The month of June is deemed the International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven, CT. From June 3rd – 24th, the Elm City offers a myriad of culture, music, and fashion events that celebrate the importance of the arts.
The block-party style get-together focused on the children’s understanding of the importance of the arts and culture in the community. The celebration featured three of passionate performances from the kids of the Neighborhood Music School. Parents enjoyed the DJ’s boosting Old School Party Set while kids visited the hands-on arts and crafts. Outdoor yoga sessions and a rock-climbing wall were also popular with the kids.
With such a high population of immigrants in New Haven, it was compelling to hear stories of immigrants at New Haven’s Story Project’s booth. Festival goers had the opportunity to sit down and record their powerful anecdotes as well. Africa is Me, a traditional African dance troupe, produced an interactive presentation leaving the audience with this heartfelt mantra, “Peace, love, respect for everybody – our elders, our community, our earth.”
It Takes a Village, held on Sunday on Dixwell Avenue, is one of three community pop-up festivals New Haven is throwing this month. The other festivals will celebrate the Fairhaven and Hill neighborhoods. Most of the events featured in Arts & Ideas month have free or discounted admission.
