}

The Shop Blog

The Quiet Queer Open Mic Night @ Strange Ways! May 27 2023

Celebrate the conclusion of Pride Month with some peace and quiet!
This is a lowkey, casual, and sober event, dedicated those of us who are introverted and introspected (but really, we could all use a little bit of recentering after a month of celebration). Enjoy some good vibes and light refreshments in a safe and welcoming environment, and feel free to express yourself without fear of judgement.
We are open to all forms of expression, whether it's poetry, prose, spoken word, or music (acoustic is preferred!). All queer identities are welcome to join!
Please email Val at val@strange-ways.com to sign up! Walk-ins will also be welcomed, providing we have enough time--but we strongly encourage you signing up beforehand to secure your spot.

Drag and Draw: Figure Drawing Class with "Susan?"! May 25 2023

Join us at Strange Ways for an unforgettable figure drawing class! For the first time ever, we will be bringing a LIVE DRAG QUEEN into Strange Ways Studio as our figure drawing model!
This will be a guided class, taught by our very own Val Ruby-Omen, professional illustrator and amateur drag queen tamer. She'll teach you step-by-step how to draw the human form, as our model Susan? (yes, the ? is part of her name) strikes a pose or two.
This class is suitable for all skill levels and is meant to be fun, casual, and incredibly entertaining. There will be jokes, laughs, and emotional support available if your drawing ends up looking more like a donkey than our beautiful Susan?. **We do recommend ages 13+ for this class--expect the same level of shenanigans you'd see in a PG13 movie.**
We will provide all of the materials you need to draw your very own drag queen, but please feel free to bring your own if you'd like to get even more creative!
SPACES ARE VERY LIMITED- buy your tickets ASAP because this class will fill up fast.
TICKETS ARE $15 PRESALE, OR $20 AT THE DOOR (if any are even available by then!):
https://www.strange-ways.com/.../drag-draw-event-ticket...

Queer Crafters of Color Vendor Pop-Up @ Strange Ways! May 25 2023

Join us for an incredibly special Pride Month edition of our monthly vendor pop-up!
This pop-up features 7 local queer crafters of color, lovingly curated by Beacon Craft Studio. Come support your local community and shop from a wide variety of handmade goods made by local POC owned and operated small businesses!
The lineup:
  1. Beacon Craft Studio - leather goods
  2. Bright Raven Studio- candles and pottery
  3. Jisu Sheen "GOGUMAMA"- paintings & drawings, stickers, cards, pencils, pins, books
  4. Iman B- art, prints, zines, greeting cards
  5. Melissa Villa "Amiga"- art and prints
  6. Creampuff Pal- polymer earrings, magnets, and pins
  7. Wrap Artist Gems- crystal jewelry 

 

 

QUEER MIXER - Pride Month Edition! @ Strange Ways May 20 2023

Strange Ways returns with another QUEER MIXER.....except this time, it's even bigger and gayer (if you can believe it!)!
Join us in store for a free and friendly social gathering from 7pm-9pm. Meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and come see for yourself why the Connecticut queer community is so special.
* Enjoy free refreshments along with catering from our friends and queer neighbors at Blue Orchid!
* Our special guests of honor, A Place To Nourish Your Health (APNH) , will be vending and providing resources and queer empowerment!
*Queer folks will receive 15% off their entire purchase during the mixer, so feel free to browse and shop while we party!
* Use our pop-up photo booth to take some iconic glamour shots with local drag performer Ambrosia Black, who will also be closing out the evening with a special performance for our guests! (performance time is 8:30)
* * SEE YOU AT THE AFTERPARTY! * *
The fun doesn't end at 9pm! We'll be closing down shop and walking down the street to continue the afterparty at Blue Orchid, who is kindly extending their hours to accommodate ours guests! Grab one of their signature mixed drink or a little bite to eat and support another incredible queer-owned business right here in the 9th Square. 

PRIDE PARTY! Strange Ways x Armada Brewing Beer Release Party @ Armada Brewing! May 11 2023

 

Join Strange Ways in celebrating the release of our Pride Month beer collaboration with Armada Brewing, "QUEER OCCULT"! Get ready for a rainbow tidal wave as we take over Armada Brewing with our curated LGBTQ+ vendor market, featuring 15+ of the best queer vendors in the tristate area!

Grab food from the on-site food truck and get your drink on! You can feel good knowing you'll be drinking for a VERY worthy cause, because $1 from each draft pour of QUEER OCCULT will be donated to local queer organization, A Place to Nourish Your Health.

 

ABOUT QUEER OCCULT: This fruity sour, brewed with love by "Captain" John Kraszewki and the team at Armada Brewing, blends raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry in a perfectly tart and refreshing beer that is perfect for celebrating Pride Month...when the queer community is at the height of our power. The scene on the beer label, illustrated by Strange Ways employee Valerie Ruby-Omen (@the.tiny.ruby), depicts an occult summoning of Strange Ways Owner Alex Dakoulas, surrounded by mysterious (but actually very friendly!) cult members and reverent members of the queer community who have gathered to watch the ritual unfold. Val and Alex, both proud members of the queer community, spent countless hours crafting the personalities and archetypes featured on the label, and we hope that you can see yourself in this image. This is our love letter to the queer community and aims to reclaim some of the most absurd stereotypes and insults levied against us.

Save the date and follow along for more updates!

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Flair Fair @ Strange Ways + New Haven Night Market May 09 2023

 

Our pin and patch artist market is BACK! Teaming up with the outdoor evening bazaar the New Haven Night Market, we'll have vendors outside and inside Strange Ways, as well as patch application on-site. Visit the links below for more info!

www.TheFlairFair.com

www.NewHavenNightMarket.com

 

Movies in the Plaza: Opening Night Celebration @ Strange Ways April 26 2023

STRANGE WAYS IS OPEN LATE!
Join us in celebration of the first movie of the season in Pitkin Plaza! Our friends at Downtown New Haven are kicking off this well-loved weekly event with "Everything Everywhere All At Once".
Stop in before the movie starts and save 20% on everything in store during our pre-show sale from 6-8 pm! We will also be providing free snacks (while supplies last) from our sister store, Westville General, for you to enjoy during the movie.
Come shop local and enjoy a gorgeous evening with your community!
RSVP on Facebook or EventBrite!

Feeling Pretty and Witty and Strange! Drag Show @ Strange Ways! April 15 2023

Join us at Strange Ways for an all-ages drag show in our studio space!

Produced by and starring Frankie Cyanide, CT drag king and self proclaimed "Mockery of the Industry", and featuring the unmistakable talents of Tiki Malone and Destiny Harmony. Come see why the CT drag scene is among the best and most vibrant in the world!

This event is free to attend, but as always, donations are appreciated and warmly welcomed. Tip your performers and support your local scene!

RSVP on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/2Vgq6apZz

Vintage Pop-Up Shop @ Strange Ways! March 30 2023

Join us at Strange Ways New Haven for a vintage seller pop-up shop! We have three local vendors offering an array of vintage, thrifted, and upcycled goods. You're sure to find a little bit of everything--from clothing to home goods, our vendors got you covered!

Find this month's Featured Vendors on IG:
@soulfulthreads_
@erranthomethrifts
@Elm_Thrifted

 

RSVP On Facebook:

https://fb.me/e/DatZ4Sp9

Chill*Mart Vendor Pop-Up March 23 2023

 

Join us at Strange Ways for our monthly curated mini market! This month we're celebrating 420 and Earth Day with a selection of three out-of-this-world artists of a higher vibration.


Featuring:


*Psychedelic, trippy, and otherworldly art from Cactus Food
https://www.instagram.com/_cactusfood_/


*Beautifully handcrafted lighters, pipes, trays and more from Ink and Grain
https://www.instagram.com/ink_and_grain/


*Crystal jewelry, crowns, and other mystical magic from Wrap Artists Gems
https://www.instagram.com/wrap_artist_gems/

 

RSVP on Facebook! https://fb.me/e/KpAXqcmG

Recent Articles

The Quiet Queer Open Mic Night @ Strange Ways! Posted on May 27, 2023

Drag and Draw: Figure Drawing Class with "Susan?"! Posted on May 25, 2023

Queer Crafters of Color Vendor Pop-Up @ Strange Ways! Posted on May 25, 2023

QUEER MIXER - Pride Month Edition! @ Strange Ways Posted on May 20, 2023

PRIDE PARTY! Strange Ways x Armada Brewing Beer Release Party @ Armada Brewing! Posted on May 11, 2023

Flair Fair @ Strange Ways + New Haven Night Market Posted on May 09, 2023

Movies in the Plaza: Opening Night Celebration @ Strange Ways Posted on April 26, 2023

Feeling Pretty and Witty and Strange! Drag Show @ Strange Ways! Posted on April 15, 2023

Vintage Pop-Up Shop @ Strange Ways! Posted on March 30, 2023

Chill*Mart Vendor Pop-Up Posted on March 23, 2023

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