Hoop Over to Salem Arts Festival

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Jun 072014
 
Things are looking up

Photo Credit – Karen Scalia

You are now joining our program already in progress— if you are coming to Salem Ma. this Saturday or Sunday to participate in our annual Salem Arts Festival. But that’s ok. There are more than enough events and creative arts presenters to satisfy your viewing interests.

Now in its sixth year, the Salem Arts Festival boasts attendance numbers in the thousands and celebrates all the arts: painting, photography, sculpture, dance, music, writing, film, new media, performance, theatre, poetry, culinary, and more.

This year’s event also includes a street fair, plus live entertainment on two performance stages (located in Derby Square and on Artists’ Row).

One of the more colorful events, which already took place, but you can join in progress is

the HulaArt project. “Re-use of recycled materials to create diverse art expressions” is one way used to describe what essentially was the presence of “over four hundred hula hoops, a fifth of which were transformed into HulaArt, form a colorful canopy above Salem’s Artist Row.”

But true to this being a part of an Arts Festival, even the delivery and installation of the hoops to create the canopy was performance art. You can walk under the canopy of hoops. You can look up and marvel at the circles and shapes. And you can even try your hand (or waist) at hooping yourself.

What you will seeWe feel this is a great representation of our hopes for the Arts Festival, it is something you can participate in as well as just view.

Kylie Sullivan, Manager of Salem Main Streets comments “The amount of love, imagination, and hard work that has gone into the HulaArt is absolutely incredible, especially on the part of our partners at the Salem Public Space Project and the Phoenix School, in addition to our sponsors and the support of the City of Salem.

Waiting for youShe adds “This project exemplifies so much of what we’re trying to accomplish with this year’s Arts Festival – collaboration, community, and transformation of space.”

No need to bring your own hoop, we have plenty to spare and share.

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Arts Festival Celebrates the Arts, June 6-8 in Salem Ma

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May 282014
 

New logoTake note of that first word. Salem celebrates not just Art but the Arts with our upcoming festival, set for June 6-8, throughout our Downtown District.

More than 5000 people have regularly attended this annual event which serves to showcase more than 80 visual and performing artists. You will see many artists, as well as sculptors, musicians, singers, actors and more.

Friday, June 6th

6pm – 9pm, Old Town Hall
Old Town Hall Juried Gallery

6pm – 7:30pm, Old Town Hall Downstairs
Molly Pinto Madigan, Folk Music

7:30pm – 9pm, Old Town Hall Upstairs
Lois Lane and the Daily Planets, Soul and R&B

Saturday, June 7th

11am – 6pm, Old Town Hall
Juried Art Exhibit

11am – 6pm, Front Street & Artists’ Row
Art-Making Activities

IMG_423611am – 6pm, Festival Area
Street Fair

11:45am – 12pm, Artists’ Row
Beatnik Voices, Spoken Word Poetry

12pm – 12:45pm, Derby Square
Amy Spillert, Folk Music

12:45pm – 1pm, Artists’ Row
Beatnik Voices, Spoken Word Poetry

1pm – 1:45pm, Derby Square
Machine 475, Electronic Music

1:45pm – 2:05pm, Artists’ Row
The Upstart Crows Of Salem,Theatre

2:05pm – 2:50pm, Derby Square
Jeff Michaels, Music Performance

2:40pm – 3pm, Artists’ Row
Josh Bates, Classic Rock Guitar Performance

3pm – 3:20pm, Front Street
Arbella Drum & Bugle Corps, Marching Band & Color Guard

3:20pm – 4pm, Derby Square
On Point Ensemble, Rock Music

3:20pm – 3:50pm, Artists’ Row
North Shore YMCA Theatre Company, Youth Theatre

3:55pm – 4:15pm, Old Town Hall Upstairs
Aurora Borealis Dance Company, Modern Dance

3:55pm – 4:15pm, Artists’ Row
Chase the Ghost, Indie/Digital Rock Music

4pm – 5pm, Derby Square
Dark Follies, Vaudeville Variety Show

4:45pm – 5:15 pm, Artists’ Row
The Avant Guardians, Live Art with Music

5:15pm – 6pm, Derby Square
Dave Bailin, Soul/Rock Music

Sunday, June 8th

11:45am – 12pm, Artists’ Row
Chalk: A Play, Theatre

12pm – 12:45pm, Derby Square
Witch City Bellydance, Bellydance

12:45pm – 1pm, Artists’ Row
Chalk: A Play, Theatre

1pm – 1:45pm, Derby Square
Ponyfish, Acoustic Trio

1:45pm – 2pm, Artists’ Row
Chalk: A Play, Theatre

2pm – 2:45pm, Derby Square
Bobby Spellman’s Underground Society Band, Jazz Music

2:45pm – 3:30pm, Artists’ Row
History Alive!, Historical Theatre/Staged Reading

3pm – 3:45pm, Derby Square, TBD

3:45pm – 4:05pm, Derby Square
Siren of the Circle, Hoop Dance

4:05pm – 4:50pm, Derby Square
The Holdouts, Acoustic Duo

4:50pm – 5:10pm, Artists Row
Only Human: A Musical, Musical Theatre

5:10pm – 6pm, Derby Square
Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, Surf Rock Music

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A Day of Learning, A Day of Fun

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May 102014
 

School is in session this Saturday as Education Day breaks out all over Salem Ma. But it will be unlike anything you’ve seen before. Classes are in skin care, recycling, rope making, mixology, Farmers Market, photography and more.

Education DayThe Salem Education Foundation is presenting the “2nd Annual Hats Off to Education Weekend” as a way of promoting community involvement and investment in the public schools of Salem, Ma.

The schedule as posted by SEF includes:

Workshops and Fun Activities, at Old Town Hall, 10am – 3pm
・    The Community Development Coalition will host a bilingual scavenger hunt in Old Town Hall and visitors can take part in a session titled “Journey through the Immigrant Experience”
・    TD Bank will offer finance classes for teens and adults
・    John Andrews of Social Palates and “we_are_Salem” will offer a photography class
・    The House of The Seven Gables will offer bilingual “Dominican Tales”
・    Salem Historical Tours will speak about the city’s rich history
・    The North Shore Career Center will offer workshops on how to build a resume and find a job
・    Henry Miller’s Architecture Lab at Boston Architectural College will offer two hour long workshops on how to build a speaker for your handheld device. Space is limited for this workshop. Please register by emailing Henry.Miller@the-bac.edu
・    Additionally, children will have the opportunity to look at gemstones, learn about beekeeping, brush up on their Harry Potter facts, learn about the importance of recycling, healthy food and gardening and engage in arts activities

Free Community Read Book, Old Town Hall, 10am – 3pm
・    The Community Advisory Board will give away copies of “The Good Thief,” written by Hannah Tinti, a Salem native. This is the book selected for the city of Salem’s first Community Read.

Activities at the Salem Common will include:
・    The Hogwarts Hustle Kids’ Fun Run at 10:30am This is a half-mile fun run for kids age 12 and under. There will also be a dash for kids 4 and under. Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite Harry Potter characters. Finisher ribbons will be awarded to the first 100 runners
・    12 noon Basketball Tournament! Email Andre at adaley@bgcgs.org
・    Adults and children alike can have a Zumba experience with the energetic Gina Grinarml
・    Learn circuit training with Kerry Murphy
・    Play in a basketball game with Mayor Kim Driscoll
・    Hula hoop and free dance to the rhythms of Mamadou’s drummers!

Performances, at Old Town Hall, 10am – 3pm
・    The Salem High School Jazz Band
・    Destination Imagination team Challenges
・    School-age Latin and African dancers from Greg Coles and his Salsa for the Schools program
・    A theater group and other local talents

The SEF mission is to provide funding for projects that further students’ educational experiences in science, mathematics, the arts and humanities. It supports projects that go beyond the scope of those funded by the Salem Public School Department. And it works with the larger community to make schools a true community enterprise by promoting and coordinating volunteerism and participation in the schools.

Learn something and have a lot of fun.

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Season Finale for Salem Winter Market

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Dec 182013
 

Winter Farmers' MarketMaking a list and checking it twice, we hope, has been the activity of our friends and neighbors this week in preparation for the final Winter Market of the season, Thursday 12/19/13.

Time to stock up for the Holidays! And to say “See ya next year” to the accommodating vendors who not only sell items but also share informative conversations with their customers.

To mark the event, Mayor Kimberley Driscoll will ring the bell at 3pm to kick off the final market.

“The Winter Market is a fantastic opportunity to combine your grocery and holiday shopping, all while supporting local businesses,” states Kylie Sullivan, manager of Salem Main Streets and organizer of the market.

“Whether you’re stocking up your pantry or crossing items off your holiday gift list, our range of vendors makes the Market a one-stop shopping destination.”

The Winter Market includes produce from local farms, pasture-fed meat, spices, pickles, soup, baked goods, artisan soap, jewelry, wreaths, and more. All items are grown or produced in New England.

But for this final session there will be some extra “gifts” (enough to fill Santa’s sleigh!) for attendees:

  • Young visitors will have the opportunity to catch a visit from Santa! (hint 3 to 4:30 pm)

  • $1-a-pound specials for select produce at Clark Farm

  • Wreaths and trees from Wally’s Vegetables

  • Holiday gift baskets at Salem Soapworks

  • Gift certificates for cheesemaking classes at Wolf Meadow Farm

  • Sales on all Shine Jewelry items

  • New vendor We All Scream for Ice Cream Co will be there again with vegan, gluten-free ice cream in a variety of fun flavors (she’s come the past two weeks to test out this brand-new business)

  • Summer market favorite Tangerine Pastry will also be there

  • Dorothy Malcolm will be there selling copies of “Legendary Locals of Salem”

  • Historic New England will be our guest non-profit this week, sharing Christmas/holiday-related stories and information

  • City of Salem Ma will be holding a flu clinic

Current Vendors at the 2013 Winter Market

Farm Vendors (produce): Clark Farm, Grant Family Farm, Long Hill Orchard & Farm, Wally’s Vegetables

Non-Farm Vendors (not produce): Big Sky Bakery (bread), Great Cape Baking Company (baked goods), Piper Ranch (meat), Salem Spice (spices, also selling Maitland Mountain Farm’s pickles), Tangerine Pastry (macarons, pastries), Valicenti Organico (pasta/sauces), We All Scream Ice Cream Co (vegan, gluten-free ice cream), Wolf Meadow Farm (cheese).

Artisan Vendors: Salem Soapworks, Shine Jewelry/Heritage Industries

The Salem Winter Market is also looking for feedback. If you’ve visited the Salem Winter Market this year (or even if you haven’t), please take a few minutes to fill out this survey.

The final market runs from 3–6 pm at Old Town Hall. Old Town Hall is adjacent to Derby Square on Front Street, where the summer farmers’ market is held.

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It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like…

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Nov 232013
 

No not Halloween. We do celebrate other holidays and traditions here in Salem Ma. In fact, we are building quite a resume as a December event destination for residents, North Shore neighbors and tourists. You will read about these in upcoming blogs.

Ribbons on poleAs a lead-in have you noticed some subtle changes in Salem as you walked around (we love walking around the Downtown district, everything is so conveniently located) this weekend?

Ribbons and wreaths are appearing all over the place. Elves? Gremlins? (Well, it is Salem…).

There is a really tall tree in Lappin Park. Did Samantha twitch her nose and it magically appeared?

Samantha snaps up a treeAs residents know, every year we join Mayor Kimberley Driscoll in lighting Salem’s Holiday Tree at Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex and Washington Streets).

This year’s event will take place on Friday, Nov. 29 at 6:30pm. We invite you to bring the entire family to enjoy carols with the Paul Madore Singers; there will also be cocoa and snacks on hand!

The event is organized by Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem. This year’s tree comes from Benjamin Nutter Architects in Topsfield, thanks in part to a donation from the Meetinghouse Church. Decorations and lights are made possible by individual contributions and donations from a number of local businesses. Salem Main Streets would like to thank North Shore Marine and Bill’s Auto Clinic for their services in delivering the tree.

And keep an eye open for changes to the storefront windows of merchants along such Salem locales as Essex, Washington, Front and Derby streets. They will also be getting into the Holiday Spirit.

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