of the Capitol Theatre: Interview with Peter Shapiro

by Mike Sembos

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Meet the McLovins

by Oliver Collins

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Hart of the Dead: Mickey Hart Interview

by Mike Sembos

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A History of Toad’s Place

by Hannah Woomer

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SHOPPING Listings

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Artist Profile: A. Zell Williams

by Tochi Unebochi

36

Gathering of the Vibes Invites Families to Come Enjoy the Music

by Hannah Woomer

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Parks & AcTIVITIES Listings

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Cognitive Effects of Music on the Brain

by Bo Powers

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Music Listings

DINING 23

The Coffeeshops & Cafes of New Haven

by Kelley Bligh

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Dining Listings

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from the publisher Dear Friends, To begin, I thought it would only be appropriate to quote the Free Online Dictionary’s definition for “groove:” “A situation or an activity that one enjoys or to which one is especially well suited: found his groove playing bass in a trio; A very pleasurable experience; to take great pleasure or satisfaction; to: enjoy oneself: sitting around, grooving on music; to be affected with pleasurable excitement; to react or interact harmoniously; idiom: in the groove performing exceptionally well.”

As a young professional, who has been enjoying New Haven and the wonderful surrounding shorelines since I moved here in 2006, I felt the need to produce Groove Magazine. It started with a small idea;

where can I go to see some live music around town? New Haven is a music mecca and I found it difficult to decide.

Imagine if there were a guide for that…

As I started broaching the topic to friends and locals, suggestions came from far and wide. The overwhelming consensus was there was no guide out there for the young active adult. I started to search online and it was a mess. All I found was a bunch of websites, clutter, ads, and chaos.

I wanted to establish a publication that covered everything New Haven has to offer. The section of Arts and Life was essential. Then there are all the museums and art galleries around town too. As well as the art festivals and the entertainment all summer on the New Haven Green, which

contribute to the random eclectic features, our city has.

Then of course there’s the food. I remember driving players around for the Pilot Pen and one player even said that New Haven is a top-notch competitor of New York City.

So, the key for Groove was to get accurate information and create an easy-to-read arts and life guide in an entertaining format. For each story, the Groove team hit the streets and interviewed the local business owners. It is an overwhelming but ultimately grateful experience to see all this city has and to learn about it from the inside.

We met with associations and found out what they had going on. The shop owners invited us in to tell us their personal stories. They told us about the growth of the city from the ‘90s. Patrick Mansfield, owner of Anna Liffey’s, said his friends “called him crazy for opening a bar in downtown New Haven 14 years ago,” but look at it now. The Arts Council showed us all that they do. The theatre companies continue to grow and expand, especially with the help of dedicated patrons. The Town Green Association continues to keep the city fresh and friendly.

New Haven is continuing to move forward and we are so lucky to be here.

So yes, Groove is a guide for the Greater New Haven Area. But, we also have some

passionate editorials. We won’t just tell you our favorite places, we will tell you what makes them so special: the ambience, the history, the best apps, and the greatest desserts. We will tell you why you better keep your schedule up to date with Toad’s Place and what big theatre productions are coming around in the Fall.

Finally, the question I get over and over. Why a print publication? “Oliver, you’re crazy, don’t you see all the print companies going out of business?” “The internet is king;” but I beg to differ. I love magazines and I’m pretty sure a whole heck a lot of you, reading this right now, do too.

What’s better than sitting on the couch reading your favorite mag? Or on the throne? Or in bed? Come on, it’s a classic production that never needs to go away.

So, yes, enjoy this FREE guide. We are here to help you enjoy this special little city.

Don’t be afraid to reach out and give us your suggestions.

We would love to hear from you.

Oliver W. Collins

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The 2012 International Festival of Arts & Ideas Starts in June

Asphalt Orchestra. Photo by Stephanie Berger

by Katherine Rojas

G

et ready for “Serious Fun” at the 2012 International Festival of Arts & Ideas.

Sporadic spots of New Haven, from June 16 to June 30, will host this extravaganza; praising art through live performances, lectures and conversations in theaters and open spaces around New Haven, Connecticut.

It’s the celebration of art from around the world in one place. The festival will feature the American premiere of the National Theatre of Scotland’s “the Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart,” the Mark Morris dance group, Australia’s circus arts troupe Circa. A solo performance of King Lear from Taiwan and other exciting features.

The free concerts on the New Haven Green will include performances by

Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright; Asphalt Orchestra; Red Baraat & Pakistan’s Noori; and Rosanne Cash.

The festival will trap you in an art and intellectual bubble with plenty of performances and conversations. “[It’s] an opportunity to tickle your senses, engage your mind, find inspiration, and launch an adventure,” Executive Director Mary Lou Aleskie said. “We’ve packed Festival 2012 with speakers and conversationalists keen to share expansive idea and renowned artists from all over the world eager to share joy-filled and thought-provoking performances.”

There will be an array of dance, music, theater and free concerts. The festival will also provide fun for the family with

family-friendly interactive events.

The free concerts on New Haven Green will introduce the festival with culture and fun as the diverse performers bring different musical genres to stage.

The opening night concert will start the festival with Sing the Truth!, honoring music of great women in jazz, folk, R&B, gospel and the blues. The free concerts on the New Haven Green will include performances by singers Angelique Kidjo, Dianna Reeves and Lizz Wright will perform songs from their biggest influences and music’s best like Billie Holiday and Lauryn Hill.

The festival will take you back in time with performances of music themes as far back to the 1920s with the Grammy Award-nominated Carolina Chocolate Drops. The young band members bring

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across the seas is Wu Hsing-Kuo’s, director of Taiwan’s Contemporary Legend Theater, King Lear. His soloperformance of Shakespeare’s King Lear will take a dive into King Lear’s mind.

Mr. Wu’s interpretation will incorporate Eastern and Western theatrical forms as well as traditional Chinese music.

Out of the country performers don’t stop there, the Yale International Choral Festival will invite six choirs from

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Rosanne Cash. Photo by Deborah Feingold

Wu Hsing-Kuo’s King Lear.

Photo by Dirk Bleicker

back the soul of ‘20s music with their string instruments and powerful voices.

Eccentric and creative performers include Red Baraat & Noori who will express their Indian inspired funk music on the New Haven Green. They create their own genre with their combination of funk, go-go, Latin and jazz in their electrifying performances.

The closing night concert will smoothly end with country rock icon Rosanne Cash, daughter of country legend Johnny Cash.

Cash will perform songs from her album The List, a personal look into her relationship with her father and music.

The talent doesn’t end with just concerts, dance and theater performances will transport you to a world of whimsy.

The American premiere of National Theatre of Scotland’s The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart will continue throughout the festival at New Haven’s Wicked Wolf Tavern. It tells the story of a bookish academic going on a magical journey of self-discovery that must be done through magical moments, devilish encounters, and wild karaoke.

Another performance that is from

around the world to New Haven, each highlighting the uniqueness and beauty of choirs traditions.

Families are also invited to the special family-friendly events such as Box City and Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo. Box City complies families to build their own city with boxes and art supplies as a way to apply basic design principles and urban planning. Sustainability is the key to build their own city with cardboard and recycled materials.

Erth-Visual and Physical, Inc. will

bring in artists of Australian theater and visual arts company ERTH and their little creatures. These artists have created dinosaurs ranging from babies to giants. Attendees will have a chance to pet and play with the dinosaurs and interact with them in educational and fun performances.

The education doesn’t stop there, the ideas portion of the festival will include conversations with Man on the Wire Philippe Petit, Yale philosophy and cognitive science professor Tamar Gendler, scientists David Lynn and Martha Grover from the NSF/NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, and more insightful people. The discussion topics range from patterns from the natural world to learning ancient secrets to happiness and the good life.

Marketing intern for the 2012 Arts & Life Festival Anna Wagner says “Serious Fun” means the festival will be educational with artistic value.

“It’s fun, but not useless,” Wagner says. “Our point is to educate new haven residents about art, music, theatre, dance, food and ideas from other areas of the world. We really want to expose these fantastic and unique artists.

Even the kids programming is educational, and they get a lot out of it.”

Wagner is most excited for the Scotland theatre, Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Dinosaur Petting Zoo. “Scotland theatre is really unique in that they perform in bars. I just turned 21 and this would be my first bar adventure,” Wagner says. “Carolina Chocolate Drops are just phenomenal and unique, they have a great sound. And the Dinosaur Petting Zoo because I am absolutely dying to go with my baby cousins, because they will just find it so cool.

General admission for the festival is $35 but most events are free and open to the public.

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Photo by Charlotte Greene

New Alliance Courtyard and around the Scranton Park Pavilion.

MILFORD MADISON Madison Art Cinemas figurines, cartoons and comic strips.

Fans of Gumby make your home here.

GUILFORD BRANFORD Branford Art Studio 483 EaSt. Main St (203) 488-2787 Gallery and visual arts learning classes for adults from a master painter.

Puppet House Theater 128 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek Phone (203) 488-5752 Part of a performing arts center in Stony Creek town of Branford which performs puppet shows, musicals, dinner theater and more.

Martha Link Walsh Gallery 188 North Main St., Rte. 1 (203) 481-3505 Original artwork and hand crafted note/holiday cards by the artiSt. owner. The gallery and shop features the art paper cutting.

Tabor Community Arts Center 45 Tabor Dr. (203) 488-5668 All ages art and music workshops/ classes.

CHESHIRE Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum 1188 Highland Ave. Chuck full of memorabilia from the past 100 years of American toys, TV

Greene Art Gallery 29 Whitfield St. (203) 453-4162 The gallery displays a variety of contemporary paintings from over 25 talented artists.

Guildford Art Center 411 Church St. (203) 453-5947 The Mill Gallery showcases the works of local and national artists. Classes and workshops are available for all ages in nearly all disciplines.

Shoreline Arts Alliance 725 Boston Post Rd. (203) 453-3890 Staging performances and exhibits by local, national, and international artists. Also, produce Concerts on the Green, Shakespeare on the Shoreline, and Shoreline ArtSpace Series.

HAMDEN Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop 915 Whitney Ave. (203) 777-1833 A family friendly museum, educational laboratory and art galleries.

Hamden Arts Commission 2901 Dixwell Ave. Hamden, CT 06518 (203) 287-2546 Arts and music programing for the town of Hamden and the public.

761 Boston Post Rd. (203) 245-FILM Screenings of American and foreign independent non-mainstream films.

Also, holds art exhibits and serves a community center for special events.

The Sculpture Mile Boston Post Rd. (between Academy St. and Scotland Ave.) (860) 767-2624 Large contemporary sculptures along the Boston Post Rd. situated in the

Firehouse Art Gallery 81 Naugatuck Ave. (203) 878-6647 Art’s in Residence program, classes offered, 1,000 sq ft gallery and community center for the arts.

Milford Center for the Arts 40 Railroad Ave. (203) 878-6647 Art exhibits, music series, an arts and crafts festival, and other special events throughout the year.

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GROOVE Gallery 195

John Slade Ely House

195 Church St, 4th Floor (203) 772-2788 The gallery is sponsored by the Arts Council of Greater New Haven and First Niagara Bank. The gallery exhibits an art show every quarter by two artists.

51 Trumbull St. (203) 624-8055 This converted Elizabethan house is a center for contemporary art showing three to five exhibits a year.

Long Wharf Theatre

27 Whalley Ave. (203) 389-8885 An abundance of wealth in this seemly small shop house a fine arts restoration practice, antique architecture finds shop and a performing arts space in a restored vaudeville theater in the back.

222 Sargent Drive (203) 787-4282 Award wining theater striving to build community through theater and presenting about 6 to 8 plays a year.

The Institute Library City Gallery 994 State St. (203) 782-2489 Artist-run contemporary art gallery with 17 members. Artwork includes all mediums from painting to photography, sculpture, to mixed media.

Creative Arts Workshop SoBoBo Art Gallery & Consortium 17 Broadway (203) 876-9829 Mix media, classes offered, and unique contemporary art exhibitions.

NEW HAVEN Art Space 50 Orange St. (203) 772-2709 Thought provoking visual art public gallery with multiple exhibits, film series and special events.

80 Audubon St. (203) 562-4927 Offers visual arts workshops and art classes for all ages and levels of experience. The Hiles Gallery displays exhibitions year round.

DaSilva Gallery 897-899 Whalley Ave. (203) 387-2539 Contemporary art gallery, as well as a provider of design and framing services.

Elm City Artists Gallery

220 State St. 1(888) 746-7241 Showroom and gallery of skateboards, graffiti art, pop art and apparel.

55 Whitney Ave. (203) 922-2359 Artists-run art gallery with 5 members. Artwork at times created in showroom and includes all mediums from painting to photography, sculpture, to mixed media.

Cine 1-2-3-4

Elm Shakespeare Company

Channel 1

371 Middletown Ave. (203) 776-5546 Independent film theater screening independent films.

PO Box 206029 (203) 393-1436 A local theater group advancing childhood education through Shakespeare plays. Major community event takes place every August in which the theater group performs free plays in Edgerton Park.

847 Chapel St. (203) 562-4045 A revitalized membership library with a wide array of public events, theatrical performances, and poetry readings. Also, the oldeSt. independent circulating library in the United States.

Intercambia 756 Chapel St. A new performing, visual, and culinary arts center for New Haven.

Lyric-Hall Antiques and Conservation

Kehler Liddell Gallery 873 Whalley Ave. (203) 389-9555 The gallery showcases and represents 24 Connecticut-based artists from all disciplines including painting, sculpture, paper making, and photography, among others.

GROOVE White Space Fine Art Gallery

One State St. (203) 865-0400 Preserving and displaying the Catholic heritage through art.

195 Church St. (203) 494-1200 The White Space Gallery is a fine arts gallery focusing on surreal and abstract art and pieces from master artist Salvador Dali.

New Haven Museum 114 Whitney Ave. Permanent exhibits of the New Haven Museum include information about the city’s history, art galleries, and a maritime gallery.

Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History 170 Whitney Ave. (203) 432-5050 Permanently displays exhibits Fossil Fragments: The Riddle of Human Origins, Torosaurus: A Peabody Dinosaur, Daily Life in Ancient Egypt, and many other exhibits, lectures and events.

Whitney Humanities Center 53 Wall St. (203) 432-0670 An interdisciplinary center for the humanities at Yale University. Also, the centers houses an art gallery and a 242 seat auditorium.

Yale Architecture Gallery 180 York St. (203) 432-2288 Features exhibitions throughout the year, and located on the second floor of the Yale School of Architecture.

Shubert Theatre

Yale Center for British Art

247 College St. (203) 562-5666 Past shows include Beauty and the Beast, The New Haven Ballet’s Nutcracker, and In the Heights.

1080 Chapel St. (203) 432-2800 Public art and research museum for British art and culture which maintains the largest collection

of British art outside of the British isles.

Yale University Collection of Musical Instruments 15 Hillhouse Ave. Collections of musical instruments from around the world and spanning thousands of years. The museum produces talks, special events, and concerts throughout the year.

Yale Repertory Theatre 1120 Chapel St. (203) 432-1234 A professional theater staging new plays, and featuring world renowned actors such as, Paul Giamatti in next year’s Hamlet.

Yale Summer Cabaret 217 Park St. (203) 432-1567 Enjoy a dinner and see lively plays or musicals produced and starring Yale School of Drama students.

include a world tour of art from African art, American painting and sculpture, Asian art, ancient art, European art, and modern and contemporary art among others.

OLD SAYBROOK Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center 300 Main St. (860) 510-0473 Performing arts center for all ages serving the shoreline of CT with a 250 seat theater and a museum celebrating the life of acclaimed actress and local daughter, Katharine Hepburn.

NORTH HAVEN Farm River Antiques 26 Broadway (203) 239-2434 Buy and sell American antique dealers of small goods and furniture.

Yale University Art Gallery 1111 Chapel St. (203) 432-0600 The galleries permanent collections

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Knights of Columbus Museum

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ORANGE The Davis Gallery

Savin Rock Museum & Learning Center

200 Boston Post Rd. (203) 795-4705 A private art gallery exhibiting Connecticut artists in multiple mediums.

6 Rock St. West Haven, CT 06516 Showcases the history of this long gone treasure of West Haven’s rich past.

PEZ Visitor Center

Ward-Heitmann House Museum

35 Prindle Hill Rd. (203) 298-0201 Largest assembly of PEZ collectibles in the world, with special displays and self guided tours.

WALLINGFORD

277 Elm St (203) 937-9823 The Ward-Heitmann House is a 300 year old house and the oldeSt. surviving structure in WeSt. Haven.

Each room represents the lives of different families during different periods of time in American history.

Paul Mellon Arts Center 333 Christian St. (203) 697-2423 The center for the arts at Choate Rosemary Hall features an 800 seat theater and lobby art gallery The center was designed by I.M. Pei and described as “an auditorium of ideas.”

WEST HAVEN Palava Hut International Gallery 452 Forest Rd. (203) 387-2124

West Cove Studio & Gallery 30 Elm St. West Haven, CT 06516 (203) 627-8030 West Cove Studio & Gallery is committed to the advancement of artists particularly in the printmaking discipline. It offers intaglio printing, silkscreen printing, and life drawing workshops.

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Will Shine a New Look Photo by Charlotte Greene

by Katherine Rojas

The Long Wharf Theatre will undergo a costume change starting this June. The nearly half a century old theatre will be redesigned with new seats, heating and air-conditioning units, a lighting grid, an expanded lobby and more. After committing to stay at their historic home for the next decade, the Board of Trustees felt the time was right for a renovation, said Steven Scarpa, Long Wharf ’s director of marketing and communications.

The 1960s was a new era when people were yearning for alternative ways to express themselves and remove that conservative tie from the ‘50s. Music, art, and dance were beginning to show and New Haven needed that place to hold it all under one roof. The Long Wharf Theatre, founded by Jon Jory and Harlan Kleiman, opened for business in 1965 showing Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

But now it stages annual seasons of six

plays, children’s programming, offers play workshops and hosts special events.

The Long Wharf Theatre has been in

“The design acknowledges our gritty, food terminal roots, while putting forward an extremely inviting and theatrical environment for patrons to enjoy” the hands of Arvin Brown and Edgar Rosenblum for the past three decades, and plans to bloom into its new look by the fall.

The new theatre will welcome attendees with a streamlined glass and

steel entryway. The lobby will surround you with wood panels that will feature projections and exhibitions providing the context and information about the current play and upcoming events. The new theatre lobby will sport burnished steel, polished stone floors and inviting pine wood walls, creating an “industrial chic” ambiance, Scarpa says. The outside of the theatre will “literally glow, creating a palpable sense of excitement as patrons enter the theatre,” Scarpa said.

The theatre renewed its lease with New Haven’s Food Terminal Inc. last year, calling it their home until 2022.

“The design acknowledges our gritty, food terminal roots, while putting forward an extremely inviting and theatrical environment for patrons to enjoy,” Scarpa said.

Most theatre attendees usually enjoy performances in uncomfortable and tight spaced seats. However, the renovation

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Photo by Charlotte Greene

plans include 400 plush roomy seats, replacing the 486 old ones, “with an additional five inches of legroom on every seat,” Scarpa said.

This is the largest Mainstage renovation project in the theatre’s history, according to Scarpa. The Mainstage has undergone minor changes over the years, but never to this extent.

The performance space will not be touched; however, it will include a new lighting grid providing designers with an array of lighting opportunities.

The Long Wharf Theatre along with Gregg, Wies & Gardner Architects of New Haven and Petra Construction plan to keep the theatre a fun and exciting place.

“These renovations will create a more inviting and welcoming atmosphere for our

wonderful patron[s],” Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein said. He goes on to say, “the world class artists who work here will do so in a more comfortable and favorable environment.”

The theatre has raised $3.08 million of their $3.8 million goal through private contributions.

One of the most charitable donors, which receives a big thanks from the theatre, is The Tow Foundation’s generous leadership gift of $1.25 million. The performance space will be named the Claire Tow Stage, after longtime Board of Trustees member, in the C.Newton Schenck III Mainstage Theatre.

Long Wharf Theatre also plans more fundraising opportunities in the next several months in order to reach their $3.8 million goal.

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BRANFORD Sound Runner 1088 Main Street Branford, CT (203) 483-8222 Running apparel, footwear, books and gear store. Also, hosts group runs and special events.

CLINTON Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets 20-A Killingworth Tpke Clinton, CT 6413 (860) 669-3066 Designer fashion, houseware, gifts, and accessories shops at deep cutting discounts. Stores include Ellie Tahari, Cole Haan, Adidas and more.

GUILFORD Bishop’s Orchards & Winery 1355 Boston Post Rd. Guilford, CT 06437 (203) 458-PICK Farmer’s Market and pick your own fruit.

Village Chocolatier 79 Whitfield Street Guilford, CT 06437 203.453.5226 Gourmet Chocolates, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and home made fudge.

HAMDEN Back on the Rack 2348 Whitney Avenue Hamden, CT 06518 203-745-5062 High end designer brand fashion consignment boutique.

Gallery 4 2985 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT 06518 203-281-6043 Treasure trove of antiques, jewelry and small decorative objects of art.

MADISON R.J. Julia Booksellers 768 Boston Post Rd

Madison, CT 06443 (203) 245-3959 Large independent bookstore, many author events throughout the year and a cafe bistro.

Peter Indorf Jewelers 703 Boston Post Road Madison, CT 06443 (203) 245- 5700 Custom designers of fine jewelry and gemstones, repair and appraising services available. Also, Peter Indorf Jewelers maintains another location in downtown New Haven at 1022 Chapel St.

MILFORD Downtown Milford Farmers Market 58 River Street Milford, CT 06460

NEW HAVEN Alex and Ani 284 York St New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 691-8870 Custom designed jewelry- bangles, charms, earrings and necklaces- for the body, mind and spirit.

ARPAIA LANG 806 Chapel St New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 772-4643 Handcrafted specially designed fine jewelry boutique.Also, offers custom by design jewelry from designer Kimberly Marie Arpaia.

Cityseeds Farmers’ Market

Hull’s Art Supply & Framing

817 Grand Ave., No. 101 New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 773-3736 New Haven Locations: Wooster Square, Downtown/Town Hall, Edgewood Park, The Hill and Fair Haven.

1144 Chapel St New Haven, CT 6511 (203) 865-4855 All your framing and art/architecture supply needs.

The Devil’s Gear LLC Bike Shop 151 Orange St New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 773-9288 Bikes, service, parts/accessories and tons of bike riding events.

Enclave 23 Broadway New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 865-3470 Men’s and women’s clothing boutique with a surfing, skating and sporty vibe.

English Building Market 839 Chapel St New Haven, CT 06510 Antiques, vintage clothing and accessories shop.

Fashionista Vintage & Variety 93 Whitney Ave New Haven, CT 06510 Nostalgic cloths and accessories for women and men.

Idiom 1014 Chapel St New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 782-2280 Unique jewelry, clothes, and accessories for women at this award winning boutique.

ORANGE Hawley Lane Shoes 500 Boston Post Road Orange, CT 06477 (203) 891-9999 Women’s and men’s casual and dressy shoes featuring top shoe and boot brands.

WEST HAVEN Peschell’s Cake & Pastry, Inc. 107 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 (203) 933-1766 Since the 1950’s baking fine Italian pastries and cakes.

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SHOPPING SCENE

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Artist Profile:

A. Zell Williams

Playwright – The Missing Ingredient

By Tochi Onyebuchi

I

f timely and fearless young playwrights had a uniform, it might be this: red button-down, black jeans, gray hoodie, and dreads. Add a laptop, a healthy reservoir of anger and indignation, and throw in an acute awareness of story, and you might have before you just the right ingredients for a playwright with a mind for social agendas, which is what I see when I look at A. Zell Williams, sitting across from me at Triona’s an Irish pub that, over the past two years, has become his favorite haunting spot.

We may be contemporaries and classmates, but the California native with strong Chicago ties has already garnered a slew of praise. His ensemble drama, Blood/ Money, which examines the contemporary black family and the struggle for higher education, won the inaugural David Calicchio/Marin Theatre Company Emerging American Playwright Prize. In a Daughter’s Eyes, about the daughter of an incarcerated Black Panther who seeks the help of a slain cop’s daughter to exonerate her father, collected the National New Play Network’s Smith Prize for Best Political Play. A Motherless Child, his ensemble drama focusing on the question of homosexuality in the Black community snatched up the Reverie Productions’ Next Generation Playwright’s Award and was a finalist for the Yale Drama Series Prize for Emerging Playwrights.

We’ve met to discuss one of his latest plays, The Urban Retreat, a farcical tragicomedy that wades in the tumultuous waters of hip-hop, race, and masculinity in America. Workshopped at the prestigious Kennedy Center MFA Playwrights Workshop, it recently won the New York University Goldberg Award.

The first scenes of the play came to Zell

as a reaction to the works of Tyler Perry who, for many people Zell knew, was their only frame of reference for depictions of blackness in film and theater.

“He’s bringing in audiences of color, challenging them,” Zell says.

“He’s doing something that seems important.” At the same time, Zell bristled at those one-dimensional depictions that lacked nuance.

Ultimately, the play tells the story of a struggling author hired to pen the memoirs of a rap artist which moved

Plays are vital and can effect change, but most importantly, “they give us an opportunity to reflect.” beyond a reaction to Tyler Perry, and began to tackle a larger question looming in hip hop music and culture: how do you reconcile Lil Jon and Mos Def? If rappers like Chuck D and Public Enemy can make music meant to inspire social change, what about those rappers who are in it only for the chains and the convertibles? Are they outside the Culture?

When asked what he means by ‘Culture,’ Zell responds, “I think it is a work that inherently comes from a person’s experience as a member of a community.”

He points to music as a quintessential part of the historical African American experience, Motown in particular. “[Motown] encapsulated what it meant to be black in America,” Zell says. “If you knew what good music

A. Zell Williams. Photo by Froilan Landeros

was, you knew what was going on. It was music to make people’s lives better.

Also, it was telling stories.”

Motown was a cultural representation of a certain group of people at a certain time, and Zell hopes The Urban Retreat can carry that distinction some day.

“Tupac straddles the line,” Zell contends while chuckling. “With personal narratives in ‘Dear Mama’ and ‘Brenda’s Got a Baby’ and less noble efforts like ‘What’z Ya Phone #?’ What are you trying to tell me? Are you just an entertainer?”

He could be asking contemporary playwrights as well as contemporary rappers.

“The Urban Retreat is a statement of what I feel to be a living dilemma,” Zell says. “An inside/outside view of being an African American male in 2012.”

The play is especially timely given the nation’s preoccupation with labeling itself a “post-race society;” “We aspire, but we are not there.”

“I used to believe that plays can fix the world,” Zell says.

Time has moderated Zell’s vision. Plays are vital and can effect change, but most importantly, “they give us an opportunity to reflect.”

It is in that moment that Zell shows off the final ingredient for a playwright of his agenda, not only a message and an enthusiasm in communicating it, but the ability, a gift even, for listening.

GROOVE

17

ARTS & LIFE

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1-877-687-1133 startbank.com Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

ARTS & LIFE

18

GROOVE

www.gianninis.com

Gourmet Pizza Authentic Northern Italian cuisine with fresh ingredients Serving beer and wine for your pleasure Catering trays available Three course lunch special: Soup or salad Pasta, fish or chicken Dessert Only $10.99 Three course dinner special: Includes free glass of wine | Only $14.99

Open 7 days 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Free delivery ($10 minimum) 1195 Main St., Branford, CT 06405 | Ph: (203) 488-2900 | Fax: (203) 488-9301

Dine-1-1

Gourmet dinners to go Custom catering, baker y cakes to order

Prepared Food Pasta Sauces Salad Bread Full bakery Store hours: Monday-Friday | 2 pm-7 pm 26A Selden Street, Woodbridge, CT 06525 | www.dine-1-1.com PH: (203) 298-9550 | FAX: (203) 298-9551

GROOVE

Photo by Sean Elliott

BRANFORD Town of Branford Park and Recreation Department

East Haven Town Beach Cosey Beach Ave.

Connecticut Shoreline Bike and Boat Tour

46 Church St. (203) 488-8304

Farm River State Park

Lake Salton Stall

GUILFORD

67 Park St. (203) 856-7263 Touring bicycle guides of the excursions all over the CT Shoreline and New York City

Town of Guilford Parks and Recreation Department

HAMDEN

400 Hosley Ave.

Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise 34 Sachem Rd. (203) 488-8905 45 minute boat cruise of the Thimble Islands, also available for private parties and dinners.

CLINTON Chamard Vineyards 115 Cow Hill Rd. (860) 664-0299 Tours and wine tastings, and a wine bar featuring an after hours singer songwriter performance series.

EAST HAVEN Town of East Haven Recreation Department 71 Hudson St. (203) 468–3367

Short Beach Rd.

32 Church St. (203) 453-8068

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail

Chaffinch Island Rd.

940 Whitney Ave. (203) 287-2579 Biking, hiking trails from Farmington to New Haven.

Jacob’s Beach

Lake Wintergreen

Chaffinch Island Park

Seaside Ave.

Lake Quonnipaug Route 77

Bittner Park Route 77, South of Route 80

West Rock Park Main St. (203) 946-6521

Sleeping Giant State Park 200 Mt. Carmel Ave. (203) 287-5658 Hike, Trails, Picnics

Mill Pond North River St.

MADISON

Long Hill Park

Beach and Recreation Department

Long Hill Rd.

8 Campus Dr. (203) 245-5623

East Wharf Beach, Surf Club and West Wharf Beach

Hammonasset Beach State Park 1288 Boston Post Rd. (203) 245-2785

MILFORD Public Municipal Beaches Anchor Beach Beach Ave. & Village Rd.

Gulf Beach Gulf St. & Old Field Ln.

ARTS & LIFE

PARKS & ACTIVITIES

19

ARTS & LIFE

20

GROOVE Hawley Ave. Beach Between Bonsilene St. & Wall St.

Lighthouse Point Park and Carousel

525 Orange Center Rd. (203) 891-4790

Lufbery Park

Disc Golf Course

Marcus Cooke Park

2 Lighthouse Rd.

Middle Beach Between Belmont St. & Usher St.

Pardee Rose Garden, Greenhouse and Center

Walnut Beach

180 Park Rd.

Viscount Dr. and Broadway

Silver Sands State Park DeMaio Dr. and Meadowside Rd. (203) 735-4311 Beach and newly constructed boardwalk.

West River Memorial Park 200 Derby Ave.

West Rock Park Wintergreen Ave.

Edgerton Park

525 Orange Center Rd.

Old Rock Hill Rd.

Nature Trails:

Pragemann Park

High Plains Community Center, the Paul Ode trails, the Housatonic Overlook at Tucker’s Ridge, Fred Wolfe Park Trails on Hollow Rd., Race Brook Tract on Race Brook Rd. and Camp Cedarcrest on Mapledale Rd.

75 Cliff St. (203) 946-6086

WALLINGFORD

NEW HAVEN Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees

NORTH NAVEN North Haven Recreation Center

6 Fairfield Blvd.

(200) 294-2120

7 Linsley St. 203-239-5321 ext. 530

Bertini Park

720 Edgewood Ave. 203-946-8027

East Rock Park Cold Spring and Orange St.

Edgewood Park Edgewood Ave.

Wharton Brook State Park 650 Washington Ave. (203) 287-5658

ORANGE Town of Orange Park and Recreation Office

Cheshire Rd.

Wallingford Parks and Recreation

West Dayton Hill Rd.

Community Lake Park West Shore of Community Lake off Hall Ave.

Doolittle Park South Elm St.

Oak St. , Yalesville

Gouveia Vineyards 1339 Whirlwind Rd. (203) 265-5526 Music every Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

WEST HAVEN West Haven Parks and Recreation 190 Kelsey Ave. West Haven, CT 06516 (203) 937-3651

Public Municipal Beaches: Sea Bluff Beach, Altschuler Beach, Baybrook Beach, Bradley Point Park and Promenade, Captain Thomas Blvd., Dawson Ave. Beach/Abbott Park, Morse Beach, Oak St. Beach, Peck Beach and Sandy Point

GROOVE

By Christina Andrioti

Our picks of the leading art, foodie and cultural happenings around New Haven County in the summertime.

1

Yale University Art Gallery

5

Cluefest 10

2

International Festival of Arts & Ideas

6

Shoreline Wine Festival

7

Shakespeare in the Park

8

Milford Oyster Festival

This summer catch a glimpse of the gilded innovative past in America Rising, part three of the year long exhibit Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery. Artworks will bring to life America’s Gilded Age and illuminate the story of America’s expansion during the industrial revolution and the West’s Gold Rush.

1111 Chapel St May 8–July 8

T h e

b e s t

p i z z a

i n

t o w n

Mon-Thurs: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. | Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. | Sun: Noon-1 a.m.

A two week festival features a smorgasbord of great international thinkers, artists, and performers.

Discover the culinary treasures of New Haven’s leading restaurants and bars with the Foodie Tours and Foodie Experiences. More details of programming seek pages 7 and 8.

New Haven June 15-30

3

Yale Summer Cabaret

A not to be missed underground theater full of merry drinks, eats and the performances of 50 Nights: A Festival of Stories.

The theater welcomes three plays this season each embracing and exemplifying the art of storytelling.

217 Park St, New Haven June 20-August 19

We accept SCSU Hoot Loot Cards We accept all major credit cards Downtown New Haven, Westville, FREE DELIVERY: Woodbridge and Hamden (Catering available to all areas)

$2 off any lunch order of $10 or more.

With this coupon, not valid with other offers.

883 Whalley Ave, New Haven

Ph: (203) 389-9474 Fax: (203) 392-3574

Offer expires 8/15/12 Daily lunch specials: Dine in or pick up only

www.westvillepizza.com

4

From Hops to Hope Charity Beer Festival

The fine folks of the Madison Wine Exchange produce this craft beer fest at the Deacon John Grave House.

This summer’s tastings festival will feature 40 American microbreweries.

Tickets cost $30. All money raised will benefit the Sarah Foundation.

581 Boston Post Rd Madison July 15 1pm- 5pm

New Haven’s annual city-wide free scavenger hunt sponsored by the many talented, Group With No Name, (TGWNN). People will run, bike or drive around the city solving clues; learn mind blowing history; and partying until the stars come out at the final secret location.

3pm Registration, Scavenger Hunt starts 4pm Pitkin Plaza, 141 Orange St, New Haven Saturday, July 21

A summer tastings festival hosted

by Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market and Winery. This shoreline event celebrates Connecticut wine with musical performances and more.

August 11-12, 2012 1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford

Theater under the stars at tranquil Edgerton Park. The Elm Shakespeare Company stages, Macbeth, this season. Performances commence at 8pm every night. Recommend bringing fine wine, food, and friends.

75 Cliff St, New Haven August 16-19, 21-26 & 28-September 2

Huge festival attracting about 50,000 people a year. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Milford. This festival celebrates the important history of the oyster industry that once was. Great free Rock concerts; over 200 arts and crafts vendors; children’s amusement rides; a classic car show; and many more activities.

Saturday, August 18 10am to 6pm 2 Broad St, Milford

ARTS & LIFE

8 MUST-DO SUMMER EVENTS

21

GROOVE

ARTS & LIFE

22

maGazinE

GROOVE Get involved!

GROOVE

maGazinE

We at Groove Magazine like to think of Groove as a community oriented, culture enriched publication that thrives with the hand of those who understand how vital music and the arts are on a local level. Every day is an opportunity to make our cities a more pleasant place to live through music, the arts, education and networking. If you are interested in lending a hand with Groove and your local scene, please email us at: info@groove-mag.com Editors, freelance writers, graphic designers, photographers wanted!

maGazinE

GROOVE

23

Coffee Shops & Cafes OF NEW HAVEN

By Kelley Bligh

Photo by Charlotte Greene

its name suggests, the café doubles as a used book store, which is reflected in every part of the little coffee shop from the rows of books lining the seating area to the names of sandwiches (which parody classics with names such as “Jane Rare,” “Hamingway and Cheese,” and “A Tale of Two Turkeys”). Their sandwiches range from $6.95 to $7.95.

They also offer an array of soups and salads, and of course, coffee and teas. The seating area is completely enclosed in glass and there is

an outdoor seating area as well.

Bella’s Café has a much different atmosphere at 896 Whalley Ave. Instead of a grab ‘n’ go coffee shop, Bella’s can only be described as a stylish cafe with a sit down atmosphere and a menu extending much farther than sandwiches and salads. It offers breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Friday and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Its menu ranges from eggs and omelets, to waffles and French toast, to gourmet sandwiches and burgers. Breakfast prices

ranges from $5.95 to $14.95, lunch prices range from $6.95 to $12.95, and brunch prices from $10.95 to $16.95. Bella’s also gives back to the New Haven community to charities such as Connecticut Food Bank, New Haven Public Schools, and others.

Koffee on Audubon, another New Haven hot spot, finds its home at 104 Audubon St. Unlike regular cafes and coffee shops, Koffee on Audubon is open as late as 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 12 a.m.

Thursday through Saturday, with Koffee Afterdark serving beer, wine, and cheese every day after 5 p.m. as an escape from the bar scene. It provides a more relaxed atmosphere than a typical rowdy bar for easier and better conversation.

Koffee’s food menu consists of sandwiches, salads, and soups and is pretty concise while its coffee menu contains just about every variation of coffee and espresso you could dream of.

So if you ever find yourself on the streets of New Haven looking for some good food, a cup of coffee, and an atmosphere you could only find in New Haven, you won’t have to look very far. Every café is unique in and of itself but also to its surroundings.

Step into any one and you can find a little slice of what New Haven is all about.

DINING

I

n a city of 18.9 square miles, there are 764 full service restaurants. Coffee shops make up a fair share of these with at least one found around every corner for workers, busy college students, or anyone looking for a boost or a quick bite. New Haven coffee shops and cafes are not just your average Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts though. They are much, much more, enriched with the character of both the city and the people that live there.

With locations at both 84 Wall St. and 276 York St., Blue State Coffee truly embraces the essence of the area by serving locally made pastries as well as local produce and eggs.

It serves salads ranging from $4 to $6, sandwiches ranging from $4 to $7.25, and breakfast choices such as breakfast sandwiches and pancakes. Its menu has vegan and gluten free options.Blue State Coffee not only uses locally made food, but also gives directly back to the community with every sale it makes. According to its website, it “donates 2% of sales to local non-profit organizations voted on by [its] customers.”

The Book Trader Café, at 1140 Chapel St. echoes the artsy feel of the surrounding neighborhood, with Yale University School of Art just around the corner. This café offers more than just coffee and tasty sandwiches. As

Photo by Charlotte Greene

GROOVE

DINING

24

DINING BRANFORD

Lenny’s Indian Head Inn

168 Montowese St. (203) 483-5426 Classic Northern Italian dishes with a contemporary twist.

205 South Montowese St. (203) 488-1500 Family friendly restaurant with a great water view and a specialty in seafood.

Chowder Pot

Mango’s Bar and Grille

Assaggio’s Restaurant

560 East Main St. (Rte.1) (203) 481-2356 Known for its delicious seafood, ribs, and nightly entertainment.

988 Main St. (203) 483-7700 An island twist on classic American food and a very friendly dining area.

Dockside Seafood and Grille

Parthenon Diner

Block Island Rd. (203) 488-3007 Fresh seafood that is reasonably priced with beautiful waterfront views and a friendly atmosphere.

374 East Main St. (Rte.1) (203) 481-0333 Excellent food quality and price.

Open 24 hours with good service and perfect for family dinners at the diner.

Eli’s on the Hill

SBC Restaurant and Brewery

624 West Main St. (203-488-2700) Classic American food and a wide variety of draft beer.

850 West Main Street (203) 488-3663 Known for its 27 home brewed beers and casual dining atmosphere.

Jalapeno Heaven

Shoreline Café

40 North Main St. (203) 481-6759 A casual Mexican restaurant with an authentic Mexican taste in every dish.

1247 Main St. (203) 488-2600 Open for breakfast and lunch, this cafe offers sandwiches, salad bar,

delicious burgers and amazing stuffed breads baked fresh everyday.

restaurant with a great outdoor patio area.

Waiting Station

GUILFORD

1048 Main St. (203) 488-5176 Covered with local art and their daily specials written colorfully on a blackboard serves breakfast all day.

The greatest bacon cheeseburger on the shoreline.

EAST HAVEN Antonio’s Ristorante 672 Main St. (203) 469-2386 Traditional Italian cuisines made with always fresh ingredients in a quiet atmosphere.

The Rib House 16 Main St. (203) 468-6695 The best restaurant for ribs in a comfortable atmosphere and an exceptional quality of food.

Sandpiper Restaurant 161 Cosey Beach Ave. (203) 469-7544 Family-friendly and casual seafood

Anthony’s of Guilford 2392 Boston Post Rd. (203) 453-4121 Fine Italian dining with the best traditional Italian food in town.

First Garden Chinese Restaurant 381 Boston Post Rd. (203) 458-2145 A very friendly and welcoming Chinese restaurant. Eat-in or takeout.

Forte’s Deli 1153 Boston Post Rd. (203) 453-4910 Amazing variety of sandwiches, meats, cold cuts, and bread.

Guilford Mooring 505 Whitfield St. (203) 458-2921 Traditional New England seafood restaurant on the water in Guilford.

GROOVE atmosphere.

Buy 1 item, get 1

FREE

At participating locations. Not valid with any other offer.

Free item of equal or lesser value. Not valid on quarts, gallons or party buckets. Limit one offer per guest.

The Beach House

MADISON Café Allegre 725 Boston Post Rd. (203) 245-7773 Friendly and casual atmosphere with a great selection of Italian food along with outstanding lobster.

Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale 1301 Boston Post Rd. (203) 245-7289 Their specialty is delicious local seafood and great homemade ice cream.

Malone’s 56A Academy St. (203) 245-6161 The perfect spot to go for steak, seafood, and homemade soups.

Known as a true locals spot in Madison; it’s the place to eat and enjoy a conversation.

The Wharf Restaurant

The Hidden Kitchen 705 Boston Post Rd. (203) 458-7806 Lives up to its name tucked away from the Post Road bustle, but offers some of the best breakfast food on the shoreline.

KC’s Restaurant and Pub 725 Boston Post Rd. (203) 453-0771 Casual American restaurant perfect for dining with friends and family.

The Place Restaurant 901 Boston Post Rd. (203) 453-9276 With seating on tree stumps, everything cooked outdoors, and the scent of fresh seafood this truly is the place to eat in Guilford.

Quattro’s 14 Water St. (203) 453-6575 Exceptional Italian food including more than 30 sauces, pork, chicken, pasta dishes, and seafood.

Shoreline Diner and Vegetarian Enclave 345 Boston Post Rd. (203) 458-7380 Vegetarian specialty diner.

Stone House 506 Whitfield St. (203) 458-3700 On the marina, it’s a fine dining restaurant with exceptional seafood and steaks.

Whitfield’s 25 Whitfield St. (203) 458-1300 Overlooks the historic Guilford Greene and provides delicious food along with a relaxing

MILFORD

94 W Wharf Rd. (203) 245-0005 Part of the Madison Beach Hotel, it offers beautiful waterfront views from all outdoor seats and is a classic New England seafood spot.

Zhang’s Restaurant 44 Boston Post Rd. (203) 245-3300 The perfect spot for excellent Chinese and Japanese food where every dish is prepared beautifully and timely.

141 Merwin Ave. (203) 877-9300 Fine dining with fresh seafood and Italian cuisine. Live music and exclusive wine list.

Bin 100 100 Lansdale Ave. (203) 882-1400 Spanish and Asian dishes in a romantic atmosphere with an extensive wine list.

Citrus 56 S Broad St. (203) 877-1138 Martinis, American-Caribbean fusion in a great little nightlife spot.

Jeffrey’s Bistro by Claudio 501 New Haven Ave. (203) 878-1910 Elegant American cuisine and fresh atmosphere. Beautiful patio dining in the summer, right on the Indian River.

Sakura Garden 1201 Boston Post Rd. (203) 877-8884 Large Sushi and Asian Buffet.

Sloppy Jose’s 186 Hillside Ave. (203) 878-9847 Milford’s oldest Mexican Restaurant with huge selection of tequila.

DINING

269 East Main St. Branford, CT 06405 (203) 488-3263

25

26

GROOVE Basta Trattoria,

Café Romeo

1006 Chapel St. (203) 772-1715 Upscale Italian cuisine in a cozy spot.

Cute outdoor seating.

534 Orange St. (203) 865-2233 Salads, sandwiches, and coffee.

Fresh, fun and hoppin’. Large outdoor seating area.

Black Bear Saloon

The Cask Republic

188 Willow St. (203) 773-9870 You want the best wings in town? Go here. They are exquisite.

124 Temple St. (203) 562-2327 American Fare: Pizza, salads, burgers, pub-style restaurant and bar. Great venue for watch sports or for happy hour. Also with a location in the Milford mall.

Athenian Diner

Brazi’s Restaurant

c.o. jones

DINING

Archie Moore’s

NEW HAVEN Abate Apizza and Seafood 129 Wooster St. (203) 776-4334 Another solid restaurant on Wooster Street.

127 Wooster St. (203) 776-4825 Traditional Italian cuisine. You can’t go wrong with pizza, pasta, or a sub.

1426 Whalley Ave. (203) 397-1556 Greek, Italian, and Jewish dishes.

Either a solid breakfast or a late night spot. Easy to park. Right by the Merritt, if you need a little food before the long ride home.

Anna Liffey’s

Atticus Bookstore and Café

Anastasio’s

17 Whitney Ave. (203) 773-1776 The place you go for an Irish pub food in New Haven. Active, fun atmosphere with bands, friends, and sports.

1082 Chapel St. (203) 776-4040 Coffee, soup, salads, sandwiches, desserts and of course, Chabaso bread.

Open Monday-Sunday Lunch 11:30-3 p.m.

Dinner 5-10 p.m.

Mon-Sun. 5-7 pm | Dinner for 2: $20.00 with any 1 vegetable dish and any 1 chicken dish with 1 plain nan (Dine in only) 45 Grove St., New Haven (203) 777-3234 www.sitarnewhaven.com

201 Food Terminal Plaza (203) 498-2488 Upscale fine Italian dining. Great right before the show at Long Wharf Theatre.

Bru Room at BAR 254 Crown St. (203) 495-1111 Brick oven pizza (mashed potato is a must have), large salads, and authentic beer selection.

179 Crown St. (475) 238-8335 American fare and pub food, extensive and exclusive beer collection. From sports to happy hour to raging music, Cask covers it.

969 State St. (203) 773-3344 Fun friendly atmosphere. New Haven needs this Mexican place and you need to check it out. Complimentary burrito bar at happy hour.

Consiglio’s 165 Wooster St. (203) 865-4489 An institution since the 1930s. Classic Wooster Street.

9-11 pm FREE TACOS EVERY TUESDAY FREE WINGS EVERY WEDNESDAY LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT JUNE 15 | Travis Winkley 16 | T RAY 22 | PJ Tautkus 23 | Addison Station 29 | Travis Winkley 30 | T RAY

JULY 1 | The Degenerates 2 | Reggae Monday 3 | Travis Winkley Band 4 | Addison Station 5 | PJ Tautkus 6 | Travis Winkley

LENNYSONTHEBEACH.COM | (860) 598-4484 88 HARTFORD AVENUE, OLD LYME, CT

GROOVE LOCAL • 1 HOUR FREE PARKING! • FREE WIFI • EVERYONE CAN SHOP!

local grocery store

Delaney’s Restaurant & Tap Room 882 Whalley Ave. (203) 397-5494 The Westville bar. College kids tend to stay away, maybe because the locals have it on lock down. Quality beers and great burgers.

Elm City Market natural food market

gourmet grocery store

Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill

meat & seafood

fruits and vegetables

prepared foods

grocery

the local grocery store

created by the people,

FOR ALL PEOPLE

to have affordable, fresh foods,

bakery

bulk + more!

5

$ OFF your purchase of

$25 or more

sell local foods & products, provide 1 hour free parking, with delicious prepared foods & a place to meet in a free wifi cafe

COME SEE FOR YOURSELF!

everyone can shop!

you don’t have to be a member to shop at ECM!

Open Monday - Saturday from 8am - 9pm & Sunday from 9am - 8pm

CHAPEL & STATE• NEW HAVEN, CT • 1 HOUR FREE PARKING www.elmcitymarket.coop • facebook.com/elmcitymarket

Mezcal 14 Mechanic St. (203) 782-4828 Authentic Mexican cuisine where it is done with passion.

Modern Apizza 874 State St. (203) 776-5306 Another classic New Haven pizza restaurant up there with the elite.

Nica’s Market 603 Orange St. (203) 787-5919 Gourmet market with great sandwiches and prepared foods coming straight from authentic family recipes.

House of Chao

Olde School Saloon and Bistro

898 Whalley Ave. (203) 389-6624 The best General Tsao’s Chicken ever. A New Haven institution for more than 20 years. If you’re in the mood for Chinese, go here.

418 State St. (203) 772-0544 Fine dining in a classy environment.

Some of the best steak and seafood you will find in New Haven. Vintage bar and speakeasy feel.

J.P. Dempsey’s

P & M Orange Street Market

974 State St. New Haven, CT (203) 624-5991 Neighborhood bar. Large beer selection. Weekday happy hour.

721 Orange St. (203) 865-1147 Sandwiches, meals to go, groceries, outdoor seating and catering.

Katz’s Restaurant and Deli

157 Wooster St. (203) 865-5762 Thin crust pies. World-renowned pizza restaurant.

1658 Litchfield Tpke.

(203) 389-5301 New York Deli at it’s best. Big portions – soup, salads, and sandwiches.

Whatever you do, get pastrami.

966 Chapel St. (203) 772-3002 Quaint spot around back of Zinc, a hidden gem. Great artisan pizza, happy hour and a patio.

COUPON GOOD THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2012 • groove

One coupon per transaction, per customer. No cash value.

Not valid on beer or gift cards. No reproductions accepted.

Only accepted when presented at time of purchase.

806 State St. (203) 777-6670 Fresh pasta, Italian elegance, patio in the back is a gem.

271 Crown St. (203) 777-7700 Fresh ingredients, spicy authentic Spanish-Mexican fusion. Great patio and vibrant scene for 25 to 45 year olds.

Kitchen Zinc

near the train & all bus lines

L’Orcio

Kumo 7 Elm St. (203) 562-6688 Sushi, hibachi, steakhouse, and bar.

Fun environment. Also with a location in Hamden.

Pepe’s Pizzeria

Prime 16 172 Temple St. (203) 782-1616 The best beer and burger selection in the county – hands down.

Royal Palace 32 Orange St. (203) 776-6663 Upscale Chinese dining. Authentic dishes and a flavorful selection.

DINING

777 Chapel St. (203) 624-0441 Coop grocery store with deli, sandwich bar, salad bar, and hot food bar. Very fresh and revitalizing environment.

27

28

GROOVE Sally’s Apizza

Yorkside Pizza

237 Wooster St. (203) 624-5271 The original. Must go. Family classic.

288 York St. (203) 787-7471 A Yale classic. Next door to Toad’s.

Grab a slice before the show or have a nice family dinner.

Sitar

DINING

45 Grove St. (203) 777-3234 Indian cuisine at its finest. Sevenday lunch buffet and weekday happy hour.

Soul De Cuba 283 Crown St. (203) 498-5342 Searching for Cuban? Go no further.

Classic dishes in a cozy environment.

Don’t leave without trying the mojitos – delicious.

Thali 4 Orange St. (203) 777-1177 Flavorful and delicious. A ninthsquare must try.

Temple Grill 152 Temple St. (203) 773-1111 Great sandwiches and pasta, but this is the place to go to create your own salad.

Tre Scalini

Zinc 964 Chapel St. (203) 624-0507 Another New Haven classic restaurant going strong. From locals, to the Yale community, to visitors, this is a favorite.

NORTH HAVEN Bellini’s Italian Cuisine and Pizza 2 Broadway (203) 234-2221 A bright and welcoming Italian restaurant with consistent quality in every dish.

Outback Steakhouse 345 Washington Ave. (203) 985-8282 Known for its delicious steak dishes and bloomin’ onion appetizer.

Outback brings Australia to North Haven.

ORANGE

100 Wooster St. (203) 777-3373 Upscale Italian dining in a beautiful environment. A Wooster Sreet exclusive destination.

Baja’s

Union League Café

185 Boston Post Rd. (203) 795-9055 Spicy quality Indian cuisine. Daily buffet and weekend brunch. Will soothe the soul.

1032 Chapel St. (203) 562-4299 A New Haven dynasty and worldrenowned restaurant – the best of the best. Dress to impress. Go in with your girlfriend, leave with your wife.

Westville Pizza 883 Whalley Ave. (203) 389-9474 Classic pizza shop with fresh pizza and subs. Good for lunch, take-out, and catering.

Wicked Wolf Tavern 144 Temple St. (203) 752-0450 Classic Irish fare and beer. Young college crowd after 10 p.m.

63 Boston Post Rd. (203) 799-2252 Pure Mexican joint.

Coromandel Cuisine of India

Hayama Japanese Steakhouse 199 Boston Post Rd. (203) 795-3636 Hibachi style. Fun environment and good food.

Thai House 200 Boston Post Rd. (203) 795-3088 Flavorful and delicious dishes. Get out here if you can.

Wasabi Japanese Restaurant 350 Boston Post Rd. (203) 795-5856

Sushi and Japanese. Great for lunch or take-out.

WALLINGFORD wLos Mariachi’s 105 North Colony St. (203) 265-1838 Unique authentic Mexican dishes.

Well known for its margaritas.

Serafino’s Ristorante 72 South Turnpike Rd. (203) 265-1244 Excellent Italian dishes and a convenient location with a comfortable dining area.

WEST HAVEN 744 West Restaurant

Daiko Japanese Restaurant 400 Derby Ave. (203) 392-3626 Huge Sushi and Sake selection.

Dive Bar and Restaurant 24 Ocean Ave. (203) 933-3483 Gourmet burgers, salads, and appetizers, but known for their microbrews.

Georgie’s Diner 427 Elm St. (203) 933-1000 Cozy diner food and no shortage of vegetarian options.

R.C. Spreyer’s

744 Boston Post Rd. (203) 934-5726 Fresh seafood, steak, and sandwiches.

631 Campbell Ave. (203) 931-1777 Casual sports bar and local hangout, downtown West Haven, known for their Bloody Mary’s.

Biagetti’s Restaurant

Oyster River Tavern

77 Campbell Ave. (203) 934-7700 Family owned, classic Italian dishes.

38 Ocean Ave. (203) 932-0440 Fresh seafood and large selection.

GROOVE

29

The Return of the Capitol Theatre

By Mike Sembos

Shapiro said. “The way we’re going to treat the Capitol Theatre is to really treat it to be optimized for live music. The sound and the lights will stay there, for one, which isn’t always the case with theaters. And this room is famous for its acoustics. This guy Thomas Lamb built it. He’s the most preeminent builder of theatres in American history, really. He built this place in 1926.”

The uniquely-shaped 1,835-seat room has a 65-foot domed ceiling, a planetariumlike feature of the building that will be utilized to its maximum potential with the use of hi-tech projections. Not just behind the bands, but all around the theater.

Bowery Presents, who books for The Bowery Ballroom, Terminal 5 and the Music Hall of Williamsburg, has joined a partnership with Shapiro to attract some of the biggest names in the business.

“I think we’ll have top tier bands,” Shapiro said. “Some of the best live bands in music today are hopefully going to play there. We’re going to try and get everybody.”

Interior design will be handled by Tristam Steinberg, who shaped the look and feel of the aesthetically-pleasing Brooklyn Bowl.

The General Manager will be Tom Bailey who ran one of the top jazz clubs in the world the Blue Note in Manhattan , and spent 16 years with Bill Graham Presents at venues including San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium and Warfield Theatre. The

team is the best of the best culled from Shapiro’s years of experience.

“I’ll try and take the different things I’ve learned from putting on shows in different environments and different venues, and apply them,” Shapiro said. “And as a fan going to shows, we’ll take what I like, and we’ll try and push that too. We have this great team with a lot of experience, and we’re trying to collaborate together.”

For a sample of the Capitol Theatre in its heyday, search on archive.org for The Grateful Dead show on June 24, 1970 for one of the most revered Dead shows of all time. During a particularly stunning “Dark Star” suite, an audience member can be heard muttering “Oh my god,” as the band launches into the ether following the first verse.

If only these walls could talk.

Hopefully they can, and very soon they will. Either way, we’re all in for a treat later this year when it becomes official and The Cap is back.

The Capitol Theatre is located at 149 Westchester Ave. in Port Chester, NY, just one block from the Metro North station (a one-minute walk according to Google Maps). Visit TheCapIsBack.com and facebook.com/TheCapitolTheatre or follow them on Twitter @CaptiolTheatre for updates and show announcements.

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ort Chester’s Capitol Theatre is about to experience a renaissance. After being closed for almost 10 years, the theatre is set to reopen in mid- 2012 The theatre has a spot on the National Registry of Historic Places and has played host to legendary shows by The Rolling Stones, Derek and the Dominos, Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, and The Grateful Dead.

For local music fans, this is like Christmas, New Year’s and the Fourth of July, all rolled into one. It’s the kind of thing we dream about but never expect to actually happen.

Music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro is the man leading the charge and signing the lease. Shapiro owned the environmentallyconscious New York City club Wetlands from 1997 until its closing in 2001, and currently owns the wildly successful Brooklyn Bowl, where live music and bowling come together in perfect hipster harmony. He also founded the Jammy Awards, is publisher of Relix magazine and was the producer of “Tie-Dyed,” a 1995 documentary about Grateful Dead fans. Shapiro is a modern-day Bill Graham, a true music impresario and fan intent on cultivating the ideal concert experience.

He promises that The Cap, as the Capitol is known, is going to be someplace special “With a lot of theaters around the country where concerts take place, music happens there, but they host many other things too,”

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MEET THE McLOVINS

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t was a Fall day back in 2008 when Jake Huffman, Jason Ott, and Jeff Howard were hanging out and playing some music.

Just like any other average group of teens, they were having fun, messing around in their basement, but this time they decided to record it. The famous Phish song “YEM (You Enjoy Myself)” was played beautifully.

And when all was said and done, they had a little piece to throw up on YouTube. “Let’s just see what happens,” says Huffman.

They were hoping for at least a little response but never in their wildest dreams could they have guessed what happened next. The video blew up. With 200,000 views in one week, instant success happened and another YouTube miracle had been born.

Ken Huffman explains: “You know that site Phantasy Tour? Well, someone got hold of this video and next thing you know it has 200,000 hits.”

PhantasyTour.com is a website for “Phans” of Phish as they refer to themselves. Tour rumors, ticket trading,

Photo by Casey Roche

By Oliver Collins

Phish paraphernalia, stories about the band members’ childhoods, and anything you can possibly imagine about the band is posted on this message board.

“People started contacting them asking what the name of their band was, and they didn’t even have a name. They quickly came up with The McLovins and it has stuck ever since,” Huffman explains. “Even Tom Marshall, the lyricist for Phish, wrote three songs for The McLovins. That’s a sign of high respect.”

“An interesting story about that too, The General Counsel of McDonald’s came after them and we ended up winning that fight ”, Huffman said as he pointed to the patent he proudly displayed on his wall.

The boys, Jake Huffman (drums, vocals), Ott (bass, vocals), Justin Berger (guitar, backing vocals) and Atticus Kelly (guitar, backing vocals) were kickin’ back on the couch, relaxed as ever, ready for the interview. They had the boyish grins of college freshmen, without a care in the world. They were a little feisty, as this was

rehearsal night, but little shots at fame like this , were well received.

G: Who would you cite as your biggest influences?

Ott: I have always been a fan of classical music. It influenced me from a young age. I also enjoy rock music. Some of my favorite bands are Slipknot, The White Stripes, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, and the Grateful Dead – also Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke.

Huffman: I enjoy rhythmic music, drum groups, shuffles. Paul Simon was a major influence.

Kelly: Saxophonist John Coltrane and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel.

Berger: Kurt Rosenwinkel and Les Montgomery.

G: When did you meet and start playing music together? When did you first realize the McLovins’ potential as a band?

Ott: I originally met Jake at a jazz camp we were both enrolled in and soon became friends with him. He had met Jeff at

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forced out. The band life started to get to Jeff and we started to have different views on where we were going and wanted to go. School started to get stressful for Jeff, and he wanted to be able to focus more on other things besides the band.

It was a friendly parting of ways. It was frustrating to see bad messages about the departure when it really was clean. Jeff even put a post up on his Facebook to get the message out that we had no differences and he just felt like it was time to move on.

Huffman: We view it as a positive. This has given us a chance to reinvent ourselves.

We are taking more risks now. I think I have gotten better as a drummer since.

G: What is your favorite song to play live?

Justin: ‘Hell Yeah.’

Atticus: ‘Jessica.’ ‘Shakedown Street.’

Jason: ‘Birthday.’ ‘Day to Day.’ Jake: ‘Man in a Blue Coat.’ Any Paul Simon tune.

G: What are your favorite venues to play?

Entire Band: Toad’s Place in New

Haven, Nectars in Vermont, Hoops N’ Hops in Simsbury, and Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport.

G: Are you in the process of writing or recording new music for the summer?

Kelly: Of course!

Ott: We are! We’ve already written some great new songs, and have actually already been in the studio to start laying down some new tracks.

They might be young but don’t tell them that. They are ready to take the jam scene by storm in 2012.

It’s almost festival season and The McLovin’s have been invited back to the world famous Gathering of the Vibes (July 19th-22nd in Bridgeport, CT) and are ready to show some of their new tunes off. Now that they are a little more seasoned, they have a bit more experience to grind through the ups and downs of tour life. I’d like to see how the band gels over the next couple years and if Jeff ever makes a comeback. Who knows, they could be the perfect predecessors to Phish.

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another rock camp and invited us both over to jam, and it all started from that one day.

I first realized [the band’s potential] when we got lots of attention for our “YEM” cover, and saw the reaction people had to the music.

Atticus: I met Jake at the academy of the arts, Justin and Jason at University of Hartford G: What particular gigs stand out for you as a band as either a pinnacle or special?

All Answer : The Vibes . It’s just such a great venue. It feels good to be a part of something so special. Nateva is full of surprise and really cool – special to be part of the ‘epicness’ of that. One venue we felt especially on point on was Jillian’s in Albany. Vermont was a trip too because of the snowstorm. We played in a little round barn in the middle of nowhere – some kind of deer hunting lodge. I think we saw a Playboy Bunny that night too!

G: What led to the McLovins parting ways with guitarist Jeff Howard?

Ott: It was a clean break. Nobody was

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HART OF THE DEAD

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2006 Nobel Prize winner George Smoot.

“I wrote books about the beginning of where the groove, the beat, the rhythm came

“That’s the most exciting new frontier for music in this century,” Hart says. “The healing power of music. Music as medicine. Serious science

Photo courtesy of Mickey Hart

from,” says Hart. “In 1991, we thought that the Big Bang happened between 10 and 20 billion years ago. Now we know it’s 13.7 billion, thanks to George Smoot.”

Much of Hart’s work revolves around the healing properties of music, both mental and physical. Proceeds from ticket sales on the most recent tour went towards music therapy research in towns along the tour route. Music therapy isn’t as simple as playing music for someone with a particular problem, however. It’s a clinical, evidence- based health care profession.

is weighing in on what sonics can contribute as a remedy for dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s. The research is starting to come in now, so the music therapists are kind of like the foot soldiers out there trying out these techniques with music as a tool and as their healing agent.

Rhythm. Harmony. Melody.

Vibration. It’s a vibratory therapy, in a way.”

Naturally, everyone wants to hear Hart play some Dead songs, and while he isn’t one to dwell on the past, he will most certainly oblige. There are always a handful of the old

By Mike Sembos tunes mixed into the set list on any given night. Some of the new band members weren’t familiar with the material, which allowed for untainted, fresh takes on the classics.

“Grateful Dead is part of me,” he says. “I wrote some of the songs so those songs will crop up in and amongst all of this. It’s really great. It’s funny as it’s profound. Each night is a journey, and it’s not totally scripted. Not nearly scripted.

There are Grateful Dead songs, and improvisation around that structure.”

Hart doesn’t want to look back — mostly just because he’s so intent on looking forward. But he’s got nothing to hide. The past is the past, and though he has great respect for everything that happened, he doesn’t particularly find the need to keep rehashing old stories.

“My life’s really an open book,” he says. “Many open books. It’s great, because looking back on it, you never have to cover anything up. You never have to tell anybody it didn’t happen. It’s liberating. I don’t read them anyway. I don’t look back.”

The present for Mickey Hart is the Mickey Hart Band.

Check them out at the Vibes, and do your best not to hold them up against the Dead for a maximum listening experience.

“I’m really in love with this project,” Hart says. “It’s been a lot of fun. That’s one way you can tell it’s really good, when you’re having a lot of fun, and the people around you are having a lot of fun.”

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ou didn’t think we’d start a publication called Groove without chatting with a member of the Grateful Dead, did you? We spoke with Mickey Hart, one half of the Dead’s drumming duo (a.k.a. the Rhythm Devils) to discuss his latest project, The Mickey Hart Band, which will buzz, pulsate and dance into Bridgeport for Gathering of the Vibes on Saturday, July 21. The band is supporting their new album Mysterium Tremendum, a record that samples sounds from cosmic objects and events, including the Big Bang, and uses them as a foundation for the group to build upon and riff off of.

“That’s the vibratory origin of the universe,” Hart explains.

“The beginning of time and space when the blank page exploded, creating stars, planets, galaxies, the moon, the sun, Earth, us; that’s where the groove came from. What you hear are sounds that are embedded in the music. Some of them are alone. Most of them are part of the music where you really don’t notice, so it becomes part of the fabric.”

In their raw form; however, most of the sounds Hart has gathered and collected aren’t inherently musical.

“Not unless you like chirping and thumping and throbbing and pulsing,” he says.

The data is run through algorithms created by his scientifically-minded friends to mutate into a frequency range that’s more pleasing to the human ear. Friends like

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A History of Toad’s Place

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ndisturbed layers of dust hug the rafters at 300 York Street in New Haven. When the lights are off, the building is quiet. The scratched and weathered windows refuse to give light to any guts of the interior when looking in from the outside. Though the worndown appearance of Toad’s Place might imply a struggling venue, this historic rock icon is still relevant and very, very alive.

Current owner Brian Phelps walks with purpose and a steadfast gaze. His light hair and natural frown suggest a man weathered by work, but second glances reveal his perseverance and passion for his job. A serious expression gives way to a smile as he reminisces of the early days. “I used to own a karate shop around the corner, believe it or not,” he says.

The Birth of Toad’s

It was 1975 and Toad’s Place had opened not too long ago by Michael Spoerndle and two other owners with aspirations of becoming a Frenchinspired eatery. With New Haven already having established a highly regarded dining reputation, this seemed like the natural next step for Spoerndle after graduating from culinary school.

Phelps never thought much of the restaurant until one fateful day when his shop’s sign was stolen, leaving behind only shattered glass. Trying to catch the perpetrator, Phelps headed to Toad’s, believing that his thief had gone inside. He approached Spoerndle and explained the situation. The cops were subsequently called and the man behind the theft arrested. This unusual introduction sparked what would

Photo courtesy of Toad’s Place

By Hannah Woomer

become a close personal and business relationship between the two over the next few decades until Spoerndle’s death in May of last year.

Dining to Rocking

After their friendship began, Toad’s was supplementing their struggling income with local bluegrass acts – musicians like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters being amongst the first – that brought in a younger crowd. With a failing lunch and dinner menu, the kitchen was slowly phased out as the live music grew with ever more intensity.

Less than two years after their opening, Toad’s had completely transformed from a restaurant into a live music venue showcasing the budding New Haven music scene.

Phelps graduated college in 1976 and remained unsatisfied with his

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business ventures. Spoerndle gave him the opportunity to come on board as a manager for Toad’s and he agreed, taking the job with the hopes of giving himself an entertaining buffer year before he pursued other career options.

“Eventually time caught up with me,” Phelps says, now the president and sole owner of Toad’s almost 40 years later after buying out Spoerndle’s shares in 1995. “I wanted to do something in business, but I never in a million years thought it would be this.”

Live Music

This time period also marked the growing popularity of ‘80s alternative and dance music. The club scene was growing, and Spoerndle and Phelps saw this as a money-making opportunity.

They began slating some nights every week to the “Night of the Toad” with drink specials offered as DJs played their own mixes. This tradition lives on, with every Saturday night devoted to dance parties. Concerts are still played but are reserved for the other days of the week.

“College kids just want to go out and have a good time,” Phelps says. “And we wanted to offer that to them.”

Toad’s has come under some scrutiny over the years as most clubs have, with alleged liquor violations sprinkled throughout its history; the most grueling perhaps being its 90-day closing in 2007 on 142 counts of underage drinking on the primacies. Despite these incidences, serving alcohol to minors has never been their intention, with an advertised admission age of 19 to deter highschoolers from the Saturday nights. The concerts have always remained all ages with special wristbands for the over-21s.

it is clear that Phelps and his team are still incredibly capable of bringing in well-known artists. The lack of such a legendary event like the Rolling Stones concert may not be at the fault of Toad’s. It can be argued that the current college-crowd generation has different intentions and lacks the purity a concert crowd maintained three decades ago.

Surviving 37 years and seeing dozens, if not hundreds, of businesses open and close, there is something to be said for the resilience Toad’s has maintained. A rock venue of such a small size surviving for this long is virtually unheard of. In contrast to the paint-chipped doors and harsh fluorescent lights outside, there is a warm atmosphere inside the building that unexpectedly washes over you.

The sticky floors and embedded smell of beer and cigarettes offer a charming character that is only inviting. Toad’s may be in worn condition, but this historical building will be around for much longer, and it is worn with love.

Toad’s Today

Many argue that this rock venue has already seen the best of its days. In this age, most artists with similar fame to the Rolling Stones would never dream of putting on a secret show.

Our smartphones cannot be dismantled and few would leave their Internet connections at the door for a chance at seeing a huge artist – even in such a small and unique environment. Are the glory days of Toad’s behind them? A quick look at the venue’s calendar quickly reveals they are thriving.

With a successful Snoop Dogg show on March 28 and a reunion of The Darkness on May 18,

Image courtesy of Toad’s Place

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By the ‘80s, Toad’s had serendipitously begun to gain state and nation-wide attention for the world famous acts they were able to draw in. This golden age began with Billy Joel in 1980 when he recorded his song “Los Angelenos” at Toad’s for the “Songs in the Attic” live album. Then in August of ‘89, The Rolling Stones chose Toad’s as their destination for a secret show, playing for a modest crowd of approximately 700 who knew of their plans only through rumors. The show was to be kept so under wraps that the bouncers were told to inform patrons that Sons of Bob were playing. The surrounding payphones were even dismantled to prevent concert-goers from contacting any outsiders.

However, the Bob Dylan show in 1990 was anything but secret. Dylan was in town preparing for a much larger, stadium tour when he performed his first live show in 25 years at Toad’s.

Phelps described the weeks leading up to his show as “mayhem” with people leaving their parked cars in the middle of the streets the day tickets went on sale. The show sold out within a matter of minutes. Dylan’s concert at Toad’s became his longest to date, lasting over five hours while taking requests and playing some songs more than once until the crowd was satisfied. This day not only became a historical one for Toad’s, but for Dylan as well. His concerts following that special night could not match the personal touch and intimacy of his five-hour show.

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Gathering of the vibes invites families to come enjoy the music

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By Hannah Woomer

s the Gathering of the Vibes festival gears up for its 17th year, cofounder and owner Ken Hays wants the world to know that everyone is welcome.

“I think the [Grateful] Dead has always had a family atmosphere,” says Hays.

“That’s the way the music was,” and that is the way Ken and his team are aiming for the festival to be, this year included.

The Vibes festival originally started as an event called “Dead Head Heaven: Gathering of the Tribe” in 1996 as a tribute to the passing of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia that previous year.

“Myself being a long time dead head felt the incredible loss on so many levels,” Hays says. “Not only did we lose Jerry, but the music of the Grateful Dead that we all know and love. There was definitely a hole, a void.”

The Grateful Dead organization gave what Hays described as a “beautiful” tribute to Jerry Garcia at Golden Gate Park. After the organization was turned down by the mayor of New York City to do a similar tribute in Central Park, Hays says he and his friends were inspired to create an event of their own so that Jerry’s memory could live on. The Dead Head Heaven event took place in Westchester, where Hays and his friends went to school at SUNY Purchase at the time.

Once the event was ready

Photo courtesy of Gathering of the Vibes

to happen, around 3,500 dead heads showed up. Then next year, the event doubled in size, and they had to move the location, and they changed the name to Gathering of the Vibes, according to Hays.

The festival is doing well.

Ten acts played at their first event in 1996, and this year, the current 2012 lineup includes 40 acts listed on their website along with others that will join as the weeks roll on.

This festival is no longer just for the hippy. In the last few years, they have brought in some unexpected acts such as Elvis Costello, Robert Randolph, and Jane’s

Addiction. These musicians and other rock, bluegrass, soul, and funk genres have begun to draw in more people outside of the jam-band crowd, and it is clear the festival is becoming more appealing to anyone who just wants to see great live music, including kids.

Families are invited to camp in their own designated section of the festival’s campgrounds, and they also have the option of buying VIP passes for adults and their children. Hays emphasizes, “That’s something that I’m most proud about... right from the beginning we’ve had a kids corner, and tons of activities for them.”

The Kid’s Corner will be in its 13th year at the festival which is lead by Andy “The Music Man” Morse and Gabrielle Fugere. Children have many options at the festival, including face painting, participating in a community mural, making costumes, or listening to entertainers hired just for them. There are also couches, books, and puppets available for the kids to sit down, relax, and have fun.

Teens also have fun options at the festival besides seeing the live acts. “Teen Scene” at the festival lets kids play musical instruments, games, and more.

Since the festival is on the water, families can participate in workshops educating them on the surrounding marine life and environment.

“We just want to make sure we have a safe, fun, but definitely a safe place for kids to enjoy the experience along with their parents, “ Hays continued.

Despite the hard work, Hays is confident in the festival’s success.

“Last year we had the most families ever to come to vibes, more than they ever have in the past,” Hays says. “We just want that to keep happening.”

The festival will take place July 19-22 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT. For tickets and more information, please visit gatheringofthevibes.com

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Cognitive Effects of Music on the Brain

by Bo Powers

good show is a living thing.

It grows, evolves, moves. It has an organized structure yet embraces spontaneity. There is something transcendent about the whole experience that makes it difficult to describe. Perhaps most amazing is that we can walk away with a feeling that we were somehow a part of it.

I’m being poetic, of course, but I think these thoughts capture a common intuition.

As a guitarist and a music lover, I am totally satisfied with this description. But as a cognitive scientist, I wonder if there is a more precise 1

way to talk about what is happening. I claim that there is, and it’s through a principle called self-organization. But before I go into it, I should make it clear that I’m no authority. You won’t find any answers to the deep mysteries of life in this brief article.

Rather, I hope to share, in non-scientific terms, an interesting area of research which might one day be able to explain what we music fans already feel to be true.

Now, my particular focus is in language, not music.

Yet, it seems clear that these areas overlap quite a bit.

People often talk about the

communicative power of music, and there is actually mounting evidence for this.

Dr. Charles Limb spoke of some his own research in a wonderful TEDx talk titled Your Brain on Improv.1 Among other cool findings, he noticed that when two musicians trade off in improvisation, there is significant activation in Broca’s area, a region in the brain that is responsible for speech production. I only mention this to emphasize that music is not processed in some neatly roped-off “music lobe,” but rather, as with most cognitive processes,

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our experience of music is possible only through the interaction of many different brain areas (including those traditionally considered to be reserved only for language).

But, this isn’t an article about language, nor is it about musicians. It’s about selforganization: a process which I believe could be at the heart of things like language, music, and creativity in general.

The lab in which I work is concerned with models of self-organization. To describe what self-organization is, I’ll borrow an example from Steven Johnson’s Emergence.2 Think of an ant

Limb, Charles. “TEDx Events.” TED. Web. 09 Apr. 2012. www.ted.com/tedx

2 Johnson, Steven. Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software.

New York: Scribner, 2001. Print.

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colony. Most people wouldn’t consider an ant colony itself to be intelligent. It is, after all, merely a collection of rather simple, unintelligent creatures. Yet, amazingly, ant colonies do exhibit behavior over time which looks like intelligent behavior The idea is that a collection of simple units, unaware of any grand master plan, can nevertheless act together to create emergent effects at the level of the whole system.

This happens because of complicated patterns of feedback: the system takes some information as input, and the output goes back into the system itself. There is no script that these units follow; they just interact.

This framework is attractive in the study of the mind, for example, where the simple units might be individual brain cells. Mental events then could be seen as emergent outcomes of the dynamic interactions between brain cells. That’s the idea, anyway.

Although it sounds good, this theory is hard to verify, partly because of the sheer number of neurons. Right now we can only make crude, artificial versions of this. But there is evidence that of all those billions of neurons in your brain, most do not deal directly with input from the senses, or with output of behavior. Many neurons seem to be part of feedback loops, communicating with neighboring cells. These groups of cells are essentially

talking to themselves. And, despite all our sophisticated brain imaging technology, we have yet to figure out what they’re actually talking about. In fact, brain imaging studies often just subtract this feedback out as noise.3 Thinking about selforganizing systems has changed the way I view going to shows. When we are at a show, we are but one of many, and we’re all there for the same reason. The wall that exists between artist and audience is stripped away.

It’s all about interaction.

The feedback given by the audience, in response to the music, becomes just as much a part of the whole experience as the music itself.

This is why I describe show as a living thing. We all play a part—if only a small one— and no one individual directs the action.

From this perspective I don’t see a concert as being so very different from a brain or an ant colony— though, I’ve never actually heard ants lay down a tasty groove. Okay, that’s not the only difference. One might argue, for example, that the band does most of the work, such that a concert isn’t really “built from the bottom-up” like I’m suggesting.

I would respond that bands typically do rehearse and have at least some idea ahead of time what they’re going to play, so they are sort of driving the experience. But I think that’s truer for, say,

3 Sporns, Olaf. Networks of the Brain. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2011. Print.

a performance of classical music. I see improvised music as being more like a conversation than a kind of speech. And conversations certainly rely on feedback and interaction between people.

To wrap up, I just wanted to get the word out that scientists have done a lot of work on this idea: a framework that could potentially give us a way to describe those dynamics of live music that have been so mysterious since the first tribal drum circles. Instead of being otherworldly and mysterious, I think we’ll find that what’s going on is not otherworldly at all. In fact, it’s universal.

It’s the organizing principle of everything, including us!

Now that’s groovy. And, as I said earlier, it’s what we already felt anyway.

I hope I’ve been successful in sharing the wonder and awe that I feel when science connects with the metaphysical. And, if you’d like, next time you are at a show, turn to the person next to you and say, “DUDE, we’re in a giant brain right now!”

Bo Powers is a Cognitive Science major and Honors Scholar at the University of Connecticut. He recently received a 2012 SURF grant for undergraduate research to study figurative language.

He is also a musician on the independent Sektr Records label.

Comments and inquiries can be sent to robert. powers_iii@uconn.edu

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Photo by Casey Roche

MUSIC Cheshire The Funky Monkey Cafe & Gallery 130 Elm St. Watch Factory Shoppes (203) 439-9161 Open six days a week with regular music and comedy acts .

Danbury Heirloom Arts Theater 155 Main St., #103 (203) 300-5270 One of the best and most popular indie music venues in Connecticut.

Derby Twisted Vine Restaurant 285 Main St. (203) 734-2462 Italian restaurant with live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Hamden

FREE concerts every Friday at 7:30 p.m. through August on the Hamden Green.

The Space

A country bar with live country bands and line dancing.

New Haven Anna Liffey’s

295 Treadwell St. (203) 288-6400 An all ages music and arts venue geared towards indie and local music for the younger crowd.

17 Whitney Ave. (203) 773-1776 An Irish pub with a hearty menu that offers an extensive assortment of live music almost every night of the week.

The Outer Space

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295 Treadwell St. (203) 288-6400 21+ affiliate to The Space that offers a craft beer selection and local live music.

Hartford Comcast Theatre 61 Savitt Way Owned by Live Nation, one of the largest outdoor ampitheatre’s in the country holding 22,500.

254 Crown St. Nightclub, bar and “bru room” known for its warm atmosphere and offers local alternative and rock acts.

Battell Chapel 400 College St. (203) 432-4158 The ancient chapel on Yale’s campus and home to choral and classical performances.

Black Bear Saloon

The Hamden Art Commission’s Summer Concert Series

Milford

Town Green 2761 Dixwell Ave. (203) 287-2546

21 Daniel St. (203) 693-3259

Mustang Sally’s Saloon

124 Temple St. (203) 562-2327 A charming bar that plays the hits with a live DJ and the occasional live rock act.

Cafe Nine 250 State St. (203) 789-8281 “The musician’s living room” for live music almost every night.

Elm Bar 372 Elm St. (475) 238-8529 The successor to Rudy’s, a similar ambiance of the rowdy music venue that was there for more than 70 years.

Firehouse 12 45 Crown St. (203) 785-0468 Recording studio, bar, lounge and jazz concert venue with an intimate atmosphere that encourages artists to be creative.

John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts 501 Crescent St. (203) 392-6154 Semi-regular scheduled acts open to the public at Southern Connecticut State University.

GROOVE Lilly’s Pad at Toad’s Place 300 York St. (203) 624-TOAD An intimate room that offers live smooth jazz every Monday along with other local and touring acts.

Music on the Green July 21st and 28th, 7pm Artists not announced yet as of printing.

Neighborhood Music School 100 Audubon St. (203) 624-5189 Host’s Jazz, Classical and Pops concerts put on by the school’s students and faculty.

New Haven Green 165 Church St. (203) 946-802 FREE lunchtime concert series on the town green, Wednesdays JulyAugust at 12pm

(203) 865-0831 Performances at Woolsey Hall and around the state, a world renowned group.

Rudy’s 1227 Chapel St. (203) 865-1242 Fresh new ambiance, same old crew. Hosting live raging music in a neighborhood bar.

The Owl Shop 268 College St. (203) 624-3250 Historic blues venue with old-world charm that offers live jazz every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Shubert Theater 247 College St. (203) 562-5666 Non-profit performing arts theater with everything from plays, musicals, live rock, and classical recitals.

(203) 432-4158 Concert Hall on Yale’s campus.

Features Yale School of Music Concerts.

Stella Blues 204 Crown St. (203) 752-9764 21+ Bar and local rock/jam band venue popular with New Haven’s singles crowd. Open mic every Tuesday

Toad’s Place 300 York St. (203) 624-TOAD Historic all-genre concert venue with many weekly/monthly acts and Saturday night dance parties.

Wicked Wolf Tavern 144 Temple St. (203) 752-0450 DJ-based dance club. Plenty of space to enjoy your drinks and move around with their spacious rooms.

Woolsey Hall Sprague Memorial Hall 470 College St.

500 College St. (203) 432-9630 Yale’s largest concert hall and the best place in town to experience classical music.

Yale School of Music 470 College St. (203) 432-4155 Weekly classical music with elegant performances of students, in addition to national and international classical and jazz acts.

Yale Symphony Orchestra Undergraduate classical ensemble that performs during the school year.

North Haven Music Under the Stars Town Green on Church Street (203) 239-5321 FREE concerts every Tuesday at 7 p.m., June 26 through August 28.

Playbook Sports Bar & Grille 425 Washington Ave. (203) 239-6042 Sports bar that offers booking special events, comedy nights, and live bands every Friday.

Orange Bear and Grill 385 Boston Post Rd. (203) 298-0742 A rustic Adirondack bar and grill with live music and karaoke night.

Orange Ale House 517 Boston Post Rd. (203) 795-0707 In-house DJ on Friday nights with live music on Saturday nights.

Wallingford:

Jake’s Martini Bar 179 Center St. (203) 793-1782 (1PUB) Live local music Friday and Saturday nights with 150 beers to choose from on their menu.

Oakdale Theater 95 South Turnpike Rd. (203) 284-1816 Large, stadium seating theater that draws in big music acts from all over the world.

Old Dublin 171 Quinnipiac St. (203) 949-8022 Traditional Irish pub with live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; great for local Irish musicians.

Waterbury Palace Theatre 100 East Main St. (203) 346-2000 Hosting national musicians as well as Broadway musicals, operas and comedians.

Freight Street Gallery 170 Freight St. (203) 596-1234 Art gallery that also showcases local, mostly indie, musicians..

West Haven American Legion 337 Main St. (203) 933-7112 Sponsors community events including local and touring musical acts.

MUSIC

New Haven Folk Presents a monthly concert series at the Presbyterian Church in New Haven.

New Haven Symphony Orchestra

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GROOVE

Interview on the Green

By Oliver Collins

Maggie May, 28 - Branford, CT New Jersey native Research assistant for a clinical neuroscience lab at Yale University What are you up to today Maggie?

I’m taking a little break from work and then I’ll be going back to work, haha.

And how long have you been in New Haven?

About 8 months.

What is your favorite place in New Haven to go out to?

116 Crown.

What is the last place you went out to in New Haven?

Anna Liffey’s.

Nice, a delightful place I must say.

Do you have any summer vacation plans?

Not at the moment, nothing concrete.

Do you have a favorite coffee shop in New Haven?

Blue State.

What is one place you have been meaning to check out in New Haven that you haven’t gotten around to? (Restaurant or Bar) Barcelona.

Photo by Sean Elliott

Thank you to all those who so generously donated.

Your support made the dream a reality.

James Bocchieri Barbara and Rick Collins Zachary Collins Sharon Connelly The DeCoster Family Emily and Mike Faro Evan Gillespie Mike L’Italien Raymond Melendez Jennifer O’Shea

Marc O’Shea Gregg Paradise Aimee Piccin Linda Piccin Maria Riano Marissa Riano Amanda Tellier The Tredwell Family Scott Weiss Photo by Oliver Collins

GROOVE

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New campus opening August 2012 90 general classroomswmeeting spaceswcomputer labs wart gallerywlibrary & learning commonswcafeteria wearly learning centerwcollege bookstorewcommunity center wsmall business centerwculinary arts center wliteracy volunteerswhealth center w1,300 parking spaces, and

an excellent education!

Visit the college website at

GatewayCT.edu and see what’s in it for YOU!

Register Now fall classes begin September 4th