Marching orders came down last Friday and we all had a great time participating in the Salem Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade. Whether in costume or not (the theme this year was “Fantasy” characters), the kids had a great time either in the parade or standing on the sidelines and watching.
Look closely to catch a few shots of our own Kylie.
Not every tourist destination can offer “kid-friendly” events on a regular basis— but here in Salem, we can. As proof, we present the on-going PEM/PEM Pals. This is a fun, interactive program with books, movement, music, art and hands-on activities designed specifically for preschoolers and their caregivers. It is presented Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Peabody Essex Museum.
Residents and visitors alike are welcome to attend.
For example, last week they read The Deep Blue Sea (which was in keeping with the theme of the current exhibition Turner & The Sea). There was also an adventure & fun with a sea-related craft.
This week the sea theme continues with a reading of Big Al, a book about a really big, but really friendly fish named Al.
The month will round out with special guests.
On Aug. 20 participants will be joined by Mr. Whirly (aka Keith Wasserman). He has some fresh tunes to share from his new cd, so attendees should be ready to dance!
On Aug. 27, you might want to keep your dancing shoes on because Teresa Coelho from Music Together will be available with all her instruments for children to try!
In fact, we suggest you take a look at the entire “Kids & Families” schedule for August at the Peabody Essex.
PEM/PEM Pals operates on Wednesdays from Sept. 4, 2013 – Dec. 24, 2014. It is made possible with support from Target and American Dental Partners. For additional info call 978-745-9500.
Jazz is in the air today and being that the weather is expected to be mostly sunny and pleasant, with temperatures in the low 80s, we invite you to feel the beat in person courtesy of the cool folks at The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival organization.
The SJSF is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that produces free concerts and raises money for music education causes on the North Shore; since 2007, it has raised $45,000 for such music-education causes.
First up, MusicKidz, 10am today at the Salem Public Library. An hour of musical learning and fun for kids in grades 1-5 (and parents too!). Today the program that SJSF will present is all about Native American music! There is no charge for admission
Then the Frotations, a band made up of students from the Berklee College of Music, will play the third SJSF/Berklee Summer Series concert of 2014 in Derby Square, 5-7 p.m. Creative Salem and Social Palates will sponsor the free performance.
Forged in 2011 by singer-songwriter Chris Kazarian and bass player Pedro Ribiero (Pedro Zappa), the Frotations were originally called K.A.Z. — A musical experiment centered around the up-and-coming singer songwriter aimed at bringing all of the world’s people together under one sound. Today the Frotations are a concrete blend of Neo-Soul and Rock ’n’ Roll with a little drop of Hip-Hop.
SJSF’s season lasts May through August – putting on monthly, free concerts in partnership with Berklee College of Music – and culminating in a two-day festival at the Salem Willows in mid-August, featuring local, regional and national bands.
For more information, please visit salemjazzsoul.com or call 978-744-8258.
As a side note, we’d like to mention that the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival needs energetic and ambitious volunteers each year to help with the SJSF/Berklee Summer Series. Set up gear, hand out flyers, sell merchandise, and generally promote the festival They might still be able to use you today. If not today, there is always the Aug. 9th event. Interested? E-mail volunteers@salemjazzsoul.com for more information.
Writing a blog about Salem Ma is fun, but it is even more enjoyable when there is more than one event going on during the same day. And in our community, that is quite often. For example among the activities today we have:
Healthy Kids Day, Noon-3pm
Salem Jazz & Soul Fundraiser, 8-10:30pm
Healthy Kids day is just what it sounds like. A day for kids to play and learn and have fun, fun , fun. The YMCA’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, features games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts and more to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.
Each area Y has different activities. For the Salem Y there will be:
The Salem Y is located at One Sewall St. Call 978.740.9622 for more info.
And then the night belongs to music. The sounds of Jazz and Soul will fill the air because… the Salem Jazz and Soul Spring Fundraiser takes place tonight in Ames Hall, 290 Essex St.
But more than just music, it is also a dance party featuring the band Combo Sabroso, (tasty combo) which presents “soul cleansing” Latin dance music and reggae. You will hear hard hitting “salsa dura” sounds of the 1970s (Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Oscar D’leon and Sonora Poncena), salsa arrangements of American R&B (Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers and Santana) plus reggae versions of pop hits (Elton John, Steve Miller and The Police). The band’s members are from Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Saint Maarten, Venezuela and the United States.
And that’s not all! North Shore businesses and artists have also donated items for auctions and raffles!
Tickets are available from salemjazzsoul.org, as well as Pamplemousse, and In a Pig’s Eye; proceeds will fund the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival’s non-profit mission of producing free concerts and supporting music education causes on the North Shore.
From start to finish, Salem is a Saturday destination. And don’t forget in between to visit our diverse dining and shopping options in the downtown district.
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MAYOR KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL, SALEM’S LOCAL ATTRACTIONS, MUSEUMS & DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS PRESENT A TRICK OR TREAT EXTRAVAGANZA!!! Continue reading »