New Haven's two newest festivals may be over, but two of the city's most popular traditional attractions are yet to come: the annual international men's tennis competition and the summertime street festival held yearly at the tail end of the tournament. Yale is a major supporter of both events, which draw tourists from around the world.
More than half of the world's top 20 men's tennis players will compete in this year's Pilot Pen International -- formerly called the Volvo International -- which takes place Saturday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, located adjacent to the Yale Bowl on Derby Avenue. A total of 56 players will compete in the $1.04 million major championship, which is part of the worldwide ATP Tour and is under the new sponsorship of Pilot Pen. Among this year's competitors are Australian Open winner Boris Becker, French Open champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, as well as top-ranked tennis stars Jim Courier, Michael Stich, MaliVai Washington, Marcelo Rios, Wayne Ferreria, Marc Rosset, Jan Siemerink, Shuzo Matsuoka, Mats Wilander, Cedric Pioline, Michael Joyce and Arnaud Boetsch. The event will also feature a doubles championship.
As in past years, the Association of Yale Alumni AYA is offering the sale of box seats to both Yale individuals and University departments for the Pilot Pen International. The seats are located on the east side of the court, at the center, in rows 10-20. The AYA also manages a hospitality tent exclusively for program participants. The air-conditioned tent has closed-circuit television viewing of matches in progress and offers a full wait staff for lunch and dinner. Program participants can also sign up for tennis clinics throughout the week that are taught by former tennis professionals, and will receive copies of the tournament program and daily draw sheets.
The following options are offered as part of the AYA program: Option 1 Monday and Tuesday , $125; Option 2 Wednesday and Thursday , $250; Option 3 finals weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday , $475; and Option 4 full tournament , $675. Payment can be made by check, credit card or department accounting transfer. For more information on the AYA program, call Ricardo Chavira at 432- 7767 or Sheila Cook at 432-1939.
Individual and box seats can also be reserved by calling the Pilot Pen toll free hotline at 1-888-99-PILOT or at 203 776-7331. Street festival
The four-day Elm City Brewing Street Festival featuring entertainment, food, crafts, contests, art demonstrations and more, will be held Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 15-18, in the downtown area along Chapel Street, between Howe and College streets. Elm City Brewing is the title sponsor of the annual event, held during the last four days of the tennis tournament. SNET is this year's presenting sponsor, and the Office of the Secretary at Yale is one of the major supporters.
This year, the event boasts several new attractions, including the addition of crafters selling their creations and a New Haven Kids Talent Showcase, which offers the opportunity for Elm City youngsters to display their talents.
This year, the theme for the street festival is "block party." Each day of the event will feature an activity designed to bring out the "hometown feel" of the community, says Lauren D'Alessandro, director of cultural affairs for the City of New Haven and producer of the street festival. Among the many other activities taking place are concerts featuring music ranging from acoustic to big band, a Latin dance and "Disco Fever" dance party, radio contests, karate and arts demonstrations, strolling entertainers and a pet parade. Lining the street will be food vendors from New Haven area restaurants.
Festival hours are 5-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1-11 p.m. on Saturday, and 1-9 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about festival events, call The Office of Cultural Affairs Events Line at 946- 7850 or the Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau at 777-8550.