Thank you to everyone who made the boys choir concert a success last Thursday. It was a fantastic event, beautiful music in a lovely setting. Thank you especially to Rockafellas who donated Colonial Hall when the weather made Old Town Hall an unbearably hot location for the concert and to The Dejas for assisting with the sound equipment needed for the concert. The Merchant Taylors’ London Boys Choir really appreciated Salem hospitality and said it was their favorite venue out of their whole tour. The concert was part of a trip to celebrate the schools 450th anniversary. SMS also would like to thank all those who gave donations at the concert to support the Salem Farmers’ Market.
Looking for something to do this weekend…spend your weekend downtown Salem enjoying the 6th Annual Salem Culturefest put on by A3D. Saturday and Sunday – music, dancing, delicious food and much more starting at 10 a.m. For more information visit A3Dinc.org. In addition to all the fun Salem Culturefest is offering “ethical electronics recylcing”
Also, during the Culturefest enjoy the Dog Show, sponsored by Penelope’s Pet Boutique at the common starting at 1:00 on Sunday.
The Boys Choir Concert schedule for tonight in Old Town Hall has been relocated to Rockafella’s Colonial Hall at 231 Essex Street. This venue is air conditioned and a lovely spot to enjoy a free summer evening concert. The prestigious London Boys Choir from Merchant Taylors’ School will perform in Rockafella’s Colonial Hall tonight Thursday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the school’s founding 450 years ago. It is a free concert but they will be accepting donations which they will contribute to the Salem Farmers’ Market. Mayor Kimberley Driscoll will introduce the choir and welcome them to Salem.
The Choir of 48 boys (ages 11 – 18) are on a singing tour to celebrate the school’s founding in 1651 The school is one of the oldest in the UK, founded by the Merchant Taylors’ Guild of the 1500’s. It has a long, prestigious, and proud history. Over the centuries, Merchant Taylor choirs have frequently sung in St Paul’s, London and in many other Cathedrals and halls in the UK and Europe. The choir is lucky have had many excellent conductors over the years. Currently their conductor is Richard Hobson, a former Cathedral chorister, one of UK’s well-known organists and a former Council member of the British Institute of Organ Studies, and adviser on organs to the Diocese of London. He brings great knowledge and discipline to the choir. Their program will range from Bach to Duke Ellington.
Follow this link to read a recent story on the choir visit in the Salem News.
For more info on Merchant Taylors’ School visit: http://www.mtsn.org.uk/
Their program July 21 ranges from Benjamin Britten’s The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard Thomas to Bach’s God is our hope and strength (from Cantata 129) to Duke Ellington’s It don’t Mean A Thing.
Salem Main Street’s Events this summer:
Every Thursday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
OPEN TO ALL in Derby Square
LONDON BOYS CHOIR CONCERTJuly July 21st – 7:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
FREE at the Old Town Hall
MAYOR’S NIGHT OUT Restaurant Sampler
August 8th – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Purchase tickets by calling 978-744-0004
August 9th – 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
At the Salem Commons
Start your Out Night at the Salem Farmers’ Market which opens at 3 p.m. in Derby Square on Front Street. This week at the market the Green City Growers will be giving a raised bed installation and maintenance talk at 3:30, Diane DeGuzman will offer free Health Coaching, and from 5 – 7 Jake and Jesse Armerding will entertain with folk music.
Enjoy many promotions, discounts and events in Salem Thursday Night including:
Peabody Essex Museum – Art After Hours, 161 Essex Street, (978) 745-9500 | pem.org, Experience PEM and its special exhibition, Soundscapes, at this after hours garden party. Sound artists James Forrest, Scott Buchanan and Noel Snow create unexpected atmospheres using voice, acoustic and electric instruments, recorded music and digitally created sound. Modern dancer Sarah Slifer and her ensemble offer an immersive dance performance in East India Marine Hall. Also, make your own sound art, listen to tracks from the DIY recording projects The RPM Challenge and hear what’s new from Dorkbot Boston, a group inspired by the creative blending of art, science and electricity. Members & Salem Residents $8, Nonmembers $10 | Cash Bar
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. A Love Song for Salem: A Visual Tribute, by Jim McAllister, at the Salem Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, (978) 745-6314 | An impressionistic portrait of Salem, a visual poem, a nostalgic time capsule containing more than 300 images representing four seasons, five neighborhoods, and fifteen years (1978-1993) of photography by historian Jim McAllister. CultureCorner@gmail.com for reservations and tickets $10.
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Gay Mixer at Omen Psychic Parlor & Witchcraft Emporium, 184 Essex Street,(978) 666-0763 | OmenSalem.com, Celebrate Out Night at Omen! Bring your own wine or snack.
5pm-9pm Open Door Celebration, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 24 St. Peter’s Street, (978) 745-2291 | StPetersSalem.org,St. Peter’s is extending a special welcome to all LGBT folk and their friends on Out Night and at all times. The church will be open on June 30 for tours, and there will be refreshments.
7:30 PM Smudge, Salem Theater Company, 90 Lafayette Street, S978-790-8546 | salemtheatre.com | info@salemtheatre.com, A dark comedy about the changing face of the American family and the limits of love and cheesecake, as a hopeful young couple gives birth to a smudge, written by two-time Emmy Award winner Rachel Axler (The Daily Show, Parks & Recreation). Adults: $18, Seniors: $15, Students: $10
6:30 PM & 7:30 PM Salem Trolley presents their Tales & Tombstones Tour, 8 Central Street, (978) 744-5469 |, salemTrolley.com Dusk transforms the city of Salem. As the city of renown seafarers and distinguished architecture fades into the shadows, a new Salem of the occult and paranormal emerges. You will experience all of this and more as you ride the Salem Trolley’s Tales & Tombstones Tour and explore Salem of the Shadows. Tour is approximately 1 hour. Tour departs from 8 Central Street. Adults $20.00, Seniors (60+) $15.00 and Children (6-14) $10.00
5pm-8pm. Wedding and Milestone Planning & Open House , First Universalist Society of Salem (UU), 211 Bridge Street (front entrance is off of Federal Street) (978) 744-3224 | SalemUU.org FUSS welcomes and performs same-sex and opposite-sex weddings, and milestone ceremonies for families of all types. We also offer general building rental. Staff will available to show our facilities and answer questions.