Jan 092016
 

Art is where you find it and in Salem Ma from May 19 – Nov. 1, 2016 you will find it on a special strip of land called Artists’ Row (24 New Derby Street). It is special because anyone with artistic skill and zeal can apply for the four available units.

Witch CityIn late 2015 we put a spotlight on several of the creative people at work in Salem’s very own artistic incubator Artists’ Row. The City of Salem is now taking new season applications for tenants with a public site visit and informational meeting set for Saturday, January 9, at 11am (or by appointment). Those interested in participating in the program should arrive at Artists’ Row at that time and date.

Artists’ Row is a seasonal program that provides space for artisans interested in building their audience through daily engagement with residents and visitors to Salem.

The variety of activities considered for Artists’ Row spaces are to include all types of uniquely produced or crafted products that have appeal to a wide audience. Possible categories are handcrafted products, artwork and artisanal food products.

Diane HofThe City is particularly interested in activities that will contribute to a “lively activated passage that serves as an entryway to one of the central public spaces in downtown Salem.”

  • All work MUST be created by the individuals participating in the program and must be original handcrafted works or products. Mass produced or manufactured works are not acceptable (sales representatives and agents are not eligible).
  • All prices for artwork or handcrafted products MUST be visible to the public. Participants are responsible for collecting sales tax.
  • Selected participants are responsible for transporting all products, support material and equipment to and from the site, and for all installation, display and sales.

For full details on selection criteria, submission requirements, program requirements, license agreements, community engagement/programming, signage, marketing, etc. go to www.salem.com (or as noted above, be there on Saturday at 11am).

Nikky 1aBoston birdhouseDeadline for submission is by (or before) 12pm February 12, 2016. Applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Department of Planning & Community Development, Attn: Deborah Greel, City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970. The application form must be completed in its entirety and is available at http://www.salem.com/artists-row.

Does your art speak to you? Do you wish it to speak to others? Consider expressing yourself at Artists’ Row.

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Dec 212015
 

Many things do we look forward to during the holiday season, and here at Salem Main Streets we are particularly fond of the Holiday Windows promotion we conduct with the cooperation of the merchants in the Downtown District.

Yes, the holidays are here, and Salem is dressed for the season with trees, wreaths, and ribbons. But to top it off, over 35 downtown businesses joined in by decorating their windows especially for the holidays. Judges nominated by Salem Main Streets recently made the rounds to vote on the best windows.

“We had some truly fantastic windows this year, and there was much friendly disagreement and fighting for favorites between the judges,” said Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director. “Of particular note, we added a category this year for ‘Best Use of Product’ and were happily surprised to see that this became a very competitive category.”

window Pamplemousse - Best OverallOverall: Pamplemousse

window ReFind Men's - Most TraditionalMost Traditional: Re-Find Men’s
Honorable Mention – The House of the Seven Gables Gift Shop

window salem Collective of Artists and Musicians - Most OriginalMost Original: SCAM (Salem Collective of Artists and Musicians)
Honorable Mention – Fringe Salon

window The Coven's Cottage - Best Use of ProductBest Use of Product: The Coven’s Cottage
Honorable Mention – LightShed Photography

Windows For Kids Only 1 X Factorwindow Gulu Gulu Cafe - X FactorX Factor Awards ( for windows that “defy categorization”) there was a tie : For Kids Only Afterschool (on left), Gulu Gulu Cafe (on right).

Kylie sums it up by saying, “All around, we wish we could have given at least twice as many awards!”

Come to Salem MA, where “window shopping” is an art form!

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Dec 172015
 

WassailA party during the holidays is one thing, but a feast, well that is something special. And something special is what the Salem community gets every 3rd Thursday of the month from the Peabody Essex Museum with its extended after-hours PEM/PM celebration. This Thursday from 6-9pm: Wassail!, a midwinter feast, which celebrates light in the darkest part of the year.  Attendees are invited to sample festive beverages and foods, decorate a yule log, enjoy traditional Scandinavian crafts, and drive out the darkness with music and dance.

But, there is an extra special aspect for us this time. Not that you really needed another reason to attend Wassail! but we at Salem Main Streets are so grateful that PEM/PM has chosen our director Kylie Sullivan to be the person of honor for their Boar’s Head Carol procession! (They must have known she’s a sucker for all old English Christmas traditions).

Kylie headshotOur friends at Creative Salem had this to say, “We would love to get a big group to show up and help us celebrate the final PEM PM of the year and Miss Kylie!”

We agree. Let’s party! Wassail will run from 6-9pm, Thursday Dec. 17th.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

6-9 pm – Art Making in Studio 1, Create Space
Create traditional Scandinavian Yule crafts, including paper garlands and paper hearts.

Festive Fare in the Atrium
Taste inventive yet classic small plates prepared by PEM Chef Rhiannon Nowak.

Live Music in the Atrium
Enjoy festive folk tunes by the Clearwater Quintet.

Yule Log Decorating in the Atrium
Join in the holiday spirit by helping us decorate our very own PEM/PM yule log.

6-8 pm – Mead Tasting in the Atrium
In the medieval spirit, sample some of the House Bear Brewing award-winning meads. Sample tickets available at the table. Looking for something a little more traditional? Try our wassail at the bar!

6:30 and 7:30 pm – Viking Legends in the Bartlett Gallery
Local storyteller Odds Bodkin shares popular legends and tales of the Vikings.

6:45 and 7:45 pm – Morris Dancing in the Atrium
Watch the Newtowne Morris Men perform energetic traditional Morris dances from the rustic Cotswalds of England.

7 and 8 pm – Sword Dancing in the Atrium
Enjoy the intricate figures of Still River Sword performing traditional English Longsword dances.

7:30 pm – Boar’s Head Carol  in the Atrium
Participate in this English and Scandinavian tradition. Carol will be followed by a group wassailing with carols available at the PEM/PM Welcome Table. And this is where our Kylie comes in.

Any excuse to party during the holiday season, we will be there, will you?

Members and Salem residents (with ID) may attend free of charge, while nonmembers pay $10 at the door.

The Peabody Essex Museum is located at 161 Essex St, Salem. For more info go to http://www.pem.org/ or call 978-745-9500.

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Dec 132015
 

CinemaSalem will be one of about 4000 movie houses to be unleashing the latest sagas of the Jedi & friends & enemies this week with Star Wars Episode 7, The Force Awakens. As of this writing there were surprisingly still some tickets left according to Shanna Langevin, CinemaSalem’s general manager.

Star WarsWe don’t think that is a Jedi mind trick. But if you don’t have one yet (and even if you do), here are some suggestions by Langevin.

“Buying your ticket online makes sure you have a seat for that show, but you still need to get a paper ticket printed out at our box office.”

To facilitate the process, CS will have a separate station just for picking up tickets for at least the premiere and opening weekend. It will be located across from the box office.

Langevin advises attendees that “We will have a ticket checker so please make sure to have your ticket on you when going into the theater.”

Now while we don’t expect the galactic excess being seen elsewhere (in Hollywood, 4 blocks along Hollywood Blvd — from Highland Ave. to La Brea Ave. — were already closed to traffic on Thursday night at 11pm) there are some additional suggestions & procedures to make this a safe & fun night out for all.

Langevin advises, “Every show will have a line that starts beyond our mall entrance. Please do not try waiting in the lobby for this movie. This will help with overcrowding and spoilers.”

Spoilers, once you’ve seen the film, just reverse our MBTA saying of “if you see something, say something.” Don’t.

But, if you want to discuss burning SW questions, here is a  CNN slide show of 16!

And since CinemaSalem wants this to be a great experience for everyone involved, please be kind and considerate!

Behavior

  • If you cause trouble in the line, you will be refunded your ticket and asked to leave.
  • You are encouraged to be creative and dress up if you like (yay costumes!), but do not bring any sort of weapon. This includes lightsabers. Repeat – no weapons
  • If you do bring in a weapon, you will be asked to bring it back to your car. But, if that isn’t possible, CS will hold onto it for you until after the movie.
  • Any disturbances during the film (loud/constant talking, cell phone use, throwing objects, and anything else management & staff consider harmful to the enjoyment of the show) can lead to your expulsion from the theater without a refund.
  • If you are caught recording/taking pictures of the movie, the police will be called. Pirating films is a federal offense so please don’t cause that kind of ruckus.

Also take note that around Salem there will be related events to the Star Wars premiere. For example, at the Hawthorne Hotel…

Star Wars at  Hawthorne

They might even play the Cantina song! We’ll try to keep you posted about any other such related events on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Langevin concludes, “If you have any questions or concerns please ask our staff or email Info@CinemaSalem.com. Thank you for being such awesome folks and we will see you at the movies!”

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Dec 112015
 

Looking for alternatives and options in gifts for aunt Amber, cousin Dirk, or your new special someone? No need to look high and low; come to Salem Ma this weekend for the 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market. The event will feature local artisanal vendors, indie record labels, and other DIY vendors with products ranging from vegan soap to custom baby tents to punk flags and more.

Witch City DIYThat’s right. Indie record labels and punk flags. This sounds different & interesting. Almost like a punk rock flea market.

Hosted by Creative Salem and Bridge Nine Records, this event will take place from 11am – 6pm, Saturday, Dec. 12th at The Vault, 217 Essex Street on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. It is a large but intimate setting that is conducive to walking, handling the items for sale and conversing with the creators/vendors.

“We are so happy to bring this alternative market to Downtown Salem this year,” said John Andrews of Creative Salem. “Supporting and providing opportunities to all manners of makers is one of our key missions.”

And this event not only supports the work of local artists, 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market also inspires people to shop local.

A partial list of vendors (always subject to change…) includes:

Tor Johnson Records
Triple B Records
Better Days Recovery Press
Brandon Gorski Illustration
Arrest Records
Deathwish Inc.
Cave Dweller
Hervor Soaps
Amaranth & Rue
Prospect Records
Timber + Twine
Bridge Nine Records
Sully’s Brand
Bats in the Belfry Crafts
Nightwatch Studio
Beantown Collectibles
Witch City Wicks
Tryptic Press
Meghanisms
Witch DR.

For more info on the Witch City DIY Holiday Market go to the Creative Salem website or Facebook page. It is suggested you use hashtag #WitchCityDIY when sharing info or pictures on favorite finds or any positive interactions at the event.

Could this alternative market become THE North of Boston must-attend annual punk rock holiday event, thus adding to the growing reputation of Salem as a winter holiday shopping destination? You’re invited to make it happen.

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