Here’s the scene: Three alderwomen dance to Beyonce’s “End of Time,” and a mayoral candidate does a credible Justin Bieber imitation.
You’ve entered not a parallel universe but the inaugural performance of “Broadway Night.”
The show Tuesday night drew 150 clapping and hooting folks to see the city’s amateur musicians and hoofers on parade — including three alderwomen who headlined shaking it up to Beyonce’s sexy rhythms. Click on the play arrow to watch Honorables Jeanette Morrison, Jessica Holmes, and Tyisha Walker display a new set of political moves.
Allan Appel Photo
The Lincoln-Bassett Choir sang a Japanese song, complete with dancing and fish.
The show was organized by the Board of Aldermen. It pulled in not only the choirs and ensembles from local schools, but also a handful of singing and dancing alders themselves who took to a stage quite difference from the chambers at City Hall: the Shubert Theater.
The aim was to raise bucks for a new fund called Talent Haven. At $25 per admission, Aldermen Sal DeCola and Sergio Rodriguez organized the event to raise money for new scholarships in the arts. The event raised $5,000.
The money raised will go into the Talent Haven fund at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, which will then distribute it equally into the scholarship programs at Music Haven, Neighborhood Music School, and Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, said DeCola.
Other years the money might be disbursed for other purposes. But in this, the 100th year of the Shubert, the focus is the arts, DeCola said.
Has Justin Bieber joined the race for mayor?
Alderman (and mayoral candidate) Justin Elicker brandished a big guitar for the evening to do a credible imitation of teen heartthrob Justin Bieber.
The Ultimate Dance Experience of Hamden brought the house down.
Other groups performing included the choir and jazz ensembles from Lincoln-Basset School, the Davis Street Arts & Academics Band, Ultimate Dance Experience of Hamden, and Neighborhood Music School.
Aldermen who didn’t perform worked, like the Hill’s Andrea Jackson-Brooks (pictured), as ushers for the event. Some, like Downtown’s Doug Hausladen, planned their acts for next year.
“I’m going to do a mimed spoken-word act,” said Hausladen.
“Him silent? I’d pay to see that. For him to be quiet, oh Lord have mercy, yes,” declared Jackson-Brooks.