News – Page 61 – Salem Main Streets

Local Voices Sing Out for Salem Boys/Girls Club

Mar 242015

Harmony of purpose will fill the air Wednesday night in Salem as 11 young ladies of music will be entertaining to help raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem’s Teen Girls Program. The event is called Rhapsody and you are invited by Creative Salem to attend Opus Underground for an “acoustic evening which will feature a wide range of singers and songwriters, ranging from local open mic legends to award winning artists. Though varying in genres and styles, Rhapsody promises to be an excellent exploration in artistry and musicianship for an incredible local cause.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem program which will benefit from this fundraiser is geared to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

In other words, a worthy cause.

Donation is $5 to Rhapsody and in return you will be treated to a sampling of music styles currently making the rounds of the greater North Shore, Boston area— and beyond.

The performers will be: Kirsten Manville, Molly Pinto Madigan, Sarah Seminski, Priscilla Swain, Rachel Baldwin, Jade, Briana Paquin, Letriah Masters, Alyssa Grace, Leah Cirker-Stark, and Joey Phoenix.

Several of the performers are Salem natives or residents. Full details of performing styles and pictures can be found on this Creative Salem page.

The music begins at 8:30 pm in the Opus Underground venue, located at 87 Washington St, Salem. For more info call 978-744-9600.

(Image of microphone courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Night at the Museum— For Real at Salem’s PEM

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Workshops No Responses »

Mar 222015

Over 600 people decided that what Artopia had to offer was something they wanted to experience. Thursday’s PEM/PM monthly late night party at the Peabody Essex Museum was a grand old time and if we may say, an artistic success for all the community groups that came together to create the schedule of events.

Attendees were invited to…

… contribute to a fiber arts project by knitting spring flowers with the folks from the Salem Arts Festival (a Salem Main Streets project)… sit and sketch with local group Sketch Collective… drum along with Express Yourself… catch Salem Sketches — short films created right here in Salem — which screened at recent Salem Film Fest… create your own instrument with Salem Jazz & Soul… and enjoy a 15-minute gallery experience highlighting some “ordinary” gems in the museum’s Japanese art collection.

And there was much more. Music that excited and moved the crowd from Ross Livermore Band. Front Yard Street Art, a collaborative fiber arts project open to community members and groups of all ages and abilities certainly attracted a lot of attention.

Hats off to Creative Salem, the Salem Arts Festival and, of course, the Peabody Essex Museum. Producing an event to attract over 600 people on a weeknight certainly indicates that art is not only alive & well in Salem— it also delivers an exciting environment.

(Video produced by JoeyPhoenixPhotography.com by way of CreativeSalem.com)

The Arts Are Alive, Well & Thriving in Salem – at Artopia

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Workshops 1 Response »

Mar 182015

Vibrant and creative are words to define the arts & culture scene of Salem — and those words will take physical shape this Thursday from 6-9 pm as Artopia takes over the monthly PEM/PM event, hosted by the Peabody Essex Museum.

Now, this blog may shake a little as you read it because we at Salem Main Streets are very excited about Artopia as so many local groups and festivals are involved! It is a real coming together of the community.

“The theme of this event is ‘Art in the Everyday,’ which is part of why we’re playing a lot with the creation of art and elevating ‘ordinary’ objects or activities,” reveals Kylie Sullivan, Main Streets Manager.

For example… contribute to a fiber arts project by knitting spring flowers with the folks from the Salem Arts Festival… sit and sketch with local group Sketch Collective… drum along with Express Yourself… catch Salem Sketches — short films created right here in Salem — which screened at recent Salem Film Fest… create your own instrument with Salem Jazz & Soul… and enjoy a 15-minute gallery experience highlighting some “ordinary” gems in the museum’s Japanese art collection.

For Artopia, PEM is partnering with the Salem Arts Festival and Creative Salem to super-charge this celebration. PEM/PMs are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month as a way to introduce and invite the community to utilize the resource that PEM is to the community.

Adds John Andrews of Creative Salem, “There will be roaming performance artists including members of ARTiculate this. Featured live artists will be Denny Tentindo, Ben Stebbings and Jamie O’Neil. Also at our Creative Salem table, we’ll have Allison White doing a needlepoint demo.”

The evening, as with all PEM/PM events, includes music, cocktails and conversation with separate stations for creativity. But Artopia doesn’t stop there.

Local author and meatball aficionado Adeline Myers, will discuss her recently published cookbook Global Meatballs and even prepare a couple of her favorite recipes. A well-crafted meatball can be a work of art!

Beer lovers can glean creative brewing insights from Newburyport Brewing Company and sample its locally brewed and appropriately named beers: Newburyport Pale Ale, Plum Island Belgian White and Green Head IPA.

And as they say, “that’s not all folks” as the evening will also feature North Shore-based Ross Livermore Band. A local favorite, the band has toured throughout New England and beyond and was recently nominated for Best in State in the New England Music Awards.

One other item to note, and of personal interest to those of us at Salem Main Streets and the Salem Arts Festival, is the Front Yard Street Art project.

Front Yard Street Art is a collaborative fiber arts project open to community members and groups of all ages and abilities. Create your own “green space” (field, garden plot, jungle, etc.) made of yarn, felt, fabric, and whatever else inspires you! Each piece will become part of a large-scale temporary art installation transforming Front Street during the Salem Arts Festival weekend.

Examples created by the students at the Phoenix School in Salem, will be on display Thursday evening as well.

And what is the cost of admission for this extravaganza? For PEM members and Salem residents (with ID) it is free of charge. For nonmembers, it is only $10 at the door. PEM is located at 161 Essex St., Salem Ma. For more info go to www.pem.org or call 978-745-9500.

Artopia is a most creative reason to venture out into the evening.

(Phoenix School photo courtesy Joey Phoenix)

Salem Spring Restaurant Week Serves Up Delightful Dining

Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Mar 132015

“What are we going to have for dinner” will be replaced for the next two weeks in Salem Ma with “where are we going to have dinner,” as the popular Salem Spring Restaurant Week is served up March 15-19 and again March 22-26.

Long noted for attractions and history, Salem is coming into its own also as a foodie destination with a diverse menu of traditional and ethnic flavors among our restaurants. And as a way of thanking regular patrons and inviting new ones, Salem restaurants are offering either a two-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $18, or a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $28, or both (price does not include drinks, taxes or gratuities).

Many of the prix-fixe menus include multiple choices for appetizers, entrees and desserts.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce, which serves as the voice for member businesses, represents, advocates and works to enhance the business and civic environment. To that end, it produces these restaurant weeks in March and November.

There is a Facebook page, and the Chamber also provides links to special menus for this occasion.

As of this writing, participating dining destinations for your epicurean delight are:

62 Restaurant and Wine Bar
62 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-0062
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Adriatic Restaurant and Bar
155 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 594-1832
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Bella Verona
107 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 825-9911
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Finz Seafood & Grill
76 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-0000
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Firenze Trattoria
2 Lynde Street, Salem, MA – (978) 594-1188
Offering a Three-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Koto Grill & Sushi Lounge
90 Washington Street , Salem, MA – (978) 594-8681
Offering a Three-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Naumkeag Ordinary
118 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-4968
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Opus
87 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-9600
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Regatta Pub at the Waterfront Hotel
225 Derby Street, Salem, MA – (978) 740-8788
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Rockafellas
231 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-2411
Offering both a Two-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18 and a Three Course Menu for $28

Salem Beer Works
278 Derby Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-2337
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Scratch Kitchen
245 Derby St, Salem, MA – (978) 741-2442
Offering a Two-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18

Thai Place
Museum Place Mall, Salem, MA – (978) 741-8008
Offering both a Two-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18 and a Three-Course, Menu for $28

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
43 Church Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-7665
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Victoria Station & Vic’s Boathouse
86 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-3400
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Village Tavern
168 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-2858
Offering a Three-Course, Prixe-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18 *special pricing*

You will be treated to a wide variety of delicious foods – from steak to seafood, American to ethnic, there is something for everyone. Reservations are encouraged, therefore the Chamber of Commerce advises that you contact the restaurants directly. Please mention “Restaurant Week” when making your reservations.

And don’t forget, save room for the dessert!

Salem Cable Replacement Project Getting Underway

History, Salem Event, Salem Shopping, Uncategorized No Responses »

Mar 102015

It’s been said there is a great deal of history buried within the bricks and cobblestones of Salem, MA. Some of it good, some not so good, and some just the kind that needs to be updated. National Grid will be working to replace two aging underground electric transmission lines, located through a small stretch of Salem. These lines transmit electricity used by hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses in Salem and throughout the North Shore.

This of course means a slight bit of inconvenience to motorists driving and parking in the City.

A small number of “no parking” signs will be posted in advance of construction, and those restrictions will remain in effect until construction is complete for that day. Police details and signs will always be present to assist everyone through the work zone and to facilitate traffic management.

The Salem Cable Replacement Project will install new cables in a duct bank and manhole system, which will eliminate the need to dig up Salem streets for regular repairs. The new, modern cables will also address capacity limitations and maintenance issues with the current system.

The weekday work hours for the Salem Cable Project are 7 am to 4:30 pm (which includes the last hour given over to work site clean-up),

The first two work sites for the project, beginning on/or around March 11: Hawthorne Boulevard, just north of the Derby Street intersection, and Congress Street, on the north side of the South River Bridge.

Hawthorne Boulevard : contractors will be installing a large manhole. This work is expected to last for approximately two weeks, weather permitting.
Congress Street : contractors will begin installing the duct bank that will house the new underground electrical transmission cable. This installation will continue northward, towards Derby Street, ending at the newly installed manhole described above. Due to the nature of this type of work, it is estimated to be completed in five to six weeks, weather permitting.

Also, during the construction activities, one National Grid Gas crew will be finishing gas line installations on Hawthorne Boulevard between Derby Street and Washington Square South; and along Congress Street, on the north side of the Congress Street Bridge.

A project map including the approximate location for the Hawthorne Boulevard and Congress Street work sites is available on their website’s Blog: www.salemcableproject.com/blog .

In fact, to stay up-to-date on each phase of the Salem Cable Replacement Project, just sign up for email updates, like it on Facebook, and to follow on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call the toll-free hotline at 1-844-SALEMCABLE (1-844-725-3622).

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