Drink Up: Wine & Spirits Week Being Served at Hawthorne Hotel

 Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals  No Responses »
Apr 032016
 

Wine SpiritsInteract with wine & spirits in a different way this week, April 3rd – 8th, courtesy of the Hawthorne Hotel. More than classes, these are full course “meals” in the art of sipping, listening, learning and being entertained by connoisseurs to become one yourself.

Speaking of entertainment, there will be tasty music to drink in afterwards from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Nat’s  which serves a modern European flair cuisine in a historic setting.

Wines can be intimidating, but you’ll cover the basics in a fun class that gets you to sip, slurp, swoosh and spit (if you wish). How do you best order wine in a restaurant? What does that gibberish on the label mean? Learn how to pair wine with food and walk away with renewed confidence in your wine skills!

Then listen to Molly Pinto-Madigan. Hailed for her angelic voice and haunting compositions, Molly won first place in WUMB’s Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest and was named “Artist of the Year” at Salem State University, her alma mater. She has submerged herself in the dark, luscious world of ballads, with the whisperings of the American and European traditional music.

Awaken the pirate in yourself! Salem’s very best Rum distilleries have it all; no rum-running here, but just a good old clash of two top local spirits. Let’s see who can impress you the most with their cocktail skills and vote on your favorite rum-style while learning about how distilleries work.

Afterwards, as the perfect Monday accompaniment, Kristen and Seth – a current Salem State University student and alumni – form a dynamic jazz duo that plays the upright bass and guitar, performing jazz standards and other music in a jazz style. .

From soccer to fashion to fast cars; Italians do it with passion. Come and educate yourself about Italian wines imported directly from the owner’s vineyard. And with that let’s get jazzy as The Cheese Shop of Salem owner Peter Endicott will pair up some smelly cheeses that will astound you in texture and flavors. Go on…you can do it!

Then stay for a live performance by Nick Consone, a singer/songwriter in the Boston area since 2004. His style ranges from blues to rock, from the 70’s all the way to top 40 of today. Nick is an active member in several different bands, all of which range in style.

If you already visited the Asia in Amsterdam exhibit at the PEM, you know that luxury is of all times, and nothing encompasses that more than sparkling wines. Cava, Prosecco and Champagne houses offer the more refined bubbles to enhance your palate. And what better combination than to share this with the top quality of Belgian chocolates?

Afterwards listen to Salem State University alumni Betty Bounce’s Gypsy Jazz Trio, performing music in the style of legendary Belgian-born jazz guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt.

The liquid gold of the south has gained much popularity in recent years. Whether you are a neat or on the rocks guy or gal, come taste the various styles of bourbon. And while you are at it, pair them up with some odd bacon bites to round up the night.

Then join Andrew DiMarzo, a local solo-acoustic act with influences from Andy Mckee to Martin Sexton, from Bernhoft to Glen Hansard. His sound can be said to be a mix of percussive-acoustic, funk, soul and folk music.

Come and listen to the brew masters of Salem’s Notch Brewery and Far From The Tree Cider on starting and improve your own home brew and get an insight into their stories. Obviously a few samples will be on hand to put the theory into practice or philosophically the practice back into theory, if that is even possible.

And stay in Nat’s for an evening with The Nick G Project, featuring Salem State University faculty member Nick Giarratani. Playing vocals and guitars Nick is joined at various times by some of Salem’s best musicians including Zach Bridges on upright bass, Seitu on steel guitar, guitar and vocals and Paul Dumas on percussion and vocals.

Salem may be known for spooky things like unseen ghosts, but each night this week, you will experience contact with real spirits (& wines). Tickets are only $15 per person, please order online. Local musical entertainment curated by Creative Salem. The Hawthorne hotel is located at 18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA. Call 978-744-4080 or 800-SAY-STAY .

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Triple Header Comedy Night Good for Your Health

 Salem Event, Salem Festivals  No Responses »
Mar 222016
 

Comedy at CSLife as we know it can be happy, sad, spirited or depressing. Comedians offer unique, inspired and hilarious perspectives that can also be healthy. That’s what a laugh therapist believes. And so we would like to prescribe the Comedy Night at Cinema Salem, featuring three of the region’s top comics, Thursday, March 24th at 8:30pm at Cinema Salem.

No joke, we said a Laugh Therapist.

Commenting within an article on WebMD.com, Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, a psychologist and laugh therapist said “I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off. They might be healthier too.”

With that in mind, how can you not take a spoonful of laughter, especially when Comedy Night at Cinema Salem is also a fundraiser to support the great work of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

So, who will be attending to your health?

paul-nardizziRespected as one of the top stand up comedians in Boston and the New England area, Paul Nardizzi is known nationally for his rapid-fire comedy style. He began his comedy career in 1990, quickly becoming a Boston area favorite and a national headliner within just four years.

Along the way he has made numerous appearances on Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central, has won the Boston Comedy Festival Competition and is one of the most requested acts on XM Satellite Radio.

ChristineHurleyEver get irritated at the stick figure family decals staring at you from the back of a car you are following when stuck in traffic? Christine Hurley has some choice words (none of which we can use here). In fact, to be clear, although much of Hurley’s language is not suitable for publication, and many of her jokes push the envelope — about parents and their over-involvement in youth sports or moms who get fixed up to bring their children to the bus stop — she has a way of delivering this hilarious and on-target material in a good-natured manner without being offensive.

Don’t take our word for it. Comedy legend Lenny Clarke offers “I’ve been doing this for 37 years, and I can honestly say that I haven’t seen someone as good as her since Roseanne [Barr], when she started doing stand-up.”

Opening for The Beach Boys and Nick DiPaolo, headlining some of the best clubs and theaters in New England and creating the themed standup comedy show “How Men Think (Or Do They?)” are just a few of the credits for Dave Rattigan, one of the busiest comics in Boston (in fact he’s a regular at the Boston Comedy Festival).

He is a comedic triple threat. His CD has been played on XM-Sirius, Slacker Radio.com, Matty’s Comedy 1200, and AOLRadio.com. His video clips have run on Nickmom.com. He has written humorous columns for the Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor and others.

As Comedy Night at Cinema Salem will be an adult performance venue, audience members will have the opportunity to purchase beer and wine in the Cinema Salem lobby.

And since it is a Chamber event, not to let an opportunity pass by, networking from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm!

Comedy Night at Cinema Salem is presented by the Salem Chamber, Cinema Salem and Creative Salem.

Cinema Salem is located at Museum Place Mall, 1 E India Square Mall, Salem.

For ticket prices or other questions about Comedy Night at Cinema Salem, contact the Salem Chamber of Commerce at 978-744-0004 or Cinema Salem at 978-744-1400.

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Creating a Good Time at PEM with Artopia

 Salem Event, Salem Festivals  No Responses »
Mar 162016
 

While the every 3rd Thursday of the month PEM/PM late night party is a festive & educational stroll through the Peabody Essex Museum, this week’s may well prove to be the most creative. The theme in fact is “creation.”

Artopia asks “what’s your creative story” and from 6-9pm on March 17th, the community as individuals, groups and organizations respond.

For example…

Observe or take part in the creation of a pinwheel. But not just any pinwheel. Participants will connect to distant cultures by taking time to draw out cultural patterns from across the world, directly onto a sailcloth. This will in turn be included in Move With Me, which is a collaborative public art project scheduled to be featured during June’s Salem Arts Festival.

artopia1Or consider decorating vintage-style postcards using collage elements, along with members of the Salem Arts Association. Let those creative juices flow as you build a story with words and pictures from vintage books, papers, glue and scissors. And best of all, you can share the creativity by email with a friend.

Looking for something a bit more “techie?” How about a session where you can create your own GIF! It will be presented courtesy of Figsburry Creative Group and Retonica.

Plus, you can’t talk about creativity in Salem without referencing the Salem Film Fest; enjoy a compilation of short documentary tangos around the town, from the perspective of local and visiting filmmakers featured in this year’s Salem Film Fest.

What about liquid creations? You will find creative samples from Far From the Tree Cider, Notch Brewing Co., Rumson’s Rumb and Deacon Giles Distillery in a Taste of Salem in the Atrium.

Listen to beats built by participants in a workshop led by Salem-based producer Qwill. Get a look at how they built their own drum racks, breaks and percussion samples. I

And much more. For a full line-up check out this info page at Creative Salem .

There will be a cash bar and small plates menu available from the Hawthorne Hotel. The Peabody Essex Museum is located at 161 Essex Street, Salem MA.

Create: to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.

You will not only see creativity, you will get the chance to express it yourself!

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Political Nuances of Native Fashion & Music at PEM

 History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals  No Responses »
Feb 172016
 

PEMPM Activate

Explore Native cultures through sight and sound at the next PEM/PM this Thursday, February 18, from 6 to 9 pm. You are especially invited to celebrate the Peabody Essex Museum exhibition Native Fashion Now through many vehicles of creative expression, from fashion to music, art making and more.

To that end, the global musical sensation A Tribe Called Red will headline the monthly PEM/PM after-hours party with its electronic powwow and Native-inspired mash-ups. Explore cutting-edge Native street style with PEM staff strolling the runway in the latest Native designs. And try your hand at Native art making by creating your own perler bead coaster or screen print with Native artist Jared Yazzie.

Native Fashion Show

From vibrant street clothing to exquisite haute couture, this exhibition celebrates the visual range, creative expression and political nuance of Native American fashion. Nearly 100 works spanning the last 60 years explore the vitality of Native fashion designers and artists from pioneering Native style-makers to today’s maverick designers making their mark in today’s world of fashion.

Also examined is how non-Native designers adopt and translate traditional Native American design motifs in their own work, including Isaac Mizrahi’s now iconic Totem Pole dress.

Featuring contemporary garments, accessories and footwear spanning a variety of genres and materials, these designers traverse cross-cultural boundaries between creative expressions and cultural borrowing. From one of Patricia Michaels’ (Taos Pueblo) recent ensembles from the reality television series Project Runway to Jamie Okuma’s (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock) dramatically beaded Christian Louboutin boots and innovative works made from mylar, vinyl and stainless steel, Native Fashion Now underscores Native concepts of dress and beauty, which are inextricably bound to identity and tradition in a rapidly changing world.

A Tribe Called Red

The Canadian band was named 2014 breakthrough artist of the year at the Canadian Juno awards. It has performed in clubs from Paris to Berlin and has become a cultural touchstone for Native communities with its drumbeats, chants and full-throated singing.

PEM PM

ATCR’s music has been described as “the soundtrack to a contemporary evolution of the pow wow: their Electric Pow Wow events in Ottawa showcase native talent and aboriginal culture, alongside an open, wild party. Within a couple of years they’ve become the face of an urban Native youth renaissance, championing their heritage and speaking out on aboriginal issues, while being on top of popular music, fashion and art.”

Events of the Evening

  • Art Making from 6-9 pm, Studio 1, Create Space
    Create your own coaster with perler beads and chevron patterns, inspired by The Soft Museum.
  • Native Fashion Then from 6-7:30 pm , Atrium
    Curious to know how Native fashion has evolved over the years? Staff from the Phillips Library share photographs and patterns from the PEM collection.
  • Highlights Tour at 6:45 and 7:15 pm, Native Fashion Now Exhibition, Level 3
    Get an in-depth look at some of the favorites in the show from Assistant Curator Shoshanna Resnikoff.
  • Native Streetwear Fashion Show from 7-7:30 pm, Atrium
    Check out and admire the latest designs in streetwear by Native artist Jared Yazzie.
  • Screen Printing Demo from 7-8 pm, Studio 2, Create Space
    Join Native Fashion Now artist Jared Yazzie to make your own print of his custom artwork.
  • Live Music from 7:45-9 pm, Atrium
    Immerse yourself in the electronic beats and mashups of Native music by Producer/DJ Crew
    A Tribe Called Red

Attend and you will see why PEM’s Native American and Oceanic Art and Culture Curator Karen Kramer says that we are, “smack dab in the middle of a Native fashion renaissance.”

Admission is free for PEM members & Salem residents, and $10 for nonmembers. There will be a cash bar, as well as a small plates menu from the Hawthorne Hotel. For more information call 978-745-9500.

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January is the Punch Line for Salem Comedy Festival

 Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping  No Responses »
Jan 022016
 

January may be a grim, gray month for most people, but we laugh at that notion in Salem. No, really, we laugh, as with the First Annual Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival, set for January 14 – 17, 2016.

MarkScalia-Festival producer and comedian Mark Scalia got the idea from a somewhat similar humor fest he had attended in New Orleans. It was a celebration of comedy for both the comics and the audience.

“New England in January tends to be dark and cold and can make people get a little stir-crazy. Comedy is a great way to get out on a cold night and laugh!  Besides, it’s the ONLY month that Salem doesn’t have another festival.”

The Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival features top area performing comedians, an improv show, locally crafted spirits and cider, and related special events at a variety of Salem venues (Koto, Far From the Tree, Opus, and Gallows Hill Theatre).

salemcomedy31/14, 7pm
Enjoy a delicious dinner from Koto before enjoying opening night hilarity with 10 great comedians. Hosted by Mark Scalia and closing the show will be comedian Chris Pennie.

  • Among the comics: Kristin O’Brien, Niraj Shah, Dan Gilbert, Mark Turcotte, Andy Lester & Kyle Daley

1/15, 7pm
Enjoy samples from Salem’s own Far From The Tree cidery before a showcase of 10 top comedians. Hosted by Mark Scalia and closing the show will be comedian Matt Barry.

  • Among the comics: Tyler Moore , Ryan Chani, Pete Wolynec, Danny Rathbun, Jess Miller & Drew Dunn

1/16, 6pm
Enjoy an exclusive private 3-course dinner with the show’s three headlining comedians, Dave Rattigan, Jay Grove & Mark Scalia at Opus Underground, as well as VIP seating for the comedy show!

1/17, 6:30 and 8:30pm
The evening at the Gallows Hill Theater begins with an Improv show with the hilarious “Accidentally on Purpose” featuring Erik Rodenhiser.

Then at 8:30pm, Ace Comedy Hypnotist Steve Coppola will take the stage with his interactive and comedic show!

Don’t let snow (or lack of it) get you down in January. Just come down to Salem MA and treat yourself to a laugh or two, or three or four at the The Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival. For tickets and additional info, go to http://salemcomedyfestival.com/

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