Friendship – Salem Main Streets

Salem Does Not Rest; Downrigging Weekend Next Event

History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Nov 012014

Halloween has come and gone, but Salem does not roll up the sidewalks. We move on to the next big event, which in the case of this weekend, harkens not to our “witchy” past, but our maritime history. Salem’s first annual Downrigging Weekend is set for November 1 & 2.

The Essex county sailing community marks the end of the sailing season with this two-day event. And you benefit!!! Half-price public sails on the schooners Thomas Lannon, Ardelle, and Fame and downrigging demonstrations aboard Friendship are just some of the elements of this festival.

The Thomas Lannon is a beautiful representation of a turn-of-the-century Gloucester fishing schooner.
The Ardelle is a representation of the handsome and seaworthy pinky schooners that dominated the fisheries in the 1820-1840 period.
The Fame is a representation of the Salem privateer that captured the first prizes of the War of 1812.

Inspired by the Sultana Downrigging Weekend, the Salem Downrigging Weekend is a celebration of not only the end of the sailing season, but also a tip of the sailor’s cap to maritime culture, wooded boats and the sailing heritage of the Essex county.

The Captains of the Fame, Ardelle & Thomas Lannon, along with the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Essex National Heritage Area are partnering together to offer this weekend of activities – both on land and sea.

There will be 6 public sails, 6 live demonstrations, 2 films, 3 Q&A sessions with captains, ship tours and more! Public sails require a reservation and fee, but all other activities are free and open to the public.

Then you can follow-up your stint on the water at Finz Restaurant from 7-10pm on Saturday night for drinks, free appetizers, music, raffles and plenty of salty sailing wisdom.

Schedule of Events

Make sail reservations online for all vessels via the Schooner Fame website
Please make a note of the individual trip times (see below) for each vessel. When making a reservation, choose the reservation time that matches the vessel you’d like to sail.
Fame sails: 10:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm.
Ardelle sails: 11:30am, 2:00pm.
Lannon sails: 4:30pm.

Saturday, November 1st

10:30 – 4:30pm. public sails aboard Fame, Ardelle, Thomas Lannon.
11am – 4pm. Friendship open for public visitation.
11am – live demonstration aboard Friendship.
12:30pm – free screening of the Thomas Lannon movie, plus q&a session with captain.
2:30pm – live demonstration aboard Friendship.
4:30pm – free screening of the Fame movie, plus q&a session with captain.
7pm – 10pm. “downrig or die” evening event at Finz Restaurant.

Sunday, November 2nd

11am – splicing workshop aboard Fame.
12pm – Ardelle downrigging demonstration.
1pm – Lannon downrigging demonstration.
2pm – Friendship downrigging demonstration. q&a session with captain on the ongoing preservation and maintenance program for Friendship.

All vessels will be docked at the Salem Maritime National Historic site (173 Derby Street) or Pickering Wharf Marina (23 Congress Street). Free film screenings will be held in St. Joseph Hall, 2nd floor. (160 Derby Street). Visit www.nps.gov/sama for the complete schedule and updated information.

Mystery Dinner Theatre Focuses on The Friendship

Salem Dining, Salem Event No Responses »

Aug 252014

Who would think, looking at the replica of The Friendship at dock on Derby Wharf that it could be related to a murder mystery?

Dinner theatre with a twist is on tap for guests at this Tuesday’s special 7pm production of Murder Mystery at Opus Restaurant, presented by the Salem Theatre Company, in conjunction with Creative Salem.

It’s 1830. Joseph Peabody’s ship The Friendship has been attacked in the East Indies. Only four survivors return. You are on board the boat with the reprisal mission, comprised of Pirates, Rapscallions and Rascals.

The play asks “Who can you trust? Who can you not trust? What really is behind that eyepatch….?”

If you’ve never attended a mystery dinner theater the key is audience participation. Usually there is no stage; the actors move all around so you can see and hear from all seats.

In this particular production “What people are trying to solve is a murder of the brutal (and fictional) ‘Captain Jan Overy’ of The Friendship,” states Matthew Gray, director.

There was an actual incident involving a ship called The Friendship being attacked in 1831.

“Our scenario may be historically based, but is only hysterically realized. While some local references have been made, this is not a historically referential event,” explains Gray.

And in addition to the entertainment, and the food (it is dinner theatre), there is also a prize to the person solving the mystery.

Gray adds, “There is indeed a prize for the winner… A MYSTERY prize!”

This evening of thrills, chills, laughs and mystery is part of the continuing effort by Creative Salem to showcase more than just local bands. The goal is to optimize the nightlife space with diversity, drive and creativity.

Salem has that certain something that we feel makes us a tad bit different than other “theme” destinations. Here you don’t just look, you can also reach out and touch. We are interactive.

For more information on tickets go to the STC website or call 978-790-8546. The Opus is located at 87 Washington Street in Salem. (Food and drink are not included in the ticket price). Opus contact number is 978-744-9600.

Food and Drink are not included in the ticket price however full menu will be available before the performance – See more at: http://www.creativesalem.com/community/2014/8/26/creative-salem-presents-pirates-a-murder-mystery-dinner-theatre-by-salem-theatre#sthash.Ilyy7lQp.dpuf