intelligent nightlife
New Haven is home to some of the world's great minds.
Welcome to Nerd-vana, our guide to the intelligent New Haven nightlife.
The Elm City is home to some of the world's brightest minds, both young and old. With so many bright bulbs in town, there are activities almost every night that seek to stimulate and engage the mind. New Haven has everything, from laid-back pub trivia to evening classes. Take it from us, we're all card carrying members of N.E.R.D.S. (New Haven Enlightened Recreational Development Society).
Interested in something more substantial than trivia or tournament Scrabble? There are places for you, too. How about an after-hours class for pottery, music or dance?
Books, Movies, and Discussion
Bookrounds - Read anything good lately? Want to talk about it? There's a book club with a new twist in New Haven . Bookrounds is the largest and fasting growing readers society in New Haven . Bookrounds builds a sense of community and encourages flexibility, exploration of new venues, and mingling by bringing people together through a common love of literature. Visit Bookrounds.com for more.
Insomnia Theater - Can’t sleep? Love cult films? Criterion Cinemas has the answer! Insomnia Theater, Criterion Cinemas’ (86 Temple St) latest film series featuring cult classics at 11:30 pm every Friday and Saturday night and 11 am every Saturday morning. Like Movies and Mimosas—its Sunday morning sibling—Insomnia Theater offers film fans the opportunity to enjoy their favorite movies on the big screen in original 35mm prints! Did we mention tickets are a mere five bucks? So, instead of reaching for the remote the next time you’re tossing and turning, why not come down to the Criterion and catch the late show? We can’t think of a better reason to stay up all night!
Stich 'n Bitch - Looking for a weekly catharsis in which you can spill your guts and create something original? Keep your mouth running and fingers knitting every Wednesday night at Au Bon Pain (Broadway and Elm St) from 7p-9p.
Pub Trivia - Some of the best pub trivia in town. Anna Liffey's (17 Whitney Ave) reputation for Tuesday night pub trivia brings faithful and determined teams each week. Bring your friends, form a team and don't forget your thinking cap, because this weekly team trivia competition gets fierce each Tuesday night from 9p-11p.
Dance & Music
Alisa's House of Salsa - Learn how to properly dance the tango or get some advice on getting rid of that second left foot.
Rumberos Dance Studio - A dance company specializing in New York Style Salsa/Mambo performances, workshops and teamwork seminars, but also catering to the Belly Dance, Samba, and Hip Hop dance communities. Classes and workshops are available for adults, as well as for kids. Call 203.641.7261 for more information.
RSCDS New Haven Branch - Want to try something fun and exciting that none of your friends have ever done? Learn to Scottish country dance!
Neighborhood Music School - As one of the 10 largest community arts schools in the nation, NMS provides the highest quality instruction in music and dance while making it accessible to people of all ethnic and economic circumstances.
New Haven School of African Drum & Dance - Ever wanted to bang on a djembe? Still wondering how to pronounce it? The Afro-American Cultural Center at 211 Park St offers weekly classes in- you guessed it- African drumming and dance. E-mail alytatcholcamara@comcast.net or call 203.887.2737 for more information.
Music Together of Greater New Haven- A family-style early childhood music & movement education that offers classes to promote love of music in children and their parents. For children from birth to 5 years old.
ACES Educational Center for the Arts - Take a physically intense dance class to live music with instructor Susan Matheke. Call 860.346.2210 for more information.
New Haven Country Dancers - Offering contra dancing (a form of traditional American social dancing, dating back to the 1700s in New England) which is similar to square dancing, with a caller and figures. Dances are held twice a month on Saturday nights. Swing your partner!
New Haven Ballet - Take ballet or pilates classes to improve your flexibility and strength for the whole body without building bulk. Provides quality instruction for all ages.
Gateway Community College - Learn how to play guitar or piano, or take a course in music theory or appreciation.
The Arts Otherwise
Adae Fine Art Academy - Individualized, student-directed instruction in all drawing & painting media for children, young adults & adults. Morning/afternoon/evening/ weekend sessions available. Small class sizes ensure efficient learning. Enrollment is open, Call Kwadwo (Kway-Jo) and Joellen Adae at 203.777.7220 for more information, or to schedule a free trial lesson.
Creative Arts Workshop - Classes in the arts are available for all ages and abilities. With such a wide variety of offerings to choose from, choosing just one class might be your biggest challenge. (download CAW's winter '05 Courses from resources at left)
Arts + Literature Laboratory - ALL is a non-profit organization that encourages visual and performing artists and writers to explore and develop their craft, and provides a supportive and challenging environment in which ideas can be shared. Workshop schedules and monthly "Word of Mouth" guest information are available on the website.
Yale Center for British Art - Our country's largest collection of British Art offers adult classes in painting, printmaking, and other media, as well as teacher development workshops.
Yale Art Gallery - Throughout the year the Gallery offers various series of Master Classes, which give participants a behind-the-scenes look at the scholarly work inspired by the collection. A popular ongoing series, Observing and Drawing, brings participants into the Gallery to look closely at and learn to draw works in the collection.
Gateway Community College - Drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and graphic design are among the course offerings at GCC.
Center for the Arts at Christ Church - Affordable music lessons – violin, piano, guitar, double bass and at Christ Church (84 Broadway). Kindermusik classes for newborn through 6 years. Call 203.787.3195 for more information.
Professional Development
ACES Educational Center - Courses in technology, professional development, leadership skills, and school improvement are available for educators.
Gateway Community College - The Workforce Development Institute at GCC has credit and non-credit professional growth programs in leadership traning, team building, and job-specific areas.
Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions - Kaplan provides educational and training programs designed to help you achieve your career goals. Whether you're looking to launch, change, or advance your career, our array of educational tools including test preparation, higher education, and professional training will help you get there faster. Visit the New Haven branch at 970 Chapel St.
New Haven Job Corps - The New Haven Job Corps offers a variety of training programs, such as advanced pastry and baking, carpentry, and facility maintenance. Call 203.397.3775 for more information and directions to the campus.
Yoga & Pilates
Fresh Yoga - Daily classes are available in different yoga styles for all ages and abilities.
Iyengar Yoga - A dynamic approach to yoga every Monday and Friday morning at the New Haven Medical Association Building. Call 203.497.8027 for more information.
Limbus Center for Movement and Massage - Weekly classes at the New Haven Medical Association Building availabe in basic yoga, gentle yoga, and yoga in movement. Call 203.562.4711 for more information.
Powerflow Pilates - Private sessions, classes, and certification are available Monday-Saturday.
