Less than 24 hours ago…
The day after. The streets have been swept, the barriers are being moved away, and sooner or later, the portapotties will roll out of town. Halloween is over for another year. All the fun is over, too, right? WRONG! Salem, MA is truly alive and well all year round, and next week alone is a perfect example of how much there is to do and enjoy every day in this great city.
Let’s get the sad news out of the way first. Today, Sunday 11/1, is the last official day at Artists’ Row. We’ve had some amazing tenants this year – as you may have seen from our profiles of Nikky Bergman Jewelry, Boston Woodturning, Diane Hoffman Textiles, and Witch City Wicks. But don’t be too sad – Boston Woodturning and Ceramics by Sibel are going to continue working in their spaces as long as they can stand the cold, and all tenants will be returning for a special event on Nov. 22 (more details to come).
November 1st also signals the start of sales all over town – and not just on Halloween merchandise! For example, fashion boutique J. Mode is offering 30% off any single apparel item of your choice, SUNDAY ONLY, NOV. 1, open 12-5pm.
We’re also entering the season of giving, and The House of the Gables is kicking off a major Thanksgiving Drive to help It Starts With Me to provide 150 Thanksgiving dinners to families on the North Shore. Right next door to the Gables, the new Zephyr Gallery is celebrating the opening of their next show, “Giving Thanks”, on Friday, Nov. 6 starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Salem Theatre opens the curtain on their final production in their old space at 90 Lafayette this week, before preparing for a big new move in 2016. Shakespeare’s Hamlet opens on Thursday, Nov. 5 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 21. Tickets can be purchased at http://salemtheatre.ticketleap.com/hamlet/.
The fun continues well into the weekend, with the National Park Service’s second annual Downrigging Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7 – a fantastic way to celebrate both our maritime heritage and the passing of the seasons. Later that evening, don’t miss the much-anticipated “Best Chef” competition at the Salem YMCA.
After you’ve gotten a taste at Best Chef Salem, the Salem Chamber’s fall Salem Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday night. Running Nov 8-12 and 15-19, take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the amazing culinary scene is Salem as our restaurants take a chance to say “welcome back” to the locals.
And last but not least, we get to VOTE!!! On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Salem residents will get to make their voices heard, specifically regarding Ward City Councillors, City Councillors At-Large, and School Committee. Not sure where to go? Check this handy “Where Do I Vote?” tool.
Oh yeah, and don’t forget to turn your clocks back today for Daylight Savings Time, so you get an extra hour to enjoy all that Salem has to offer!
