Dec 172015
 

Good news and bad news. We’ve got a Salem Winter Market scheduled for Saturday Dec. 19th from 1-5pm at 217 Essex Street. Bad news is that it is the last market of the season.

WM2

Fresh home grown & produced items await your delight. Stock up with some great main course and accessory food for your holiday table. Support local farmers. And have fun. What more could you ask for on a Saturday before Christmas. Oh yes, Santa.

A little elf told us “Santa will be there sometime between 2 to 4pm.” Apparently the big guy has a lot on his plate to pin him down (get it, plate, food, Winter Market…).

It has been an interesting experiment to hold two special Winter Markets instead of the traditional multi-week Winter Farmers’ Market after the Halloween break.

“Our November market exceeded all our expectations,” reflects Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets, Executive Director. “We were so pleased with the number of shoppers, the quality of the vendors, and how much activity it added to the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.”

WM3“At these markets, you can actually talk to the people who’ve made the lotion, who’ve raised the chickens, who’ve stitched the clothes. You see your neighbors, catch up with long-lost friends, and say hi to a chef from one of our wonderful downtown restaurants as they shop for ingredients for that night’s menu. There’s so much added value when you shop at local markets like ours.”

She adds, “We’re also so thankful to Advanced Realty Management for the use of this beautiful space. We love being able to use it for this event, but we also hope that it helps people imagine how the space could be used and help us fill the current vacancy.”

So, while you’re looking at the goods, talking to the vendors and having some holiday shopping fun not being pushed around like at the mall or big box store, keep an open mind for others uses of the space at 217 Essex. It’ll be your gift to the community.

The Salem Farmers’ Market and Winter Market are organized by Salem Main Streets with assistance from Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, and the City of Salem, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and numerous volunteers. For further information regarding current vendors and Winter Market updates, refer to the Market’s website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, or contact Kylie Sullivan directly at 978-744-0004 x15.

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Dec 172015
 

WassailA party during the holidays is one thing, but a feast, well that is something special. And something special is what the Salem community gets every 3rd Thursday of the month from the Peabody Essex Museum with its extended after-hours PEM/PM celebration. This Thursday from 6-9pm: Wassail!, a midwinter feast, which celebrates light in the darkest part of the year.  Attendees are invited to sample festive beverages and foods, decorate a yule log, enjoy traditional Scandinavian crafts, and drive out the darkness with music and dance.

But, there is an extra special aspect for us this time. Not that you really needed another reason to attend Wassail! but we at Salem Main Streets are so grateful that PEM/PM has chosen our director Kylie Sullivan to be the person of honor for their Boar’s Head Carol procession! (They must have known she’s a sucker for all old English Christmas traditions).

Kylie headshotOur friends at Creative Salem had this to say, “We would love to get a big group to show up and help us celebrate the final PEM PM of the year and Miss Kylie!”

We agree. Let’s party! Wassail will run from 6-9pm, Thursday Dec. 17th.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

6-9 pm – Art Making in Studio 1, Create Space
Create traditional Scandinavian Yule crafts, including paper garlands and paper hearts.

Festive Fare in the Atrium
Taste inventive yet classic small plates prepared by PEM Chef Rhiannon Nowak.

Live Music in the Atrium
Enjoy festive folk tunes by the Clearwater Quintet.

Yule Log Decorating in the Atrium
Join in the holiday spirit by helping us decorate our very own PEM/PM yule log.

6-8 pm – Mead Tasting in the Atrium
In the medieval spirit, sample some of the House Bear Brewing award-winning meads. Sample tickets available at the table. Looking for something a little more traditional? Try our wassail at the bar!

6:30 and 7:30 pm – Viking Legends in the Bartlett Gallery
Local storyteller Odds Bodkin shares popular legends and tales of the Vikings.

6:45 and 7:45 pm – Morris Dancing in the Atrium
Watch the Newtowne Morris Men perform energetic traditional Morris dances from the rustic Cotswalds of England.

7 and 8 pm – Sword Dancing in the Atrium
Enjoy the intricate figures of Still River Sword performing traditional English Longsword dances.

7:30 pm – Boar’s Head Carol  in the Atrium
Participate in this English and Scandinavian tradition. Carol will be followed by a group wassailing with carols available at the PEM/PM Welcome Table. And this is where our Kylie comes in.

Any excuse to party during the holiday season, we will be there, will you?

Members and Salem residents (with ID) may attend free of charge, while nonmembers pay $10 at the door.

The Peabody Essex Museum is located at 161 Essex St, Salem. For more info go to http://www.pem.org/ or call 978-745-9500.

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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.

Star WarsWe 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…

Star Wars at  Hawthorne

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!”

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Dec 112015
 

Looking for alternatives and options in gifts for aunt Amber, cousin Dirk, or your new special someone? No need to look high and low; come to Salem Ma this weekend for the 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market. The event will feature local artisanal vendors, indie record labels, and other DIY vendors with products ranging from vegan soap to custom baby tents to punk flags and more.

Witch City DIYThat’s right. Indie record labels and punk flags. This sounds different & interesting. Almost like a punk rock flea market.

Hosted by Creative Salem and Bridge Nine Records, this event will take place from 11am – 6pm, Saturday, Dec. 12th at The Vault, 217 Essex Street on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. It is a large but intimate setting that is conducive to walking, handling the items for sale and conversing with the creators/vendors.

“We are so happy to bring this alternative market to Downtown Salem this year,” said John Andrews of Creative Salem. “Supporting and providing opportunities to all manners of makers is one of our key missions.”

And this event not only supports the work of local artists, 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market also inspires people to shop local.

A partial list of vendors (always subject to change…) includes:

Tor Johnson Records
Triple B Records
Better Days Recovery Press
Brandon Gorski Illustration
Arrest Records
Deathwish Inc.
Cave Dweller
Hervor Soaps
Amaranth & Rue
Prospect Records
Timber + Twine
Bridge Nine Records
Sully’s Brand
Bats in the Belfry Crafts
Nightwatch Studio
Beantown Collectibles
Witch City Wicks
Tryptic Press
Meghanisms
Witch DR.

For more info on the Witch City DIY Holiday Market go to the Creative Salem website or Facebook page. It is suggested you use hashtag #WitchCityDIY when sharing info or pictures on favorite finds or any positive interactions at the event.

Could this alternative market become THE North of Boston must-attend annual punk rock holiday event, thus adding to the growing reputation of Salem as a winter holiday shopping destination? You’re invited to make it happen.

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Dec 052015
 
Holiday window from 2013. What will you find this year?

Holiday window from 2013. What will you find this year?

Picture taking is an activity that so many more people do these days, especially on their cell phones, that we have added another dimension to our annual Holiday Window Contest which encourages Salem merchants to decorate their storefront windows with images of the season.

Now everyone wins during the Holiday Window Contest! Share YOUR pictures of your favorite holiday windows on Instagram or on our Facebook page with ‪#‎salemholidaywindows‬ – we’ll pick 5 winners between today and Christmas to get a small prize from a local business! (Hint: your chances improve if it’s a window that’s officially competing!).

Holiday Window Participants

Cabot Wealth Management – 216 Essex Street
CinemaSalem – Museum Place Mall
Coon’s Card & Gift Shop / Penelope’s Pet Boutique – 226 Essex Street
The Coven’s Cottage – 190 Essex Street
Derby Joe – 142 Derby Street
Flying Saucer Pizza Company – 118 Washington Street
For Kids Only Afterschool – 194 Essex Street
Fringe Salon – 73 Wharf Street
Gulu Gulu Café – 247 Essex Street
The Happy Sunflower – 78 Wharf Street
Hedrington’s – 61 Wharf Street
The House of Seven Gables – 115 Derby Street
J. Mode – 17 Front Street
Kan.del –Museum Place Mall
Laura Lanes Skin Care – 242 Essex Street
LightShed Photography – 79 Washington Street
Melita Fiore – 83 Washington Street
Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments – 3 Central Street
The New England Dog Biscuit Company – 7 Central Street
Opus – 87 Washington Street
Pamplemousse – 185-189 Essex Street
Re-find – 72 Washington Street
Re-find Men’s – 244 Essex Street
RJ Coins & Jewelry – 68 Wharf Street
Roost & Company – 40 Front Street
Rouge Cosmetics – 322 Derby Street
Salem Arts Association – 179 Essex St
Salem Collective of Artists & Musicians – 179 Essex St
Salemdipity – 86 Wharf Street
Silver Moon Comics & Collectibles–Museum Place Mall
Tibet Arts & Healing – 230 Essex Street
Trolley Depot – 191 Essex Street
Turtle Alley Chocolates – 177 Essex Street
Village Silversmith – 186 Essex Street
Witch City Consignment & Thrift – 301 Essex Street
Witch Tee’s –173 Essex Street

From a downtown holiday tree in Lappin Park to evergreen wreaths with candy cane lamp posts, Salem is dressed for the season and welcomes you. Come, take part in our window contest as you do your holiday shopping.

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