The Westville Village Renaissance Alliance (WVRA) invites you to the 15th Annual Westville Village ArtWalk on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12, 2012. The Westville Village ArtWalk is one of the largest community-based arts festivals in New England and 2012 promises to be a banner year of art-related fun for individuals and families of all ages.  ArtWalk kicks-off Friday evening, May 11th from 5-10pm with gallery openings, live theater, music, fashion, merchant open houses, fabulous dining and more throughout the Village. The festivities continue on Saturday, May 12th from 11-6, with something for everyone: a great music line-up on three stages, live theater performances, gallery exhibitions, arts and crafts activities for kids and adults, a 30′ rock climbing wall, over 30 artist and artisan vendors featuring unique gifts for Mothers Day, professional artist demos and some of your favorite local food vendors. As always, ArtWalk will feature the Village’s top cafes and restaurants, plus sidewalk sales and events at Westville’s award-winning shops.

Some highlights for 2012 are the return of a fashion show by Westville’s talented local designers and stylists, expanded working “artist demos”, a new family show by A Broken Umbrella Theatre, Elm Shakespeare’s debut of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo”, a special concert by Music Haven’s Haven String Quartet, and a headlining performance by high-energy roots rockers Spuyten Duyvil.

An estimated 10,000 people attended ArtWalk in 2011 from the Greater New Haven area and beyond. Admission is free. This year’s ArtWalk will be held on May 11 & 12, Mother’s Day weekend, rain or shine.

ArtWalk takes place in the historic Westville Village section of New Haven, along Whalley Avenue and Fountain Street from West Rock Avenue at beautiful Edgewood Park to Harrison Street.

Get Ready to Ride!

 A Broken Umbrella Theatre bikes into spring with a family-friendly new play with music and velocipedes

This spring, bike on down to Westville’s 15^th Annual Art Walk as A Broken Umbrella Theatre premieres a new play with music. For two Saturdays this May, a cast of kid-friendly goofballs will bring the invention of the bicycle to life in an innovative, site-specific play. Brimming with original music infused with the spirit of the 1980s and spectacular design complete with spinning bike parts, HEAD OVER WHEELS celebrates community, cycling, and conquering fear.

Inspired by the moment in 1865 when Pierre Lallement, inventor of the bicycle, took the very first recorded “header” over the handlebars of his bicycle in Connecticut’s own Ansonia, comes the latest ensemble created work by A Broken Umbrella Theatre, HEAD OVER WHEELS.

Meet our heroes, Clint and Flint. They are twins; they are practically identical. Clint owns the best bike shop in town and organizes “The Pierre Lallement Annual Community Bicycle Ride When the Entire Community Communes to Celebrate New Haven’s Rich History and Its Innovative Inventions Including the Bicycle…and Picnic.” Each year everyone in town participates in this festive ride – everyone but Flint. Because Flint has a secret: he can’t ride a bicycle. This year, though, Flint hopes things will be different. With the arrival of a cycling angel and the help of his neighbors, will Flint learn to face his fears, strap on his helmet, and ride? Or will he continue to fall head over wheels?

Performances will be held outdoors along the West River in front of A Broken Umbrella Theatre’s warehouse space at 446A Blake Street on two Saturdays, May 12 and 19. Take a bike ride along the river walk or down Blake Street to get to the show. Plenty of bike racks (and parking for cars) will be available!

Saturday, May 12 at Westville’s 15^th Annual ArtWalk at Noon, 2pm & 4pm

Saturday, May 19 at 446A Blake Street in New Haven at 2pm & 4pm

Out of Doors; Rain or Shine. (Umbrellas are always available!)

Conceived and developed by A Broken Umbrella Theatre, HEAD OVER WHEELS features a cast and crew of local New Haven artists.  Story Development Team: Ian Alderman, Rachel Alderman, Chrissy Gardner, Ryan Gardner, Michelle Ortiz, Ruben Ortiz, and Jason Wells. Direction: Rachel Alderman. Music: Chrissy Gardner. Design Team: Janie Alexander, Jacy Barber, Ryan Gardner, and Laura Miracle Tamarkin. Stage Manager: Micah Stieglitz. HEAD OVER WHEELS is supported by the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance and The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation. A Broken Umbrella Theatre is a proud recipient of a 2011 Arts Award from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven.

Leila Day Nursery hosts its annual Spring Fair complete with arts and crafts, a zip line, pony rides, music, a kid’s toy & gear tag sale, food and refreshments, and more.  All proceeds allow the school to provide tuition assistance to families with different economic needs.   Free admission (tickets required to play games, purchase food, and participate in activities) Come and join in our fun tradition!

Saturday, May 19^th 10am-2pm.  (rain date Sunday, May 20th)

Leila Day Nursery School 100 Cold Spring St., New Haven

For more information, please call 203-624-1374

www.leiladay.com

Westville Community Nursery School’s Annual Jump-a-thon and Toy Tag Sale

Saturday, April 28^th 10 am – 1 pm

34 Harrison Street, New Haven  (203) 387-6660   vicepresident@wcnsinc.org

Let Your Kids Jump their Wiggles Out:

• Bouncy Houses on the Playground & Indoor Mats:
• Hours of jumping fun just $2/child!
• Shop our Giant Toy Tag Sale and Silent Auction Gift Baskets!
• Don’t miss the Raffle of excellent local services and family-friendly gifts!
• Light Lunch items and a Scrumptious Bake Sale will keep you going!

Plus: Face Painting, T-shirt making & other affordable enchantment for kids!

Check out our event on Facebook: WCNSinc

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Founded in 1971, WCNS has been an integral part of the Westville community for more than four decades, educating generations of children with a “learn through play” philosophy.  Located at 34 Harrison St., across the Mitchell branch of the New Haven Public Library, WCNS is a private, non-profit preschool accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.