International Festival Of Arts And Ideas

About the Event

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

Schedule of Events:

9:00am: Lost Landmarks: An Architectural Journey into New Haven’s Forgotten Past - New Haven Green
Bike Tour / 3 hrs / Free Reservations

Cycle the city to uncover some of New Haven’s most colorful history - via buildings and sites lost over the centuries. You’ll encounter Revolutionary heroes (and a hero/traitor), abolitionists, Black history figures, a movie mogul, a celebrated canine, notable architects, working-class heroes, and more.

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

11:00am: Bibliophilia X Taphophilia: The Dead Shall Be Read - Grove Street Cemetery
Guided Tour / 2 hrs 30 min / Free Reservations

Two great archives are neighbors in New Haven: Grove Street Cemetery, the nation’s first chartered burial ground, and Beinecke Library, North America’s largest building dedicated exclusively to rare books and and manuscripts. Both exist to make the past accessible in the present for the future, and both offer many encyclopedias of stories to explore and inspire.

Michael Morand, communications director of Beinecke Library and a founding co-chair of the Friends of the Grove Street Cemetery, will lead an insider’s tour, starting with some of the heroes interred in the cemetery, such as William Grimes, Alexander Du Bois (W.E.B.’s grandfather), and Theodore Winthrop, along with the founders of American scientific education, geography, lexicography, and more.

The tour will continue at the nearby Beinecke Library, with a close-up look at the building and some of its treasures, including materials related to Grimes, Du Bois, WInthrop, Webster, Gibbs, and others interred in the Grove Street Cemetery.

12:00pm: America Unfiltered: Portraits and Voices of a Nation - Yale University Art Gallery
Directed by Horacio Marquinez and Kirill Myltsev
Free Reservations

During the pandemic’s peak, two immigrant filmmakers from Panama and Russia traversed the U.S. to capture America’s essence. Their project, “America Unfiltered,” explores whether empathy and listening can bridge national divides. Through candid conversations on politics, race, love, and immigration, the film and photo exhibit aim to foster understanding and optimism for America’s future. This journey documents diverse American experiences, highlighting our common humanity in a time of division.

12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm: 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: Improv Workshop with The Regicides - Festival Center on the New Haven Green
1 hr / Free Reservations

Say “Yes, and…” to the Regicides, then get on your feet and play with us! Exercise your creative and collaborative muscles while having a ton of fun learning the basics of improvisational comedy, facilitated by New Haven’s longest-running improv ensemble. (Please note: Workshop participants must be 15 or older)

2:00pm: The Murals of Fair Haven presented by Lee Cruz - New Haven Green
Bike Tour / 3 hrs / Free Reservations

A renaissance is unfolding in Fair Haven and one of its exciting outcomes is the rediscovery of murals and other forms of public art. Some of these artworks were created decades ago, while others emerged within the past two years. Local artists contributed many of these pieces, but nationally and internationally recognized figures also left their mark. Regardless of their creators' origins, these public works of art share a common thread: their existence within the vibrant tapestry of Fair Haven, a culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhood. Join Lee Cruz on this bike ride where you will see murals and other public works of art.

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

3:00pm: Welcome to Newhallville - Corner of Shelton Avenue & Hazel Street
Guided Tour / 1 hr 30 min / Free Reservations

Join us and get a first-hand look at how community residents and stakeholders have rejuvenated and revitalized sections of Newhallville. You will hear some historical and funny facts about Newhallville that will have prizes attached to the correct answer.

The tour will consist of:
The Learning Corridor: Once known as the Mud Hole, the Neighborhood Fishing Dock, the Information Station of Newhallville: Inspired Communities Inc., The Harris & Tucker School: the oldest family, women owned business that sits in both New Haven and Hamden, and he Adventure Park at Spruel Space: On Shepard Street. Learn about our ongoing work is enriching community life through lived experiences in and around the neighborhood.

5:15pm: Mulan Fitness Art School - Alexander Clark Stage on the New Haven Green
45 min / Free

Don’t miss the vibrant dance performance by Mulan Fitness Art School! Led by the talented Ms. Jichun Sun, whose students showcase traditional Chinese dance styles alongside Mulan quan – a modern fusion of tai chi, yoga, and martial arts. With Ms. Jichun’s expertise and years of stage experience, the performance promises to be a delightful celebration of Mulan spirits and Chinese culture.

7:00pm: Pamyua - Alexander Clark Stage on the New Haven Green
Inuit Soul
1 hr 30 min / Free

Experience the vibrant rhythms and rich culture of the Inuit people with Pamyua! Through their captivating music and dance performances, Pamyua showcases Inuit traditions, sharing indigenous knowledge and history with the world. Their unique style blends traditional melodies with contemporary vocalization and instrumentation, earning them the title of “Inuit Soul Music.” With pride and sincerity, Pamyua brings people together, spreading a message of unity and joy through their masterful interpretations of Inuit traditions. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of Alaska’s indigenous culture! Fans of the PBS Kids Show, “Molly of Denali” will recognize Pamyua as the performers and co-writers of the theme song!

7:00pm: 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!

Buy Tickets

We want to hear from you if you have an event to share or updates to this event.