International Festival Of Arts And Ideas

150+ events, one Festival. It all happens in New Haven, Connecticut.

Schedule of Events:

9:00am: New Haven's Pollinator Pathway - New Haven Green
Bike Tour / 2 hrs / Free Reservations

A pollinator pathway is a wild corridor providing a habitat and nutrition for pollinators. Visit current habitats created by New Haven residents and communities and learn how you can be part of the pathway.

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: On road and flat
Distance: 12 Miles

10:00am: Social Connections to End Loneliness - Humanities Quadrangle
Ideas Summit: How We Live
1 hr / Free Reservations

Join host Catherine Shen on CT Public's "Where We Live" as she moderates an engaging discussion with Deb Bibbens, founder of For All Ages. Discover innovative ideas to combat loneliness, improve treatment of older individuals, and foster intergenerational kindness. Learn about some special programs that can make people of all ages healthier and happier, and help our community feel more connected and livelier. Don't miss this chance to hear about new ways to bring different generations closer and make our society kinder for everyone.

11:00am: Coffee Crawl - Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea
Guided Tour / 1 hr 30 min / Free Reservations

Explore the best of New Haven's coffee shops with a coffee crawl! Learn some history of coffee production and crafting in New Haven while we walk to various local coffee shops — and getting the best of lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, and more. More fun than educational. Prepare to get caffeinated.

11:00am: Social Connection Art Workshop with Kwadwo Adae - Humanities Quadrangle
Ideas Summit: How We Live
1 hr / Free Reservations

Participants in the workshop will pair off and describe a vulnerable time where they felt the most lonely in their lives. The person that shares their description will have their opposite partner draw the experience to the best of their ability on half the paper. The two participants will then switch activities and fill the other half of the paper with the other person's experience. Creating a unique vision of loneliness on paper that can have similarities as well as differences evaluated visually and emotionally.

11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:15pm: The Red Trouser Show - New Haven Green
1 hr / Free

Get ready for The Red Trouser Show! Circus stunts, precision acrobatics, and comedy collide in this electrifying performance! David Graham and Tobin Renwick, lifelong friends since 1st grade and Circus Smirkus alumni, bring two decades of world-traveling expertise to their production. With non-stop action and heart-pounding excitement, you'll be laughing and cheering from start to finish. Don't miss out on this award-winning spectacle that promises thrills, spills, and plenty of laughter!

1:00pm: What Does Legacy Mean To You? - NXTHVN
4 hrs / Free Reservations

NXTHVN's 2023-2024 Apprentices present their culminating exhibition, Legacy, What Does it Mean to You? to be displayed in the mobile art museum, cARTie, with tour stops throughout the New Haven area. The exhibition includes original pieces created by NXTHVN's High School Apprentices as well as residents from the Hannah Gray Home in Dixwell that focus on the topic of legacy. In partnership, the Arts & Ideas High School Fellowship Program students will host a panel on the topic of legacy during the exhibition opening on June 22, 2024 at NXTHVN.

1:00pm: Redefining Aging: Embracing a New Paradigm - Humanities Quadrangle
Ideas Summit: How We Live
1 hr / Free Reservations

Join author and activist Ashton Applewhite and Donna Fedus from Borrow My Glasses for an enlightening conversation on aging and inclusivity. Discover how aging can be a period of growth and vitality, while exploring strategies to combat ageism and promote fairness. Challenge common beliefs, share ideas for fostering a welcoming society for all ages, and delve into the importance of reshaping perceptions about aging. This discussion highlights the importance of reshaping perceptions about aging and ensuring equitable treatment for everyone!

2:00pm: Shoreline Greenway - New Haven Green
Guided Tour / 3 hrs / Free Reservations

Did you ever wish there was a way to travel from New Haven Eastward on the shoreline by bike? The Shoreline Greenway trail shares that vision to build a 25-mile trail for bikers, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Ride the planned route in New Haven to connect with the Greenway and points beyond.

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: On road and some trail, RR crossing mostly flat
Distance: 14-25 miles

2:00pm: Rethinking Age Discrimination: Your Attitude About Aging Impacts Your Future (with Donna Fedus) - Humanities Quadrangle
Ideas Summit: How We Live
1 hr / Free Reservation

The experience of aging is drastically different from what it was just one or two generations ago. Yet age bias persists. Age stereotypes and discrimination are harmful for our own self-talk and for any older adult we interact with. Join us for an interactive workshop, where we challenge outdated assumptions and perceptions about aging, and practice responses to common scenarios and thoughts like “I feel old.”

3:00pm: Botanical Garden of Healing Dedicated to Victims of Gun Violence - New Haven Botanical Garden of Healing
Guided Tour / 1 hr / Free Reservations

Hear from garden founder, Marlene Miller Pratt, about her vision to raise awareness of the magnitude of the gun violence problem in the City of New Haven and creating a healing space for families to come together and remember lives lost.

3:00pm and 8:00pm: The 7 Fingers: Duel Reality - University Theatre
Presented in Partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center
1 hr 15 min

All’s fair in love and war. You won’t want to miss this exhilarating performance with Montreal’s renowned arts collective, the 7 Fingers. In “Duel Reality” they combine acrobatics, theater, dance, multimedia, music, and storytelling, and present human stories with superhuman skills. Stripping down circus spectacle to its thrilling essence, they breathe new life into Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Witness a lively arena where two groups collide in playful competition and fierce conflict, all while star-crossed lovers steal the show, proving that love triumphs, even amidst rivalry. Don’t miss this thrilling blend of acrobatics and emotion!

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3:00pm: Anne Cubberly's Giant Puppets
Experience the whimsical magic of Anne Cubberly’s Giant Puppets as they roam the Green and Downtown New Haven! These colossal, colorful creations are more than just puppets-they're vibrant reflections of our essence and the boundless spirit within us all. Don’t let their size intimidate you; instead, seek them out and bask in the awe-inspiring wonder they evoke.

4:00pm: Decoding the Science of Happiness with Laurie Santos and Tamar Gendler - Humanities Quadrangle
Ideas Summit: How We Live
1 hr / Free Reservations

Join Laurie Santos, host of the Happiness Lab Podcast, and Tamar Gendler, Yale Professor of Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature, for an enlightening discussion on the science, history, and philosophy of happiness. Learn useful tips and ideas on how to live a more positive life. Whether you're curious about what makes us happy or just want some advice on feeling better, this conversation will be packed with helpful information and good vibes.

6:00pm: Harmony in Action
1 hr 45 min / Free

Experience the rich melodies of Music Haven’s advanced student chamber orchestra, Harmony In Action (HIA) on the New Haven Green! In addition to numerous performance opportunities throughout the year, HIA students also plan social action projects, host guest speakers, participate in workshops, and attend concert trips.

8:00pm: El Laberinto del Coco - Alexander Clark Stage on the New Haven Green
Bomba Fusion
1 hr 30 min / Free

Experience the rhythmic magic of El Laberinto del Coco, an Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion ensemble, led by percussionist Hector “Coco” Barez. With a unique blend of sizzling musical ideas, Barez presents new ways to the traditional sounds of Puerto Rican Bomba. Expect sizzling horn lines, funky guitar riffs, layered percussion, and captivating vocals that will leave you mesmerized. With their infectious energy and innovative sound, El Laberinto del Coco has carved a distinct niche in the music scene, captivating audiences worldwide. Join us at 6PM for an opening treat with New Haven’s own Harmony in Action.