Uncategorized – Page 37 – Salem Main Streets

Now For Something Completely Different

Apr 082013

Last month and even just last weekend were packed with one exciting super charged event after another– but someone asked, what about something for the kids. And adults “young at heart.” The answer is at the Kensington-Stobart Gallery at the Hawthorne Hotel, On the Common, which is featuring original works by Salem resident, Katy Bratun, now through May 13th. This is a departure from the gallery’s forte of maritime art. Just like Salem, change things up.

“From Pencil to Print” showcases her children ‘s book art with whimsical woodland creatures having human qualities. Selecting colored pencils, watercolors, acrylics, and pastels she strives to develop images that are engaging places for children to go. Her book illustrations reflect the warm colors and contrasting cool colors so familiar from her New Mexico childhood.

She explains on her website, “My desire to create pictures and outlandish characters began when I clutched a crayon in my chubby hand. After realizing that periwinkle is not as tasty as it looks, I began scratching the color on random surfaces. Voila! Much more satisfying!”

Katy Bratun studied illustration at the Art Institute of Boston and has illustrated 30 books for children. She has also been an instructor for drawing programs at the Peabody Essex Museum.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call The Kensington-Stobart Gallery at 978-825-0022.

Food, Fun with Friends, and Finds: Salem First Friday

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Mar 292013

Reputation attained, and rightly so, Salem First Friday is all about foods, fun with friends and finds. The upcoming SFF on April 5th will be more of the same. Merchants open later. Bargains available to those who participate!

But what makes SFF especially endearing to many attendees are the extras. For example if you have young children, that is not an obstacle if they don’t “get it” about shopping. You can leave them (ages 5-12) at the Salem YMCA for $15 anytime from 6-9pm. There will be well supervised gym activities, gymnastics, sports, arts & crafts, swimming, and dancing! Pizza & drinks are included. Mention Salem First Friday and save $5 off the $15 fee. The kids may not want to leave! Space is limited and you must call ahead to save a spot- 978-740-9622.

And then there are the special presentations at the Museum Place Mall. Last month it was a belly dancer; this month Urban Coastal Dance will present excerpts from “Aquatic Parallels” an evening of contemporary dance illustrating the similarities between body systems and aquatic environments. Choregraphy by company founders: Cecilia Seaward, Jamie Arnold, Sera Smith.

Urban Coastal Dance formed in 2012 out of a desire to link dance with community activism and wellness. The company’s first performance was last summer, right here in Salem, MA and is currently based in Providence, RI.

According to Cecilia Seaward, “We are coming up to Salem because it is where we had our first performance as a collective. We received such a positive response and it was a great experience for us.

“Through our performance we want to build an appreciation for the flow of life and illustrate the similarities between the ocean’s waterways and human body system. When developing the choreography we discussed this idea that humanity can be a destructive force in the world but being humbled by the vastness of nature, especially by something as powerful and beautiful as the ocean can lead to a peaceful appreciation and acceptance of the flow of life. That is what we are hoping to convey.”

First Friday, shop ’til you drop, and in between experience some relaxing choreographed aquatic movement. Salem Ma. Something different every time.

Spring Forward Into Restaurant Week

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Mar 122013

March madness could be used to describe the frenzy of activity in Salem this month. We kicked it off with a very successful First Friday event that welcomed shoppers to the downtown district. That is being followed up by the Salem Film Fest which attracted movie makers and movie goers from around the world to see top notch documentaries. And beginning March 17th, we invite people to taste Salem from a variety of dinner tables.

Participating restaurants will offer multiple choices for appetizers and entrees, as well as desserts. Expect a wide variety of delicious foods —from steak to seafood, American to ethnic — there is something for everyone. For 10 days only, participating Salem restaurants will offer either a two-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $15, or a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $25, or both (note that this price does not include drinks, taxes or gratuities).

The exact date are Thursday-Sunday, March 17-21 and March 24-28. For a very detailed list of the restaurants (and links to their websites so you can learn more about them and their menus) go to www.salem-chamber.org. For more info, call 978-744-0004.

Salem Film Fest 2013

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Mar 032013

First Friday last week was a success, and the activity doesn’t end for March. It is only beginning! The 6th annual all-documentary Salem Film Fest will be held March 7 – March 14 at CinemaSalem (with a few presentations at the Peabody Essex Museum, see full list below).

This is the largest All-Documentary Festival in New England, representing 32 feature length films. And— two-thirds of filmmakers plan to not only attend but also engage in post-screening dialogues.

This year’s fest kicks off at the Peabody Essex Museum with the world premiere of THE GHOST ARMY about a top-secret WWII unit that used inflatable tanks, sound trucks and other clever tactics to impersonate U.S. Army units and deceive Hitler’s legions. Q&A with Lexington filmmaker Rick Beyer and local heroes who served during WWII will follow.

The Salem Film Fest is also proud to host the much-anticipated Salem premiere of WEST OF MEMPHIS that tells the story of Salem resident Damien Echols desperate and extraordinary fight to escape death row. Echols will be on hand for what is sure to be a powerful Q&A.

Salem Film Fest was founded in 2008 by filmmaker Joe Cultrera (HAND OF GOD), local businessman Paul Van Ness (CinemaSalem, Van Ness Creative), the Executive Director of Salem Chamber of Commerce Rinus Oosthoek and others from the community. Run and operated entirely by volunteers, the weeklong festival’s attendance has grown 20 to 25 percent each year.

For more information about Salem Film Fest including ticket purchase information (some showings may be sold out already) visit www.salemfilmfest.com, follow Salem Film Fest on Facebook (www.facebook.com/salemfilmfest) and Twitter (@SalemFilmFest).

Screening Locations:
CinemaSalem, 1 India Square Mall, 978-744-1400
Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square (161 Essex Street), 978-745-9500

Screening Schedule:
Thursday, 3/7/13
7:00PM The Ghost Army, Peabody Essex Museum

Friday, 3/8/13
5:00PM Bay of All Saints, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
6:00PM Buzkashi!, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
6:45PM Scarlet Road, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
8:20PM Water Children, Screening Room CinemaSalem
8:30PM West of Memphis, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
10:00PM Radio Unnameable, Screening Room, CinemaSalem

Saturday, 3/9/13
10:00AM Trash Dance, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
10:30AM The Fade, Screening Room, Cinema Salem
12:00PM The Missing Piece: The Truth About The Man Who Stole The Mona Lisa, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
12:30PM Bay of All Saints, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
1:00PM In No Great Hurry – 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter, Peabody Essex Museum
2:30PM Zipper: Coney Island’s Last Wild Ride, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
2:30PM Scarlet Road, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
3:30PM The World’s Most Fashionable Prison, Peabody Essex Museum
4:45PM Mr. Cao Goes to Washington, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
5:15PM Radio Unnameable, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
5:30PM The World Before Her, Peabody Essex Museum
7:15PM The Fade, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
7:15PM The Big Easy Express, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
7:30PM Poetry of Resilience, Peabody Essex Museum
9:15PM Welcome To The Machine, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
9:45PM Water Children, Screening Room, CinemaSalem

Sunday, 3/10/13
10:00AM Town of Runners, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
10:30AM Radio Unnameable, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
12:15PM Sneak Peek, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
12:45PM Scarlet Road, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
1:00PM Kind Hearted Woman, Peabody Essex Museum
2:30PM Charles Bradley: Soul of America, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
2:45PM The Fade, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
4:00PM FRONTLINE Forum, Peabody Essex Museum
4:45PM Dreams of a Life, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
5:00PM Water Children, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
7:15PM Bay Of All Saints, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
7:20PM Women With Cows, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
7:30PM Poetry of Resilience, Peabody Essex Museum

Monday, 3/11/13 6:00PM Seeking Asian Female, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
6:00PM

Radio Unnameable, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
8:00PM Scarlet Road, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
8:30PM Where Heaven Meets Hell, CinemaSalem

Tuesday, 3/12/13
6:00PM La Camioneta, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
6:30PM Bay Of All Saints, Screening Room, CinemaSalem
8:15PM Call Me Kuchu, Main Theater, CinemaSalem
8:15PM Water Children, Screening Room, CinemaSalem

Salem, Shopping and Scavenger Hunt

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Feb 282013

We have an exciting Salem First Friday on tap this Friday night March 1st! Over 30 stores are staying open later than usual just for you! Do you believe in magic— well of course you do if you live in Salem— close your eyes, tap your heels and join us for a magical night!

Downtown and Pickering Wharf businesses host special events including cooking demonstrations, live music, art showings and all manner of creative events! And (did you note our reference to tapping heels?) we have a special added attraction of an “Oz the Great and Powerful” scavenger hunt with prizes, special extended movie preview at Cinema Salem, live Spanish Flamenco dance and guitar demonstration in Museum Place Mall, face painting at Cinema Salem as well as sales and promotions in many of the stores and restaurants. Most events begin at 5pm.

“Oz The Great and Powerful” Scavenger Hunt

Check into at least 8 of the 30-plus participating businesses on the Salem First Friday listing and bring your completed card (available online or in the stores) to Cinema Salem between 6:30-8:30pm that night to enter a special drawing for an “Oz in Salem” prize package. Additional prizes will be drawn including special 3D pre-screening tickets and swag!

For more details, times and a printable list of participating businesses please visit Salem First Friday on Facebook and on the web!

No purchase necessary and you do not need to be present to win. Enjoy!

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