From Mary Lou Aleskie, Executive Director:
The clipboard on the wall outside my office, as I write this reads "FESTIVAL COUNTDOWN 30 Days remaining until June 14." As if that isn't intimidating enough, what follows quickly on that notion is that in 45 days it will be history...a mere memory....something to look back on...or for some, a missed opportunity. A MISSED OPPORTUNITY! No. Not that. It is just too sad to contemplate.
This Festival truly is a gift. And it is intended as a gift to be enjoyed by all. That's why 80% of the festival is free. And those events that are ticketed are priced as affordably as possible and discounted for groups, youth, seniors and students.
So now that the details are all in place, we are busily trying to reach out, literally to the world, to invite them to enjoy this remarkable Festival. It truly is a world tour that happens in our own backyard...an international adventure with all the comforts of home...because you ARE home.
And when I say reach out to the world, that isn't at all a stretch. In addition to the wonderful local coverage from our media, just this weekend The New York Times listed us in its Summer Stages special section featuring the most noteworthy festivals in North America. The British Council proudly blasted to their international community Seamus Heaney's THE BURIAL AT THEBES with us in New Haven as well as at the Spoleto Festival. Maya Beiser and her international management team did similarly today and announced the World Premiere of her new work PROVENANCE here at the Festival and its subsequent performances at Chicago's Ravinia Festival in July, then on to Carnegie Hall in the Fall....As our friends at Market New Haven like to say...New Haven-It All Happens HERE...but at the Festival is often also happens FIRST!
So why stay home??? There is so much to enjoy. Mavis Staples kicks it all off on the New Haven Green for free on June 14. Family activities, walking tours, bike tours, talks, theater, music, dance and more unfolds for the next 15 days and it's all yours to turn into great memories.