Nov 132014
 

Wine TastingWhen is a wine tasting more than just a wine tasting? When it takes place in Salem Ma, of course. The 7th Annual Grand Wine Tasting is set for Nov.14th at the historic Hawthorne Hotel; as always, it is expected to be a sell-out. And not just for the fine wines available. But also because proceeds benefit local organizations such as the Salem Athenaeum, Historic Salem Inc., Historic New England, and Hamilton Hall.

The event is sponsored by Salem Wine Imports, which knows what it is doing, since it holds its own weekly wine tastings every Tuesday and Thursday.

“We are so excited for everyone to come together once again and enjoy so many delicious wines and varietals – there is literally something for everyone,” announces Kathy Genis, Salem Wine Imports owner.

“Most importantly,” she adds, “it’s an enjoyable way to support these amazing institutions that play such an integral part of keeping our local history alive.”

Gives a different meaning to drinking to someone’s health.

The event will also include a silent auction featuring bottled wine and passes from the popular Salem Food Tours. The Wine Tasting will run from 7- 9:30 pm. Tickets may be purchased online at www.localwineevents.com or by calling 978-741-9463.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Nov 082014
 

Salem Rest. week 1For those of you who visited Salem during Haunted Happenings in October and enjoyed diverse dinners, now is the time to return. Less crowds, same great service and dishes. And for those of you who didn’t visit, you are also cordially invited to take part in the Salem Fall Restaurant Week (Sunday, November 9 – Thursday, November 13 & Sunday, November 16 – Thursday, November 20).

Salem is indeed a culinary destination. It’s been said that you could very well eat at a different restaurant along just Washington Street each night for a week and not experience the same cuisine.

Salem Fall Restaurant Week is an annual project of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

SRW2For 10 days only, participating Salem restaurants will offer either a two-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $18, or a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $28, or both (note that this price does not include drinks, taxes or gratuities).

As stated above, expect a wide variety of delicious foods – from steak to seafood, American to ethnic, there is something for everyone. Restaurants offer multiple choices for appetizers, entrees as well as desserts.

For example…
  • Adriatic Restaurant & Bar is a casual dining restaurant featuring the cuisine of the regions surrounding the Adriatic sea. Fresh fish and seasonal vegetables, together with a wood burning pizza, create the main menu. In addition to that, a nice cocktail list, a great wine program, and a professional staff, help the guests to enjoy a lunch or dinner with their family and friends.
  • Firenze Trattioria is chef Zamir Kociaj’s way of sharing his passion for the authentic tastes of Firenze with the historic town of Salem. Merging years of experience with a neighborhood vibe, Firenze Trattoria is the perfect place to celebrate the simple moments shared with loved ones and friends.
  • Naumkeag Ordiniary creates a warm, welcoming environment to enjoy craft beers, inventive cocktails, and comfort food with a creative culinary twist. Naumkeag features a bar made from reclaimed wood, an ever-changing selection of craft beers, and eclectic selection of specialty cocktails. The kitchen at Naumkeag ordinary prides itself on making every dish from scratch using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. The Naumkeag Ordinary is a perfect place to enjoy a snack and drink at the bar, or to sit and enjoy a leisurely dinner. There is something for everyone on their frequently changing menu.

Reservations are encouraged, please contact the restaurants directly. Please mention “Restaurant Week” when making your reservations. For an updated list of participating restaurants please go to the Chamber website.

Come once for the spooky. Return again for the tasty.

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Oct 182014
 

Goodnight, Captain WhiteIf you’ve enjoyed the excellent performances by History Alive! Inc. with the interactive and “moving” production of Cry Innocent, then we are here to advise of a 2nd production it presents in Salem, titled Goodnight Captain White. But— this is just a bit different.

Running Oct. 24th, 25th, 31st and November 1st. at Old Town Hall, this comedic-mystery retells the not so well-known true event of the 1830 murder of Salem Sea Captain Joseph White:

It’s 1830. “All friends and well wishers are invited to attend” the retirement party of Captain Joseph White’s favorite ship, the Caroline. But this magnanimous invitation lures a host of enemies and ill-wishers into the perfect opportunity to murder the rich, old captain. Allegiances twist and turn. Foibles are exposed, depravities revealed. It’s up to the audience and an under cover Daniel Webster to figure out whodunit and how.

Written by Mark Stevick and directed by Kristina Wacome Stevick, the tale is about the real Captain Joseph White, a rich, elderly, retired shipmaster, who was murdered while sleeping in his Essex Street home. It has all the elements of good book, movie or TV episode: local folks among the accused & guilty, and a high-profile prosecuting attorney in Senator Daniel Webster, hired by the White family to prosecute for the Commonwealth.

But where is the comedy? Goodnight, Captain White is not a reenactment like Cry Innocent. “We’re not sticking to the exact history here,” Mark Stevick has commented previously. “We follow the original story, but we’ve cut and combined to make for a more high-energy, comic period piece.”

Kristina Wacome Stevick has also stated “Is it right to laugh about terrible behavior? To do so doesn’t mean we endorse murder, adultery, slavery, betrayal. In our laughter we release the tension of recognition. As we watch these extreme fellows careen toward their comeuppance, we’re relieved they are not ourselves and we cringe at the thought that they could be, were our circumstances less privileged or graced.”

Use of innuendo, double entendres, a bit of improv from the actors, and even input from you, the audience, to help uncover & define the clues makes for a lively evening— that has nothing to do with ghosts, goblins or ghouls. Just a nice murder mystery.

Doors open at 7:15pm for “noshing and revelry.” Show begins at 7:30pm. The price of admission includes soirée fare and a “Crowninshield Punch.” For more information email historyalive@gordon.edu or call 978-867-4767.

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Sep 172014
 

PEMPM SoundHas it been a month since the last PEM/PM party? The calendar says “yes” and off we go. An Evening in Praise of Audio is the title for this Thursday’s late evening festivities when the Peabody Essex Museum opens its doors from 6 – 9 pm for an event to dazzle the senses.

MIT (yes, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is sending some creative minds from the MIT Media Lab to share their latest project. Let’s repeat that. MIT is going to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem Ma to share one of their projects with you: radiO-o

What is it?

According to the press release, you wear one of their battery-powered, button-like speakers and help crowdsource the soundtrack to the evening. Then, see MIT’s Opera of the Future create beautiful imagery generated from this interactive musical project.

In the Atrium, experience the sounds of DJ Kongo and DJ White Animal Sound and check out an impressive collection of vintage radios courtesy of the New England Antique Radio Club. Stop by the Maker Lounge to paint with sound and to build your own mini speakers for your smartphone.

Paint with sound. Intriguing. To give you a better idea of this event, the good people at Creative Salem put together an overview.

As always, PEM members and Salem residents (with ID) are admitted free of charge; nonmembers pay $10 at the door. There will be a cash bar and special small plate menu items from the Hawthorne Hotel. For additional info, call PEM at 978-745-9500. It is located at 161 Essex St.

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Sep 152014
 

Northeast Arc fundraiserCommunity involvement is a signature mark of many establishments in the Salem Downtown district. Tuesday, for example, A & B Burgers  is holding an event simply stated as “Burgers & Fries & Fundraising.” The restaurant will be donating 15% of non-alcoholic/food sales generated from 5 – 9 pm to Northeast Arc. And there will be local celebrity guests & hosts.

Northeast Arc ensures that children and adults with disabilities are able to live, work, engage in civic life and play in the community. This is accomplished by offering a wide variety of programs including Autism Services, Day Habilitation, Deaf Services, Early Intervention, Employment Services, Family Support, Personal Care Assistance, Recreation, Residential and Transition Services.

Among the celebrity hosts and special guests at Tuesday night’s event will be Senator Joan Lovely, State Representatives Jerry Parisella and Ted Speliotis, Mayors Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. of Peabody and Michael P. Cahill of Beverly, Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins Jr. and John Boris, owner of John A. Boris & Associates.

And, after your dinner, if there’s ever been a time to not feel guilty about extending your meal for dessert, this is it. All for a worthy cause.

A & B Burgers is located at 50 St. Peter Street. For more info, call 978-594-8607 or 978-498-4997.

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