party – Page 23 – Salem Main Streets

Our Datebook Seems To Be Full This Week

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 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.

The Party Is Over….. Maybe…

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Nov 012013

It’s close to midnight….. and something evil’s lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight …..you see a sight that almost stops your heart

Setting aside the eerie sights that these lyrics evoked in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” in Salem these lyrics highlight the sights from last night as thousands upon thousands of humans, demons and whatevers (see the fellow to the below/ right) celebrated Halloween 2013.

Then magically and orderly disappeared. Poof.

We won’t have the numbers for a few days, but it was crowded.

Visitors and locals, having a good time, then hopefully in the days to come telling friends & families about what Haunted Happenings is all about in Salem, MA. Friendly folks, shocking scares, dandy deals, and fabulous food. Glad you had a good time!

We want to take a moment to thank all our great Salem Main Streets volunteers who gave of their time and energy. But also this year to the community members who came through for the Destination Salem “Shutdown” table when it was needed. And to the city workers involved in Haunted Happenings from the beginning to the middle to the end. As well as law enforcement for making it a safe evening.

Plus thanks to the Attractions & Downtown Merchants for getting involved in this crazy time and each in their own way contributed to the atmosphere of Haunted Happenings 2013.

BUT— unlike the werewolf who crawls out only with the full moon or the vampire who only rises at night, Salem has a life beyond the framework of October. Come back and visit us another time; as one local blogger has pointed out, Salem just loves its multi-day festivals. From Haunted Happenings to Heritage Days to restaurant week (next week!) to Salem So Sweet, our Downtown merchants strive to be your year ’round destination.

You can be strange, just don’t be a stranger.

All Roads Lead To Salem…

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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.

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.

Does Salem Know How To Party During Halloween?

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Oct 242013

Adults, your turn to party in Salem. Last weekend we pointed out many of the fun things taking place for kids. Things weekend it’s literally one party after another or at the same time. Better have your costumes & real IDs handy! Many of these may be sold out, so call or email as soon as possible.

10/25
The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, 7:30pm – 12:30am
Join Christian Day and the Witches of Salem with guests Dragon Ritual Drummers for a night of magic, music, and rituals at one of Salem’s most magical Halloween parties! You are invited to join them as in days of old when fires burned on every hilltop and Witches gathered to feast, rejoice, and cast spells for the new year! Dance in the Hawthorne Hotel Grand Ballroom, feast on sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, and participate in the Costume Contest . Book tickets at www.festivalofthedead.com, 978-666-0765

Harry Potter Salem Halloween Ball, 8pm-midnight
DJs Alvis and Zombi will play Halloweeny/80s New Wave/Wrock/ Goth/Industrial music, there will be photo opportunities, and a full bar. All ages welcome, 21+ to drink (bring ID). You may not bring your own alcohol. Costume required (HP preferable but any fabulous costume will do) Knights of Columbus Ballroom, 94 Washington Square East, 978-745-3408

Fright Night Ball, 9pm-1am
Come to Rockafellas for their Fright Night Ball upstairs in Colonial Hall. Cash giveaway upstairs for best costume. DJ Carla D spinning upstairs. Other features to the night include psychics, horror movies, liquor tasting, chef prepared delights and various swag. They will be offering VIP balcony tickets. For details & reservations go to www.RockafellasofSalem.com, 978-745-2411

10/26
Highrock’s Masquerade Ball, 6-9pm
This Ball is to benefit the North Shore CDC! Family-friendly gathering with games, dancing, and merriment at Salem’s Old Town Hall, 6-9pm. Admission gets you 2 drinks (21+, please bring I.D.), dinner catered by Celia’s Restaurant. Your favorite costume or fancy attire with a mask! The North Shore Community Development Coalition connects Salem’s families in need with affordable housing, education, and services to thrive. For more info visit www.highrocknorthshore.org or email brynn@highrocknorthshore.org.

5th Annual Zombie Prom, 8-11:30pm
The petrifying costumes, the non-stop dance party, the crowning of a Prom King & Queen and the 400+ Zombies who attended Zombie Prom last year, proves why this is one of the most talked about, anticipated Halloween Parties to attend in Salem. For more info, go to http://www.victoriastationsalem.com/, 978-745-3400

Nightmare on Hawthorne Blvd, 8-12am
The Annual Costume Party held at the historic Hawthorne Hotel is a night of food, music, and controlled chaos, interrupted only by a fantastic costume contest with up to $1,700 in prizes. For more info, see http://www.hawthornehotel.com/Halloween, 978-744-4080.

Gulu Gulu Halloween Party, 8-11pm
It’s that time of year again! Our annual ticketed event featuring the music of the amazing DJ Noel Snow, dancing, a costume competition, and the best food & drink this side of Czechoslovakia! Gulu Gulu Cafe, 740-8882

Voodoo Ball, 9pm-1am
Come to Rockafellas for their Voodoo Ball upstairs in Colonial Hall. With a Voodoo theme, choose your poison and dress to the nines because the best costume upstairs receives big cash giveaway. DJ Carla D spinning upstairs. Other features to the night include psychics, horror movies, liquor tasting, chef prepared delights and various swag. They will be offering VIP balcony tickets. For more info go to www.RockafellasofSalem.com, 978-745-2411

Sounds of Silent Martial Art Film at Next PEM/PM

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Oct 132013

Our friends at the Peabody Essex Museum had a long way to go to top last month’s PEM/PM monthly evening party series involving Steampunk. And it looks like they have. All the way to China of 1929. This Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6:30 – 9:30pm enjoy a live performance by Devil Music Ensemble as they play their original score for Red Heroine, one of the only remaining feature-length martial arts films from China’s silent era.

Made at the height of the martial arts craze in 1920s Shanghai, this lively tale features the genre’s blend of pulp and mystical derring-do.

As noted in a summary of a NY Times review:

This silent Chinese film serial consisted of 13 chapters. The story featured orphan Yun Mei (Fan Xueping), who survives a brutal attack by a warlord that killed her grandmother. She is taken in by a monk (director Wen Timin) who schools her in martial arts. When she masters her talents, she seeks to exact her revenge on the warlord, who spends much of his time cavorting with concubines. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi.

Enhancing the visual performance, will be the sound provided by Devil Music Ensemble. Founded in 1999 by Brendon Wood, Devil Music Ensemble explores many facets of music — rock, electronic, orchestral, folk, improvisation, incidental, etc. The band’s original scores have been credited with enhancing the film-watching experience for all.

The trio recently finished a European tour, giving live soundtrack performances to Red Heroine in 12 countries in Western and Eastern Europe.

The PEM/PM evening events also include a Lion Dance followed by Kung Fu demonstrations led by Grandmaster Winchell P.C. Woo, founder of Chiu Mo Kwoon, the first traditional Kung Fu school in the Boston area. There will, as often does happen at these PEM/PM events, be a food tasting and chef demonstration. Try your hand at art making.

Admission is free of charge for PEM members and Salem residents (with ID); nonmembers pay $10 at the door. For more info, call 866‐745‐1876 or visit pem.org. The Museum is located at 161 Essex St, in Salem Ma.

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