History – Page 11 – Salem Main Streets

New Year’s Eve Destination: Salem’s LAUNCH!

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Dec 272015

Where else but Salem MA could you welcome the New Year while at the same time celebrate the past? And still have time to welcome the New Year again! No, we haven’t started sampling the bubbly stuff yet.

The City of Salem and Salem Main Streets are teaming up to throw LAUNCH!, our third annual New Year’s Eve party, this Thursday, Dec. 31 from 4 pm to 6 pm at historic Old Town Hall, Derby Square. Let’s repeat the times, 4-6pm. Bring the entire family – yes the kids too, it’s early enough!

“When we organized LAUNCH! for the first time, it was immediately clear that this needed to be an annual tradition where the community could truly come together,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director. “Plus, there’s still plenty of time after our early countdown to get to your own party, or catch one of the many other great events happening all over town on New Year’s Eve!”

Attendees can ‘rock the night away’ with local musical favorites including The Dejas, BlacKat, and Kevin William, as well as a number of “rising star” teen musicians. There will be New Year’s Eve related activities and crafts for kids of all ages, thanks to event partners The Gathering, The Phoenix School, and Creative Salem.

Kylie adds, “I’ll be honest, this is truly one of my favorite events of the year. We conduct many events which might arguably have a greater impact, but I love that this event is simply about celebrating together as a community. We’re also so lucky to partner with the City of Salem in using Old Town Hall – there’s something lovely and symbolic to me about getting to use this beautiful public building that celebrates the past, and then throw the doors open to the community to welcome the year to come.”

Speaking of Old Town Hall, we’re also still looking for a few helping hands to join us this Thursday, especially for:

Set up (2 to 4pm): Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Craft activity support (4 to 6 pm): Help activity leaders as needed.
FACE PAINTERS (4 to 6 pm): We’re not looking for high levels of artistic talent – ability to paint hearts, stars, and “Happy 2016!” is sufficient. We’ll provide the paint and brushes.
Break down (5:45 to 7pm): Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

This event is free to all and family-friendly, with a $5 suggested donation to help support the Salem Main Streets “Holiday Happenings” initiatives, including the wreaths and ribbons around the downtown, the Holiday Tree, and LAUNCH!

There will be an early countdown promptly at 6 pm.

For more info about New Year’s Eve Salem, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Manager, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

And have a Happy New Year!

Tips to Enjoy Star Wars When It Comes to Salem

Salem Event No Responses »

Dec 132015

CinemaSalem will be one of about 4000 movie houses to be unleashing the latest sagas of the Jedi & friends & enemies this week with Star Wars Episode 7, The Force Awakens. As of this writing there were surprisingly still some tickets left according to Shanna Langevin, CinemaSalem’s general manager.

We don’t think that is a Jedi mind trick. But if you don’t have one yet (and even if you do), here are some suggestions by Langevin.

“Buying your ticket online makes sure you have a seat for that show, but you still need to get a paper ticket printed out at our box office.”

To facilitate the process, CS will have a separate station just for picking up tickets for at least the premiere and opening weekend. It will be located across from the box office.

Langevin advises attendees that “We will have a ticket checker so please make sure to have your ticket on you when going into the theater.”

Now while we don’t expect the galactic excess being seen elsewhere (in Hollywood, 4 blocks along Hollywood Blvd — from Highland Ave. to La Brea Ave. — were already closed to traffic on Thursday night at 11pm) there are some additional suggestions & procedures to make this a safe & fun night out for all.

Langevin advises, “Every show will have a line that starts beyond our mall entrance. Please do not try waiting in the lobby for this movie. This will help with overcrowding and spoilers.”

Spoilers, once you’ve seen the film, just reverse our MBTA saying of “if you see something, say something.” Don’t.

But, if you want to discuss burning SW questions, here is a CNN slide show of 16!

And since CinemaSalem wants this to be a great experience for everyone involved, please be kind and considerate!

Behavior

If you cause trouble in the line, you will be refunded your ticket and asked to leave.
You are encouraged to be creative and dress up if you like (yay costumes!), but do not bring any sort of weapon. This includes lightsabers. Repeat – no weapons
If you do bring in a weapon, you will be asked to bring it back to your car. But, if that isn’t possible, CS will hold onto it for you until after the movie.
Any disturbances during the film (loud/constant talking, cell phone use, throwing objects, and anything else management & staff consider harmful to the enjoyment of the show) can lead to your expulsion from the theater without a refund.
If you are caught recording/taking pictures of the movie, the police will be called. Pirating films is a federal offense so please don’t cause that kind of ruckus.

Also take note that around Salem there will be related events to the Star Wars premiere. For example, at the Hawthorne Hotel…

They might even play the Cantina song! We’ll try to keep you posted about any other such related events on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Langevin concludes, “If you have any questions or concerns please ask our staff or email Info@CinemaSalem.com. Thank you for being such awesome folks and we will see you at the movies!”

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.

Best Holiday Two for One Deal You’ll Find This Friday!

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Nov 232015

Take a break from your holiday shopping this Friday to join friends & neighbors in the community of Salem as we celebrate two traditions: Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree.

This year, though, Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem have combined these two separate activities into one flowing event to maximize the fun factor for children and adults.

And with the projected weather forecast calling for partly cloudy skies with a high of 60 and a low of 47, we expect a good sized crowd!

Santa Claus will arrive on the roof of the Hawthorne Hotel (located at 18 Washington Square W) promptly at 6pm, then with assistance from the Salem Fire Department will be brought to street level where he will lead a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex & Washington streets).

From there we invite you to join Santa and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll for the Holiday Tree Lighting.

Bring the entire family out for carols, festivities, and fun!

Salem Main Streets would like to thank the City of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel, MeetingHouse Church, North Shore Marine, All Star Collision & Towing, the Salem Common Neighborhood Association, and the many other community partners who make these special events possible.

Lights and decorations for the Holiday Tree were made possible by individual contributions and donations from a number of local businesses, including significant donations from Salem’s October visitors.

For more information about any of these events, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at 978-744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/santa-arrives-in-salem/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook and Twitter.

Better to Give Than Receive: Volunteer for SMS

Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities No Responses »

Nov 172015

As many of you know — or may not know — Salem Main Streets is responsible for a fair share of the holiday fun and cheer to be found/experienced in downtown Salem in November & December. But, as you can well imagine, it is far too much for one person to orchestrate, and way more fun to do with friends! Therefore, here are just a few (seriously) of our upcoming volunteer needs.

Ribbon Wrapping around downtown – this Saturday, Nov. 21
9 am – Ribbon pre-measuring and cutting – Salem Main Streets office, 265 Essex Street
10 am to 12 pm – Meet at East India Fountain on Essex Street Mall
Needed – as many as possible!
Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets reveals, “This is one of my favorite volunteer days of the year – it’s always cold and blustery, but we always have the best group of people, and the more people, the faster we go! Volunteers should be able to handle the cold for 2 hours (while moving around); ability to climb ladders comfortably is a plus, and ‘ability’ to bring your own ladder is even better!”

Salem Winter Market – November – this Sunday, Nov 22.
1:30 to 3 pm and 6:30 to 8 pm
217 Essex Street
Needed – 4 to 6 people
We need help unloading and setting up vendors for our indoor winter market, in addition to breaking down and loading out at the end of the evening. Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

Santa’s Arrival at Hawthorne and Holiday Tree Lighting at Lappin Park, Friday, Nov. 27
5 pm to 7 pm
Needed – 2 or 3 volunteers
We’re combining two beloved annual events into one night this year – and that means it will be even harder for Kylie to be everywhere at once! We could use a couple extra hands to help carry and set up/break down tables and sound systems at the different sites. Again, volunteers should be relatively able to handle the cold for 2 hours, and need to be able to lift and carry tables, sound equipment, etc.

Salem Winter Market – December, Saturday, Dec. 19
11:30 to 1 pm and 4:30 to 6 pm
217 Essex Street
Needed – 4 to 6 volunteers
We need help unloading and setting up vendors for our indoor winter market, in addition to breaking down and loading out at the end of the evening. Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

New Year’s Eve LAUNCH! Thursday, Dec. 31
2:30 pm to 7
Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square
Needed – As many as possible!
Kyle requests, “Help us ring in the New Year at Old Town Hall! The City of Salem and Salem Main Streets are teaming up to throw a New Year’s Eve party at Old Town Hall, with live music and family-friendly activities. There will be an early countdown promptly at 6 pm.”

Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs:

Set up (2 to 4pm): Volunteers should be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Greeters (4 to 6 pm): Greet people at the door and collect optional donations.
Craft activity support (4 to 6 pm): Help activity leaders as needed.
Break down (5:45 to 7pm): Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

One other thing, Kyle adds, “Have an idea for a fun (and inexpensive) NYE activity that you would like to lead? Even better – just let me know.”

If you are interested in filling any of these needs, please contact her by email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or by phone at 978-744-0004, or in person at 265 Essex Street.

Just think of all those happy faces on kids & adults at events where you gave a little of your time.

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