Our Datebook Seems To Be Full This Week

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Nov 162013
 

When exactly are things supposed to slow down in Salem?

We just finished Fall Restaurant Week. Well, actually two weeks of fine dining.

We are in the midst of Winter Market, Thursdays (except Thanksgiving week) from 3-6pm at Old Town Hall.

The soon to be Turner’s Seafood Restaurant will be opening this week (or next, everything needs to be just right). Yes, another different flavor of dining comes to Salem. Described in their own words, “Salem experiences the heritage, dedication & expertise of our family’s four generations… sourcing, preparing & serving the freshest, best tasting seafood at our authentic New England seafood restaurant & market in storied Lyceum Hall.”

Brunonia BarryBrunonia Barry (The Lace Reader and The Map of True Places) noted author from Salem —a New York Times Best-selling author we may add—  Baccante award winner & Strand Fellowship recipient will close out the 2013 “Seven Lectures at Seven Gables” series at (where else) the House of Seven Gables, Wednesday at 7pm.

CinemaSalem is running a special double feature this Thursday on the 8pm premiere of Catching Fire by preceding it with the original Hunger Games movie at 5pm.

Another celebrity comes to town on Thursday, when Jenny Johnson, the Emmy Award Winning producer and television host of TV Diner visits J. Mode for a “Girls Night Event,” 6-8:30pm. The evening’s guests will enjoy wine, small bites and a beautiful spread offered by Pretzel Crisps, plus of course shopping. Space is limited and the first 25 guests will receive a swag bag filled with surprises. Attendees will also be treated to a raffle and the opportunity to earn double points in J. Mode’s customer loyalty program.

But before that you might want to visit the Peabody Essex Museum for Members’ Appreciation Day. This holiday season, the Museum Shop wants to thank members for their support with a special gift and additional discounts. Visit the shop and receive your exclusive PEM swag bag!

Join then from 1-3pm for a book signing with Benneville Strohecker, founder of the Salem-based Harbor Sweets. He’ll sign copies of his new children’s book, The Day the Ocean Changed to Chocolate. Also meet a representative from Tea Forte, and sample delicious teas.

Close out the evening with the latest in the PEM/PM after hours gathering. This month Anime and Manga; these are Japanese comic books and animation that have taken America by storm. Come celebrate this fascinating medium from 6:30-9:30pm with a visual music performance, drawing with professional graphic artists and an engaging conversation organized by the Tannery Series. Members and Salem residents (with ID) free, non-members $10. Cash bar. Refreshments available for purchase in the Atrium Cafe.

And that is just this week.

On Nov. 30 we take part in Small Business Saturday, but that’s another blog.

Share

PEM Creatively Celebrates The Future

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Nov 092013
 

Point to one store, one attraction that proudly proclaims that there is life in Salem before, during and after Halloween and you would be looking at the Peabody Essex Museum. This is not your grandparents type of museum, nor most likely your parents. It is a vibrant, enticing, welcoming community meeting-house environment with exhibits for any age group.

Saturday Nov. 9th is a perfect example as PEM presents Future Creativity Gala from 7:30pm to midnight. There willMuseums Can Be Lively be dining, dancing and cocktails as they celebrate the future of the creative process. Yes, in a museum. There will also be creative experience rooms which will feature opportunities to interact with guests and artists with activities designed to engage the senses.

For example, future-themed hors d’oeuvres and small plates, both sweet and savory, will be passed throughout the evening to create a unique dinner-by-the-bite culinary experience.

Matthew Aucoin will compose new work in real time. Guests become part of the process by influencing the style of his composition. Collaborators Kier GoGwilt and Nick Pope will simultaneously react to his composition through additional music and visual art. (Aucoin is PEM’s first composer-in-residence and an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.)

Utilizing taste, touch, sound, sight and smell, Janice Wang will explore the ways we interact with food and with each other through culinary experience. Wang is interested in cognitive psychology in the dining room. (Wang is an MIT Media Lab researcher as part of Kevin Slavin’s Playful Systems group.)

But more than words are needed to explore the creativity that is the PEM. John Andrews of Social Palates posted a link on Twitter this week to the photographs he’s taken highlighting the PEM’s brand of community interaction. With an eye to the future of creativity at PEM, we invite you to also look at the recent past.

Tickets may still be available to Saturday’s event. For more information contact 978-542-1611 or email gala@pem.org. Proceeds from the Future Creativity Gala provide necessary support for the museum’s education, outreach and public programs, as well as new exhibitions.

Share

All Roads Lead To Salem…

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Oct 272013
 

But, depending on the time 0f day/night, they may not lead out.

The City of Salem has published Road Closures & No Parking Zones for Halloween. And as a courtesy to our followers who may be nearby or are still miles away but planning to be here on the big day/night we are reprinting the schedule from the city website. Please note that all closures are subject to change based on conditions, crowd size, and other public safety factors.

Streets closed to traffic at approximately 4 p.m.( no later than 5 p.m.), and until approximately 11:30 p.m.

This means not only can’t you drive through these streets but if you parked there, you can’t leave either.No Parking

1.      Washington St. from New Derby to Bridge St.
2.      Essex St. from Barton Square to Union St.
3.      Derby St. from Lafayette St. to Congress St.
4.      Brown St. at New Liberty St. Second backup closure at Howard St.
5.      Lafayette St. from Derby to Front St.
6.      Hawthorne Blvd. from Derby St. to Essex St.
7.      Washington Sq. West from Essex to Brown St. Washington Sq. South closed. Washington Sq. North closed from Brown to Winter St.
8.      Winter St. at Bridge St. closed to inbound traffic.
9.      Williams St. at Bridge St.
10.     Congress St. closed at South Harbor Garage. Vehicles will be detoured to Pickering Way out to Derby St. Derby St. inbound traffic detoured to Little Hawthorne Blvd., right on Essex St. (Traffic direction will be reversed on Little Hawthorne Blvd.)

Streets closed to traffic from 10 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.

1.      Bridge St. will be closed to traffic between the westerly ramps and the Bypass Road.
2.      Incoming Bridge St northbound traffic will be detoured up westerly ramps to North Street. Bypass Road inbound traffic from Beverly will be diverted back to Bridge Street and back to Beverly. Incoming southbound traffic from Bridge Street will be diverted to the Bypass Road and back to Beverly.
3.      Franklin Street may be closed to traffic if needed.

Other closures or openings could be decided as special circumstances arise.

No parking tow zones from 4 p.m. to midnight. These will be enforced.

1.      Lafayette St. both sides Front to Derby St.
2.      Public parking lot along Front St. Public parking spaces located on Central St. in front of old police station.
3.      Essex St. from Barton Sq. to Hawthorne Blvd.
4.      Derby St. both sides between Congress and Lafayette St.
5.      Hawthorne Blvd. both sides.
6.      Front St.
7.      Central St.
8.      Washington St. from New Derby to Bridge St. both sides.
9.      Washington Sq. North, South, and West both sides.
10.     Federal St. both sides from Washington to Superior Court.
11.     Norman St. from Washington to Crombie St.
12.     Franklin St. on the Furlong Park/North River side of the street.
13.     New Derby St. between Klop Alley and Lafayette St.

Visitors planning to come to Salem on October  31st are strongly encouraged to take the commuter rail or ride the Salem-to-Boston Ferry. For more information about traveling to Salem during Halloween visit the Haunted Happenings website and to be notified about road closures follow @GetThruOctober on Twitter or our own Twitter account @SalemMainStreets.

We will also have this information at our new Visitors’ Info Booth, which is at the corner of Washington and Essex Streets, across from the Bewitched Statue.

Share

No Kidding, Salem Has Activities For Kids

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Oct 172013
 

Oh to be a kid in Salem Ma during Haunted Happenings. We’ve had Family Days on the Common. The Big Draw in front of the Peabody Essex Museum. There is a Carnival on Derby Street. And not a week goes by that one of our Downtown stores or organizations isn’t offering some activity focusing on children.

Just look at what is on this weekend’s horizon.

Sat./Sun. 11am-noon: Professor Wunders’ School of Magic. This is promoted as a fantastic event for families, with fun special effects and audience participation! Learn the basics of magic, and cast exciting spells with Professor Wunders. Every child receives a magic glow ring as a gift before the show. Free pictures with the Wizard on stage after the show. 7 Lynde St (Gallows Hill Museum Theater) For ticket prices: 978-825-0222 or GallowsHillSalem.com/

Sat./Sun. 11am-5pm: Ask a Witch & Make a Wand. You are invited to stop by and make a wand with the Witches Education League. Ask questions about Witches and Witchcraft. This is the 20th anniversary of Ask A Witch. All proceeds go to charities. Artemisia Botanicals, 3 Hawthorne Blvd ArtemisiaBotanicals.com

Kid's Day on the Common

Sat./Sun. 11am-5pm: Salem Common Fun Days. Where else can you find nteractive inflatables, games, entertainers, fun foods, contests and more other than on the Salem Common. Brought to you by New England Parties. A portion of proceeds will benefit non-profit partner Salem Common Neighborhood Association. Salem Common

Sat. Noon-3pm: Annual Children’s Halloween Parade & Costume Party Children ages 3-10 are invited to Salem Common in costume. From there the parade travels down Essex Street to a costume competition in Derby Square. Parade Registration at 11am, parade begins at noon. Costume party from 1pm-3pm at the Phoenix School. Rain location: 89 Margin St. Salem Common PhoenixSchool.org

Sat./Sun. Noon-10pm: Haunted Happenings Carnival Once again Fiesta Shows builds something out of nothing, creating andelight for all the senses for kids of all ages. takes over while visiting Salem and act your age somewhere else! Games, rides and all the fun rolled up in one! Derby St.

Sat.1-3pm: Jedi Knight Training will be held on the Common Children between four and nine years of age will have a chance to interact with a real Jedi Knight. And this interactive performance is geared for both boys and girls! Children are led through a series of challenges including Jedi Force Magic, the Laser Balloon Barrage and Jedi Teamwork culminating in an epic lightsaber duel with the JePumpkinsdi Master himself. There is no admission fee and costumes are encouraged! Salem Common.

One other item to mention is the Sixth Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Strictly for people on the younger side, it is set up with three age groupings: 6-year old and under, 7-10 year old and 11-14 year old. Their pumpkins will be on display for family, friends and tourists to view during October on Salem Common. Objects, paper, and materials of any kind may be pinned or glued to pumpkins. Participants may also draw or paint on their entries. They are to deliver finished works of art to the Common Oct. 18 from 4-7pm and Oct. 19 from 11am to 2pm. Judging will take place Oct. 20 at 11am. For full rules go to Salem Patch.

Share
 Older Entries  Newer Entries