Live From Salem, Mass – It’s Saturday Downtown Events All Day

 New Businesses, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market  No Responses »
Sep 062014
 

Salem Best ChefIf you picked today to visit Salem, MA, you made an excellent selection. We of course hope you return next month for our Haunted Happenings month-long extravaganza in celebration of all things Halloween, but today offers a diverse menu of selections in our Downtown District.

Get here early enough today (or most likely keep in mind for another Saturday, because you know you’ll be back), there is the Salem Food Tours Saturday Morning Coffee Walk at 9:15am. Get the inside scoop on our great shops, restaurants, downtown Salem and the waterfront area. Ideal for locals and visitors alike. Includes complimentary organic coffee or tea and finishes with local cider tasting (no food tasting on these tours.) Runs approx. 1 hour & 20 minutes. For more info email info@salemfoodtours.com or call 978.594.8811.

Silver Moon 1Silver Moon Comics & Collectibles is a new comic book theme store having its grand opening in the Museum Place Mall, today & tomorrow. In addition to comics, there will also be figurines, posters, and tie-ins with movies and TV shows related to the industry— as well as guest artists on a regular basis. The store provides discounts to customers with military or Salem State University ID and is receptive to anyone wishing to bring in comics or collectibles to trade or sell. Hours this weekend are 9am – 8pm Saturday and 10am – 7pm Sunday. For more info call 978.594.8641.

The Salem YMCA is hosting its first annual Salem’s Best Chef  fundraising event, featuring chefs from Finz, 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar, the Ugly Mug Diner, and Scratch Kitchen. Takes place tonight 6-8 pm in the YMCA’s Ames Hall. The extra interesting aspect of this fundraiser for the Y is that for the competition portion of the event, each chef will be given a basket of secret ingredients, “Chopped” style from— the Salem Farmers’ Market! Tickets are still available. Call 978.740.9622. The YMCA is located at One Sewall street.

Peabody Essex Museum continues to intrigue, amaze and entertain with its selection of exhibits. Today it launches an all day session of events; it is the exclusive East Coast venue for Calder and Abstraction: From Avant-Garde to Iconic. This exhibition brings together 40 sculptures by Alexander Calder, one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th century. It will run from Sept. 6 to Jan. 4, 2015.

A menu of some of today’s Downtown events to delight the senses. Just for you from Salem Mass. Enjoy!

Playing With Your Food – Week 12

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Sep 042014
 

Clark Farm - Week 6

“Playing With Your Food” is a weekly post highlighting a few of the many great uses for the wide range of produce and artisan food at the Salem Farmers’ Market, a Salem Main Streets project.  While we can never predict exactly what our farms will be able to bring each week, we do our best to reflect some of the fun items we’ve found recently and what’s likely to be available for the upcoming week.  Hopefully this will give you a few new ideas to play with, and inspire you to try some new things at the market.

This week on “Playing With Your Food“, we’re proposing something a little different – come see how the pros do it.

This Saturday evening, September 6, from 6 pm to 8 pm in Ames Hall, the Salem YMCA is hosting its first annual Salem’s Best Chef fundraising event, featuring chefs from Finz, 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar, the Ugly Mug Diner, and Scratch Kitchen, along with entertainment from Branches Steel Orchestra.

For the competition portion of the event, each chef will be given a basket of secret ingredients, “Chopped” style.  The majority of the ingredients will be sourced from the Salem Farmers’ Market.  In the basket there will be a protein, a vegetable, a fruit, and a unique spice provided by Salem Spice as well as some other surprises.  If you’ve enjoyed our recommendations for using your market goodies this season, this event is sure to give you some true inspiration!

There will be a panel of judges that each chef will be asked to prepare a dish for in about an hour’s time.  You might notice our fearless leader Kylie Sullivan of Salem Main Streets making an appearance as one of the judges.

Karen Scalia of Salem Food Tours, a good friend of Salem Main Streets and the Salem Farmers’ Market, will serve as the emcee for the competition, with Mark Scalia adding commentary and laughs to the rest of the evening’s proceedings. Karen will be asking questions and imparting facts and details about the restaurants and general Salem culinary facts. The Salem YMCA SAYMedia center will also be filming the chefs as they cook and showing it live during the event so that attendees can have a view of the chefs’ artistry at work.

As part of the event, attendees will experience a “Taste of Salem” with eight local, Salem restaurants participating and sharing a taste of their menus for all to enjoy.  Howling Wolf Taqueria, Scratch Kitchen, Opus, Tavern in the Square, the Lobster Shanty, the Clam Shack, the Tin Whistle, and Ken Rothwell Catering will all be part of the event.

The event is planned for Saturday, September 6 from 6-8pm in Ames Hall at the Salem YMCA and is being sponsored by the Salem Waterfront Hotel. Admission is $50 per person and includes a free drink ticket.  Creative Salem, led by Social Palates founder John Andrews, is also playing a major role in the event’s production and promotion.

All proceeds from the event, support the Salem YMCA. The event proceeds will help to ensure that everyone, regardless of income or background, has the chance to learn, grow and thrive at the Y.  Come join us for a wonderful night with great food for a great cause!

Master of the Mobiles Art Form on Display at PEM

 History, Salem Event  No Responses »
Sep 022014
 
Alexander Calder, Southern Cross (maquette), 1963. Calder Foundation, New York; Mary Calder Rower Bequest, 2011. © 2014 Calder Foundation, New York Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo Calder Foundation, New York Art Resource.

Alexander Calder, Southern Cross (maquette), 1963. Calder Foundation, New York; Mary Calder Rower Bequest, 2011.
© 2014 Calder Foundation, New York Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo Calder Foundation, New York Art Resource.

No sooner has the vastly popular Turner & the Sea exhibit moved out of the Peabody Essex Museum than another critically interesting one fills the void. This time, PEM is fortunate to be the exclusive East Coast venue for Calder and Abstraction: From Avant-Garde to Iconic. This exhibition brings together 40 sculptures by Alexander Calder, one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th century. It will run from Sept. 6 to Jan. 4, 2015.

Organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and in collaboration with the Calder Foundation it showcases mobiles, stabiles and maquettes made between the 1930s and the late 1960s, celebrating Calder’s pivotal contributions to modern art and his revolutionary approach to sculpture.

Opening Day Events (9/6/14, free with admission)

11 am – noon Panel Discussion: Redefining Sculpture, Morse Auditorium
Join Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, PEM’s James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes Chief Curator, as she hosts a panel discussion with Stephanie Barron, chief curator of modern and contemporary art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and curator of the exhibition, and Jed Perl, art critic for The New Republic and author of a forthcoming Calder biography. Reservations by September 5.

Herbert Matter, Calder in his Roxbury Studio, 1950s. Calder Foundation, New York. © 2014 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo courtesy of Wadsworth Antheneum Archives.

Herbert Matter, Calder in his Roxbury Studio, 1950s. Calder Foundation, New York. © 2014 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo courtesy of Wadsworth Antheneum Archives.

Noon – 4 pm Art Making: The Simple, Expressive Line, Atrium
A master of the simple, expressive line, Calder’s gift is clear in his first book Animal Sketching. Try your hand at creating a character inspired by Aesop’s fables.

12:30 and 3 pm Gallery Tours: Calder and Abstraction, Meet at information desk
Join our docent guides for an in-depth tour of Calder’s mobiles and stabiles. Tickets available day of program.

1 pm Film: Works of Calder, Morse Auditorium
This short film, with music by John Cage, illustrates how the artist drew on nature as a source of inspiration. Tickets available day of program. A Q&A with author Jed Perl follows the film.

2 pm Film: Calder: Sculptor of Air, Morse Auditorium
This film, directed by François Lévy-Kuentz, retraces Calder’s unique artistic quest and explores his masterpieces. For older teens and adults. Tickets available day or program.

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Carolyn and Peter S. Lynch and The Lynch Foundation provided generous support. The AMG Foundation sponsored the exhibition. Eaton Vance Investment Counsel and the East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum provided additional support. In-Kind Media Partner: WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station

Calder and Abstraction: From Avant-Garde to Iconic is to be located in the Dodge Gallery 2. For additional details, contact PEM at 978-745-9500.

September Salem Days Invite Residents to Boston Museum

 Salem Event  No Responses »
Aug 302014
 

Museum of Science BostonFar be it from Salem Main Streets to advise anyone NOT to visit a Salem attraction— but this one time our advice to residents is go to Boston! The Museum of Science welcomes Salem residents FREE of charge for the entire month of September. And if your visit is on either of two specific days, the train ride to Boston will also be without charge.

September Salem Days provides residents the opportunity to walk through the Boston Museum of Science. And there is a great deal to see: 700 interactive exhibits, live presentations, indoor lightning show and hands-on demonstrations.

This program is supported by the City of Salem and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, and funded by the Norman H. Read Trust (thank you very much!).

The program includes free Exhibit Halls, Planetarium, and Omni Theater passes for all Salem families, individuals, and children. Passes have already been mailed to each Salem household; admission is for one visit and up to four individuals per pass.

If you did not receive the passes or need additional ones, you can go to distribution centers located at Salem City Hall, Salem Public Library, and the Salem Parks and Recreation Department. Passes will also be distributed in classrooms at the Salem charter and public schools.

Exhibit Hall passes must be presented at the Museum entrance with a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or identification card indicating you are a Salem resident.

But Charles Hayden Planetarium and Mugar Omni Theater passes must be exchanged for a timed ticket with valid identification. Salem residents must obtain these passes in the mail or from a distribution center before going to the Museum.

Train rides are all month, but the special ones are on 9/6 and 9/27

  • The free ride offer is only valid for the 10:38 am North Station bound trains on 9/6 and 9/27. (Suggest you get there early to get the special ticket and don’t forget proof of residency.)
  • The 9/27 ride will be led by Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and family,
  • Museum of Science staff and volunteers will accompany passengers on both train rides to provide interpretive and hands-on science activities during the rides.

Museum hours in September are Saturday through Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm and Friday, 9 am– 9 pm. Closed Sept. 2, but open on Labor Day, Sept. 1, from 9 am –7 pm. For more info go to http://www.mos.org or call 617-723-2500.

Playing With Your Food – Week 11

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Aug 282014
 
Mill River - Week 4

The lineup at Mill River Winery

“Playing With Your Food” is a weekly post highlighting a few of the many great uses for the wide range of produce and artisan food at the Salem Farmers’ Market, a Salem Main Streets project.  While we can never predict exactly what our farms will be able to bring each week, we do our best to reflect some of the fun items we’ve found recently and what’s likely to be available for the upcoming week.  Hopefully this will give you a few new ideas to play with, and inspire you to try some new things at the market.

Of course, as hard as it is to admit with the delicious baked goods you can get at the market, man does not live on bread alone.   Sometimes, you need something to drink with that bread, too!  Thankfully, we have you covered at the Salem Farmers’ Market.

Mill River Winery is a main stay of the market.  Based in Rowley, Rick and Donna and their team are always happy to introduce you to their wide array of wines.  If you’re at all suspicious of New England wines, a few sips will quickly change your mind.  From their “Naked Chardonnay” to “Plum Island Red Dory”, Mill River has a wine for every palate.  Don’t forget that a splash of wine is also a great way to liven up your pasta dish with fresh produce from the market!

FFTT Cider - Week 1

Far From the Tree Cider – Photo Credit Social Palates

We were thrilled this year to introduce newcomers Far From the Tree Hard Cider.  Salem locals Al and Denise Snape have only been in business for a few months now, but you would never know it from the strength of their product and their devoted following.  A quick sampling of their three primary varietals – Roots (dry cider), Spring (with hops and mint), and Rind (Saison-style with coriander and orange rind) – will change everything you thought you knew about cider.

DSCF6225

Raspberry Acetosa Mojito

Of course, making your own is always the most satisfying!  Whether you use them as an alcoholic aperitif, as a mixer for cocktails, or even as maple syrup alternative on pancakes (Yes.  Do this.), cordials and fruit syrups are a great way to make your seasonal market produce last longer.  Here are a few ideas:

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