Salem Festivals – Page 23 – Salem Main Streets

Release the Beest and Have a Creative Fun Night at PEM/PM

Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Sep 162015

Followers of our blog are well aware of the monthly “Night at the Museum-like” parties that take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the renowned Peabody Essex Museum. This Thursday is no different as PEM/PM invites you to take part in/and enjoy a sneak peek of the Strandbeests exhibition at PEM; you will explore ideas through action, motion, demonstration and participation.

What are Strandbeests? They have been described as large mechanisms constructed out of PVC that are able to move on their own. What? Move on their own? (Well, this is Salem MA…). They are the creations of Theo Jansen and by clicking the link below, you will see them in action.

Intrigued? You are not alone. And the PEM staff have cleverly woven into the framework of the PM event several activities related to the Beests. Even going so far as extending the evening which usually goes from 6-9pm to 11pm!

ALL NIGHT LONG BUILD YOUR OWN STRANDBEEST
Maker Lounge
Create a mini-beest with everyday materials (while supplies last).

THE BIG REVEAL
Special Exhibition Galleries | Level 2
Enjoy a sneak peek of the Strandbeest exhibition before it opens to the public September 19! PEM staff anticipate a large crowd and you might experience a wait to get into the Strandbeest exhibition gallery.

RACE A BEEST
Art Nook
Make your own battery-operated fan and move a mini-beest to the finish line with our Maker Lounge team (while supplies last).

SILENT DISCO
Studio 1, Create Space
Celebrate 25 years of Strandbeests by keeping your body moving like a beest, dancing the night away to some of the best ’90s jams (50 headphones available; first come, first served).

WHAT’S YOUR STRANDBEEST NAME?
Atrium
Head to the PEM/PM welcome table to use our Latin-based name generator and title your inner Strandbeest!

DJ NOEL SNOW
6-7:30 and 9:30-11 pm | Atrium
Party like a Strandbeest with digital mashups.

BEER TASTING
6-10 pm | East India Marine Hall
Sample popular Dutch brews!

PLANK WALK
6-10 pm | Bartlett Gallery
Participate in this team challenge to coordinate multiple joints to walk in sync with Beverly’s Project Adventure.

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD DEMO
6:45, 8:15 and 9:45 pm | East India Marine Hall
Just as Strandbeests were originally created to protect the Dutch coastline, hear from Jim Turner, owner of Turner’s Seafood in Salem, discuss efforts to conserve and grow the oyster population in Massachusetts.

BOSTON PERCUSSION GROUP
7:30-8:15 pm | Atrium
A lively performance combining traditional classical instruments and found everyday objects.

ART IN MECHANICS
8-9 pm | Morse Auditorium
Join Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet and artist Theo Jansen, exhibition curator Trevor Smith and photographer Lena Herzog for a lively discussion about the similarities between Strandbeests and watchmaking. Seats are limited; tickets at information desk.

LIVE MUSIC AND VIDEO ART
8:30-9:30 pm | Atrium
Boston-based post-rock band I/O performs its latest album Saudade amid video projections created by Somerville artist Mark J. Stock.

OPERATE AN ORDIS
8:30-11 pm | Axelrod Walkway
Animaris Ordis is the foundation for all Strandbeests. Watch and learn how this multifunctional beest moves.

As always, a cash bar and small plates menu is available courtesy of the Hawthorne Hotel. Admission for members and Salem residents (with ID) free, nonmembers $10 at the door . For more details call 978-745-9500, (Toll Free) 866-745-1876. PEM is located aT East India Square (161 Essex St) Salem, MA.

(Photo of Theo Jansen taken by Loek van der klis)

Zapraszamy – Celebration of Polish Culture & Heritage in Salem

History, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Sep 122015

Think back to when you were younger and looked forward to various street festivals held by churches and neighborhood nationalities. The sights, sounds and smells were invigorating. This Sunday, 9/13/15 relive some of those memories at the 2015 Salem Polish Fest, taking place on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Church, 34 St. Peter Street.

Come alone, invite a friend, and most certainly bring the family; the Salem Polish Fest will be held from noon to 8pm, rain or shine. And the inside activities will be in an air-conditioned hall!

Remember the food? Pierogi, Potato Placki, Grilled Kielbasa, Golabki, Polish Ice, Funnel Cakes, Polish Fries. You might find some of these among the delicious Polish food and baked goods for sale, along with beer and a full bar.

But that’s not all. It is most importantly a celebration of Polish culture & heritage. Expect to meet costumed dancers, hear ethnic music, and see gifts & souvenirs from Poland.

Speaking of culture and heritage, according to an article by Washington Mazurkerwitz and Veronica Ryewhiskey entitled “Recollections of the Polish Community in Salem” there was an “influx of Polish immigrants to Salem beginning in the 1890s. Many Polish immigrants sought work at the Naumkeag Mills and the many other textile and leather factories in Salem.”

They go on to point out that “Polish immigrants played a vital role in the history of the Naumkeag Mills in particular, and in the life of the city as well.”

So it is only fair that we celebrate their culture & heritage with them.

There will be games and attractions for children; raffles & prizes for adults.

There is no admission charge. Bring your appetite. Dobrej zabawy.

Enthusiastic Volunteers Wanted in Salem For October Information Booth

History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Sep 082015

When visitors come to Salem MA in October, they do so armed not only with a printed map and an on-line set of references on cell phone or tablet, they also have direct, face to face contact with the Salem Main Streets (SMS) corps of volunteers whose goal is to get visitors where they want to go in town and enjoy the visit. We’d like you to join our team.

Last year alone the SMS volunteers assisted over 20,000 visitors during the weekends and holidays in October.

“We are looking for volunteers with enthusiasm for Salem to help greet visitors at the Downtown Salem Information Booth in October,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director.

Volunteers will staff the booth which will sit at the beginning of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall; they will hand out maps and provide information about Salem’s wide variety of attractions, events, and businesses.

All volunteers are asked to be available for a minimum of two shifts (each shift is for two hours) and will be required to complete a one hour orientation session. The orientation will take place on Saturday, September 19 at 9:30 am at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center.

Volunteers will be updated on new October events and there will be time for returning volunteers to share insights and information with those new to the program. A free trolley tour will be available before the informational session, courtesy of Salem Trolley.

Volunteers are needed for the following dates: October 1 (Parade night), 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 (Columbus Day Weekend), 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 (Halloween Night), and November 1.

Adds Kylie, “We are also looking for multi-lingual volunteers to assist the many international visitors who come to Salem. If you have availability during some of these days, enjoy helping visitors by showing them your enthusiasm for our cultured and historic city, and want to make it fun and easy for visitors to explore all of Salem’s sites and attractions, please join us!”

For more information or to become a volunteer please contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets’ Executive Director, at 978-744-0004 x15 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org. This program is a partnership between Salem Main Streets, the National Park Service, the City of Salem, Destination Salem, and the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

First Friday Feels Right at Home on Pickering Wharf

Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Aug 292015

Has it been a month already since the last First Friday at Pickering Wharf? If you missed FF last month, this Friday, Sept. 4th is your chance to experience the interaction between your five senses and all that the Wharf stores have to offer.

What began as a plan to recreate an 18th century shopping village theme at Pickering Wharf has evolved into a visually serene landscape dotted with an eclectic line-up of gift shops and many, many, many places to stop for lunch or dinner.

Then add to it the special touch of a First Friday when merchants stay open later and offer some extra special deals as a way of saying “thank you” to customers, and you have a great day trip / ladies night out / guy’s night out destination this coming Friday Sept.4th

For example, show a receipt from any wharf merchant on this First Friday of the month, and the restaurants will take 10% off of your lunch or dinner that same day or evening (10% discount applies to food at participating merchants 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar, Brodies Seaport, Finz Seafood and Grill, Longboards Restaurant and Bar, Regatta Pub in the Salem Waterfront Hotel, Sea Level Oyster Bar and Kitchen, Vic’s Boathouse & Victoria’s Station.).

Find a good deal and enjoy a good meal. Pickering Wharf is located off Derby Street in Salem MA.

Shopping In Style This Weekend in Salem

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News No Responses »

Aug 052015

Bargains will fill the shelves, counters and floors of stores this weekend as Heritage Days closes out the weekend with the Essex Street Fair, and Pickering Wharf presents the next installment of First Friday.

First Friday is a stand-alone monthly activity by the good folks at Pickering Wharf, but this month it happens to fall during Heritage Days, so why not make it part of your Heritage Days celebration when you’re in town that day?

You will most definitely Shop, Dine and Unwind at Pickering Wharf where you will find exclusive specials, events and treats from over 20 unique shops and six fabulous restaurants.

First Friday festivities begin at 5pm with most stores remaining open until 9pm.

Participating restaurants will offer, at a minimum, 10% off with a receipt from a Pickering Wharf shop, as well as in-house specials. Some merchants will also have entertainment, refreshments, and some give-aways.

Bargains & free “stuff” make First Fridays at Pickering Wharf a must see event.

Then over the weekend, more than 50 vendors will participate in the Heritage Days festivities at the Salem Chamber of Commerce Essex Street Fair. The Essex Street Fair is an annual two-day event; this year it is to be held on August 8 & 9, 2015 from 10am – 6pm.

Along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall artisans, craftors, and food vendors from in and around Salem join local merchants to sell their merchandise along the length of Essex St., from the Daniel Low Building to the Hawthorne Hotel.

Bring your friends and family to this street festival to browse through jewelry, crafts, paintings, and other unique items! Face painters and musicians will be strolling around to entertain the crowd.

For more information regarding the Essex Street Fair, contact the Salem Chamber of Commerce at 978-744-0004.

Older Entries Newer Entries