Salem Festivals – Page 12 – Salem Main Streets

January is the Punch Line for Salem Comedy Festival

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Jan 022016

January may be a grim, gray month for most people, but we laugh at that notion in Salem. No, really, we laugh, as with the First Annual Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival, set for January 14 – 17, 2016.

Festival producer and comedian Mark Scalia got the idea from a somewhat similar humor fest he had attended in New Orleans. It was a celebration of comedy for both the comics and the audience.

“New England in January tends to be dark and cold and can make people get a little stir-crazy. Comedy is a great way to get out on a cold night and laugh! Besides, it’s the ONLY month that Salem doesn’t have another festival.”

The Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival features top area performing comedians, an improv show, locally crafted spirits and cider, and related special events at a variety of Salem venues (Koto, Far From the Tree, Opus, and Gallows Hill Theatre).

1/14, 7pm
Enjoy a delicious dinner from Koto before enjoying opening night hilarity with 10 great comedians. Hosted by Mark Scalia and closing the show will be comedian Chris Pennie.

Among the comics: Kristin O’Brien, Niraj Shah, Dan Gilbert, Mark Turcotte, Andy Lester & Kyle Daley

1/15, 7pm
Enjoy samples from Salem’s own Far From The Tree cidery before a showcase of 10 top comedians. Hosted by Mark Scalia and closing the show will be comedian Matt Barry.

Among the comics: Tyler Moore , Ryan Chani, Pete Wolynec, Danny Rathbun, Jess Miller & Drew Dunn

1/16, 6pm
Enjoy an exclusive private 3-course dinner with the show’s three headlining comedians, Dave Rattigan, Jay Grove & Mark Scalia at Opus Underground, as well as VIP seating for the comedy show!

1/17, 6:30 and 8:30pm
The evening at the Gallows Hill Theater begins with an Improv show with the hilarious “Accidentally on Purpose” featuring Erik Rodenhiser.

Then at 8:30pm, Ace Comedy Hypnotist Steve Coppola will take the stage with his interactive and comedic show!

Don’t let snow (or lack of it) get you down in January. Just come down to Salem MA and treat yourself to a laugh or two, or three or four at the The Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival. For tickets and additional info, go to http://salemcomedyfestival.com/

Salem Stores Showcase Spirit of the Season

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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.”

Overall: Pamplemousse

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

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

Best Use of Product: The Coven’s Cottage
Honorable Mention – LightShed Photography

X 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!

Vegan Soap to Punk Flags on Sale at Weekend DIY Holiday Market

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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.

That’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.

Late Is Great for a Shopping Date on Festive Fridays!

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Dec 032015

We know how it is. You WANT to shop local, but you get home from work too late in the evenings and you’re simply too busy on the weekends. There is so much to see and do in Salem what with plays, movies, music and other entertainment so readily available.

So… Salem Main Streets is encouraging downtown retailers to stay open late every Friday this December leading up to Christmas to help you with your holiday shopping!

And we’re calling it Festive Friday Nights!

Each week on our Facebook page and Twitter account, we’ll post businesses that have committed to staying open until at least 8 pm — as well as any great deals or special treats being offered!

But that’s not all!!! We’ve got a great list right now of retailers who’ve already made the commitment to stay open till at least 8 pm for this week’s Festive Fridays! (Thank you very much!) Stay tuned for more related activities.

The Boutique
Caramel French Patisserie
Clever Diva
Coon’s Card & Gift Shop / Penelope’s Pet Boutique
The Coven’s Cottage
Enchanted Shop
The Happy Sunflower
Harrison’s Comics
Hedrington’s
Kan.del
Lady Irene and Company
Laura Lanes Skin Care
Melita Fiore
Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments
Mud Puddle Toys
Ocean Chic Boutique & Waterbar
Pamplemousse Salem
Partridge in a Bear Tree Salem
RJ Coins and Jewelry
Roost & Company
Salem Arts Center
Salem Cycle
Salemdipity
SalemSpice
Trolley Depot
Village Silversmith
Wicked Good Books

Merchants with services, products or retail establishments that wish to join the Festive Friday party should contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at 978-744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org .

Home For The Holidays, Come To Salem

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Nov 292015

Christmas is a time for giving, a time when Salem shares with visitors & the community-at-large the gift of a very special holiday house tour that, much like the gift that keeps on giving, is much more than a house tour.

Christmas in Salem, thought to be the nation’s longest running holiday house tour, invites visitors to tour not one, not two, but 12 homes spanning a variety of histories and architectural styles in Salem’s historic McIntire District from December 4 – 6. These homes, beautifully decorated for the holiday season, are inspired by a 12 Days of Christmas theme.

Now in its 36th year, Christmas in Salem, produced by Historic Salem Inc., is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the region’s most storied cities. Tour goers are encouraged to enjoy everything the city has to offer, including local restaurants and shops during the holiday season.

Additionally, a complimentary trolley takes visitors from downtown parking locations to the tour route, providing historical information and a festive ride that will get everyone into the holiday spirit.

The Preview Candlelight Tour (for advance ticket holders only) will be held on Friday, December 4th from 5:30 – 8:30pm and will feature selected homes. On Saturday, December 5th from 10:30am – 4:30pm and Sunday, December 6th from 11:30am – 4:30pm, all sites will be open for tours.

Prices are $25 each for Historic Salem, Inc. members and $30 each for the general public. Tickets may be purchased in advance by visiting ChristmasinSalem.org or by calling Historic Salem, Inc. at 978-745-0799. Deadline for advance ticket sales is December 2nd at 5pm.

Tickets for the house tours can also be purchased at First Unitarian Church of Salem at 316 Essex Street, on December 5th and 6th for $35 each.

There are a couple of requests to take note of:

Out of courtesy to homeowners and their historic floors, please do not wear high heels.
Please do not bring children younger than six unless carried in a Snugli.
Food and drink are not allowed in any of the homes.
Photography of any kind is not permitted without express, written consent of Historic Salem, Inc.

Christmas in Salem is presented by Historic Salem, Inc. an advocacy group dedicated to preserving Salem’s historic resources and educating the community to their value. The historic house tour and other fundraising efforts of Historic Salem, Inc. are the primary source of funds for the restoration of the National Historic Landmark, the Nathaniel Bowditch House.

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