Reputation attained, and rightly so, Salem First Friday is all about foods, fun with friends and finds. The upcoming SFF on April 5th will be more of the same. Merchants open later. Bargains available to those who participate!

But what makes SFF especially endearing to many attendees are the extras. For example if you have young children, that is not an obstacle if they don’t “get it” about shopping.  You can leave them (ages 5-12) at the Salem YMCA for $15 anytime from 6-9pm. There will be well supervised gym activities, gymnastics, sports, arts & crafts, swimming, and dancing! Pizza & drinks are included. Mention Salem First Friday and save $5 off the $15 fee. The kids may not want to leave! Space is limited and you must call ahead to save a spot- 978-740-9622.

And then there are the special presentations at the Museum Place Mall. Last month it was a belly dancer; this month Urban Coastal Dance will present excerpts from “Aquatic Parallels” an evening of contemporary dance illustrating the similarities between body systems and aquatic environments.  Choregraphy by company founders: Cecilia Seaward, Jamie Arnold, Sera Smith.

Urban Coastal Dance formed in 2012 out of a desire to link dance with community activism and wellness.  The company’s first performance was last summer, right here in Salem, MA and is currently based in Providence, RI.

According to Cecilia Seaward, “We are coming up to Salem because it is where we had our first performance as a collective.  We received such a positive response and it was a great experience for us.

 “Through our performance we want to build an appreciation for the flow of life and illustrate the similarities between the ocean’s waterways and human body system.  When developing the choreography we discussed this idea that humanity can be a destructive force in the world but being humbled by the vastness of nature, especially by something as powerful and beautiful as the ocean can lead to a peaceful appreciation and acceptance of the flow of life.  That is what we are hoping to convey.”

First Friday, shop ’til you drop, and in between experience some relaxing choreographed aquatic movement. Salem Ma. Something different every time.