Groove Magazine, Sept. 2012

magazine

music, arts & culture for greater new haven

groovemag.com

FR

SEPT EE EM 2012 BER

Vol. 1 No. 2

backtoschool

Visual Stimulation at ArtSpace

Oaxaca Kitchen Gets Reviewed

Free Indie Shows at BAR

PAGE 7

PAGE 20

PAGE 34

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GROOVE BEST OF NEW HAVEN! – New Haven Advocate, New Haven Register

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Contents groovemag.com

14 magazine

music, arts & culture for greater new haven

groovemag.com

28

FR

SEPT EE EM 2012 BER

Vol. 1 No. 2

backtoschool

Visual Stimulation at ArtSpace

Oaxaca Kitchen Gets Reviewed

Free Indie Shows at BAR

PAGE 7

PAGE 20

PAGE 34

Publisher: Oliver Collins Editor in Chief: Jack Miller Managing Editor: Katherine Rojas Music Editor: Hannah Woomer Arts and Lifestyle Editor: Christina Andrioti Dining Editor: Tom Russo Copy Editor: Kelley Bligh Contributing Writers: Christina Andrioti, Liz Antle, Kelley Bligh, J.T. Callaghan, Oliver Collins, Jake Grubman, Kyle Murphy, Jon Ruseski, Anna Wagner, Hannah Woomer Photography Editor: Charlotte Greene Contributing Photographers: Liz Antle, Melissa Gaines, Jake Grubman, Casey Roche

Plural Work/Shop: Much More Than a Workshop

6

Letter from Publisher

ARTS & LIFE

Craft and Culture Converge at the Owl Shop

DINING 20

New Haven’s Oaxaca Kitchen

By J.T. Callaghan

7

Lots of Activity at ArtSpace

By Liz Antle

22

Dining Listings

8

free stuff in the elm city

By Jake Grubman

27

Vegetarian & Vegan Dining

By Hannah Woomer

9

Arts Listings

28

the Owl Shop: Craft and Culture

By Tom Russo

14

Plural Work/Shop

By Anna Wagner

15

SHOPPING Listings

16

8 MUST DO SEPTEMBER events

By Christina Andrioti

Art Director: Mario Recupido Contributing Graphic Designers: Maureen Leary, Gary Sandler, Katie Piccin Circulation Manager: Rich Gabriele Director of Advertising: Oliver Collins Marketing Assistant: Leah Salindong

Groove Magazine is published monthly by Groove Media from our office at 11 Osborn Ave. 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.

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MUSIC 30

Nicole Frechette: A Connecticut Country Star

By Kelley Bligh

32

Medicine Man

By Jon Ruseski

34

Free Indie Rock Shows at BAR

By Jack Miller

35

The Gypsy West: From Brooklyn to Boston

By Kyle Murphy

36

Music Listings

STUDENT SHOPPING Scene

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from the publisher

I

From the Publisher always look forward to a relaxing summer in New Haven. And I always get let down. I anticipate that more parking spaces will be available, since there are no students in town. Remember, we have five colleges/universities in this city. That’s a big deal. You’d expect shorter lines at the coffee shops. I should be able to get a drink at the bar in half the usual time. It’s supposed to be an ideal time for lazy strolls down the sidewalk. We should be able to find quick seating at a restaurant. That’s how it’s meant to be, but it never works out that way.

Six years in New Haven and you would think I’d have learned my lesson by now. The weekend after graduation, the Yale alumni come to town. And it seems every other weekend, all summer long, they invade. The EXPLO kids have a constant presence, right up until the colleges are back in session. There’s Arts and Ideas, Music on the Green,

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the New Haven Open, street events, parades, speeches — before you know it, the summer is even crazier than the rest of the year.

Ahhh, well it’s not New York City. I’d take New Haven any day, any time of the year, over any other city. It’s young, fun, (relatively) cheap, and a short drive to the beautiful shorelines of Connecticut. I’m still sold. And I’m looking forward to a great September. Fall is back in the air. This means shorter, cooler days. The leaves on the trees will soon be changing colors. Students are coming back to campus, studying in the coffee shops, walking around town in their pajamas like its nothing and performing crazy drunken charades at night. I feel like the city is coming back to life and we are all arising from our summer cocoons. The fall is New Haven at its greatest. This is how it’s meant to be.

I’ve got my energy back and I’m ready to rock.

What’s there to experience in the fall in New Haven? Where do we start? Let’s try this in reverse. The nightlife. College kids will soon be hitting the night clubs on Crown Street, so be prepared, at spots like the Lazy Lizard, Alchemy, Empire and many F SEP REE more. Look for the TE 201MBER tight t-shirts and 2 miniskirts (and then maybe go to the other side of the sidewalk). For a classic Irish Pub, there’s always Anna Liffey’s.

You can’t go wrong with their trivia nights and live music. Black Bear Saloon has the kiddies on the weekends and the business folk on the weekdays. BAR rocks just about every night of the week, but you will definitely want to check out the Wednesday night

Vol. 1 No. 2

live music in the back room (see page 34), featuring a variety of hip new bands. One of them is bound to make it big, and you can be among the first to discover them.

Can you beat reading a book on the Green in September? The trees look beautiful. You’re far enough away from the roads to experience peace, the pure delight of grass in the middle of the city.

Relax in the sun and see how New Haven offers a retreat right in the heart of town.

There’s something about going to a museum in the fall that just… fits. A little respite to see works of art is a joy.

Maybe get some apple cider, a scone and take a trip to the museum. New Haven has no shortage of those. There’s the Yale Center for British Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, the Knights of Columbus Museum, Yale’s Peabody Museum —take your pick. A couple hours of visual fun awaits.

Finally, a hot cup of coffee can’t be beat in the fall. And, well, New Haven has plenty of coffee shops. From Blue State to Koffee to Willoughby’s, BRU to Green Well, Manjares to Lulu’s (and yes, Starbucks too), the convenience is there, dark roast to light roast, from the Arts District to Downtown, East Rock to Westville. Start your day off right.

So place this copy of Groove on your coffee table this fall. Keep it there. Show it to your friends. Show it to new people in town. We are here to stay and help you enjoy this great city and its beautiful surroundings. If it involves the arts, dining or music, we will cover the scene.

We’ll show you where to sneak into the VIP section and where the quaint spots you may have never knew existed hide.

Enjoy the ride.

Oliver W. Collins

Lots of Activity

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ARTS & LIFE

at ArtSpace

By Liz Antle

F

or many, September is a time of transition. Students and professors begin a new year; Yale returns to its familiar bustle. Hot summer days turn slowly into crisp fall ones.

Artspace — one of New Haven’s leading presenters of local and national visual art — seems to follow suit this month, as its gallery walls transition from one season to the next.

“A wide range of things are happening at Artspace this September,” says Helen Kauder, Executive Director. The gallery will be wrapping up its summer shows on Sept. 15. This way everyone who was gone for the summer still has time to see the work, explains Kauder.

Artspace’s summer line-up includes three exhibitions which opened on July 27: William DeLottie presents video installation and large-scale works on paper in the exhibition, in three states of mind. DeLottie is a Connecticut native and has been exhibiting his work for over 30 years. This exhibition was organized by New Haven resident, Eric Litke.

In Interventions, Greenwich Academy’s Kristen Erickson and Erin Riley curate an exhibition from Artspace’s Flatfile — home to a rotating collection of works on paper by local and regional artists. The chosen pieces focus on human intrusions into nature and toy with reality in surprising ways.

Occupy Main Street celebrates the 12th Annual Artspace Summer Apprenticeship Program. This year, fifteen New Haven high school students had the opportunity to work with professional art-

ist (and Yale alum) Felandus Thames.

Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Thames uses a wide variety of mediums in his own work to investigate issues of race, power and body. This summer, Thames led the students in an exploration of silk-screening and branding.

Artspace’s Shannon Connors commented positively on the collaboration during this year’s program: “The students are responding incredibly well to the project — they’ve branded their class the ‘Sharpie Squad’ and are in the midst of silk-screening their hand-drawn logos onto our main gallery wall.”

The students, along with Thames, enjoyed video conferencing with artist Ryan McGinness, who is currently showing at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. The group had the opportunity to “tour” McGinness’ studio as well as ask the artist questions about silk-screening and his artistic process, said Connors.

As these exhibitions close on Sept.

15, two exhibitions will remain on view until Sept. 20: Flossing the Lot, a sitespecific public installation by Leeza Meksin at 812 Chapel St., as well as Circulation, an installation by Caroline Mak in the Crown St. Window.

During this time, Artspace will be preparing for the 15th Annual City Wide Open Studios. Each year, City Wide Open Studios features the work of numerous New Haven area artists and draws thousands of visitors to our city.

The festivities will kick-off on Oct. 5 with a group exhibition that includes works from each participating artist.

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Photo by Liz Antle

Stay tuned as this year’s exciting lineup of events unfolds.

In the beginning of the month, on Sept. 7, Artspace will again participate in On9, which began this June and has turned into an astounding success. The first Friday of each month, local businesses, restaurants and arts venues in the Ninth Square open their doors to the public for an evening of celebration.

For their debut event, Artspace organized “BYOB,” Bring Your Own Beamer, in which artists were invited to bring their own projector and screen their work on the gallery walls. Make sure to save the date for this month’s On9 and check www.on9newhaven.com for updates.

At the end of the month, on Sept. 30, they’ll host: Speed/Networking/Live!

In this third annual event, artists are invited to give a three-minute-pitch to twenty different curators and professionals, who in turn provide two minutes of feedback. Talk about intense!

One of last year’s participants raves the event was “useful and exhilarating” with an “impressive group of mentors.”

Registration closes Sept. 15 and spots fill up quickly. Don’t miss this potentially career-altering event.

And so, as Sept. finds us escaping the humidity and rolling back into the rhythm of fall, don’t forget to find your way to Artspace for what’s sure to be an exciting month.

Artspace, 50 Orange St., New Haven.

(203) 772-2709, www.artspacenh.org.

Photo by Liz Antle

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ARTS & LIFE

8

Free Stuff in the Elm City

By Jake Grubman

I

n order to have a good time it seems you almost always have to spend money. If you want to have a night out on the town or go see a show there’s usually no way around coughing up some dough. While there’s some truth to that, it is also true that as long as you’re with good company there are plenty of ways to enjoy New Haven without having to drop any cash.

There’s almost nothing better than kicking back and enjoying some music, except maybe free music. The beauty of New Haven is there are tons of bars and tons of music. All you have to do is find a couple of places you like and figure out which nights they have shows with no cover. BAR, (254 Crown St.), for example, puts on free concerts every Wednesday night.

Even venues like Toad’s Place (300 York St.) offer cover-free shows from time to time. If you sign up for their mobile VIP service (visit www.toadsplace.com for details), every once in a while they’ll send you a password to get four tickets to a show for free. One band that frequents Toad’s is New England’s very own Grateful Dead tribute band, Shakedown. As long as you’re 21 or over, you can print free passes directly from their website Shakedown.net. They play almost every month and are literally giving away tickets.

If you like the outdoors, you can see for yourself why New Haven is called the “Elm City” after hiking to the top of the ridges at East Rock and West Rock.

Or if you’re lazy you can drive to the top when the roads are open for traffic,

Photo by Jake Grubman

between Memorial Day and the end of Oct. It doesn’t cost anything and these trails are beautiful year round. There are picnic tables and barbecues at the top of East Rock and an up close and personal view of the city. There are also great trails to hike and a smooth road to

portraits and sculptures at the Yale Center for British Art (1080 Chapel St.) are very impressive and by some recognizable artists. Walk directly across the street and you’ll find the Yale University Art Gallery (1111 Chapel St.).

This museum contains art from dozens of cultures including African, Asian, European, Indo-Pacific, American, as well as modern and contemporary art, which includes some Warhols and Picassos.

The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (170 Whitney Ave.) is another museum worth visiting.

Through Sept. and June only, the Peabody offers free admission to everyone from 2 to 5 p.m. There are three floors of fun and learning, including dinosaurs, reptiles, birds and mammals, as well as exhibits showing Egyptian, Pacific and Native American cultures.

The architecture of the museum is also pretty neat and there are a plethora of things to see.

Okay, now this last one isn’t 100 percent free because you’re encouraged to spend a little money but you may want to give it a chance, regardless. Delaney’s (882 Whalley Ave.) has the most glorious happy hour special of all Photo by Jake Grubman time. Monday through Friday between 3 and 6 p.m. this awesome ride your bike. On the top of West Rock, restaurant and tap room serves free you’re a little bit higher up and there is wings in the bar — five or six hot and a breathtaking view of the New Haven spicy wings with a lot of meat on them. skyline and an almost birds-eye-view If you’re there long enough you can get of the Westville section of the city. multiple servings. Another great part On Chapel Street, there are two free of their happy hour special is buy one, art museums that belong to Yale which get one free on all beer. They give you are totally worth checking out. They’re drink tokens and you can save them for free Tuesday through Sunday for all the next time you come to happy hour and are usually not very crowded. The if you want.

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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.

Photo by Charlotte Greene

SoBoBo Art Gallery & Consortium The Sculpture Mile

Guildford Art Center

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

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

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. (203) 699-3822 Chock full of memorabilia from the past 100 years of American toys, TV figurines, cartoons and comic strips.

Fans of Gumby make your home here.

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

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 They stage performances and exhibits by local, national, and international artists. Also responsible for Concerts on the Green, Shakespeare on the Shoreline, and the Shoreline ArtSpace Series.

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

Boston Post Rd. (between Academy St. and Scotland Ave.) (860) 767-2624 Large contemporary sculptures along the Boston Post Rd. situated in the New Alliance Courtyard and around the Scranton Park Pavilion.

MILFORD Firehouse Art Gallery

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

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

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2901 Dixwell Ave. (203) 287-2546 Arts and music programming for the town of Hamden.

MADISON Madison Art Cinemas 761 Boston Post Rd. (203) 245-FILM Screenings of independent films.

Also serves as an art gallery and community center.

17 Broadway (203) 876-9829 Mix media, classes offered, and unique contemporary art exhibitions.

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ARTS & LIFE

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

ARTS & LIFE

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Lyric Hall Antiques and Conservation 27 Whalley Ave. (203) 389-8885 A Westville performing arts gem for music and theater. Also, an architecture restoration business.

Kehler Liddell Gallery Elm City Artists Gallery 55 Whitney Ave. (203) 922-2359 Artist-run art gallery. Includes all mediums from painting to photography, sculpture, to mixed media.

Elm Shakespeare Company

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

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 80 Audubon St. (203) 562-4927 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 and provides design and framing services.

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

Gallery 195 195 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.

Long Wharf Theatre 222 Sargent Dr. (203) 787-4282 Award-winning theater striving to build community through theater and presenting about 6 to 8 plays a year.

The Institute Library 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.

John Slade Ely House

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.

Knights of Columbus Museum

114 Whitney Ave. (203) 562-4183 Permanent exhibits of the New Haven Museum include information about the city’s history, art galleries, and a maritime gallery.

River Street Gallery 72 Blatchley Ave. (203) 776-3099 Gallery housed in Fairhaven Furniture, since 2004 has showcased the creative works of local artists and artisans.

Shubert Theatre 247 College St. (203) 562-5666 Legendary theater where shows like Oklahoma! made their debut before heading to Broadway. They still do theater, but music too. Recent acts include Willie Nelson, Jeff Mangum and Ray LaMontagne.

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

New Haven Museum

White Space Fine Art Gallery

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

Yale Center for British Art

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

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 Peabody Museum of Natural History 170 Whitney Ave. (203) 432-5050 Famous for its dinosaur exhibits, very kid-friendly but interesting for adults too. Permanent exhibits and seasonal exhibits.

Yale University Collection of Musical Instruments 15 Hillhouse Ave. Collections of musical instruments from around the world, 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 highquality new plays that occasionally features world-renowned actors such as Paul Giamatti (in next year’s Hamlet).

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

Yale University Art Gallery 1111 Chapel St. (203) 432-0600 The galleries permanent collections include a world tour of art from African art, American painting and sculpture, Asian art, ancient art, European art, and modern and contemporary art.

OLD SAYBROOK Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center 300 Main St. (860) 510-0473 Performing arts center for all ages serving the shoreline of Connecticut 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 Buyer and seller of American antiques.

Small goods and furniture.

ORANGE

ARTS & LIFE

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.

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ARTS & LIFE

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20 Church Street New Haven, Connecticut 06510

90 general classroomswmeeting spaceswcomputer labswart gallerywlibrary & learning commons wcafeteriawearly learning centerwcollege bookstorewcommunity centerwsmall business center culinary arts centerwliteracy volunteerswhealth center 1,300 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

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The Wednesday, August 22nd & 22nd 29th Wednesday, August 22nd from 4:00-8:00 PM& 29th from 4:00-8:00 PM from 4:00-8:00 from 4:00-8:00 PM PM workshops. from 4:00-8:00 from PM 4:00-8:00 PM from 4:00-8:00 PM center features an 800-seat theater from 4:00-8:00 PM from 4:00-8:00 PMDates: InSeptember Person Registration Saturday, September 1st urday, September 1st Saturday, Saturday, September 1st 1st Saturday, Saturday, September 1stSeptember 1st 1st and lobby Saturday, art gallery. The centerSeptember was Saturday, September 1st Saturday, September 1st from 10:00-2:00 rom 10:00-2:00 PM from 10:00-2:00 from 10:00-2:00 PM PM Wednesday, August 22nd & 29th from 10:00-2:00 from 10:00-2:00 PMPM PM from 10:00-2:00 PM designed by I.M. Pei and described as from 10:00-2:00 PM from 10:00-2:00 PM www.facebook.com/

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ARTS & LIFE

2nd me Welcome to Season!

Our to 22nd Our 22nd Season!

Season!

Welcome to Our 22nd Season!

Welcome to Our 22nd Season! come Welcome to Welcome to Our Our 22nd 22nd Season! to Our Season!

Season!

Welcome to to OurOur 22nd Season!

Welcome 22nd Season!

The 22nd Davis Gallery Ward-Heitmann House Museum

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ARTS & LIFE

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GROOVE

Plural Work/Shop: Much More Than a Workshop

A

new business with a deep rooted passion; New Haven, meet Plural Work/Shop. The new home of LayerXLayer (pronounced Layer by Layer).

LayerXLayer is an online shop that has opened its doors to the public. The owners of LayerXLayer, Patrick Turiello and Leah Fabish, have strong ethical values that not only make their business unique, but built a foundation for success.

Turiello says, “Not to toot our own horns, but we pride ourselves on being true to our values of meaningful work and ethical business practices. It’s been painful for us to watch some of our peers, for lack of a better word, “sell-out” to major corporate shops whose primary practices are to exploit cheap labor and chase trends. Somewhat related to that is the fact that [Leah and I] are both the designers and makers of our products, which gives us a greater understanding of the way things could or should be made than someone who is only one or the other.”

The shop features furniture made from recycled wood, apparel made from organic materials and items

By Anna Wagner whose purposes are unknown, even for the creators. The most popular item on their online store is a “Twig-Sawtooth” which is described as “a special little object” by the web store. Needless to say, this is not your run of the mill business and not a solo career.

Turiello said, “LayerXLayer is what we like to call a “collaborative studio.”

We seem to complement one another quite well in terms of skills and ideas, so we decided to join forces rather than work separately.”

Although Plural Work/Shop just planted its roots, there are big plans for them on the horizon.

Turiello said, “The storefront contains our products along with quality goods made by fellow makers and artists from around the country (and soon, the world). Plural is also going to be a place to collaborate with other creative folks in New Haven, and a place to share ideas and hold events.”

However, Turiello and Fabish are not strangers to New Haven.

“Both of us are originally from CT and we really love many things about the state,” says Turiello. “New Haven has a really good creative energy and

we wanted to be a part of it. Since moving back we’ve been making so many meaningful creative connections with other local folks that will hopefully result in collaborative projects. It was more important for us to be in a city like New Haven, more so than there specifically — a city that values art and creativity.”

But this was no walk in the park for LayerXLayer. In this rough economy, these post grads needed to find a way to fend for themselves.

Turiello said “LayerXLayer was something that we’ve always talked about starting someday, but it was really made possible by the lack of meaningful employment available at the time of our school graduation. Rather than wasting (more) weeks or months looking for a job during the 2008 recession, we decided to start working on various design projects whenever we had free time. Plural Work/Shop was also something we talked about creating for quite a while as well. … We considered moving here so we looked around for workspaces until we happened upon Project Storefronts. After working with them, our minds were made up and we moved here within weeks.”

Both Turiello and Fabish are artists at heart. “Both of us sort of began our creative careers in a more traditional art setting, but we ultimately ended up in design disciplines,” says Turiello. “We can go on and on about our opinions of how art could or should influence design, but we’ll spare everyone reading this. Basically, our creative process begins with something that looks more like art, but ends with a more rigorous adherence to what would be considered design. The two are not mixed, but rather work side by side.”

Plural Work/Shop is now located on 756 Chapel St., tucked away between the Family Dollar and Yuppy Boutique.

Visit them online at www.layerxlayer. com.

GROOVE

BRANFORD

MADISON

Sound Runner

R.J. Julia Booksellers

1088 Main St. (203) 483-8222 Running apparel, footwear, books and gear store. Also hosts group runs and special events.

768 Boston Post Rd (203) 245-3959 Large independent bookstore, many author events throughout the year and a café bistro.

CLINTON

Peter Indorf Jewelers

Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets 20-A Killingworth Tpke.

(860) 669-3066 Designer fashions, housewares, gifts, and accessories. Shops offer deep cutting discounts. Stores include Ellie Tahari, Cole Haan, Adidas and many more.

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

Village Chocolatier 79 Whitfield St. (203) 453.5226 Gourmet Chocolates, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and homemade fudge.

HAMDEN Back on the Rack 2348 Whitney Ave. (203) 745-5062 High-end fashion designer consignment boutique.

Gallery 4 2985 Whitney Ave. (203) 281-6043 A treasure trove of antiques, jewelry and small decorative objects of art.

703 Boston Post Road (203) 245- 5700 Custom designers of fine jewelry and gemstones. Repair and appraising services available.

MILFORD Downtown Milford Farmers Market 58 River St. Fresh veggies galore.

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

Arpaia Lang 806 Chapel St. (203) 772-4643 Handcrafted specially designed fine jewelry salon. Also, offers custom by design jewelry from designer Kim Arpaia and Robert Lang.

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

Enclave

Idiom

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

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

English Building Market

Ten Thousand Villages

839 Chapel St. (203) 772-1728 Antiques, vintage clothing and accessories.

1054 Chapel St. (203) 776-0854 Fair trade hand-crafted gifts made by over130 artisan groups from 38 countries, all around the world.

Fashionista Vintage & Variety 93 Whitney Ave. (203) 777-4434 Nostalgic, fun clothes and accessories for women and men.

Fair Haven Furniture 72 Blatchley Ave. (203) 776-3099 Exquisite furniture, home goods, accessories and gifts from down the street and around the world. Also, make sure to visit the exhibits at the store’s River Street gallery.

Wave Gallery 1046 Chapel St. (203) 782-6212 Jewelry, bath and body products, chocolate, accessories... a great place to stop for a gift when you’re late to the party.

ORANGE Hawley Lane Shoes 500 Boston Post Rd. (203) 891-9999 Women’s and men’s casual and dressy shoes featuring top brands.

WEST HAVEN Peschell’s Cake & Pastry, Inc. 107 Campbell Ave. (203) 933-1766 Baking fine Italian pastries and cakes since the 1950s.

ARTS & LIFE

SHOPPING SCENE

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ARTS & LIFE

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WESTVILLE HAS IT ALL! City Seed Farmer’s Market, Edgewood Park

eat browse shop indulge stay Visit WestvilleCT.org!

Photos by JoAnne Wilcox Photography & Design Monsters

Music & Theatre

Cafes, Bars, & Nightlife

Galleries & Events

Village Shops & Salons

MUST-DO SEPTEMBER EVENTS

By Christina Andrioti

Picks of the leading art, foodie and cultural happenings in and around New Haven, free unless otherwise noted.

1

Palladio Virtuel

The exhibit challenges the traditional analysis of the architecture of Andrea Palladio, master architect of Renaissance Italy. Exhibit by Peter Eisenman, acclaimed New York architect and Charles Gwathmey Professor in Practice at Yale and Matthew Roman, Yale School of Architecture critic.

Aug. 20 to Oct. 27 Yale School of Architecture Gallery, 180 York St. New Haven

2

Rustic Farm-to-Table Dinner

Candle light dinner on the farm in Cheshire to benefit the Friends of Boulder Knoll Community Farm. Menu conceived by chef Jason Sobocinski of Caseus Bistro, local produce from the farm, local chicken from Murray’s Chicken, local fruit pies, wines provided by Southend Spirits and music performed by Liz McNicholl.

Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, 6 p.m., tickets $70 members, $85 non-members Boulder Knoll Community Farm, 725 Boulder Rd. Cheshire, CT

3

2012 CT Folk Festival and Green Expo

Connecticut’s largest folk music festival in Edgerton Park. Also, an expo of sustainable eco-friendly businesses and products for the home.

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2012, 11:00am 10:00 p.m.

75 Cliff St. New Haven

4

Vintage Steel: The Art and History of the Steel String Guitar

5

Montana Skies Concert

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Concerts @ BAR

John Thomas curator of an exhibit of the modern guitar on show at Fairhaven Furniture, New Haven’s “Alternative Home Store” from Sept. 8, 2012 to Jan. 11, 2013. Opening Reception on Saturday Sept 15, 5-8 p.m..

72 Blatchley Ave. New Haven

Duo based in Georgia, Jennifer Adams plays the cello and Jonathan Adams plays the guitar. Their music is described as “everything from chamber rock to psychedelic strings.”

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012, 8 p.m., $5 The Outer Space, 295 Treadwell St. Building G, Hamden

Free shows every Wednesday night.

Sept. 5 - Love of Everything Sept. 12 - Christopher Paul Stelling Sept. 19 - Paper Bird & Spirit Family Reunion Sept. 26 - Firehorse 254 Crown St. New Haven

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ARTS & LIFE

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GROOVE

7

Somewhat Off the Wall Gala

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Feast From the Fields

Benefit gala of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. An evening featuring the artwork of 50 or more artists.

Premium ticket holders have a chance to win the artwork right off the wall, too. Tickets range from $100 to $35 Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Odonnell Company, 760 Chapel St. New Haven

Outdoor dining experience to celebrate the harvest and benefit Common Ground High School, Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center.

This fifth annual community event includes performances, tours and more.

Ticket Price $60 RSVP required, email jtolman@commongroundct.org or call (203) 389-4333 x1214 Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, 5:30 p.m.

358 Springside Ave. New Haven

Check out

groovemag.com for more upcoming events

GROOVE

ARTS & LIFE

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Community Spirit Small Business Expertise

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• Mortgages, home equity loans, home equity lines at competitive rates.

• Full line of business operating accounts and services to keep costs down and productivity up.

• Business loans to help your company grow.

Join in!

• Full suite of electronic banking services let you bank 24/7 at your convenience.

• Walk-in convenience services include check cashing, billpay, money transfers, and prepaid debit cards.

• Safe. Small. Scrappy. Just what a community bank should be.

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU 299 Whalley Avenue New Haven, CT 06511 203.285.6490

258 Grand Avenue New Haven, CT 06513 203.285.6501

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

Equal Housing Lender

GROOVE

Photos by Melissa Gaines

Students like to shop too, but funds are often limited. Here are some shops in the area that incoming freshman will most likely become familiar with during their first semester.

Hamden The Attic: A Vintage Boutique The Space 295 Treadwell St. (203) 288-6400 Thrift shop on the grounds of an allages venue / recording studio / bar.

New Haven American Apparel 51 Broadway (203) 624-0120 Clothing for when you want to look like you’re living in Williamsburg.

Group W. Bench 1171 Chapel (203) 624-0638 A hippie knick-knack shop that’s been there since 1969, the year of Woodstock, and they keep that spirit alive.

Hull’s Art Supply and Framing 1144 Chapel St. (203) 495-1111 All your framing and art/architecture supply needs.

The Devil’s Gear 151 Orange St. (203) 773-9288 Bikes, service, parts/accessories and tons of bike-related events. The hub of the New Haven biking community

Urban Outfitters 165 Church St. (203) 401-4245 The primary place in town to buy ironic t-shirts and skinny jeans.

Yale Bookstore Barnes & Noble 77 Broadway (203) 777-8440 Not just for Yalies, the Yale Bookstore is a fully-functioning Barnes & Noble with extras like a cafe and dorm supplies.

Wallingford Redscroll Records 24 North Colony St. (203) 265-7013 Buy your vinyl here, but also stop in to see bands play or to participate in other special events just like you used to before all the other record stores closed down.

THE SHORELINE CENTER FAMILY COUNSELING & PSYCHOTHERAPY We provide comprehensive, compassionate, professional, and confidential counseling services to individuals and families.

We are staffed with experts specializing in addiction services, anger management, depression, and anxiety disorders, domestic violence, medication management, and assessments.

ARTS & LIFE

STUDENT SHOPPING SCENE

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GROOVE

DINING

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New Haven’s

Oaxaca Kitchen

A

s I reflected on the sidewalk after leaving Oaxaca Kitchen, I wondered if my dinner party had been too harsh. My belly was full and satisfied.

A nice aftertaste of warm, robust flavors lingered on my palate. I thought back to the dinner that my friends and I had just nitpicked to death. We had eaten it all, hadn’t we?

Gifted Chef Prasad Chirnomula has earned many well-deserved accolades. He owns and operates five Indian restaurants in New Haven, New Canaan, and Ridgefield, all under the Thali name. Sensing a similarity in the themes and traditions of the cuisine of Mexico with those of his native India, he decided to investigate. After a journey of instruction and inspiration through both Mexico and the American Southwest, Chirnomula returned with the recipes and ideas that serve as the foundation for his Mexican venture, Oaxaca Kitchen.

The décor, studded with lizards and chilies is inviting. Genuine cowhides decorate the seatbacks of leather booths. Terra cotta and stucco blend well with tasteful table settings to keep the theme and remind you of where they’re trying to take you.

Hidden speakers offer subdued Mexican tunes that conjure an image of a lone folk guitarist in the other room. They’ve really

Photo by Jake Grubman

By J.T. Callaghan

gone the extra mile here, haven’t they?

I flash back 30 years to the old chef who told me, “The difference between good and great is that much!” as he held his thumb and forefinger up about an inch apart. This is a timeless lesson that I always try to keep in mind when I serve customers and guests. You don’t need to always go the extra mile to impress a

guest. People will notice if you apply that extra inch. In other words, it’s the details that count.

My party all agreed that the broad strokes were there. As our evening unfolded, the devil, it seems, was still in the details.

Our waiter sounded well informed as he gave us the specials. The catch of the day was salmon, served with a mole amarillo, as described on the menu.

Pollo con mole y tamales de queso arrived as a typical tamale, unremarkable except for one glimpse of genius: A drizzle of honey on the plate really complimented the traditional cocoa mole (which was a bit bitter) nicely bringing out the chocolate undertones.

Pastel de jaiba con maiz azul, a crab cake, graciously contained plenty of crab and was surrounded by a smoky tomato sauce. The texture was nondescript and the flavor could have had a higher note. Perhaps if there was more than a sprinkle of the mango-papaya relish, the dish would have felt more complete.

The tacos were offered on a soft flour tortilla, according to the menu, with a choice of five fillings: fish, chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp with chorizo. They arrived, however, on crispy corn tortillas. We tried all five types Photo by Jake Grubman

GROOVE it though, and I found it prudent to enjoy the mole separately, lest it hide the taste of that almost perfect duck.

Finally, ostiones carmelizadosa la mixteca was undoubtedly the most suc-

the scallops to shine through. Large slivers of roasted garlic and blistered cherry tomatoes brought a nice acidity to round it all out.

Oaxaca Kitchen has gone to great lengths to present us with an upscale dining experience. Their aim is to offer not just Mexican food, but Mexican cuisine. Ultimately though, Mexican food is thought of as peasant food, careful consideration is required when attempting to “gentrify” it. If not, it just doesn’t feel authentic. Details count. In my opinion, Mexican beans with basmati rice just doesn’t feel right. That being said, the atmosphere at Oaxaca was Photo by Jake Grubman pleasing and the service was good. The extensive cessful of the choices we made. Cara- array of tequilas (70+) and selection of melized scallops were presented over decent beers and wines make it a great copious amounts of, again, mole sauce. place to visit during a night on the town This time however, the pumpkin mole and the cuisine is impressive enough to was delicately flavored enough to allow bring your date.

203-710-0807

facebook.com/pages/DIGITAL-BRIDGE-MEDIA

Casey Roche: GROOVE Magazine Photographer

• Concert Photography • Weddings • Public & Private Events • Parties • Commercial & Business Photography

An inexpensive option for any of your important memories

roche_casey@yahoo.com

DINING

but found, surprisingly, that despite the variety they all tasted pretty similar. When I mentioned my confusion with the tortillas to the waiter, it was explained as a menu glitch, that both types of tortillas were available but the corn option was “sorta the default.”

Waters refilled, drinks refreshed, we held higher hopes for the entrée round.

Pozole de puerco was offered in a richly flavored broth full of garbanzos and other yummy bits. The use of pork tenderloin in this dish is entirely wrong, however. The leanness of this cut leads to a dried out chunk of meat that hasn’t absorbed any of the other delicious flavors.

Pato a las brasas had promise as well.

A perfectly cooked duck breast was not sliced all the way through, and the pistachio mole underneath was creamy and wonderfully flavored. There was a lot of

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GROOVE

DINING

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DINING BRANFORD

Lenny’s Indian Head Inn

Shoreline Café

Sandpiper Restaurant

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.

161 Cosey Beach Ave. (203) 469-7544 Family-friendly and casual seafood restaurant with a great outdoor patio area.

Chowder Pot

Mango’s Bar and Grille

1247 Main St. (203) 488-2600 Open for breakfast and lunch, this café offers sandwiches, a salad bar, delicious burgers and amazing stuffed breads, baked fresh everyday.

Assaggio’s Restaurant

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

Dockside Seafood and Grille 145 Block Island Rd. (203) 488-3007 Fresh seafood that is reasonably priced with beautiful waterfront views and a friendly atmosphere.

Eli’s on the Hill 624 West Main St. (203) 488-2700 Classic American food and a wide variety of draft beer.

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

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

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

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

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

Waiting Station 1048 Main St. (203) 488-5176 Covered with local art. Their daily specials are 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, with an exceptional quality of food.

GUILFORD Anthony’s of Guilford 2392 Boston Post Rd. (203) 453-4121 Fine Italian dining with first class traditional Italian food.

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

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

GROOVE

MADISON

MILFORD

Café Allegre

The Beach House

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

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

Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale

self-service laundry mon-wed 8am-9pm thu-sun 8am-10pm mon-fri 8am-7pm sat-sun 10am-5pm

Guilford Mooring

Quattro’s

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

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

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.

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 Green and provides delicious food along with a relaxing atmosphere.

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 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 spot for excellent Chinese and Japanese food where every dish is prepared beautifully and in a timely manner.

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 restaurant and Asian buffet.

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

DINING

THE WASH TUB 40 Foster Street (corner of Lawrence), New Haven 203-776-3598

1301 Boston Post Rd. (203) 245-7289 Their specialties are delicious local seafood and great homemade ice cream. A new location is planned for New Haven.

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GROOVE

Archie Moore’s

NEW HAVEN

DINING

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

188 Willow St. (203) 773-9870 You want the best wings in town?

Go here. They are exquisite and legendary.

Athenian Diner

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. Right by the Merritt, if you need a little food before the long ride home.

Anna Liffey’s

Atticus Bookstore and Café

Anastasio’s

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 124 Temple St. (203) 562-2327 American Fare: Pizza, salads, burgers, pub-style restaurant and bar. Great venue to watch sports or enjoy happy hour. There’s also a location in the Milford mall.

The Cask Republic

Brazi’s Restaurant

c.o. jones

201 Food Terminal Plaza (203) 498-2488 Upscale fine Italian dining. It’s a great spot to hit right before a show at Long Wharf Theatre.

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.

Bru Room at BAR

17 Whitney Ave. (203) 773-1776 A great place to go for 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.

254 Crown St. (203) 495-1111 Brick oven pizza (the mashed potato topping is a must have), large salads, and an 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.

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

Classic Wooster Street.

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B A R

GROOVE Delaney’s Restaurant & Tap Room 882 Whalley Ave. (203) 397-5494 The go-to 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

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

Kumo 7 Elm St. (203) 562-6688 Sushi, hibachi, steakhouse, and bar. Fun environment. Also with a location in Hamden.

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

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

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

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

Johnny Salami’s 205 Food Terminal Plaza (203) 777-7906 An eclectic selection of soups, sandwiches, burgers, pastas and fajitas. Italian staples are world class and are well-represented in their diverse menu. Open for breakfast as well.

Katz’s Restaurant and Deli 1658 Litchfield Tpke.

(203) 389-5301 New York style deli at its best.

Large portions – soup, salads, and sandwiches. Whatever you do, get pastrami.

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.

Olde School Saloon and Bistro 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.

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

DINING

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

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GROOVE The Pantry

Tre Scalini

2 Mechanic St. (203) 787-0392 Old-fashioned breakfast joint in East Rock with a perpetual line out the door on weekends. It’s worth the wait.

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

DINING

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

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.

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

Sitar 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 Indian food. A ninth-square 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.

Union League Café 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, takeout, and catering.

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

Yorkside Pizza 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.

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

WEST HAVEN

Baja’s

744 West Restaurant

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

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

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

Biagetti’s Restaurant

Hayama Japanese Steakhouse

Daiko Japanese Restaurant

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

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

Thai House

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

Dive Bar and Restaurant

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

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

Wasabi Japanese Restaurant

Georgie’s Diner

350 Boston Post Rd. (203) 795-5856 Sushi and Japanese. Great for lunch or take-out.

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

WALLINGFORD

R.C. Spreyer’s

105 North Colony St. (203) 265-1838 Unique authentic Mexican dishes.

Well known for its margaritas.

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

Serafino’s Ristorante

Oyster River Tavern

Los Mariachi’s

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

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

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Groove’s Guide to

Vegetarian & Vegan Dining in New Haven

By Hannah Woomer

The Red Lentil

DINING

The menu at Red Lentil reads more intimidating than it tastes. Selections such as “Gobi Manchurian” and “Spiced Lentil-Nut Patties” (though absolutely tasty) are enough to make any carnivore confused. Don’t be scared— not only is everything on the menu ridiculously delicious (I have tried almost everything!), it’s also all vegetarian with vegan options possible with every item. Craft beer specials and unique ingredients in their dishes bring this seemingly high-end restaurant down to earth. Full of class and friendly staff, the Red Lentil is one of the best meat-free places in New Haven you can visit without breaking the bank.

Photo by Jake Grubman

Thali/Thali Too

Regardless of your diet or food preferences, many folks in New Haven have grown to love Claire’s. Located on the corner of College and Chapel, this quant eatery has the charm of a tucked-away café, though it’s located on some of the area’s busiest streets.

With a large and diverse menu that includes everything from breakfast to desert, this award-winning restaurant dedicates itself to providing food that is as local and organic as possible (and they are open late on weekends).

These vegetarian restaurants are bursting with spicy and flavorful Indian dishes with two very different locations in New Haven (Thali has more traditional Indian fare, including meat dishes, while Thali Too caters to a student crowd and is exclusively vegetarian). Though I was not accustomed to Indian food, I find myself loving it more and more each time I come back despite not understanding most of the menu. A warm yet sophisticated atmosphere encourages their visitors to feel at ease with the foreign cuisine. The Hot Masala Fries (french fries infused with cayenne pepper) are available in “medium,” “hot,” or the sweat-inducing “hot challenge,” offering an exciting and inevitably hilarious option for a dinner out with friends. These restaurants are perfect for adventurous the New Haven foodie who is not afraid to try something new. Both locations are worth a visit.

e Must Haves f

e Must Haves f

e Must Haves f • Shepherd’s Pie • Vegan Gluten-Free Pancakes 25 Temple St. theredlentil.com

Claire’s Corner Copia

• Chipotle Soy Chicken • Mexican Lasagna 1000 Chapel St. clairescornercopia.com

• Haldiram Chole Bathura • Bhel Poori 4 Orange St. & 65 Broadway thali.com

Green Well Organic Tea & Coffee

Green Well is located in the historic 9th Square Arts District in New Haven with a tenacious passion of keeping the area thriving. They offer their support towards local artists and keeping their tea and coffee organic and fair trade. Home-brewed teas, coffees, juices, and smoothies decorate the menu with satisfying variety and it’s truly the perfect place to grab a snack while out running errands enjoying what New Haven’s culture has to offer. e Must Haves f • Kale Chips • Daily Fresh Squeezed Veggie Juice 44 Crown St. greenwellnewhaven.com The following honorable mentions also have a wide array of vegan and vegetarian options: Miya’s Sushi, Gourmet Heaven, and Mamoun’s Falafel. For suggestions for your own favorite veg-friendly restaurants at New Haven, feel free to comment on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ GrooveMagCT.

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Photo by Jake Grubman

Craft and Culture Converge at

the Owl Shop T

he Owl Shop, located at 268 College St. in downtown New Haven, has been loved by the city since its original opening in 1934. Part tobacconist, part jazz lounge, part cigar bar, part cafĂŠ, the Owl is hard to characterize. What is clear is the distinctly American feel of this New Haven landmark, created by the finer selections of drinks, smokes, eats, and tunes from more than a few cultures that, combined, result in a pleasing symphony of old and new.

Owner, Glen Greenberg, is second generation to the Owl Shop. He used to accompany his father to buy cigars from the original owners, Joseph and

By Tom Russo

Catherine St. John. After a longtime patronage, father and son got to know Mrs. St. John, and in passing, expressed an interest in buying the business if she and her husband ever decided to sell. Greenberg went off to college, graduated, and was living in New York when his father fell ill. Concerned about his condition, he returned to New Haven to spend time with him. During this time, in 1998, they were contacted by Mrs. St. John. After 60 plus years, she was ready to sell.

Greenberg, his father, and another partner jumped at the opportunity, becoming the proud owners of the New Haven landmark.

Photo by Jake Grubman

GROOVE rod Blues Band (every Tuesday 9 p.m. to midnight).

In addition to great drinks and great music, the Owl Shop features a menu of light foods, mostly of Mediterranean influence, to enjoy before or after your

truffles, which you can also find on the menu.

“People are talking about her chocolates all over New Haven,” says Greenberg. The Owl Shop also features craft coffees and teas that are up to par with everything else they carry. Chai, Lattes, Espressos, and some special coffee drinks are all available.

And of course, the tobacco selection at the Owl Shop is staggering.

The employees will be happy to suggest a cigar or blend for first timers, and will even teach you how to smoke a cigar if you are humble enough to ask.

In the back of the lounge there is a 400 walkPhoto by Jake Grubman square-foot in humidor where favorite drink or smoke. This menu Master Tobacconist Joe Lentine, who includes panini, fresh olives, cured has worked there since 1964, designs meats, and imported cheese plates, all Owl Shop Tobacco blends that are reof the highest quality. quested all over the world. Lentine was “As far as our menu items go, we like hired by Mr. St. John without even conto keep it fresh, keep it local. We get all sciously looking for a job. Apparently, our cured meats and cheeses from Ca- the then teenage Lentine often loitered seus Fromagery in New Haven,” says near the entrance of the Owl Shop with Greenberg. “We hold our staff to a lev- his friends. One day Mr. St. John burst el of mastery about all of our products. out the front door, saying, “Get out of here and come back on Monday with a shirt and tie; I’m tired of seeing you in “The menu of foods, coffees, front of my store!” He hasn’t left since.

Whether it’s the original owner’s beers, liquors, wines and immigration to the U.S. from Greece cigars are pulled from culin 1925, Joe Lentine’s curious start in 1964, or the fact that on any given day tures all over the world that you may see a high power exec enjoyhold craftsmanship in high ing a drink and smoke while chatting with a pool hall manager, this place has regard.” a distinctly American feel. The menu of foods, coffees, liquors, beers, wines, All employees study up on whatever it and cigars are pulled from cultures all is they’re responsible for. I like them over the world that hold craftsmanship to take pride in and own whatever it is in high regard. they’re putting forward.”

The Owl Shop is a melting pot of This is clearly demonstrated in that quality and a place that radiates culthey have a master tobacconist, a to- ture, welcoming the aspiring aficiobacco manager, and a bar manager. nado just the same as the professional.

Long-time employee Olivia McGuire If you appreciate the finer things, stop has worked as a chocolatier and was by the Owl Shop and spend as little or encouraged to make some of her as long as you need, your palette will sweets, resulting in Olivia’s homemade thank you.

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“This was at the height of the cigar boom,” says Greenberg, “but within a few years sales started to flounder. We got a liquor license in ’99 and added a small bar in back but there wasn’t much change in our numbers by the time the smoking ban was passed.”

In 2003, New Haven and many other cities passed an indoor smoking ban.

The Owl Shop was grandfathered in because more than 10 percent of their sales were from tobacco. Laughing, Greenberg says, “This worked seeing as at that time 99 percent of our sales were from tobacco.”

By 2006, Greenberg was looking for a way to boost their lagging numbers and presented his father and other partner with a business plan.

“The place really had the feel of an old school tobacconist shop,” says Greenberg. The plan called for some major renovations. His father was hesitant to implement such an overhaul, feeling they might alienate their longtime customers, but expressed that if his son felt strongly enough then he should go ahead with it. Greenberg did, so much so that he decided to buy out his father and other partner, finishing the renovations by August of that year.

The idea proved to be a success.

Greenberg kept the best features of the old shop (the extensive tobacco and accessories selection) while adding some wonderfully new and tasteful ones. The bar now carries over 150 selections of scotch, bourbon, and rye, and an extensive and dynamic wine and craft brew list. While prices are reasonable to begin with, considering the level of quality, there’s a happy hour every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. where all beers are $1 off and wines are 35 percent off.

The plush cigar lounge has live music every week, featuring the Hawkins Jazz Collective (every Wednesday 9 p.m. to midnight) and the Greg Sher-

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Nicole Frechette: GROOVE

A Connecticut Country Star

MUSIC

By Kelley Bligh

N

icole Frechette, a Madison native, is a country star on the rise. With national and overseas tours and two recorded albums under her belt, as well as an overwhelming local fan base, she’s on her way to becoming a household name.

For Frechette, singing has always been her passion. As a child, there was never a question in her mind as to what she wanted to be when she grew up. Incredibly, it was as early as third grade when she and her now-manager Amanda Kochis decided they would work together.

Frechette wanted to be a singer and Kochis wanted to work in the music industry.

“It was fate,” she says. “Things happen for a reason.”

At a young age, Frechette started practicing in a studio where Kochis was taking guitar lessons. “They let me use the studio pretty much as my karaoke bar. I would show up any time they had free space. So I was recording in a studio from the time I was around 12,” says Frechette.

Coming from a big family in the middle of four siblings, Frechette always had unwavering support. Even in the confined and often pressured atmosphere of fam-

ily road trips, she was provided with free range to use her gift — well, almost.

“When we would drive to Jersey, I got to sing for the first hour out loud and then after that, everybody got peace and quiet,” says Frechette. “They were really good to me and they really let me express myself and sing anything I wanted to sing.”

Growing up in Connecticut though, she wasn’t always exposed to many country influences. It wasn’t until middle school that, with her grandmother’s help, Frechette began to appreciate, and then eventually fall in love with, the genre.

“She gave me one of Patsy Cline’s albums and that was kind of it for me. I decided it was definitely music that you could sing and it wasn’t covered up by anything,” she says.

Aside from Frechette finding the genre so conducive to showcasing her voice, she was attracted to it for many more reasons, one being the storytelling capabilities. She cited Billy Currington’s “Good Directions” as an example of “one of the best songs” she’s heard in a while just for being “a cute, little story.” She tells her own stories about such things

as relationships, nights at the bar, and, of course, broken hearts. A lot of the inspiration Frechette gets, she says, comes from growing up “a romantic” and wanting everything to work out like a fairytale.

“It didn’t always work out,” she says, “but sometimes that was good that it didn’t because then you got to learn a lesson, and you got to cry, [which] is not always a bad thing. Feeling pain can make you stronger.” It’s those lessons out of which many of her songs were born.

She released her first, self-titled album in 2006 and recently came out with her second, Listen Hear, which she used a fan-funded campaign to produce. The fans that donated enjoyed the benefit of an early copy of the album but the public had to wait for the official release on July 24. Frechette’s second album is almost entirely self- and co-written and purposefully diverse. In her music, Frechette tries to combine several genres into one.

In her opinion, this is what country music already achieves.

“I really wanted something for everybody and I think that’s kind of what happened. I have a little bit of a bluesy song with a harmonica, and then I have a rock song, and a bar song. I want to really give

GROOVE her fans for “Listen Hear” were donated to St. Jude. “I used them in my platform and I said ‘I do want to donate to this charity because they’re incredible.’ And why not? People are giving me fund-

“I really wanted something for everybody and I think that’s kind of what happened. I have a little bit of a bluesy song with a harmonica, and then I have a rock song, and a bar song. I want to really give something to everybody and that’s, to me, what country does.” ing for something that’s important to me and St. Jude is way more important than I am,” says Frechette. She found it inexcusable for children to suffer and

not receive the care they need due to finances and said she couldn’t abstain from helping the charity. Frechette is planning on hosting a music festival to benefit the hospital in Oct. featuring local artists, details to come.

Though Frechette spends lots of time on tour and working down in Nashville, she still calls Connecticut home and, as she says, “you gotta have home.” She has local shows planned throughout Sept. and later in the fall including Sept.

1 at Haddam Neck Fair and Sept. 29 at Durham Fair opening for Kellie Pickler.

With all the words of wisdom she received from people who went through what she was about to, she wanted to share her own advice for aspiring singers. “If anyone’s telling you, you can’t do it or it’s a waste of time, get that person out of your life. Do not let anyone tell you ‘no’ if this is what you want to do,” says Frechette. “And as far as nerves go, nerves are just your body’s way of telling you, you’re about to do something incredible.”

For more information on Nicole and upcoming shows, visit www.nicolefrechette.com.

yale institute of sacred music presents

Great Organ Music at Yale

MuSIC & BOuTIque SHOp isabelle demers

Sunday, September 9 · 8 pm Woolsey Hall (College at Grove) Music of Mendelssohn and Reger

francesco cera

Wednesday, September 26 · 8 pm Marquand Chapel (409 Prospect St.)

Music of Bach, Merulo, Trabaci, and Frescobaldi www.yale.edu/ism · 203.432.5062

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Incense • Tapestries • Funky Clothes Jewelry • Accessories • Gifts

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MUSIC

something to everybody and that’s, to me, what country [does],” she says.

Frechette stressed how truly lucky she is, not only being able to do what she loves for a living but also finding support and help with her career everywhere she turns.

“Every person that I’ve met along the way … just wants to help, and there’s something to that. It’s not like I’m in this alone even though I’m a solo artist and it can feel a little lonely sometimes — but that’s why I got a dog,” she jokes.

“But I’m not in it alone because I have a lot of support and I have incredible fans and incredible family and friends.”

She calls her brothers and sisters her biggest advocates, especially when it comes to spreading word of her local performances and credits her parents for their constant, undying support of her dream.

With all the help she’s received along the way, Frechette finds it only natural to give back to those who need it.

Though she’s worked with various charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the one she’s been working with most closely. All excess funds raised by

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GROOVE

Medicine Man

By Jon Ruseski

MUSIC

R

hythm is a meditative act; I’m sure of it. When my brain fully engages in rhythm, there is no room for anything else. If thoughts wander in, rhythm is broken. When they are silenced, rhythm continues.

This I have learned through a lifestyle of musical immersion, but perhaps no place more profoundly than my time spent studying African drumming with Aly Tatchol Camara at the New Haven School of African Drum and Dance, where rhythm is all there is.

“Tatchol” means medicine man. It’s a nickname he earned by helping people to heal through drumming and dancing.

Tatchol was born and raised in Guinea, West Africa and came to this country in 1993 as part of a dance company performing at a festival in New York. Afterwards, he decided to stay because he saw an opportunity to share his love of African drum and dance as a teacher.

Tatchol has been established in New Haven since 1996 where he continues to be a vital part of the New Haven cultural community. He is an extremely gifted teacher who possesses the potent ability to transform a sterile room into a place where people are laughing and smiling while dancing or making music. His method is as close as it can be to the West African idiom where music is absorbed through cultural osmosis.

“Drumming is everywhere,” he says.

In Africa, music is learned by hearing,

Photo by Melissa Gaines

which is why Tatchol does not do a lot of talking. Rhythms are taught by example.

He plays three times in a row; you repeat it for 20 minutes. As I’ve heard Tatchol say countless times, “It’s like language.”

When you open your mouth and speak, it is an instantaneous organic process, not an overly intellectual one. Drumming is the same. Rhythm is a language. Repeat what you hear. Don’t over think it.

One of my favorite practices is when new students drop in and Tatchol will ask them to solo for five minutes. It doesn’t matter if the person has never played an instrument before — Tatchol wants them to solo… for a long time. This is counter-intuitive to Western thinking, yet proves to be reasonable and methodical when you watch it executed. African drumming is about the heart. In order to learn to play the drum, you need to learn to solo.

This is where Tatchol, the healer, shines through. Music is about healing the spirit. Rhythm flows naturally through all of us. It doesn’t matter if we fully understand it. It still can be harnessed and released. I find this approach very liberating. In academic music circles, a solo is a thing of pretension.

Here, it is a right entitled to everyone that walks in the door.

Drumming with Tatchol has helped me to appreciate the endless nuances and complexities of rhythm. There are only 12 notes. Countless songs have

Photo by Melissa Gaines

been written with three or four chords.

What differentiates them is rhythm.

Think about cover songs. Why can pop songs be converted to punk? Jazz to hip hop? The answer: rhythm.

Rhythm is what dictates the confines of genre above all else. Rhythm is a bountiful source responsible for the endless possibilities of music. As I’ve learned, rhythm also shows you the parameters of your own mind. Most of the traditional African rhythms I have learned from Tatchol are just eight beats long. At first the challenge is absorbing the nuance and subtleties of each figure; that’s just the beginning. When I drum along for Tatchol’s dance class I am asked to play the same pattern for close to an hour. This is not only a test of endurance, but it also becomes a meditative act. At first I was frustrated, even bored, by the daunting task. It was hard to sit there and repeat the same phrase for that long. For a while I yearned to move on, to find variations, play a different part, anything. One day I asked myself, “Why?” I didn’t really have any answers. I looked up and saw Tatchol and a room full of dancers smiling. I realized that my frustrations were all my own, that if I surrendered myself utterly, rhythm was a meditative act. This hour of repeating the same phrase then became the most transcendent part of my entire day. Tatchol the healer had shown me that music isn’t about the individual.

Music is about unbroken rhythms.

Aly Tatchol Camara teaches at the Yale Afro-American Cultural Center, 211 Park St., New Haven. Monday Drum Class: 6-7:30 p.m., Dance Class: 7-9:00 p.m.; Saturday Drum Class: 3:30-5 p.m., Dance Class: 5-6:30 p.m. A freestyle healing drum circle is held on the last Sunday of every month.

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Photo by Casey Roche

Free Weekly Indie Rock Shows Continue at BAR

By Jack Miller

N

ew Haven’s BAR caters to many different crowds. During the daylight hours, families can be found in the dining room enjoying one of the best pizzas in town (a strong competitor with the big three: Pepe’s, Sally’s and Modern), often covered in their signature topping, mashed potatoes. After work, it’s a relaxing place to have one of their unique micro-brews for happy hour. On weekend nights, it’s a dance club that’s been an anchor of the Crown Street scene since its patrons were but wee tots. But on Wednesday nights, BAR

is a place to see some of the top tier upand-coming indie rock acts — for free.

Rick Omonte of Shaki Productions set the precedent a few years back with his free Sunday night Sundazed series (2001-2009), which brought powerhouse bands like Animal Collective, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Blue Cheer, Thurston Moore, Acid Mothers Temple, the Hold Steady and Dead Meadow into the club’s vibed-out, industrial-meetspsychedelic back room.

In January of 2011, Mark Nussbaum of Manic Productions stepped in and

convinced the club to revive the idea of a weekly free show. This time it would be on Wednesday nights, and Nussbaum, who books at many venues in the area, has found it to be a solid, cozy spot to bring new bands to town, and local acts as well, of course.

“It’s a great sounding room,” he says.

“It’s right in downtown New Haven so it’s easy to get to. It’s a free series, so that helps a lot with building bands.”

It can be tough to get people to pay to see a band they’ve never heard before, and that’s part of what makes the BAR series so valuable. It’s like getting a free sample of a band, but the sample is an entire set, and many New Haven townies and students can walk there from their homes. If you don’t like a particular act, you can just wander into the next room and have a beer for a few, another plus.

It’s a no pressure listening environment.

“Most of the shows have really good turnouts, and bands really seem to like playing there,” adds Nussbaum.

Some of the events held since January 2011 have included performers like Joe Lally of Fugazi, Mates of State, Sharron van Etten, Hospitality, Bear Hands, Sarah Lee Guthrie (Arlo’s daughter, Woody’s granddaughter) and her husband Johnny Irion and David Wax Museum. With 52 shows a year, there will always be some hits, some misses, some wild experimentation and some special intimate shows by established bands who could be playing much larger rooms if they so chose. But bands of the up-and-coming variety are probably the most exciting to catch. BAR is the place to check them out before Pitchfork.com tells you it’s cool to do so. And did I mention it’s free?

Photo by Casey Roche

Here’s what’s on deck for the next month Wed., Sept. 5: Love of Everything Bobby Burg likes to keep busy. Love of Everything is a 12-year-old project he pursues when he’s not on the road with his other bands, Joan of Arc and Make Believe.

Expect looping pedals, nursery rhyme rhythms paired with grown up lyrics and plenty of sonic experimentation.

Earthquake Party and Sinforiano Diaz open.

Wed., Sept. 12: Christopher Paul Stelling A New York based singer songwriter with earthy, folky acoustic tunes who honed his chops playing in the subways. Brian Dolazni opens.

Wed., Sept. 19: Paper Bird A seven-member, Colorado-based, old-timey Americana band with a banjo, guitars and lots of singing that’s been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Spirit Family Reunion and Jason James Outfit open.

Wed., Sept. 26: Firehorse Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leah Siegal evokes passionate artists like Jeff Buckley and P.J. Harvey. Prince is a big fan of hers. Really. This is her band.

Every Wed. night at 9 p.m. Free.

BAR, 254 Crown St., New Haven. (203) 495-1111, barnightclub.com, manicproductions.org.

GROOVE

The Gypsy West:

T

By Kyle Murphy

From Boston to Brooklyn

The Gypsy West has also spoken of releasing the trilogy on a double LP, backed by a strategy of pre-loaded USB drives and download codes. The effort of coupling vinyl records with download codes is now common, almost standard, with many bands. It allows their fans multiple ways of accessing their music; the physicality of

a record plus the ability for a listener to have the same music on their laptop or mp3 player.

The inspiration for the Accomplices series came when Giorgetti started to notice a common narrative in the material he and McCarthy were producing. It just so happens the Occupy movement sprang up around the time the second in the trilogy came out, providing a relatable, timely backdrop for the events of the music to take place. The Gypsy West kept the

narrative mostly timeless and genderless — television, referenced once, being the rare exception — providing the listener with a character he or she can place himself or herself into. Giorgetti stressed that the message of the music is, “more humanistic, not sideshow political.”

Moving from Boston to Brooklyn comes off as a standard move, as most bands close to New York City seem to end up there.

Originally Giorgetti had stated how he almost felt trapped in the Boston scene.

“It gave me a template for how I wanted things to run in NYC or anywhere I went in regards to establishing a scene,” he said, “and what kind of band I wanted the Gypsy West to continue being.”

It seems a band like The Gypsy West would avoid the move, due to the against-the-grain classic rock genre they work within, but with the way Brooklyn offers stages and continues to put out notable bands, it could be foolish of any band with motivation and talent to avoid the move.

Giorgetti has already started to feel inspired by the “great art and people around me, as well as the poverty, garbage, and other stuff that drives me crazy.”

It seems the civil strife of New York City will serve as perfect fodder for a band that constantly fights against inequalities and the unjust treatment of human beings, in their music.

The band released their first single, “Changing”, from the third, and final, installment of Accomplices in early August. The song features a driving riff to open, which settles into a constant groove, all backed by excellent production and Giorgetti’s strong voice.

Giorgetti says he would like to keep the progression of the ambitious band going and grow from the Accomplices series into their next endeavors. The full Accomplices III EP will be released in October of this year.

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he Gypsy West — originally New England-based, but now in Brooklyn — is a band that encourages its listeners to have fun. There are rarely moments of restraint in their music, though listening to them creates something bottled up, waiting for a release into physical expression from the listener. They focus on psychedelic rock, backed by cohesive, thematic lyrics.

The Gypsy West prides itself on eliciting feelings of a ‘70s band, even donning war paint at shows.

Alex Giorgetti, lead singer, guitar player, and multi-instrumentalist for the band, feels as though some of the popular current bands have homogenized the rock genre, allowing his band to revive a once dominant style of rock, with added polished and nuance. Giorgetti offers, to any band seemingly not attempting to be trendy to, “not try to copy someone else or be someone else because you won’t be able to do it,” It’s a testament true to the Gypsy West’s classic, yet refreshing, sound.

Giorgetti originally set out to release the band’s debut as a full-length, but felt there were only enough resources for an EP, which became Accomplices. Then some of the unrecorded material, originally intended for the first EP, flowed over into the second, Accomplices II: You Might Get Caught. This release also saw the addition of Andy McCarthy as a permanent member.

At that point, Giorgetti decided a third EP would wrap everything up neatly. The three-EP format also chaptered the music, lyrical themes and narrative appropriately. It’s refreshing to see a band have the scope of a project like the Accomplices trilogy, all without the backing of any record deal. Giorgetti commented on the way music is trending towards more do-it-yourself.

“Sooner or later people are going to get sick of the processed bull,” he says.

“They are force-fed by the remaining major labels.”

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Photo by Casey Roche

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

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

Hartford Comcast Theatre

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

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

61 Savitt Way (203) 265-1501 Owned by Live Nation, it’s one of the largest outdoor amphitheaters in the country holding 22,500.

Milford Mustang Sally’s Saloon 21 Daniel St. (203) 693-3259 A country bar with live bands and line dancing.

New Haven Anna Liffey’s 17 Whitney Ave. (203) 773-1776 An Irish pub with a hearty menu that offers an extensive assortment of live music.

BAR 254 Crown St. (203) 495-1111 Nightclub, bar and “bru room,” known for its warm atmosphere, pizza, craft beer and free Wednesday night indie rock shows.

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

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

Café Nine 250 State St. (203) 789-8281 “The musician’s living room.” A lovable dive with live music every night of the week.

CT Folk Festival and Green Expo Edgerton Park Hamden/New Haven town line on Whitney Ave. Ctfolk.com New Haven’s annual folk festival.

This year it’s Sept. 8th, and it’s being headlined by Cheryl Wheeler.

GROOVE Elm Bar

The Owl Shop

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

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

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

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

Neighborhood Music School 100 Audubon St. (203) 624-5189 Hosts jazz, classical and pops concerts put on by the school’s students and faculty.

New Haven Green 165 Church St. (203) 401-4245 Comes to life with live music in the summer.

New Haven Symphony Orchestra (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.

A relocated New Haven institution.

Hosting live raging music in a neighborhood bar. Try their frites.

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

Sprague Memorial Hall 470 College St. (203) 432-4158 Concert Hall on Yale’s campus that features Yale School of Music Concerts.

Stella Blues 204 Crown St. (203) 752-9764 A 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. Dylan and the Stones have played here.

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 500 College St. (203) 432-9630 Yale’s largest concert hall and the best place in town to experience classical music. Hendrix and Cream played there in the ‘60s. It’s got a haunted organ too.

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.

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:

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.

Cherry Street Station 491 N. Cherry St. Ext. (203) 265-2902 A heavy metal dive bar if ever there was one, located inside an old railroad station. Cheap beer and good times. The trains roar by every now and then.

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 An ornate theater that hosts 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.

MUSIC

501 Crescent St. (203) 392-6154 Semi-regular scheduled acts open to the public at Southern Connecticut State University.

Shubert Theater

North Haven

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Interview on the Green

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GROOVE

By Jack Miller

Name: Chris McDaniel Age: 49 Occupation: Office Manager, Dept. of Linguistics, Yale University.

How long have you been in New Haven?

I refinish furniture.

I just moved back 10 years ago from L.A. My family is 5th generation in the New Haven area.

For yourself, or do you resell things?

Where are you originally from?

Wallingford

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

Basil.

What’s good there?

What do you usually get?

I get the mango chicken.

Any big plans for the fall?

I’m going to be doing this class called Education for Ministry. I’m going to become a deacon.

Can you recommend a good book?

I like to garden. The book I’m reading now is called The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page. It’s about the mind of the gardener. It was written in the ‘60s. He wrote about everything except gardening, really.

Do you have a favorite place to check out music?

I was at the Green last weekend with my family to watch the Jazz Festival. I come down any time there’s any type of music on the green. I don’t even care what kind of music it is.

Photo by Charlotte Greene

Any hobbies?

I do a lot for myself, and I’m refurbishing my house right now, but if somebody wants me to redo some of their furniture I usually say yes and then quote a high price.

Any other hobbies?

Watching tennis. I’m going to the New Haven Open this weekend and probably all next week. I used to volunteer there for eight years.

I’m also going to the U.S. Open in a couple of weeks.

What’s your favorite part of living in New Haven?

I like that they’re doing this urban renewal initiative where they’re putting trees up and bringing the neighborhoods together through community gardening.

Your least favorite part?

The trash that’s on the street.

Is there any place in town you’ve been meaning to go to but haven’t yet?

I keep meaning to try that Cuban restaurant… Soul de Cuba. Every time I want to go there it’s full or something happens and I can’t go.

Is there any question I should’ve asked you?

Why is your hair so long? Why is it so curly? Do you have a perm?

BAR FReshly BRewed BeeR BRick Oven PizzA dAncinG check out our new website for our wednesday night band schedule.

254 cROwn st new hAven ct 203 495 8924

www.BARniGhtcluB.cOm

GROOVE

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