Cops on Halloween

Today is the big day, Halloween in Salem Mass.  Friends who just got into town said that the MBTA Commuter Rail from North Station to Salem was almost 100% full.  The streets must be cleared of all vehicles by noon and all traffic will be blocked off by 4pm.

Hundreds of cops from surrounding communities will be patrolling town so be on your best behavior.

Have fun and follow us on Twitter today @saleminsider as we post photos and give updates.  Feel free to send us some of your favorite photos and we will do a big photo post tomorrow.

Wednesday October 28th, 2009

SYNTH: 80’s party with Darq

Synth: an 80's Halloween party

Tonight from 8:30-12:30 at Bangkok Paradise we get a special treat and get enjoy a decade with a DARQ twist! DJ Alvis, DJ Zombi and VuDu DJ will spin your 80’s favorites only spookier! And the 2nd annual Halloween Thriller Costume Contest will be held. Cash & prizes for best 80s costume, best non-80s costume & a grand prize for best in show! And best of all: NO COVER CHARGE. More info at myspace.com/decade80snight

Thursday October 29th, 2009

The Dumb Supper: Dinner with the Dead

Dumb Supper

The Hawthorne Hotel plays host to one of the most interesting events of the Halloween season, the Dumb Supper.  This dining event presented by the Salem Witches honors the dead with a “sumptuous dinner” observed in silence as touching music plays. The concept behind the Dumb Supper is great, by remaining quiet, you will open your heart and mind to those who have crossed over.  However the $100 a head price tag behind this vegetarian only meal will leave foodies an people concerned with the recession perplexed.

For more info about the night including the menu and to buy tickets check out FestivalOfTheDead.com.

Friday October 30th, 2009

The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball

The official Salem Witches Ball

Join DJ Addambombb (you may remember him from last weeks Vampyre Ball)  as he spins a mix of pop, rock and goth at the Hawthorne Hotel from 7:30pm – 12:30am.  Unlike many Salem events during the Halloween season Witches’ Halloween Ball is an 18+  party.  Tickets are an exorbitant $150 but for many this is the best Halloween party out there and only event they will attend.  You can also win a $1,000 prize in the mythical monsters themed costume contest.

The 3rd annual SALEM HARVEST FEST

Salem Harvest Fest presented by Pamplemousse & Magic Hat Brewing takes place this Saturday, October 24th from 2 – 6 pm at 294 Essex (Salem Y Ballroom) is a grand tasting of over 100 fine wines, craft beers and delicious mead.  Local breweries Cape Ann, Ipswich & Stone Cat Brewing, Wachusett Brewing and Magic Hat will be on hand as well as an assortment of international beers from Atlantic and Seaboard Imports.  This year, they have local wineries Turtle Creek and Still River Winery participating, as well as a fantastic array of wines from around the world.

Tickets are a well spent $20 in advance and $25 for more info head over to salemharvestfest.com

The DARQ Gala

2009 DARQ Gala

Coming in on the top of the “unique and affordable  Halloween evening events” list is the DARQ Gala.  When it comes to Salem Balls, Gala’s and Hootenannys, this event always brings out the the well dressed locals and imports from the greater Boston area who enjoy the darker more gothic side of Salem.

This year’s DARQ Gala feature’s live performances by Angels on Acid and Boston’s Ground to Dust. (Bands that Vudu:DJ’s been playing, and Salem has been dancing to…) AND! DJ Cypherpunk will be keeping the aural flow in the times between sets. Tickets are $20 at the door, and $15 in advance, via the link on darqsalem.com.

Bikers Redux

21st Annual Halloween Ride

They were rained out last week but they are rolling in to town this Sunday. The Boston/Salem Harley Davidson MDA motorcycle Ride is coming to town.

Bruce Rossmeyer might be dead but the giving spirit of Boston area bikers is alive and well. For the past 21 years motorcyclists from all around New England have come to Boston and ridden up to Salem for the day.  The ride with a $20 entry fee per rider benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Thousands of bikers come to enjoy the sights and sounds of pre-Halloween Salem.

Traffic Warning: Derby and Lafayette streets will be blocked off to bikes only for a few hours (usually 1-3pm) so traffic will be more tight than normal. Also, all those bikes tend to be a bit noisy so if you are near the self appointed “Salem Sound Police” and hear them bitching ask them how much good they have done for the underprivileged today.

Fridays event options are as plentiful as the Witch Hat vendors on Essex Street.

Nosferatu with Devil Music Ensemble

Nosferatu the Vampyre

6:30pm – 9pm Friday October 23, 2009 at the PEM
For anyone who is a fan of scary movies the original Nosferatu is one of the best pieces of film ever shot.  The Peabody Essex Museum knows that and is hosting an evening event for adults and family’s.  Get there by 7 to hear some scary storys and then at 8 the Devil Music Ensemble returns to PEM to perform live music for a screening of the 1922 classic silent film Nosferatu. The original score — composed and performed live alongside the film — features percussion, synthesizer, electric violin, vibraphone, guitar and lap steel.

This spooky treat is a bargain at $10 with museum members and kids getting in for free! More info and 0nline ticket purchase available on the PEM website.

The Vampires’ Masquerade Ball

Vampire Masquerade Ball

8pm – 12:30am at the Hawthorne Hotel
One of the most celebrated events of Salem’s Halloween season is the Vampires’ Masquerade Ball. Each year people come from all over the country to sStep through the mists of insanity and hearken to the foreboding call of gothic music. Salem’s favorite witch son Christian Day (owner of HEX) along with the alluring Empress Akima will show the world that there is wonder working power in the blood!  Sponsored in part by WAAF (yes there are still radio stations outside of the internet) this Ball features a $500 costume prize!

Vampires’ Masquerade Ball isn’t for the faint of heart or the thin walleted but, this $95 a head party is sure to make a lasting impression.  Tickets are still available on FestivalOfTheDead.com

Facebook

As is the case with most social media, the City of Salem is not in the forefront (they still don’t have a twitter feed for governmental updates like road closures, snow bans, amber alerts etc.) I’m sure they will jump on the band wagon eventually but until then the good people of Salem have found a champion on facebook by the name of Joey Colomba.

Joey started up a facebook fan page because like many people in Salem he loves the Witch City and very much like us he puts in his own time and effort, paid by no one because he wants to see Salem prosper.  Currently he 9,270 fans who see his musings, news stories and various info about Salem but he wants more.  He is on a quest to have 10,000 fans and I’m sure that with the help of TheSalemInsider.com readers we can get him there.

I recently spent some time chatting with Joey about his Facebook fanpage. After you are done reading this post you should head over to facebook.com/salemmass and become a fan. Tell him “The Salem Insider sent you.”

TSI: Joey, you have built up a pretty robust Salem MA facebook page. It doesn’t appear that you are employed by the City of Salem so what is your motivation?

JC: The main reason why I started the Fan page was to help local businesses in the tough economic times. The page since then has grown to a place for everything including local events or what is happening in Salem, MA.

TSI: Given the recent additions to Salem in regards to new shops, restaurants, bars and condos do you feel Salem is moving in the right direction and how do you feel about its future?

JC: This is a tough question, I honestly think having more business in Salem is great and will help the city grow economically and provide more jobs for local residents.

TSI: What are some of your places to go / things to see in Salem?

JC: I personally like going to the Salem Willows and some of the Museums in Salem. I also love eating at Engine House and for a quick sub at Bella’s

TSI: Has your facebook page connected you with more Salem insiders or tourists? Do you feel that both the tourists and locals view Salem the same way or are there obvious differences?

JC: Their is a mix of Salem residents and people who just love salem in general. I’ve been receiving phone calls and emails from people all over the world with nothing but postive feedback on the page and how much they want to move back to salem after seeing our page and whats going on with the city. It allows people to connect with salem without opening a local news paper.

TSI: If you could change something about Salem what would it be?

JC: Something needs to be resolved with traffic in the downtown area aside from this I believe the city staff is running Salem just fine.

If you have more questions for Joey or just want to connect with other Salemphiles head over to facebook.com/salemmass and become a fan.

Thanks Joey and good luck!

Today Show in Salem… almost

Today Show Cast in bad pose

You may have heard the rumors that NBC’s Today Show is coming to Salem.  Well – sort of… The  cast of the Today Show will not be here but crew will be filming a segment here in town and our friends over at Rockafellas are throwing a premature costume party. The Today Show Costume Party, featuring the Open Bar Band, on Friday October 17. Dress as Hoda or Kathie Lee (apparently they are on the late segment), and you may be featured in the segment they are filming.

Rocky Horrible’s?

Rocky Horror and Dr. Horrible

Cinema Salem is blending two cult classics (ok, one cult classic and one internet cult phenomenon) into one night of fun.  Tonight Friday October 16th at 11pm they will be showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show which most people are well aware of and Joss Whedon’s (the guy behind Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and most recently Dollhouse)  Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog. This is sure to be a great night of campy fun and cinematic intergration as you and your fellow movie goers dress up, shout out and sing along with the cast and film in one of Salem’s best bargains, Cinema Salem.

Fun for Kids and plenty of pumpkins

If you have kids you’re going to have a hard time determining what to do this weekend because there are just so many options.

Halloween at Hogwarts
Saturday 9am – 12Noon
Phoenix School 89 Margin Street
Grab your robe, pack your imagination in your trunk, put your owl on your shoulder and head for Track 9 3/4. Using art materials and science experiements, help Harry and his friends solve the mystery of the horcruxes and save the world. Ages 6-11 Admission is $25 with pre-registration required. Free Parking
www.phoenixschool.org

Pumpkin Festival & Food Court
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Salem Common
See a display of pumpkins decorated by Salem and area school children and see if your little ones can find their way through the hay bale maze!
www.HauntedHappenings.org

Family Fun Day at Salem Maritime
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Derby Wharf Area Derby Street
Come in costume or as you are! Join Salem Maritime for a day of free family fun on Derby Wharf! Children of all ages can dance to live musicians, get their faces painted, sail model boats, and earn Junior Ranger badges among many other activities.
www.nps.gov/sama

National Park Service Jr. Ranger Costume Day
Saturday 10:30am – 4pm
Salem Maritime 160 Derby Street St. Joseph Hall 2nd Flr.
Come dressed in costume representing a Person, animal or object connected to a National Park. Do Jr. Ranger activities and prepare to build a ship!Children in costume will also be given Free admission to the shipwright program. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children 8-12. Adult Admission $5 Children 6-16 $3.00 Children under 6 Free! For ideas on your costume visit www.nps.gov
www.nps.gov/sma

Salem Youth Hockey Pumpkin Festival
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Salem Common
Come decorate a pumpkin and play some games

The Great Pumpkin Carving Contest
Saturday 11am – 4pm
Pickering Wharf
Children from 5-99 may carve/decorate their pumpkin for first, second and third places in age grouped judging.
www.HalloWharf.com

Kids Fun Run
Saturday 11am
Salem Common
Enjoy a fun run with your kids! Prizes awarded for the scariest costume, funniest costume & the most creative costume. Pre-Entry (by October 10): $7.00/child with t-shirt guaranteed. Post-entry/race day: $10.00/child (t-shirt not guaranteed). Ages 2 & under (50 yard dash on grass); Ages 3-4 (100 yard dash on grass), Ages 5-9 (1/4 mile on path around the Common), Ages 10-12 (1/2 mile on path around the Common).

The Bikers are Coming!

21st Annual Halloween Ride

Bruce Rossmeyer might be dead but the giving spirit of Boston area bikers is alive and well. For the past 21 years motorcyclists from all around New England have come to Boston and ridden up to Salem for the day.  The ride with a $20 entry fee per rider benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Thousands of bikers come to enjoy the sights and sounds of pre-Halloween Salem.

Traffic Warning: Derby and Lafayette streets will be blocked off to bikes only for a few hours (usually 1-3pm) so traffic will be more tight than normal. Also, all those bikes tend to be a bit noisy so if you are near the self appointed “Salem Sound Police” and hear them bitching ask them how much good they have done for the underprivileged today.

Darq does the Shanty

Local wax spinner / master of the steel wheels, Voodoo:DJ spins tunes from your favorite rock music to spooky goth industrial and Halloween jams. This is a rare opportunity to catch one of Salem’s finest DJs at a free show from 7-11.  Plus the Lobster Shanty on Artists Row off of Front Street has a great selection of fall & Halloween beers for your consumption.

Halloween Carnival

Carnival

Carnival is back in town as of Friday the 16th and will be open noon to 9pm.  The tall grass has been mowed over at the vacant lot on Derby St. next to the Hess station and the carnies, booths and rides are all loading in.

Witch City Show and Glow Car Show

For the past few years the area on Essex street from Hawthorne Blvd to Liberty St. (in front of Crow Haven, Fools Mansion down to the PEM) has been blocked off for a small car show. The focus of this show will be newer Chrysler’s.  Think PT Cruisers, 300’s and the like.  If you like cars, neon and fun paint jobs this is a cute oasis in an otherwise commercially spooky desert.

Coming this weekend, “Eeek I’m on lockdown” and “Are we being invaded by bikers?”

Salem's Super Info Booth

According to their website

Fun for all ages this street festival has something for everyone. Crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and other unique items will be featured along the Essex Pedestrian Mall. Street performers, face painters, and musicians will entertain all.

So this is what all the insiders know. The Salem BizBaz is an opportunity for scores of vendors to set up shop on Essex Street, Hawthorne Blvd. and Derby Square. Some of these vendors are from local shops while others are from schools, charities and civic organizations, oh and some yummie food purveyors.

If you are one of those people who always want to do something to help your fellow man but never seem to get around to it the BizBaz is the time for you to make good. Over by Rockafellas you will find some of the good people who work with Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine is a retreat in Maine for children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Donate a few dollars and put a smile on the face of someone less fortunate.

Want to put your money to work a bit closer to home? Salem high school football has a booth set up at the top of Derby Square, trying to raise funds for new uniforms. Further down the street by Fools Mansion you can find a Salem Little League booth and a Salem Police tent.

In an amongst all the a fore mentioned booths you will find jewelry makers, face painters, witch hat vendors, plenty of tee shirt sales, candied apples, kettle corn, magical crystals and all sorts of other fun stuff.

Parking in Salem for new residents

If you are a new resident of the city of Salem you might find that the area where you have been parking (if you park on street) in is blocked or reserved in October. Head over to the parking clerk or city hall and bring a utility bill and your car registration with you.  You can get a month of October pass which will let you park in resident parking areas.

Where should I park?

There are quite a few parking lots in the main tourist areas of Salem in addition to on street metered spots and the two garages.  We built a map to help you out a bit.

View Salem MA Parking Map in a larger map

How much will it cost?

Most metered spots cost $0.50 per hour and are enforced Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm.  Some spots have a max of 2 hours while others are only good for one.  Read the label on the meter to find out how much you need to pay. Some people try to park in one spot all day and just feed the meter every two hours.  However, depending on what meter maid is working the area you are parking in you might find yourself with a “meter feeding” ticket.  People who work down town have learned to move their car every few hours, tourists usually take a chance by feeding the meter but this can end in a big fat orange ticket.

Due to the success Salem is seeing with its robust nightlife, the parking garages now charge until 2am on Thursday – Saturday (Sunday morning) and are a flat fee of $20 on weekends in October.  Your best bet might be the MBTA commuter rail lot at $4.00 a day.  The walk to down town is a few minutes longer but ad the end of the day those few minutes will save you frustration and $16.00 As an added bonus the Salem News is reporting that funds have been approved for a six story 750 – 900 car garage at the commuter rail lot to be finished by 2011.

The Burning Dream by Pyropainter

One of the cool things about many of the funky shops in Salem Mass is that they are not mired down in corporate bullpoop and will do things you would never find in mainstream shops.  A great example of that is a new show at the Fools Mansion from artists PyroPainter & Feightner which claims to “incinerate the boundaries of Post Modern perceptions”.

Pyropainter is a digital artist who uses fire and computer effects to create unique and emotionally charged art. Feightner is also a visual artist with a unique dark style.

The artist reception will be held Saturday October 3, 2009, 8:00-11:00PM at Fool’s Mansion, 127 Essex Street, Salem, MA. In addition to some great art you will be treated to some great music. Local DJs Vudu:DJ, DJ Alvis, DJ Zombi and Peter Lee will be spinning a unique mix of music throughout the night.

For questions, contact Fool’s Mansion at 978.740.9595 and follow them on twitter @foolsmansion for updates, specials and insights.

The Zombie Walk, a relatively new tradition in Salem is open to everyone and fun for both participants and onlookers.  This event is not run by the city so you wont find it on the official Haunted Happenings website but Salem Zombie Walk has myspace page and a facebook page with info and updates.

Salem MA Zombie Walk

Zombie Walk Salem October 10th 2009

Last year the Zombie Walk was hurried through town by their police escort, it was the fastest moving contingent of zombies I’ve ever seen.  This year things will be different (hopefully), one major change is during the middle of the walk, the zombies will break out into Michael Jackson’s ubiquitous Thriller dance.

From their facebook page:

Zombie Day Salem 2009!!! The entire day of 10.10.09 will be zombie day! All zombies meet at Collin’s Cove Field for zombie games like Kickbrain, Capture the Hand, etc…. First, Second, and Third best zombie costume contest, with prizes, so please dress your finest and goriest! Lobster Shanty will be serving actual brains on the menu this day! We will march through the streets of Salem.. Please stay in zombie character the entire time! Sometime during the walk, a group will break out into the Thriller Dance.. please see this seperate event page for details on that http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138862999291&ref=mf
Zombie after-parties and zombie-like bands at local bars throughout the city!!! Complete zombie day here throughout the entire day, everywhere in Salem. All local businesses will be participating in character, so feel free to disperse throughout the city and experience the eeriness! You must be there. You must experience!!!!

The organizers of the Zombie Walk are scheduling a few dance classes to help you learn the Thriller dance but if you can’t make those thankfully ThrillTheWorld.com has instructional videos. You will find instruction on the different aspects of the Thriller dance, how to walk like a zombie, the shuffle, stomp and a full walk through so you will be prepared for the walk.

Dress up, join in and have fun.

According to their website:

You are invited to America’s most exciting Halloween festival in the bewitching seaport city of Salem, Massachusetts.  A month of fun for the entire family. Discover the magic of Salem for Halloween!

Vampire with Baby

As readers of this blog know there is always something to do in Salem and during Haunted Happenings. Salem in October transforms into a special place that celebrates all things spooky and throws the biggest Halloween party on the planet. Each year the festivities kick off with the Grand Parade, continue with various events through out the month and wrap up with late night fireworks on the 31st.

We will be putting the spotlight on some of the upcoming events that are not to be missed.  If you have an favorite event you think our readers need to know about drop us a line.

Haunted Happenings Grand Parade

The Salem Chamber of Commerce does such a great job organizing so many events around town but the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade might be one of their most visible and well attended events.  Salem’s students from kindergarten to college, businesses and civic organizations all gather at Shetland park on October 1st at 6:30 and trek through down town (Congress to Derby to Lafayette to Front to Washington to Essex and ending in the Salem Common. This years theme is “Night at the Museum”.

People from all around line the parade routes to watch kids in costume, bands on parade floats, ghost busters, marching bands and the synchronized lawn chair drill team.  This is a great way to get you in the mood for the season and is a signal that the hustle and bustle of tourist season is about to commence.

Haunted Happenings Parade road closures

A parking ban will be in effect on 10/1/09 on the following streets between 5pm and 9pm. Any vehicle parked in these areas will be towed.
Congress Street – both sides from Harbor St. to Derby St.
Derby Street – both sides between Congress St. and Lafayette St.
Lafayette Street – both sides between Derby St. and Front St.
Front Street – both sides.
Essex Street between Liberty St. and Hawthorne Blvd.
Washington Sq – both sides in front of the hotel.

The following roads will be closed on 10/1/09 from 6pm until 9pm.
Congress Street will be closed from Harbor Street to Derby Street.
Derby Street will be closed from Congress Street to New Derby Street.
Commuters will not be able to use Route 1A between Dodge St. and Brown Street which includes Derby Street, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square at the Common entrance.
Also closed to traffic will be New Derby Street, Front Street and Washington Street between New Derby Street and Church Street.
Essex Street will also be closed at Washington Street.

Next up the Zombie Walk

Take a peek at some of what the Salem Farmers Market has to offer this season. Tomatoes, corn, squash, peppers, gourds, sunflowers, zinnias and a host of other locally grown goodies to get you into the season.

Photos from the Salem Farmers Market

Tomatoes

Fresh baked breadmobile

Salem Farmers Market

Witch

mini pumpkins and gourds

flower power

Pumpkin

Out of my Gourds

Sunflowers

Fried Snickers

Thanks to the Salem Chamber of Commerce for spearheading this great event. (Although I’m sure its a ploy by the tailors and clothing shops around town to get you into a larger size.) Don’t let these prices pass you by. Check out our Salem restaurant review page if you want more info about the participating restaurants. Also, be sure to let us know what you think.

Current List of Participating Restaurants (As of September 1st)

Black Lobster at Stromberg’s Cove
2 Bridge Street, Salem, MA
978-744-1863

Capt’s Waterfront Grill & Club
94 Wharf Street, Salem, MA
978-741-0555

Cilantro
282 Derby Street, Salem, MA
978-745-9436

Finz Seafood Restaurant
76 Wharf Street, Salem, MA
978-744-0000

Grapevine Restaurant
26 Congress Street, Salem, MA
978-745-9335

The Lobster Shanty
25 Front Street, Salem, MA
978-745-5449

Nathaniel’s at the Hawthorne Hotel
18 Washington Square West, Salem, MA
978-825-4311

Passage to India
157 Washington Street, Salem, MA
978-832-2200

Regatta Pub at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites
225 Derby Street, Salem, MA
978-740-8788

Rockafellas
231 Essex Street, Salem, MA
978-745-2411

Sixty2 on Wharf
62 Wharf Street, Salem, MA
978-744-0062

Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel
18 Washington Square West, Salem, MA
978-825-4342

Tavern in the Square
189 Washington Street, Salem, MA
978-740-2337

Thai Place
Museum Place Mall, Salem, MA
978-741-8008

Victoria Station
86 Wharf Street, Salem, MA
978-745-3400

Because Salemites have such a “unique” fashion sense Stacy and Clinton from TLC’s What Not To Wear came to town to pay one lucky person a visit.  In addition to shutting down some streets, and towing some cars, they filmed some of our Puritans and Witches.

People gathered to watch as variety of shots were filmed around Derby Square and the Old Town Hall. The show hosts then filmed the initial interview with the person getting a makeover inside Old Town Hall.

Keep an eye out for the big reveal being filmed next week and the episode to air on TLC some time in February.

Special thanks to Forrest Frazier for supplying the photos for this post.

Action

assembly in the town square

working hard or hardly working

Stacy and Clinton with the townspeople

being chased by the angy mob

All you can eat for a month for $599

This offer is valid between September 8, 2009 and October 8, 2009 at both of their restaurants (a few years back we reviewed Tavern at the Hawthorne if you want more info).  This offer is for a limited time blah blah blah…

From their blog post:

We invite our guests to take part in our All-You-Can-Eat event for only $599! Use the special Hawthorne Hotel AYCE identification card as many times as you would like from September 8, 2009 to October 8, 2009 and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch—any and all you choose! Just present the card to your server and have anything on our menu! Please remember, this is similar to a buffet — no leftovers or to-go food may be removed from the hotel, it is strictly all-you-can eat.

The most important thing I can tell you about our All-You-Can-Eat promotion is “do it right away! The cards are very limited in availability and we will be featuring it on our website, Twitter, Facebook and our Blog.
Hurry before they are gone!”

So if you are one of those city folk who always eat out this deal could be a big savings for you. As you know we at The Salem Insider are all about a good deal and a good time, this little surprise offers both in one nice package.

If you are going to indulge in this AYCE offer please let us know, we would love to follow your gastronomic adventures.

Special Events / Festivals

Salem Jazz & Soul Festival
2 days of free music this weekend!
Saturday, August 15, 10:45 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 16, Noon – 6:00 p.m.
(Events will be held Rain or Shine)
Free outdoor concerts at the Salem Willows!  Check out free performances, music education classes, kids tent, arts & crafts and more.

Gulu-Gulu presents:

Gulu Anime Month: Serial Experiments Lain!
Every Tuesday in August @ 8PM!
August 4 – Part 1 – Navi
August 11 – Part 2 – Knights
August 18 – Part 3 – Dues
August 25 – Part 4 – Reset

Ongoing Events

The Gulu-Gulu Cafe Open Mic Shindig!
Every Wednesday @ 8PM!

The Gulu-Gulu Café is hosting an Open Mic for all the wild and crazy musicians out there! Every Wednesday night starting at 8PM. Sign up at 7:30.
Hosted by local superstars Jeff Savlon and Brian Donnelly

O’Neill’s

Monday      Monday Night Football -free appetizers-  4 plasmas & big screen
Tuesday      Pub Trivia  8pm  win great prizes
Wednesday  Open Mic with Delvis. Perform for a chance to win $500
Thursday      **DJ LostDaze  10pm

Rockafellas
Wednesday  Northshore latin dance party 8pm Dance lessons & dance to Latin beats until midnight
Thursday      Country Music with 102.5 Dj’s 9pm

Music

Friday, Aug 14

• Phunksion @ Dodge Street
• Lush Puppies @Bangkok Paradise
• Otis Grove 8 pm @ Gulu Gulu
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• New Life @ Rockafellas
• The Runaround 8:30 @ Black Lobster (Stromberg’s)

Sunday Aug 16

• Salem Cigarette Machine (hip-hop/techno) @ Dodge Street
• Will Bozarth @ Bangkok Paradise
• Jenne Hayden, Hilary Emerson Lay art hanging @ Gulu Gulu
• Peter Fedele and friends @ In a Pig’s Eye
• Live Irish music 4 – 6 pm. Karaoke at 9pm @ O’Neills

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing the following.

GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra (PG 13)
Fri & Sat: 11:45 2:10 4:45 7:20 9:50
Sun: 11:45 2:10 4:45 7:20

Funny People (R)
Fri & Sat: 12:00 3:00 6:45 9:40
Sun: 2:00 3:00 6:45

G-Force (PG)
Fri & Sat: 11:30 1:30 4:00 6:30 8:15

Examined Life (NR)
Fri & Sat: 12:15 2:30 4:30 7:10 9:10
Sun: 12:15 2:30 4:30 7:10

Teseracte Players of Boston present Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog
Saturday 10pm $10

Insider Picks

A no-brainer for us to say, but the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival down at the Willows is the place to be. It is one of the largest, musical events in Salem with lots of talent on deck and the weather should be great.

Ice Scream Bowl (formerly Scooperbowl)

Formerly known as the Scooper Bowl (I’m guessing the Jimmy Fund had a hand in Salem’s event name change) the Ice Scream Bowl was a big hit.  This year the event was layed out on the Common to allow for much better foot traffic flow and less crowd overflow onto the street. The ice cream providers were similar to those from last years Scooper Bowl and included some we profiled on our Salem Ice Cream Roundup post. Along with the yummie ice cream there was plenty of fun stuffs for the kids to do.

Ice Cream Scoopers

Rita's mascot

Baloon knot animals

face painting

In case you missed yesterdays Ice Scream Bowl on Salem Common we have a treat in store for you.  The Salem Insider along with renown foodie and fellow blogger The Hungry Mouse are bringing you a series of Ice Cream Shop reviews starting tomorrow!

But wait, there’s more…

Salem Heritage Days is about more than just Ice Cream, it’s also about pizza. On the Salem Common Thursday night starting at 6PM the annual Salem Best Pizza Competition will be held. This is another great event that really packs them in. We have done a good job seeking out all the Salem Pizza joints and reviewing them for you but some still elude our list.  We will be adding a few shortly so if there are any particular pie parlours you want us to review just let us know.

Here is a quick list of some Salem Twitter resources.  With more people joining twitter each day I’m sure this list will be missing a few Salem tweeters, if you know of anyone we should add to this list please tell us.

Salem Info

The Salem Insider @saleminsider

Destination Salem @destsalem

Haunted Happenings @hauntedhappenings

North Shore Dish @northshoredish

Salem History Society @salemhistorysoc

Salem News @salemnews

Salem Businesses

Crunchy Granola Baby @crunchygranolab

Engine House Pizza @enginehouse

Fools Mansion @foolsmansion

Gulu Gulu Cafe @gulucafe

Harbor Sweets @harborsweets

Hawthorne Hotel @hawthornehotel

Jaho Coffee @jahocoffee

Patriot Lobster @patriot_lobster

Rouge Cosmetics @rougecosmetics

Salem Harley Davidson @salemHD

Salem Theater @salemtheatre

Salem Wax Museum @salemwax

Salem YMCA @salemfamilyymca

Seed Stitch @seedstitch

Sophias of Salem @sophiasofsalem

Spirit Wellness Center @spiritwellsalem

Strega @stregasalem

Treasures Over Time @timelytreasures

Upper Crust Pizza @uppercrustpizza

Witches Cottage @witchescottage

Municipal / Education

Phoenix School @phoenixschool

Salem Public Library @salemmalibrary

Salem State Arts @salemstatearts

I happened upon a production last year of Romeo & Juliette done by the RSC which was quite entertaining and different from most Shakespeare I had seen in the past. The young actors a preform in contemporary attire with a very “now” feel. If you are looking for Shakespeare with short pants and floppy hats you are in the wrong place.

From their email:

Our high school aged actors, known as the Teen Intensive Program, are traveling all over the North Shore and Boston, with 4 appearances in Salem. Mia Rossi and Frazier Jones, both of Marblehead (Mia is a senior at Phillips Andover, Frazier is a senior  at Marblehead High School) are sharing duties of Hamlet, taking turns playing the lead during the tour.

All the shows are free to the public, and they suggest you bring a blanket or folding chair.

July 17, 1pm: Salem Senior Center 5 Broad Street, Salem MA (Indoors — no chair
or blanket needed).

July 17, 5pm: Salem Athenaeum  337 Essex Street, Salem MA
http://www.salemathenaeum.net/

July 22, 11am  Mary Jane Lee Park,  Prince & Prospect Streets, (off Congress
Street Near Shetland Properties) Salem MA… Featuring a theatre workshop for
neighborhood kids before the show.

July 22, 3pm  Salem Common

In addition to the four Salem Shows, they have a few performances scheduled in other towns around the north shore (if you really have a desire to leave Salem for a few hours).

Salem Farmers Market

Featuring fresh produce from eight different farms, many residents gathered armfuls of leafy lettuce, radishes, potted herbs, flowers and the one stand that had something different to offer in the form of strawberries and tomatoes, had quite a line to wait in.

Waiting in line

Anyone hoping for the great variety of fruits and veggies you might find in Boston’s Haymarket will be sadly disappointed. Due to the time of year, available foods were limited to mainly “green stuff”. However, not too many people seemed to mind. Most were just happy to be able to take advantage of shopping for fresh, farm grown produce in their own back yard.

Fresh greens

We are looking forward to a larger and changing selection of available food stuffs from the local farms as the seasons progress. If you are interesting in scooping up some treats make sure you get to Derby Square early for the best selections and to beat the crowds.

More than just fruits and veggies

you can get magickly clean

Salem Common durring Snow Storm

Did you hear? It is officially summer.  I wouldn’t blame you for not knowing, if you look outside its been gloomy, dreary, rainy and all around craptastic.  People have been on the twitters moaning about having only three days of sun in June and how they want to beat up the weather man with a sack full of oranges.

Usually as-soon-as summer arrives I give you a brief overview of some fun things that are happening in Salem.  But this year I feel a little guilty telling you about the Rockmore being open when I haven’t even made my first trip over there this year.  I wouldn’t want you to get all jazzed up about the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival and their free events around town. It would be sour grapes to talk about the Salem Farmers Market that starts up tomorrow.

Maybe when the weather breaks I can give you more info on a weekly group motorcycle ride starting in Salem.  Show you some new photos of life around town. And introduce you to a few new faces in town including one rather famous blogger. Until then enjoy some of the fun things to do in Salem when mother nature is kicking you in the teeth.

Tavern in the Square

The much awaited Tavern In The Square opened this week and we ran over to check it out. The first thing you will notice is that this place is big huge. The generically unimpressive front door opens to a cavernous restaurant/bar. The interior is clean and new with wood floors and unassuming striped carpet but the true nature of this establishment as a sports bar shines through from the plethora of flat screen and projection TVs on almost every inch of the walls.

Interior of Tavern in the Square

We started with one of their featured appetizers Buffalo Calamari ($9.99). The heaping plate came with full calamari as-well-as rings, jalapenos, a healthy dose of blue cheese and an unusual topping of carrot shavings. The buffalo sauce is fairly mild and shouldn’t dissuade anyone from trying this tasty treat.

Buffalo Calamari

For main courses we chose the staple of all sports bars: a burger and, for those who are less meat-centric, a marinated feta and avocado salad with grilled chicken.  The burger choice was the Bacon and Blue Cheese stuffed Burger ($11.99). Grilled to a perfect medium rare and loaded up with heaps of blue cheese the burger and side of waffle fries were just what I was looking for, juicy, full of flavor and delicious.

Close-up of the Bacon Blue Burger

The marinated feta and avocado salad ($9.99) was just as massive as the burger. We added the grilled chicken ($2.99) but found that it was not needed because the salad was stocked with white beans and pistachio nuts giving a healthy dose of protein. The greens were fresh and snappy and the salad had interesting and surprisingly good mix of flavors.

Feta Salad with grilled chicken

Even though we were stuffed from our meals (we even took 1/2 the salad home) one item on the desert menu was too tempting to pass up.  Super decedent and loaded with more calories than I can even imagine, the Fried Snickers dessert ($6.99) is a Southern treat. Wrapped in a light crust and deep fried, a snickers candy bar never tasted so good.

Fried Snickers

Tavern in the Square is not your typical Salem eatery, it’s a little too polished and forced.  Hopefully its personality will emerge over time.  With pub trivia on Wednesday and DJ’s Thursday – Saturday, I’m sure the twenty-something crowd that goes to places like Sylvan Street Grille in Danvers will flock to down town Salem and enjoy our newest tavern.

Price: $$
Atmosphere: B
Drinks & wine selection: B
Food: B+
Service: B+
Overall:  B+

I hope that when the good weather gets here and the Taverns doors open up that all the condo owners who buy directly above will understand what they have done and not bitch and moan about it like some other new down town condo owners.

The kick-off for summer has reinvigorated us and now that Memorial Day weekend is upon us, there is LOTS of great stuff to do! PLUS, we have an extra night to go out and have some fun.

Special Events / Festivals

The Salem Ferry
A welcome site to see, the Salem Ferry will resume operations on Friday, May 22, 2009. Round trip service to and from Boston – a scenic 45-minute trip of New England coastline on a high speed catamaran with 6-8 round trips daily, 7 days a week. (978) 741-0220

Rockmore Floating Restaurant Opens For Season
Season opening of The Rockmore Floating Restaurant (May 22 – September 7, 2009). Hope to see you there! Catch a launch at The Congress Street Bridge. Launches board from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm daily. 781-639-0600 (seasonal)

Griffen Theatre is hosting comedy shows
Griffen Theatre will host several comedy events at its location at 7 Lynde St. in Salem. For tickets or information call 978-317-1169 or e-mail griffentheatre@gmail.com. Seating is limited in most cases, so reserve tickets early. Friday and Saturday, May 22-23, 8 p.m. Stand-up with New York comic Mike Reardon. Hosted by Erik Rodenhiser. This is a night of stand up with headliner Mike Reardon and other comics from the Boston comedy scene. Tickets are $20 and include complimentary beverages.

Young-adult author event
Steve Kluger, author of “My Most Excellent Year,” will speak on Saturday, May 23, 7:30 p.m., at Cornerstone Books, 45 Lafayette St. Admission is free.

Last spring’s No. 1 Book Sense young-adult pick is now in paperback. Romance, real life challenges and frequent hilarity follow three Boston-area teens in “My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park.” Written in a series of school essays, diary entries, e-mails and instant messages, this novel about family, friendships, politics, baseball and musical theater is a heartwarming book for people who hate heartwarming books. For more information, call 978-744-1831 or visit cornerstonebooks-salem.com.

Memorial Day Events:

Sunday, May 24
There will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in St. Mary’s Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. there will be a Memorial Day Mass at St. John the Baptist Church, 28 St. Peter’s St.

Immediately following the Mass, there will be a Ceremony of Remembrance for those Lost at Sea on the Winter Island Pier. After this service, there will be a collation at the Stefan Starzynski Polish Legion of American Veterans Post No. 55, 9 Daniels St.

Monday, May 25
The annual Salem Memorial Day Parade will kick off from in front of North River Cycles, 83 North St., at 10:30 a.m., then will proceed down North Street to Orne Street and into Greenlawn Cemetery.

At the Civil War Monument will be held the Annual Ceremony of Remembrance beginning at 11 a.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Major Martha L. Ryan, Nurse Corps, U.S. Army Reserves, who has been in the service for 22 years, most recently being assigned to the 323rd Combat Support Hospital in Iraq.

Also expected are state Rep. John D. Keenan and U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney.

Following the ceremonies, there will be a collation at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Witch City Post 1524, 95 Derby St.

Music

Friday, May 22

• The Intermission, Metavari 9:30pm @ Bangkok Paradise
• Neurological Damage & The Force @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Machine 475 @ Gulu Gulu
• Afternoon Blues Jam @ In a Pig’s Eye
  
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Moonglow @ Rockafellas
• Phat Maxx 8:30 @ Black Lobster (Stromberg’s)

Saturday May 23

• DARQ (goth/industrial) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Sour D @ Dodge Street
• Standing Wave @ Gulu Gulu
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Spinz @ Rockafellas
• Reggae Vision 8:30 @ Black Lobster (Stromberg’s)

Sunday May 24

Salem Ferry the Bowditch

As a person who has to travel to Boston more often come June 1st, I’ve been looking at taking the Salem Ferry once in a while.  The Salem Ferry is a 92-foot high-speed catamaran with a capacity of 149 passengers. It makes the trip between Salem and Boston in 45 minutes that’s about 10 minutes longer than the commuter rail but if you are going to the financial district your overall trip may be shorter.

As with any method of transportation the Salem Ferry has it’s pros and cons. Aside from a season opening fire a few years back, some of the obvious cons are price, weather and schedule.

The price of a round trip ferry ride is $24 ($20 off season) commuters can get a 10 ride pass (one week) for $54.  Compared to the commuter rail which is $163 a month the ferry costs $53 dollars MORE!

If you are a 9 to 5 worker you would have to take the boat at 7am getting you to Long Wharf at 7:55 (that’s 10 minutes longer than they claim it takes, maybe it’s the “new math”).  Then heading out of Boston there is a 5:10 or 7:10.  It’s like they missed the obvious departure times.  For this to be worthwhile to the commuter it should depart Salem around 8am and arrive in Boston around 8:45 then for the evening commute depart around 6 and arrive in Salem around 6:45.

Is the Salem Ferry only for tourists?

It looks like the schedule and time isn’t very conducive for the daily Salem to Boston commuter but what about tourists?

The Boston dock for the Salem ferry is centrally located at Long Wharf, right near the Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, the North End and plenty of other tourist locations, hotels and restaurants.  If you are a tourist going to Boston you will no-doubt find yourself near they ferry so it’s quite convenient.  Let’s face it, taking a boat through the harbor islands and up along the coast is much more fun than the MBTA’s Orange line to North Station then a commuter train through Everett, Chelsea and Lynn on your way to Salem.  Sure it costs a few bucks more but when you get off the boat in Salem you are right by the House of Seven Gables, a big attraction for Salem tourists.

Splitting the difference

If you are someone who prefers a more enjoyable commute but can’t fathom a 7am departure, maybe splitting the difference is the way to go.  Why not take the train in to Boston in the morning and then decompress with a leisurely cruise home?  We forgot to mention one of the Salem Ferry’s strong points – their on board bar.  What would be better than soaking up the late afternoon rays, enjoying the ocean scenery as you zip away from Boston sipping on an adult beverage?  Looks like for us Salemites taking the ferry once in a while could be the best of both worlds.

The Salem Ferry opens for service on May 22 with its summer schedule going into effect on June 20.  Tickets can be purchased at the ferry or online.  Visit salemferry.com for schedule and other info.

10. Ding Ding.  The trolleys have taken their respective corners for the upcoming bout.

9. The lines to get in anywhere Friday night are getting longer while the skirts are getting shorter.

8. The seasonal migration pattern has brought a new flock of homeless to down town.

7. Light poles littered with signs directing you to the local ice cream shops.

6. The Public Works guys draining the water fountains every other day because they were turned into giant bubble baths.

5. Diving out of the way as short-pant wearers peddling pedicabs or riding segways fly down the walkways.

4. Bewildered tourists walking about town at 8AM looking for Dunkin’ Donuts or anything “spooky” open.  (Try the local coffee people.)

3. A proliferation of witch and wizard hats paired with flip flops and black socks.

2. Grateful Ted crawling out of his winter hibernation to play out doors.

And the number one sign that spring has sprung in Salem:

1. The triumphant return of outdoor seating; meeting your fellow Salemites under the stars for a frosty adult beverage.

Mojito by Arthur C.

John Singer Sargent

The Salem Anthenaeum is presenting renowned art historian and Sargent scholar Mary Crawford-Volk in a talk entitled “Sargent and Boston: Love at First (and Second!) Sight.” The lecture on Friday May 1st discusses the painters love with Boston.  The presentation will begin with a wine-and-cheese reception at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, or $15 for members of the Salem Athenæum.

From the Salem Anthenaeum:

Sargent made his first professional visit to America in 1887 and spent the winter in Boston, launching a  lifelong affinity for the city and its cultural community that decisively marked his career. Mary Crawford-Volk explores how Boston patrons inspired some of the artist’s most exciting work, from portraits to landscapes to public murals.

As a student of the Arts, I can tell you this should be a great event and the price is well worth it.  It’s always fascinating to get some more insight on familiar imagery and well known artists.  It’s even better when that info is available to us in our own back yard.

It seems that not much changes in a hundred years or so, our friends over at Salem Main Streets are reviving an old tradition by organizing a Farmers Market.  The Salem Farmers’ Market will open Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 4-7:00 pm, and will run weekly through October 29, 2009.

For a full list of all the good stuff that is in season or for more info check out the Salem Farmers’ Market website.

The Darq Gathering

Usually this type of event doesn’t happen here in Salem untill the Halloween season us upon us, which is why this weekend April 11-12, is going to be so special.  Local Salem DJ / Promoters Vudu:DJ and Jack Phoenix have gathered up a ton of local businesses to offer discounts on everything from hotels to facials, from clothing to clubbing.

Billed as the “First Annual Field Trip to Historic Salem MA, Dancing in the Darq after!” this event, originally geared to show people on the East Coast what a great place Salem is in months that aren’t October, is a hidden gem for us locals.

Here is how it works, on Saturday you can buy a bracelet at Fools Mansion for $10 then show your bracelet to merchants to receive a discount.  At night you can head over to the Bangkok for free entry to their Darq dance night.

Who is participating?

• The Salem Inn
• The Stepping Stone Inn.com
• The Clipper Ship Inn
• Laura Lanes Skin Care
• Pamplemousse
• The Broom Closet
• New England Magic
• Fool’s Mansion
• Harrison’s Comics and Collectibles
• Army Barracks
• Purple Scorpion Piercing
• Cat n Fiddle Uniques
• Artemisia Botanicals
• Bewitched in Salem
• The Orace Chamber
• Count Orlock’s Nightmare Gallery
• Witch City Ink
• Peace Through Violence
• The Lobster Shanty
• Spellbound Museum
• Spellbound Ghost Hunt Tour

This is a great opportunity for people to visit Salem in the off season and save some cash.  The weather looks like a real winner for this event also.  But even if you are a local, spending a few bucks for a discount on all these merchants leaves more money in your pocket and these days who doesn’t need that?

For more info on this and other fun events check out Darq on myspace.

Last week our friends at Build Guild sent out a notice via Twitter:

Just received word that Spirits is about to be purchased by the owner(s) of the Pickled Onion. I spoke with a gentleman who said they’re excited to honor the Build Guild’s schedule/routine. April’s event is still on, May’s and/or June’s will be determined later.

So what the heck is going on?

According the the Salem News, Peter Kelly, owner of the Pickled Onion in Beverly, is indeed in the process of purchasing the former Spirits location  (which is the former Roosevelt’s location) to open up an Irish pub called Murphy’s.  The menu and entertainment style would be similar to the Onion, affordable pub food with music at night and traditional Irish music on weekends. The optimistic opening date would be in May.

This past weekend I heard that Murphy’s has already contacted some DJ’s in the area and are planning an open mic night as-well-as a Karaoke night.  There was much speculation but either way the local talent is looking for a venue and are hoping Murphy’s will be more receptive than Spirits.

We here at the Insider think the layout and location at 300 Derby St. has way too much potential not to be a major player in the restaurant/night life scene here in Salem, and welcome a pub owner that can make it a success. Many thanks to our friends over at Spirits and lets all hope the residents at Derby Lofts will take a chill pill and let Murphy’s do the best job they can.

On the survey itself, residents are able to rate the neighborhoods they live in, certain city services & programs, local issues pertaining to public education and taxes and a few write in sections near the end to air all of your praise or grievances.

You can find info about the survey at salem.com or head directly to the survey. This survey will only be up for the month of April and all results will be shared with the public.

Don’t forget  to tell them (on the last question) that The Salem Insider sent you.

Old Town Hall Salem MA

For a while now various groups have been holding events there and using the space for all sorts of fun stuff.  A little over one year ago we discussed a few plans that people had floated regarding the future usage of the Old Town Hall.  The outcome was that since Gordon College does a fine job with its Cry Innocense program that they would become stuarts of the stucture and use it to promote the Arts and Community.

Continuing with this spirit of arts, education, community and entertainment the good folks over at Gordon College  have opened their doors to you on their new website www.SalemOldTownHall.com.

Time Travel Days at the Old Town Hall

The Gordon College Institute for Public History announces a collaborative festival for residents and visitors providing opportunities to interact with Salem’s rich and diverse history.  Time Travel Days is looking for musicians, performers, venders, and presenters to provide programming for students, history buffs and the community at large. Programming may be from any time period, but must be related to Salem.

Potential programming participants are invited to submit a response  to the call for proposals.  Programmers whose proposals are selected may be required to submit an additional application.

To find out more about this program and to download a application head over to their website.

The Lobster Shanty of Salem opens up for the season

The Lobster Shanty Salem

I know I’ve said it before but it’s like the swallows coming back to Capistrano.  Sure the Lobster Shanty isn’t 5 star eats but that’s not why the locals flock to this down town hot spot.  It’s all about the cheap beer, out door location, live music and hanging out late night with new friends and old.

Lobster Shanty will be re-opening for the season this Wednesday, April 1st at 4:00PM.  Their entertainment will be DJ Joe DiFranco and they’re featuring the usual beers as well as a special draft of Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA; one delicious and hard-to-find-on-draft beer.

Salem Literature Festival

The Salem Literature Festival

From March 27th through March 29, Salem, Massachusetts will take the weekend to celebrate the literary arts with author readings, writing workshops, open mics, word-game tournaments, parties, and more.

Events are being held all over town including: Hamilton Hall, the Salem Athenaeum, Cornerstone Books, Front Street Cafe, The Old Town Hall and an handful of other places. You can meet authors, learn how to hone your skills, see plays, read, write or listen to poetry, attend a tribute, play Scrabble, even make your own paper.

One of the best parts of this lit-fest is that most of the events are free.  Hopefully my writing will improve a bit so you will keep reading this site faithfully

For more great info on the Salem Literature Festival check out their site at SalemLitFest.com.

Discount Variety at CinemaSalem

Tonight is the second edition of FunnyGrownHere.com Presents… Discount Variety at the Cinema Salem Café (One East India Square, 8:30PM). If you’re thinking of heading out to the show, or you’re on the fence about coming out, here’s a bit of info about tonight’s performers, singer/songwriter Danielle Miraglia and video ventriloquist Even O’Television. We’ll also have videos from Hard Left Productions, and I will be hosting. So if you have a car or access to the commuter rail, come out to Salem tonight for some music, comedy, and video shorts.

DANIELLE MIRAGLIA

Bio: Raised just outside of Boston in Revere, MA, where its famous beach is better known for girls with big hair than its history as a popular tourist attraction, Miraglia was raised on a variety of popular music, from her parent’s Motown records to the classic rock influences like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin that encouraged her to learn to play guitar at thirteen. A passion for the arts and an outstanding gift for writing lead her to Emerson College in Boston’s downtown theater district. After graduating with a degree in Creative Writing, she put her writing skills, originally intended for novels, towards songwriting and began performing at open mike nights in the Boston area. This set in motion what would become a full-time career in music.

How long have you been playing in Boston?

It’s been 10 years since the first time I ever played original songs on a stage at the now defunct Kendall Café in Cambridge.

What are your favorite places to play?

Anyplace where people are there specifically for the music.

Who are your favorite comedians, locally and nationally?

Favorites of all time, George Carlin, Steve Martin, Steven Wright and I’m obsessed with Bill Hicks. I have a very annoying habit of pointing out every little thing that anyone has ever ripped off from him. I still feel like he’s never really gotten enough credit for how much influence he’s had on comedy. I also love Dave Chappelle, Bill Maher and Louis C.K.

What is the best comedy show you’ve seen?

I’ve seen some greats live. I’m thankful to have seen George Carlin before he died and I’ve seen Margaret Cho, and Steven Wright, but they were in such large venues, it’s not the same vibe as seeing a comedian in a small club. It was more like “Wow, I can’t believe that’s one of my favorite comedians in person!” than “Wow, what a great show!” I think the most energetic and greatest live comedy shows I’ve seen have been any that involved Kevin Knox. He just has the gift of great intense delivery. He can say anything and it’s funny. It’s been a while and I don’t remember the material itself at this point, but I just remember the whole room rumbling.

EVAN O’TELEVISION

Bio: Evan O’ Television has been dazzling and perplexing audiences with his one-man-double-act and video ventriloquism since 1995. For a decade Evan also served as a co-founder and resident Artistic Co-Director of the underground performing arts space, PAN 9. In 2007 he was profiled in An Encyclopedia of Vaudeville Performers by Routledge Press. “Double Negatives,” Evan’s full-length solo theatrical work premiered at the Perishable Theatre in March 2008 and will be appearing in new venues throughout 2009.

How long have you been playing in Boston?

I have been performing in Boston since 1994. I first learned about Television in 1995.

What are your favorite places to play?

The Coolidge Corner is delightful. The Cambridge YMCA is invigorating. The Comedy Studio has an adventurous audience. The Perishable Theatre is my home away from home. But the living room at my old loft (PAN 9) always contained the folks that returned my love the most reciprocally.

Who are your favorite musicians, locally and nationally?

I am lucky enough that much of my favorite music is made by people I know. In Boston, Fluttr Effect, HUMANWINE, The Dresden Dolls, Goli, Beat Circus, and Hallelujah The Hills are the folks I try not to miss. I also love the Steamy Bohemians!

And Danielle, I got to share the stage with Danielle once before at club Passim (for one of Peter Dutton’s shows) and she was singing some real ’shake you to your bones’ music. She’s got that powerful kind of voice that will spirit you down from the mountains to hear it.

Nationally, my tastes run pretty eclectic. I am just as likely to listen to underground hip-hop like Oddissee, Quasimodo or Hell Razah as I am the latest from Wilco, Dylan or Gillian Welch. I am sad Sleater-Kinney doesn’t tour any more and Sun Kil Moon is a recent favorite.

What is the best music show you’ve seen?

Once at Pan 9, Jonah Rapino of Devil Music brought in this Japanese band called Ghost that was led by woman named Chiaki Yoshihara. (I later learned there was another Japanese band named Ghost, as well).

Anyway, the taxi driving the band had gotten in a car accident, and so by a fluke of timing they ended up headlining our show by default– even though we had never seen them play before. From the moment they started playing, the room thundered with this epic orchestral-punk music. Chiaki Yoshihara was like this wild fusion of Lou Reed and PJ Harvey. That show was the closest I have ever gotten to outer space.

Last year the most stunning and amazing show I saw was a woman named Merill Garbus who plays under the name tUnE-YaRdS. The year before that, it was Sxip Shirrey (who sometimes plays with Brian Viglione of the Dresden Dolls). He completely blew me away.

I think Brian Carpenter of Beat Circus puts together some of the best shows in Boston, when you go to them you really don’t want to miss a single act.

Like a little belly with your dance?

Spring Equinox Rites of Rebirth
Sunday March 22nd 2pm-5pm
Old Town Hall

North East Bellydance Association North Shore Chapter presents Spring Equinox Rites of Rebirth a fundraiser for Northeast Animal Shelter saving homeless animals across America.  A showcase with New England’s Most Talented Bellydancers hosted by Memie-Ayat, North Shore NBDA coordinator.

The Northeast Animal Shelter, established in 1976 is one of New England’s largest nonprofit shelters that does not  brutally murder destroy any of the pets entrusted to its care. Their innovative programs have saved over 90,000 dogs and cats.

Tickets $10.00 in advance/ $15. 00 at the door with all proceeds to benefit Northeast Animal Shelter

Music

Friday March 13th

• TBA  @ Bangkok Paradise
• Electric Sugar (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Ondrej! ( 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Janine Graham (9pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Open Bar Band (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday March 14th

• DARQ w/ DJ Static (goth/industrial) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Have at it (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Open Blue Grass Jam (2:30pm) Rev. Bob & the Darkness ( roots/rhythm/ gothic blues) 8pm @ Gulu Gulu
• TBA(8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Hitmen (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing the following.

Race to Witch Mountain (PG)
Friday at (4:50), 7:10 and 9:25
Saturday at (11:45 AM), (2:15), (4:50), 7:10 and 9:25
Sunday at (11:45 AM), (2:15), (4:50) and 7:10

Watchmen (R)
Friday at (3:20), 6:45 and 10:00
Saturday at (12:00), (3:20), 6:45 and 10:00
Sunday at (12:00), (3:20) and 6:45

Slumdog Millionaire (R)
Friday at (4:25), 7:00 and 9:35
Saturday at (11:15 AM), (1:45), (4:25), 7:00 and 9:35
Sunday at (11:15 AM), (1:45), (4:25) and 7:00

The Island  (NR – Russian w/ English subtitles)
Friday at (5:15), 7:30 and 9:45
Saturday at (12:15), (2:45), (5:15), 7:30 and 9:45
Sunday at 12:15), (2:45), (5:15) and 7:30

Insider Picks

Sometimes coming up with the Insider Picks for the weeekend is the most difficult part of posting all week long!  This week there are a bunch of great events, bands and movies to see.  Since the weather still sucks tonight is all about being warm, and there is no singer in town with a warmer voice than Janine Graham.  Have a few winter cocktails and check Janine out tonight as she belts out some jazz over at the Lyceum.  Saturday, make sure that you make it over to the  Gulu to kick the night off with Rev. Bob & the Darkness and one of their many brews then its time to dive into a scorpion bowl with the underground phenominon of DARQ.  Bust out your big boots and leather as DJ Static mans the deck and throws the thud down with some homesupn industiral and ebm.

The Main Event: Spring Fling vs. Spring Equinox Celebration

In this corner the veteran wearing the light green and white striped trunks, The Spring Fling!

Salem Spring Fling

On March 21st, Salem Massachusetts will host the second annual SPRING FLING: A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS sponsored by Magic Hat at Old Town Hall in the center of this beautiful, historic seaport. The Festival, which is fashioned after the Bacchanalia – a religious festival in honor of the wine god Dionysus or, as the Romans called him, Bacchus – will kick New Englanders out of a long hibernation and jump start Spring by indulging in the finest wines, craft beers and mouth watering food from North Shore restaurateurs.

This modern day version – Spring Fling – will feature a tasting of over 50 fine wines and international and domestic craft beers from Magic Hat, Ipswich, Cape Ann, and Harpoon. Wine professionals will be on hand with an assortment of vino from the US, Europe, South Africa, South America and Down Under. Truly a party fit for Bacchus!

Salem Restaurants such as The Old Spot, Finz, Sixty2 on Wharf, Rockafellas, The Lobster Shanty, AJ King Artisan Bakers, Cafe Grazziani, The Upper Crust Pizzeria, Gulu Gulu and more will tickle and tantalize your palate with delectable culinary delights! North Shore Artists will be offering an eclectic variety of art to please your eye and warm your home! Local favorite, Machine 475 will be performing live. Free chair massages provided by Living Well.

The Spring Fling is on Saturday March 21st from 1-4 at The Old Town Hall, tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

And in this corner… the new comer Spring Equinox Celebration to benefit the new playground on Salem Common.

Parents United of Salem (we never hear of them either, but apparently they have been working for a new playground on the Common for about 2 years now) is inviting you to their upcoming Spring Equinox Celebration, to benefit the new Playground on Salem Common. Partygoers will gather at historical Hamilton Hall from 7 to 10 p.m. on the first Saturday of spring, March 21, to sample food and drink from local merchants and bid on an array of auction items. Local jazz trio Bob Kendall & Friends will provide a perfect musical backdrop for munching and mingling and making springtime merry.

Wine tastings from Salem Wine Imports and Market Wine & Spirits; and beer offerings from Boston’s Sam Adams, Salem Beer Works, and fellow North Shore brewers Cape Ann Brewing Company (Fisherman’s Brew) and Mercury Brewing Company, which will provide non-alcoholic Mercury Soda in addition to its celebrated Ipswich Ale. Steve’s Market will supply water. Food will be provided by Sixty2 on Wharf, New England Meat Market, New England Soup Factory, Rockafellas, Salem Beer Works, and Upper Crust. Ben & Jerry’s, Blue Ribbon Bakery, the Hawthorne Hotel, Jacqueline’s Gourmet Cookies, and Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie will offer sweets.

Next door to the ballroom, attendees will bid on everything from bakery tours to history tours, paintings to parties, and loads of lessons – Spanish, Italian, skating, home staging, and more. Big ticket items, including one week in a New Hampshire ski condo and box seats to a Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway Park, will be auctioned in the ballroom by local parent Max Burbank. All proceeds from the auction and ticket sales will benefit the new  playground.

The Spring Equinox Celebration is on Saturday March 21st from 7-10pm at Hamilton Hall, tickets are $30 each or $50 per couple, PUS members get a 50% discount.

Let’s get ready to Rumble!

You will notice that some of the local restaurants are staying neutral or double dipping but our main factions are once again squaring off against each other.  I suppose if you were so inclined and wanted to drop $55 you could attend the Spring Fling in the afternoon and then the Spring Equinox Celebration in the evening.  Lets face it though, if these events were spaced out by a week or maybe two more people would go to both and it would be a win for us and a win for them.

Latest Line

Like every good Vegas price fight there has to be some betting odds.  What do you think, who will come out on top?  Where are you willing to spend your money, on our veteran the Spring Fling or the new kid Spring Equinox Celebration?

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival

It seems that the folks over at the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival have been busy in their off season.  As of last week SJSF is now a 501(c)(3).  This means they are now recognized as a non-profit orginization.  So when you donate your time or cash to them you are not only helping bring great musical events to Salem you are giving yourself a tax deduction!

As is true with all non-profits they need money to run the programs that they put on, and they have created quite the event to get the ball rolling.

Big Band Blues

What: Big Band Blues: A Benefit for the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival
Who: The Boston Horns Big Band with singers James Montgomery, Toni Lynn
Washington, Barrence Whitfield and Kimberly Mantz
When: April 18, 8 p.m. (doors @ 7:30)
Where: Peabody Essex Museum, One Museum Place, Salem, Mass.
Tickets: $45 members, $50 nonmembers  www.pem.org/events

As an aficionado of jazz and blues and a person who has been involved in the Boston music scene for quite some time, I can tell you that this line up is top notch.  It is destined to be fun for those who like to dance or those who just want to listen and watch some fine musicians in a fun setting.  It looks like a great event for a great cause.

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is federally recognized nonprofit organization. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the festival’s mission of supporting music education and providing free concerts to the public.

We received an email and a tweet from a performer who was scheduled to play at Spirits but when he showed up they were not open.  He attempted to contact them but never heard back. Shortly after that one of our Insiders reported back to us that they were in fact closed.  I then sent an email off to Spirits inquiring as to the accuracy of this info and the future implications.

The next day a promoter contacted me stating he got a message that his event was cancelled.  He also sent an email to Spirits but had not received an answer.  Our friends who run a monthly night contacted the venue and were told that their night is on as usual.

Over the next few days there was a flurry of emails and tweets regarding the status of events at Spirits.  Finally our contact over there emailed me.  I had sent an email to the general email and not her specific email which accounts for the delay in communication but here is the low down straight from the owner of Spirits.

Spirits celebrated its one-year anniversary on January 31 and, to quote Mark Twain, the rumors of our death are greatly exaggerated. Spirits is and continues to be open for business and we look forward to serving the Salem community for many years to come.

We have been making changes to ensure Spirits’ continued success during this difficult economic climate. These changes include modifying our menu and trying out different forms of entertainment – both in the dining room and upstairs.

We also have been using our second floor for private functions and events, which has been working out very well. Over the past few months, Spirits has hosted the Build Guild’s monthly meetings, holiday parties, weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, and baby showers. We have several events booked in the coming months.

This is good news for our community and anyone looking for a great space to hold an event.  I swung by there the other night and they are already getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day.  It looks like the have attempted to try and do some new things, some have worked and others haven’t.  We will keep and eye on it and let you know how things go.

And now you know… the rest of the story.

Salem Film Fest
February 26 – March 5:  It kicked off yesterday and is running for a week.  This is your best opportunity to see all those killer documentary’s you order up on Netfilx in a actual theater.  Don’t miss out of this once a year opportunity. Check out salemfilmfest.com for a list of movies and times.

Speed Date with an Editor
Do you like to write?  Do you own a blog and need some skills (hey!)?  Maybe you wrote a novel but just don’t know if it’s good enough.  Our literary friends over at The Palor are offering  a unique opportunity this Saturday at Cornerstone Books, for writers to get 15 minutes of one-on-one feedback from a credentialed literary editor on their writing.  There are still a few spaces open but act fast by going to their website at the-parlor.org

Music

Friday February 27th

• Worried Well  @ Bangkok Paradise (finally these bafoons get me their feb schedule at the end of the month)
• Neurological Damage (funk/rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Radio Scotvoid (who is featured in todays globe) Machine 475 (experimental? 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Santarella – Kimball Duo (60’s folk rock 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Hitmen (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday February 28th

• DARQ (goth/industrial) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Vic Morrows, Ross Livermore band & Fighting Cocks @ Dodge Street
• Esthema (experimental? 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Santarella – Kimball Duo (60’s folk rock 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Wildfire (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing too many films to list here.  Check out the film fest website and tell them The Salem Insider sent you!

Insider Picks

With a great selection of movies going on all weekend and through next week don’t miss out on the Salem Film Fest.  That being said, tonight get your butt over to the Gulu and see some crazy music being made.  DJ Radio Scotvoid is busing out Buddah Machines, samplers, keyboards, and his Nintendo DS for good measure, this is sure to be a good time. Saturday night is our monthly decent into the DARQ.   Twitter lights up from all over boston with tweets of who’s going and what they’ll be drinking.  Dress in black and enjoy DJ Black/Mail & DJ Zombie.

It seems those guys at the fair and balanced news station love our little town.  They have done zip trips here and a plethora of charity events.  We hope you like this clip.

I’m sorry we haven’t posted much this past week but thankfully all our current contributors are putting in massive hours in their respective real world jobs. Hopefully things will slow down a bit shortly and we get moving on the backlog of post ideas.  

Thanks,

Glen Huhges

Special Events / Festivals

Not much going on in the world of special events this weekend, next week will be crazy!

Music

Friday February 20th

• TBD @ Bangkok Paradise
• The Dilirants (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Ondrej (electronica / pop/rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• The Austin Torpedoes (American Music 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Brian Maes Band (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday February 21st

• TBD @ Bangkok Paradise
• Rev. Bob & the Darkness, melt & flash, In Blue  @ Dodge Street
• The Outlaws (jazz 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Kevin Kennedy (contemporary piano 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• DJ Cee Block and DJ E-Ness (HipHop/Reggea/Mashups/House 10pm) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (upstairs)

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R)
Friday and Saturday at (11:20 AM), (1:50), (4:25), 7:10 and 9:50
Sunday at (11:20 AM), (2:50) and (5:50)

FROST/NIXON (R) 
Friday and Saturday at (11:35 AM), (2:05), (4:40), 7:25 and 10:00
Sunday at (12:00), (3:00) and (5:35)

HE’S JUST NOT THAT INO YOU (PG-13)
Friday and Saturday at (11:00 AM), (1:35), (4:10), 6:55 and 9:40
 Sunday at (11:45 AM), (2:30) and (5:20)

HOLY LAND HARDBALL (NR)
Friday and Saturday at (12:00), (2:20), (4:00), 6:00, 7:45 and 9:25
Sunday at (12:15), (2:20), (4:15) and 6:00

Theater

Griffen Theatre’s next show is in March

Insider Picks

Next week will be all about the movies so lets hit the music this weekend. Friday night the Insider pick is an a tough one but we went with The Austin Torpedos.  Why?  Their interesting mix of  Johnny Cash and Duke Ellington with a little Elvis on top is too good to pass up.  Saturday we’re off to Dodge Street to throw some darts and step up on the gothabilly tip with Rev. Bob & the Darkness.  And for you hip-hop fans our old friend DJ Cee Block has teamed up with DJ E-Ness to do Saturdays over at Spirits (rumor has it that they are dropping some cash into sound and lights for the upstairs) we’ll keep you informed.

I think the best way to see your new town and meet people is by going out to dinner at the local restaurants, and insiders know that we have some great eats here in Salem.  But there are times that you just need some quick take out or delivery.  That got me thinking, what are the must have menu’s in your kitchen?

Salem Take Out Menus

Take Out / Delivery Menus in Salem

• DeLeo’s – Pizza & Subs – Take Out & Delivery
• Engine House – Pizza,  Subs, Pasta – Take Out & Delivery
• Upper Crust – flat pizza – Take Out & Delivery
• Hong Kong King – Chineese – Take Out & Delivery
• Bangkok Paradise – Thai (not sushi) – Take Out
• Asahi – Sushi – Take Out
• Cafe Kushco – Sandwiches  - Take Out & Delivery
• Mandee’s Pizza – Pizza & Subs – Take Out & Delivery  (also offers on-line ordering)
• Passage to India – Indian – Take Out

What we don’t have here in Salem is a good quality Mexican restaurant where you can get a taco or burrito.  Cilantro is excellent but not really the place for this type of food and Edgewater is great for drinks but just plain sucks for food.

If you want more info about any of the restaurants on our list head over to our restaurant review page.  I’m sure there are a few menus in your kitchen drawer that didn’t make this list.  Tell us what they are and why we should put them on the list essential Take Out and/or Delivery menus for Salem.

Then & Now: Salem
Author:  Jerome M. Curley, Nelson L. Dionne
Publisher:  Arcadia Publishing (February 16, 2009)
Amazon link: Then & Now: Salem

Then & Now: Salem

As you might expect Then & Now: Salem compares life in the Witch City through the photographers lens.  Luckily for us, Salem has been a wealthy city which lead to it being photographed extensively through out the years.   Then & Now: Salem focuses on  the structural, architectural and subsequently the environmental changes which have occurred mostly over the last century.

The photographer replicated images of Salem using the same vantage point as a previous photographer had and displays them side by side allowing the reader to delve into the changes, sometimes an improvement and other times to the detriment of our fair city.  As a photographer myself I would have preferred if the shots were reproduced using the same kind of cameras.  Many of the updated shots were taken with what appears to be a small or medium format camera not allowing the photographer to correct for perspective (which is why in some of the old photos the buildings look straight up and down where as the new shots appear to be leaning).   This discontinuity of perspective in no way effects the impact of how time has treated Salem, it is pure photographer snobbery.

As you know, we at TheSalemInsider.com occasionally do “then & now” posts, it’s a great way to track how our city changes its face from year to year.  Then & Now: Salem allows you to track those changes on a grand scale and gives you and insight to live in a bygone era.

If you are anything like me you will lament the loss of some of these buildings and regret that in the name of progress we demolished true craftsmanship in favor of  a bit more living or working space.  The flip side of that coin is an enlightenment to the downfalls of our forefathers and the ability and responsibility we now have with the current and future projects in town.

Then & Now: Salem is a must have for any true Salemite.  Wether you are a history buff or just want to see the Witch City in a new light as you walk about town, this book gives you a look at our past and a glimpse into our future.

7th Annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival

Chocolate & Wine Tasting
Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street, Salem, MA
Friday, February 6 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm

This luscious tasting event, now in its 7th year, features wine and chocolate samplings from many of Salem’s restaurants and sweet shops. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber, 265 Essex Street, or at the door on the night of the event.

Ice Sculptures on Display
Downtown Salem & Pickering Wharf
Saturday, February 7 & Sunday, February 8

The whimsical ice sculptures can be found at a dozen locations throughout downtown Salem and Pickering Wharf. Local merchants, restaurants and attractions sponsor the Ice Sculptures.

Maybe life is rainbows and unicorns

Music

Friday February 6th

• TBD @ Bangkok Paradise
• Supernaut w/ red quiet (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• radioscotvoid (electronica / pop/rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Janine Graham Jazz Group (jazz 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Brandy (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday February 7th

• TBD @ Bangkok Paradise
• Cocaine Tongue w/ Intermission (GnR cover band) @ Dodge Street
• Debra Crosby’s First Romance (2:00-3:00)  The Wicked Pitches (jazz 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Open Bar Band (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU (PG13)
Frday at: (4:35), 7:20 and 10:00
Saturday at (11:15 AM), (1:50), (4:35), 7:20 and 10:00
Sunday at (11:15 AM), (1:50), (4:35) and 7:20;

CORALINE (PG)
Friday at (4:55), 7:10 and 9:30
Saturday at (11:50 AM), (2:30), (4:55), 7:10 and 9:30
Sunday at (11:50 AM), (2:30), (4:55) and 7:10

BENJAMIN BUTTON (PG13)
Friday at 6:30 and 9:40
Saturday at (3:15), 6:30 and 9:40
Sunday at (3:15) and 6:30

HOTEL FOR DOGS (PG)
Friday at (4:10 PM)
Saturday and Sunday at (11:00 AM) and (1:10)

ARRANGED (NR)
Friday at (4:15), 6:45 and 9:00
Saturday at (12:15), (2:15), (4:15), 6:45 and 9:00
Sunday at (12:15), (2:15), (4:15) and 6:45

Theater

Griffen Theatre is preforming “NO EXIT”

Insider Picks

It was 5 lonley degrees when we got up this morning to go get our coffee but the weather girl says it might get up to 50 this weekend so make sure you put your boots on and get out there to see all the ice sculputures, its a fun event we all look forward to each year. As for your night life, two of our friends are playing out tonight, go catch a set with Janine Graham at the Lyceum then head over to Gulu Gulu for some late night with RSVP.  If you like Guns n’ Roses then Dodge Street is the place to be on Saturday night as the ever popular Cocaine Tongue is blowing the doors off the place.

Salem Film Fest

With an event of this magnitude we thought that giving you almost a full month to decide on which movies to check out might just be enought.  Seriously, there is so much going on that you have to plan out which movies to see and when.  They will be showing 22 films from around the world and 15 of those films directors will be here in Salem to discuss their films.

“The films we chose for this year’s festival are as entertaining and thought provoking as last year, when audiences loved the lineup,” said Joe Cultrera, Salem-based award-winning filmmaker who headed up the selection committee. “It’s an eclectic mix – documenting the lives of heavy metal rockers, an oppressed artist, a caring doctor, circus performers, scientists and beauty queens. You can travel a good portion of the planet through these films – to Chile, Australia, the Amazon, the Ukraine, Antarctica, Cairo, China, New Orleans, Argentina, Tibet and more.

“They explore the human experience, what we do to the Earth and to one another. We’re extremely proud to bring the great work of these filmmakers to Salem and we are lucky that so many of them want to travel here to join us for discussions. It’s a great way to show off Salem to them and to bring the lives and stories they have documented to Salem.”

For a full list of the films, airing times, tickets and info about the surrounding festivities head on over to the Salem Film Fest website.  Get informed and get involved.

The Build Guild, a montly Salem meet-up for web professionals is hosting a special event tonight they will have a few special guests: Eric Meyer, Ethan Marcotte, Dan Cederholm, and perhaps Rob Weychert. If you are a web person then you know these names.

Admission tonight at Spirits (upstairs)  is limited and this will meet it’s capacity.  If you can’t make tonights 6:30pm event the Build Guild meets every month at Spirits, hit their website and sign up for notification.

This special pannel of noteable internet professionals is sponsored by.

• BuySellAds.com
• Simplebits
• Booyant
• iMarc

Be there or be ◻

As of today you will find our list of local blogs on its own around town page. This is a page of blogs written by people who live or work in the Salem area. Some people blog about their businesses others about personal life but the common theme is life in Salem Massachusetts.

If you want to see other Salem blogs added to our around town page just let us know. We have set up a few categories to help readers quickly navigate through to the blogs they might find interesting. We look forward to your input to improve this page an grow it so we can showcase more of Salem’s bloggers.

Special Events / Festivals

Brunch under the Yellow Umbrella
January is cervical cancer awareness month and Sixty2 on Wharf  wants to spread the word about cervical cancer prevention. You can  join them for brunch this Sunday and listen to live music from Qwill and host Christine Baze from the Yellow Umbrella. Mothers bring your daughters and meet celebrity makeup artist Debra Macki. A portion of The Yellow Umbrella specialty desert and drink proceeds will go to the fight against cervical cancer. Space is limited, to make a reservation call (978) 744-0062.

Music

Friday January 23rd

• Bonds & the Black Spots @ Bangkok Paradise
• The Shadows Smile, Faebotica, Dirigible Ego, and Rocket Rocket (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Machine 475 (electronica / pop/rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• The Austin Torpedoes (American music 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Hitmen (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• Hot like Fire (bar band 9pm) @ Strombergs Black Lobster

Saturday January 24th

• DARQ w/ DJ Peter Lee  & DJ Shunt (industrial / goth) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Chimpanzebra and El Rancho (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Acoustic Jam (2:30-5:30)  Daniel Bennett Group (jazz 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Lisa Love Experience (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

BEN X (no rating)
Friday at 5:15, 7:35 and 9:30
Saturday at 12:30, 3:00, 5:15, 7:35 and 9:30 
Sunday at 12:30, 3:00, 5:15 and 7:35

Defiance (R )
Friday at 3:45, 6:45 and 9:40
Saturday at (12:20), (3:45), 6:45 and 9:40
Sunday at (12:20), (3:45) and 6:45

Hotel for Dogs (PG)
Friday at (4:50), 7:10 and 9:20
Saturday at (12:00), (2:20), (4:50), 7:10 and 9:20
Sunday at (12:00), (2:20), (4:50) and 7:10

Gran Torino (R)
Fridayy at (4:30), 7:20 and 9:50
Saturday at (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:20 and 9:50
Sunday at (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30) and 7:20

Insider Picks

It’s cold outside but a good drink and great band can heat things right up.  Tonight the easy winner is Dodge Street with a plethora of great bands. Saturday come out to see newly local DJ Peter Lee spinning some great industrial at DARQ.  For those of you who are friends with promoter Vudu: DJ you’d be a fool to miss the pre-party.  

Presidential Inauguration Events in Salem

CinemaSalem’s Presidential Inauguration Party
Tuesday morning at 11 am,  they will open their doors for a free Inauguration Party, presenting the historic events from Washington in HD on their big screens. A while back they attempted to do some HD projetion of a TV which got mired in problems, but I am assured this is solved so this should go off smoothly.

A New Birth of Freedom 2009 Presidential Inauguration Celebration
New Birth of Freedom is a quote from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address which has been ripped off  adapted by the Obama camp as the theme for this year’s inauguration.  The Hawthorne Hotel will be paying homage to our 16th president by watching the 44th take the oath of office from 11:30am-4pm.

Gulu-Gulu Inauguration Day poetry reading
Gulu-Gulu Café will revive it’s poetry readings with an ode to inauguration open night night from  7-9 p.m.   Bring an “inaugural” poem — an original poem inspired the president elect or anythig political really; and strut your stuff on the stage.  Your poem can only be 3 minutes long and the first 20 poets to sign up get to read.  Don’t be shy, after watching a few poets you will be saying to yourself  ”I should have done that”.

Rockafellas Inaugural Ball
For you high faluten types, the Rockafellas Inaugural Ball 2009  will feature an all-you-can-eat appetizer buffet and champagne fountain with music by the Mike Payette Band, from  7-11:45 p.m. This Toast to Obama’s inauguration with Rockafellas will cost you $15.

Enjoy.

Bicycle in the Snow by Son of Rastabum

Snow Covered Tree Branches by RK

in front of salem Five Bank by Moon*Child

Shoveling Snow

Salem Common durring Snow Storm

We saved our favorite for last.  This is was shot by local photographer and regular contributor Forrest Frazier.

Salem Friendship in winter

Thanks to everyone who contacted us with a photo.  We always look forward to seeing Salem through your eyes.

Like millions of obese Americans plenty of people vow to hit the gym and eat right every January first. Even I have set my mind to dropping some excess poundage. I’m on the 20 lbs in 20 days plan – today is day 14 and I’m down 16lbs.

I go to the Salem YMCA and avoid the mass of humanity that just signed up and flood all the machines from about 5:30AM to 7PM by going at 8PM. Having been a member for a few years I know that by March it will be safe to go back at a reasonable hour.

In addition to working out I have cut back on dining out and stepped up the cooking at home. Adding a few great cooking blogs to my RSS reader and setting the DVR for Good Eats (Alton Brown is my homeboy) has inspired me to cook some new things. Some people bitch and moan about how they can’t lose weight but all it comes down to is desire and willpower – a dash of inspiration doesn’t hurt either.

Need some inspiration to lose weight?

Tomorrow night (Wednesday Jan. 14th) get inspired by someone who has battled the scales and won. Neil Tejwani a Marblehead native and contestant on season 4 of NBC’s The Biggest Loser will be speaking at 7PM in the Old Town Hall, his talk is free to the public. At the begining of season four, 26 year old  Neil weighed in at a 420lbs.  After learning what he needed to do and applying himself he lost half of his body weight and got down to 210 lbs.

If you are having a tough time sticking to it or just want a little boost to keep you heading in the right direction, check out Neil’s talk.  He has parlayed his 15 minutes into a career helping people loose weight and get healthy. Perhaps he can help you get into that bathing suit this summer.

1. Get it in the Bunghole – Published almost a full year ago this post caught fire through the social networks and just took off. It’s funny how with all the great historic treasures Salem has and the publicity our city gives its events that some  people flock here just to visit Bunghole Liquors.
2. Nightlife in Salem – One of the great things about Salem is the abundance of nightlife.  This past year we have seen the good and bad side of having a thriving scene.  Hopefully 2009 sees none of the uglyness that made national headlines.
3. Secret Salem Real Estate – Bakers Island – It seems as though we hit a raw nerve with this post.  Our historical retrospective of this rock just off the coast of Salem evoked emotions from some who would have preferred we kept mum on subject.
4. Let the photo contest voting begin – In the summer of 2008 we ran a few photo contests and were treated to some fine photography from many of the people who live in town.  That reminds me, perhaps it’s time to do a winter photo contest…
5. Witch City Ink opens – We often do articles about shops in town and this one apparently was of particular interest to you.  Maybe it was due to the PEM exhibit of Maori tattoo or because everyone wondered what was being built on Essex Street but either way it was well read.
6. Octoberfest and Pub Crawling – There were some great new events this October for the height of our Halloween season.  One new event was the Oktoberfest tent and a perennial favorite was the Drunken Happenings Pub Crawl.  We attended both and spread the word.  I’m glad October only comes around once a year – but those events were a blast.
7. DARQ -  In June a friend of ours told us about an idea he had, running a Goth night in Salem.  While we all thought it was a no-brainer we also had reservations about how it would fit into the down town Salem nightlife scene and his proposed location.   I’m happy to say that eight months later DARQ is still going strong now with two nights every month.
8. Restaurant Reviews – While not really a post this page was our second most viewed page on the site.  Since posts 8-20 are littered with restaurant reviews I figured adding this page was worthwhile.  Its a one stop shop for all our reviews.  Look for some new reviews and re-reviews in the new year.  As I stated last month, we are getting a new food critic shortly and are looking forward to this feature getting back up and running.

Legal Disclaimer: First and foremost have fun and stay safe.  I know we talk about going out and having cocktails all the time but that’s because Salem is such a great city to walk, that we don’t ever find ourselves behind the wheel.  When throwing a NYE party unless all of your guests will be walking or staying over, make sure someone is responsible so everyone can start 2009 off right.

Now on to the good stuff.  When you are 21 years old, New Year’s Eve is nothing more than an excuse to get hammered out of your mind. I used to have a ritual where I’d meet up with about 20 friends for Chinese food and scorpion bowls early in the evening then we’d go off to parties and drink champagne and eat cherries soaked in grain alcohol.  Sometimes I wonder how I still have a liver but I digress…

There comes a time when spending big bucks on a night out isn’t worth the couple of hundred you will drop.  And, if you are reading this then getting Chinese food and nodding off before Dick Clark’s robot proclaims the new year is probably not an option either.  So let’s call some friends and have a house party.

Your party should be a marathon not a sprint, that means invite your friends over at 8 and leave it open ended.  Since you will be serving some adult beverages, serve some adult food.

Fellow blogger and soon-to-be Salem resident The Hungry Mouse offers some great tips on tasty treats for your party.  Her blog should be on your RSS feed since it features Adventures in food and cooking.  Fresh content. Every day.

I love New Year’s Eve. From the champagne to the funny hats to the kissing at midnight. Call me a sucker, but I can’t help myself. Here are a few recipes that are short on prep time and long on flavor–so you can spend more time where you belong this holiday season. With your friends.

This Spicy Chipotle Lime Ketchup goes really well with a platter of my
Crispy Sesame Chicken Nibbles.

If you have a houseful of carnivores, my Garlic & Rosemary Roasted Beef Spare Ribs have all the flavor of holiday roast beast, with almost no effort. If your guests swing the other way, this Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is warm, filling–and totally vegetarian if you make it with veggie broth instead of chicken stock.

Round out the evening with a plate of Walnut Butter Ball Cookies, which look like mini snowballs and are fast, easy, and festive.

Hungry Mouse spread

Libations

Our resident Cocktologist, err…Mixologist has some New Year’s Eve bar tending suggestions.

Your guests will most likely bring over a wine, beer or in this case champagne so while I always have some on hand I don’t put my efforts into that.  I like to have a seasonal offering so depending on my expected crowd that means a specialty drink or shot. You can’t go wrong with a mulled wine, hot cider or cool egg nog.  All of which can be prepared before company comes over and put out in a crock pot or punch bowl, allowing your guests to consume at their leisure.

My cider always comes complete with some Sailor Jerry spiced rum.  Sailor is easy on the wallet and since it’s served hot in cider, you don’t need to waste the good stuff.  Since grain alcohol is no longer legal in Massachusetts I’ll share with you my holiday Uncle Foroct’s Olde Tyme Apple Pie Shot™ recipe.

50% Apple Juice or a fresh apple cider
40% good quality vodka
10% good quality spiced rum
4 cinnamon sticks
Mix all ingredients.  In a non metallic container (think milk jug), store in fridge for a minimum of 12 hours stirring occasionally. Remove the cinnamon sticks, shake and serve in shot glass with a dollop of whipped cream and dash of cinnamon.

Apple pie shot

Champagne and other sparkling wines

Now you have some fine recipes and good beverage ideas but New Year’s Eve is all about the champagne toast. This year I want you to skip going to the packie and grabbing a bottle of Asti Spumante like all the other plebeians out there.  Downtown Salem boasts two great shops where you can find your Champagne this year.

Salem Wine Imports

Owner Eric Olson offers a wide variety of champagnes in a wide variety of prices.  If everyone at your party is a connoisseur then Erik suggest a fine 1998 La Grande Dame at a mere $170 a bottle, it comes in a beautiful black lacquer and mahogany, commemorative box with chrome and leather details.  If, on the other hand, you only drink champagne once a year then a La Mandier ($52)  might be more your style.  Since Snoop Dog is on my guest list I might just pick up a bottle of Crystal ($250).

1998 La Grande Dame

Champagnes at Salem Wine Imports

Pamplemousse

If you don’t have the big bucks but still want a nice bottle of bubbly, Catherine made some fun suggestions.  While they do have some good champagnes there like a traditional Moet ($51) they also feature some sparkling wines from nearby the champagne region in France.  Charles de Fere is a nice option as are some of the more economical sparkling wines from around the world.

Sparkling Wines from Pamplemousse

One more thing

This year we are getting a special bonus—a leap second.  That’s right, you get one more second to bask in the glow of 2008. Please, don’t waste this valuable second with shoddy food and crappy champagne.  Live life to the fullest in that second and know as you kiss your sweetie that for one shining moment this year you truly gave it your all.

There are only two days left to make plans for how you want to bring in the new year.  Even though Salem might not have any balls to drop on the masses we do have plenty going on.  Here are our top picks for spending your New Years Eve in Salem MA.

Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Gulu Gulu Cafe – Bell bottoms are back at the Disco Ball.  One of our favorite local DJ’s Radio Scotvoid along with Noel Snow will be spinning all your favorite funk, disco and soul from the 1970’s.  Dress to impress with 70’s best.  Your $10 cover gets you in the door, some fine food-stuffs and a champagne toast at midnight.  Great fun on a limited budget.

Sixty2 on Wharf - Prefer a bit more refined New Years Eve?  Head over to Sixty2 where the jazz sounds of Qwill with Zach Fields on Drums and Anthony Sabol on Bass will be featured along with some killer food, great specials and a free champagne toast.

Rockafellas – Sitting smack in the middle of the price range between our two previous listing is Rockafellas. Offering a limited menu and the always fun Lisa Love Experience, tickets at door for the bar area are $25. A better deal is their dinner package with includes dinner at tables, entertainment, champagne toast and party favors for $65 per person. Rockafellas is kicking it off at 8pm.

Hawthorne Hotel Dinner – Some people love going to a hotel for New Years Eve, it’s a fun and safe plan.  The Hawthorne is pimping our their elegant four-course, $75.00 prefixed dinner.  Live Jazz music (no dancing) in both Nathaniel’s and Sophia’s (their two restaurants).

Not in the mood to go out to a bar, restaurant or hotel to celebrate?  Tomorrow we will be giving you the keys to hosting a successful New Years Eve party at home.  Complete with an insider’s guide to buying  champagne in Salem.

Cherry S/T is a real treat of a local band.  You can catch them over at Dodge Street fairly often, where they put on a hell of a live show.

This track “Erase You” is an old one but still gives you a bit of the bands flavor.  If you like it make sure you see them live.  If you think it sucks, let us know of a local band you like an maybe we will show case their video here next time.

Many events have been canceled due to the snow storm.  This is a perfect opportunity to finish up your shopping.

Music

News : Sinful Saturdays

A special note that local dj/promoter DJ Cee Block (you know him as a MTV Spring Break DJ, Resident at 2 Boston clubs, Official tour DJ for Artist’s Cho-Sun and Dragonfly (Wu-tang/Beggaz Clan) and most recently as having a night right in down town Salem)  is starting up a new night here in Salem at the Black Lobster.   On Saturdays from 9:30 till 12:45, he will be spinning Old School Hiphop, Reggae, Top 40, Mash-ups and House. The best part is there will be no cover charge and as any Salem Insider knows you get quiet the bang for your buck at the bar.  Hopefully this night will take off during the winter because the City is pouring a ton of money into that area of Bridge Street to make it a real hot spot come this summer.

Friday December 19th

• TBA (6-9pm jazz) TBA (rock 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• One Big Mess & The Kind (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Ondrej! (house, trance 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• The Austin Torpedos (rockabilly 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• New Life (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday December 20th

• DJ Cee Block (dance, hip-hop, mash-ups 9:30pm) @ Black Lobster
• TBA (6-9pm jazz) TBD ( rock 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Cherry S/T (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Jule Tones (acoustic, goth, blues 4pm) Birdface (8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Grateful Ted (classic rock 8pm) Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Lisa Love Experience (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

The Tale of Despereaux (G)
Friday at 4:30, 7:00 and 9:20
Saturday at 11:45 AM, (2:00), (4:30), 7:00 and 9:20
Sunday at 11:45 AM, 2:00, 4:30 and 7:00

Yes Man (PG13)
Friday at 5:00, 7:15 and 9:35
Saturday at 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:15 and 9:35
Sunday at 12:15, 2:40, 5:00 and 7:15

Australia (PG13)
Friday at 6:30 and 9:40
Saturday at 6:30 and 9:40
Sunday at  6:30

Bolt (PG)
Friday 4:20
Saturday at 11:30 AM, 1:45 and  4:20
Sunday at 11:30 AM, 1:45 and 4:20

McIntire Fireplace in the Pierce Nichols house

The first apartment I had in Salem was a little one bedroom on Essex overlooking Jerrys Army – Navy.  It had a fireplace and one fake log would warm up the place for hours. Last year I moved to a much bigger place and one of the requirements was that it had a fireplace.  Since most of the homes and apartments are rather old many of them come with working fireplaces.  I now have a large hearth type fireplace that takes quite a few logs to get it up and running.

You hear from various sources that using a fireplace in the winter is a waste as it creates an outlet for the warm air of your house to escape.  Yet when you head out on a cold crisp winter evening you can see and smell that plenty of people around town are enjoying the warmth of a fire.  I’d like to think that a few hundred years ago Salem may have smelled similar to those nights. I conveniently forget about the modern conveniences of indoor pluming, trash pickup and the conspicuous lack of farm animals roaming our streets.

With the recent ice storm hitting just to our north many people are relying on their fireplace as a necessity.  Luckily we in Salem are not forced to do that however, many of us do use it through the winter.  For those of you who strike up the fire I’d loke to know why you use your fireplace.  Is it only for ambiance during special occasions or do you use it to heat your home or reduce your heating bill?

A Main Streets Christmas
Fellow Salem websiteurs Salem Main Streets offer up some Christmas fun this weekend with free musical performances this weekend with carolers strolling the down town area from 1-3 starting and ending in Derby Square.

PEM Winter Festival
The Peabody Essex Museum is hosting a bunch of kid friendly events on Saturday from Gingerbread houses, to puppets and snowflakes.  Tons of fun for the little ones.

“Toys for Tots”  Teddy Bear Tea
The Hawthorne Hotel on Saturday from noon – 2 will be hosting a tea dedicated to “Toys for Tots”. Buffet luncheon with finger sandwiches. All children will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with the Hawthorne Bears. Bring a new, unused, unwrapped toy and check out their website for more info.

Music

News : Oh My Goth!
A special note that local dj/promoter Vudu: DJ in conjunction with DARQ, Gothic Maine, and Nokturnal R.I. are  presenting  an intimate evening with Voltaire this Saturday night.  It’s great to see a promoter stepping up to the plate and bringing in national touring talent as a compliment to some of the great home grown acts we have in Salem.  This should be a fun event bringing in plenty of people to our city on a cold winters night.   See you there!

Voltaire

Friday December 12th

• TBA (6-9pm jazz) TBA (10pm rock) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Earth in Distortion (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Seth (house, trance 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Brian Maes Band (rock piano 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Hit Men (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday December 13th

• TBA (6-9pm jazz) DARQ w/ Voltaire 10pm (industrial / goth) @ Bangkok Paradise
• The Force (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Reverend Bob & the Darkness (acoustic, goth, blues 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Brian Maes (rock piano 8pm) Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• New Life (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Australia (PG13)
Friday at 4:20 and 8:30
Saturday at 11:00 AM, 2:10, 5:20 and 8:30
Sunday at 11:00 AM, 2:10, 5:20 and 8:30

Changeling (R)
Friday at 3:30, 7:00 and 9:00
Saturday at 12:30, 3:30,  7:00 and 9:50
Sunday at 12:30, 3:30 and 7:00

Bolt (PG)
Friday 4:30, 7:15 and 9:20
Saturday at 11:45 AM, 2:00, 4:30,  7:15 and 9:20
Sunday at 11:45 AM, 2:00, 4:30 and 7:15

(4:30), 7:15 and 9:20; Saturday at (11:45 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:15 and 9:20; Sunday at (11:45 AM), (2:00), (4:30) and 7:15;

Nicole is off to Europe in the new year with some shows in London so catch her locally when you can.

If you like her music you can find more of it on her myspace page and buy a CD or two over at Fools Mansion.

I received an email from local eatery Sixty2 on Wharf the other day which put me in a nostalgic mood.  For years I worked as a DJ in Boston, New York and through out the US spinning jazz, big band and swing music during the neo-swing movement (some call it the swing revival) of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.  Taking “Big Daddy” as my moniker, I had a Thursday night residency at The Upstairs Lounge, Friday night residency at The Roxy and Saturday night residency at The Supper Club in NYC’s Times Square.  Sunday through Wednesday I would work at a variety of clubs doing special events or filling in for fellow DJ’s.

I’ve had the pleasure to work some of the largest events of the neo-swing era.  As one of the first DJ’s / promoters on the scene I was friends with many of the NY and LA bands.  I’ve been interviewed for documentary’s about the era and built up an acting reel as a result of it.

Frankie Mannings 85th Birthday party at the Roseland Ballroom

The reason for this trip down memory lane is because the email I received from Sixty2 on Wharf said that next Tuesday December 9th they will be transforming into a Jazz Supper Club.  While they just don’t have the size to put on a floor show with 21 piece big band like The Supper Club NYC used to do or the ill fated Coconut Grove in Boston did, I’m guessing this will be a more intimate affair in the style of what Swing 46 (one of my old haunts in NYC) does.

Qwill, a local musician with an impressive bio is tapped to preform.  I looked at his myspace page and there were no audio clips of any jazz music so I can’t tell you anything about his skills as a jazz musician.

I can tell you that the menu looks great and the fixed $45 price for a four course meal is pretty sweet.

First Course:
Roasted Bone Marrow
with toasted baguette, sea salt and parsley salad
or
Ricotta Crostino
Crostino of whole milk ricotta with wild mushrooms,
black truffle and extra virgin olive oil

Second Course:
Fennel and Blood Orange Salad

Third Course:
Scallops
Seared sea scallops with roasted fennel,
pancetta and green apple
or
Braised Veal Cheeks
over creamy polenta with caramelized figs and
aged balsamic vinegar

Dessert:
Cheesecake
Chevre cheesecake with seckel pears
and rosemary honey
or
(The infamous)Toffee Pudding
No description necessary

Dinner service is from 5pm to 10pm.  It’s on a Tuesday night which in Salem is a pretty safe bet that you can get a table without too much wait but you might want to make a reservation for this night because it looks like it’s going to be pretty special.

This site makes a few bucks, not walking around in a tux with a top hat, monocle and cane type of bucks but enough to buy cocktails for the crew once in a while kind of bucks.  You might notice the skyscraper ad to the right of this post (assuming your not reading this through an RSS reader), every time you click that another unloved penny finds a caring home.  We also have some ads purchased by local businesses over there as well.

So what.  Who cares?

You should, and here is why.  I’ve decided that from Thanksgiving to Christmas all monies made though this site will be donated to a local Salem charity.  Other businesses in town donate to worthy causes and we always try and help them by promoting and attending their events.  So this is our way of giving back or “paying it forward”.

If you are a business and were looking for the right encouragement to get an online ad out to the residents and visitors of Salem we can help, and you can feel good knowing the money you spend is going to help someone.  If you find the content of an ad interesting enough to click on it, you can do so knowing that your click just made a difference.

Paying it forward is nice but who gets the money?

We had a few discussions about where the money should go.  But honestly it’s your money so you tell us.  What charitable organization in Salem deserves a few extra bucks this Christmas season? Who can do the most good here in town?

Tell us what your suggestions are by leaving a comment .  Once we have some good options we’ll announce it and do our best to make a worth while donation.

The day before Thanksgiving brings about Salem’s transformation into Christmas season.  The Essex Street Pedestrian Walkway is strewn with lights, lamp poles have wreaths and this morning city employees started working on the Old Town Hall.

Olde Town Hall gets wreathed

The big wreath went up via a bucket and crane thingie type truck.  Apparently the balmy 30 degree temperatures didn’t dissuade one Rhodes Scholar from wearing his shorts to work this morning.

Erecting Salems Christmas Tree

Seasonal festivities begin this Friday night at 6pm when Mayor Driscoll lights up the Christmas tree.

Editorial Rant:

I know some people refer to the above tree as a “holiday tree” but lets face it, other than Arbor Day what holiday has a tree as a symbol?  It’s a Christmas tree people.  You are not offending anyone by calling it what it is.  Jews, atheists and pagans all acknowledge that the Christmas tree is a Christmas tree and are not offended by it.  Each religion has it’s own unique symbol.  You wouldn’t call a menorah a “multi branched holiday candelabrum”, would you?  The Christmas tree currently happens to be a Christian symbol, having allegedly been adapted from the paganism along with the mistletoe and yule log (which you can watch for free in Salem from Comcast’s on demand menu).  So I don’t want to hear anyone referring to it as anything but a Christmas Tree.

If you are looking to get a Christmas tree for your home you can head across the street from Old Town Hall to Artists Row where they will be selling trees and “Shanty Clause” (get it, Shanty as in the Lobster Shanty – pretty clever) will be making an appearance all weekend long.

If Shanty Clause doesn’t do it for you Santa Clause will be arriving in Salem at the Hawthorne Hotel on Friday at 5:30 pm.  He makes his decent from the roof and meets up with the mayor before walking down Essex Street to the Christmas Tree lighting.  If you miss him on Friday don’t worry because he will be at the Museum Place Mall from noon till 2pm every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas.

When people discuss restaurants in Salem Massachusetts a few rise above the rest as true standouts of fine dining, the Grapevine is one such restaurant.

A few steps away from the main drag of Derby Street and Hawthorne Blvd. in Salem sits the diminutive Grapevine restaurant.  A small “L” shaped bar greets you and a hostess will seat you either in their richly colored old world styled dining room or if the weather is cooperative, outside in the Tuscan inspired 8 table garden. The Grapevine has long been a favorite spot to celebrate special occasions or impress your date.

Grapevine Restaurant

My dinner date and I were seated promptly and attended to by Oscar, a polite and knowledgeable server.  We started off with cocktails ($10).  My date opted for the X-Rated martini  featured as the days special martini and I went with the tried and true extra dry Sapphire martini.

Cocktails

For an appetizer we chose the grilled calamari ($12).  Unlike typical fried calamari, grilled calamari is unbreaded and usually of higher quality. This did not disappoint.  The large calamari was grilled to perfection with not a chewy piece to be found. Served on a bed of greens with a light lemon dressing and two large blue cheese topped croutons this is a perfect starter.

Grilled Calamari

Dinner choices were difficult as so many items looked great. As a general rule I try to go for a daily special and a featured item from the menu.  Unfortunately the my first choice of a special was sold out so on the recommendation of our server I went with the dry rubbed baby back ribs, finished on the grill with a chipotle BBQ sauce, served with a side of mac ‘n cheese  ($22).  From the specials menu my date ordered the pan seared swordfish  with veggies and roasted potato’s ($23).  Knowing the grapevine has a celebrated wine list we each ordered a glass of Argentinian Syrah.

The swordfish was cooked to perfection although the flavor was somewhat bland.

Swordfish

The ribs were quite meaty and the dry rub made them easy to eat with utensils or by hand without too much mess.  I was pleasantly surprised to find large rigatoni with a rich blue cheese sauce as a fun twist on the traditional mac n’ cheese.

Dry ribs with Mac n Cheese

Although we were both stuffed the dessert looked too good to pass up.  We tried the chocolate mousse and fall favorite, bread pudding ($8).  Both were delicious and hit the spot topping off our meal without putting us in a diabetic coma.

Bread Pudding

You probably won’t get out of the Grapevine for under $100, add a few cocktails and a good tip and you are well over $100 however you do get what you pay for, and in our opinion it’s money well spent.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: B
Drinks & wine selection: A
Food: A
Service: B+
Overall: A

3rd Annual Salem Open Studios Tour
Saturday, November 22, 2008 from 10 am to 6 pm

Music

News
We wanted to let you know that one of our favorite Salem DJ’s and local Saturday night favorite DJ Cee Block is no longer spinning at O’Neills, when he gets a new residency on Saturdays we’ll let you know.

Friday November 21st

• Alanna Manning (6-9pm jazz) The Willows (10pm rock) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Hed Change, Cemetery Superfly, Mongrel & Dour (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Ondrej! (house, trance 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• The Austin Torpedos (blues, jazz, americana 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Acme Music Trio (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday November 22nd

• The Alan Rowe Jazz Trio (6-9pm jazz) DARQ 10pm (industrial / goth) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Siblings (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys (experimental 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Gary Santarella (contemporary limp rock 8pm) Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Open Bar Band (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Bolt (PG)
Friday at 4:30, 7:15 and 9:20
Saturday at 12:00, 2:15, 4:30, 7:15 and 9:20
Sunday at 12:00, 2:15, 4:30 and 7:15

Quantum of Solace (PG13)
Friday at 4:45, 7:30 and 9:55
Saturday at 11:30 AM, 2:00, 4:45, 7:30 and 9:55
Sunday at 11:30 AM, 2:00, 4:45 and 7:30

Madagascar 2 (PG)
Friday 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00
Saturday at 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00
Sunday at 11:10 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00

Insider Picks

With the cold weather settleing in on Salem I realize that the motivation to get out dwindles.  So start Friday night off with some blues, rockabilly and jazz by the Austin Torpedos at the Lyceum.  Saturaday enjoy the open studios tour then check out Open Bar Band for some night time fun.

3rd Annual Salem Open Studios

Dozens of artists will showcase their work during this festival of craft and art. A wide variety of media including painting, photography, mixed media, jewelry, fiber, glass and sculpture – will be exhibited:
• at Old Town Hall,
• in live/work studios,
• and at retailers throughout Salem.
I don’t know how they manage to do it but it seems as if each year they hold the Open Studios, it’s always frickin fridgid out.  Regardless of the cold, its fun to walk around and check out everybodys space and work.  For more information, and to plan your visit with a downloadable map, visit salemartsassociation.org.

Salem’s Christmas House Tour

Every year we rave about how great this event is, we also applaud Historic Salem Inc. for doing such a bang up job on this; their premier fund raiser.

This years tour on December 5th – 7th features 11 homes all fitting in the theme of “Three Centuries of Architecture“.

Tickets are available at the following retailers for $25 in advance or $30 at Hamilton Hall the day of the tour.

• Borders Books, Music, Movies & Cafe, 151 Andover Street, Peabody, MA
• Crunchy Granola Baby, 72 Washington Street, Salem, MA
• Peter D. Barter Flowers & Colonial Gift Shop, 201 Derby Street, Salem, MA
• Sophia’s, 105 Essex Street, Salem, MA
• The Trolley Depot, 191 Essex Street, Salem, MA
• Waters & Brown, 281 Derby Street, Salem, MA
• Waters & Brown, 13 Elliott Street, Beverly, MA

We say this every year, DON’T MISS THIS EVENT.  It’s a well spent $25 and it goes to a good cause.

After publishing a few articles about the importance of a businesses website we ran through a self assessment and determined it was time for some improvements.  What we came up with is a format that is easier to read, cleaner and  more contemporary.

The month of October saw a great spike in traffic for us, akin to the spike in tourism that Salem sees each Halloween season.  Our pages were served up to over a quarter of a million people and we were just too busy.  Now that things have calmed down a bit we are going to focus on some items we let slip by us.  Look for some new resource pages, and some unique advertising around town.  Also in the works a series of historically based articles, another photo contest and if things work out a new dining critic, who many of you already know and love.

With all that being said, we aren’t going to forget our roots – being the insiders guide to restaurants, bars, nightlife, shopping and living in Salem Massachusetts.

Got a video that shows off Salem or some of its talented people?  Let us know.

Radio Scotvoid and Noel Snow Live @ Gulu Gulu Cafe from Mark Lovett on Vimeo.

Wine Tasting at Salem Wine Imports
Saturday, November 8 from 4 to 8 pm
Stop by Salem Wine Imports for a tasting of over 20 wines from around the world including “Thanksgiving” wines. Free of charge!

Salem Wine Imports

Music

Friday November 7th

• TBD @ Bangkok Paradise
• Hi8us & Arimis (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Radio Scotvoid Productions (alternative, experimental, electronica 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• 1201 Blues Band (blues 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• New Life (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday November 8th

• DARQ w/ DJ Pet (industrial / goth) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Lotus Land (Rush Tribute) @ Dodge Street
• 2nd Saturday Bluegrass Jam (2:30-5:30) Judy C (folk 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Kevin Kennedy (contemporary piano 8pm) Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Spinz (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

W (PG-13)
Friday at  4:50 and 7:30
Saturday and Sunday at 11:40 AM, 2:15, 4:50 and 7:30

Madagascar 2 (PG)
Friday at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00
Saturday at 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00
Sunday at 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00

High School Musical 3: Senior Year (PG)
Friday at 4:30, 7:15 and 9:35
Saturday at 11:30 AM, 2:00, 4:30, 7:15 and 9:35
Sunday at 11:30 AM, 2:00, 4:30 and 7:15

Insider Picks

With Halloween behind us we can get back to our normal lives here in Salem.  Friday night why not kick back with the man we dubbed “the hardest working man in Salem’s music scene” Radio Scotvoid over at the Gulu.  Saturday the offer of free wine is too much to pass up so we’ll be at Salem Wine Imports looking for some new winter favorites. Afterwards a trip to the ‘kok for DARQ is in order as it’s been too packed over there last month for us to move around once we got in.

Mobile Command Vehicle

It seemed like a rather tame Halloween with an estimated 100,000 people coming in to town.  More were expected due to the great weather and the holiday falling on a Friday.  Perhaps all the hype of a massive crush into Salem kept some revelers away or maybe it was the large number of private parties held around town that kept people off the street.  People seemed to have a fun time but there were less people in costume than previous years and of those costumed many less slutty naughty costumes were seen (much to our dismay).

Here are a few photos we took, more are available on our flickr page.  If you have some photos you’d like to share drop us a link or post one in the comments.

Good Witch

Misfits

Vampre with Baby

Princess Leia loves PRB

Satan and the God squad

Tomorrow it will be absolutely bonkers in Salem.  The weather is looking good and this year Halloween is on a Friday night.  Last year over 100,000 people came to Salem to celebrate and I predict we will get much more than that this year.

If you are coming to Salem for the first time or maybe you are an annual visitor or perhaps a new resident, you might enjoy this little refresher list of do’s and dont’s.

Salem Streets on Halloween

DO come early and take public transportation.  The T has added extra commuter rail trains to Salem and extended the hours of those leaving last trains to Boston, 11 to 11:24 p.m.; last trains to Newburyport, 11:26 p.m.; last train to Rockport, 12:38 a.m.  DON’T plan on parking anywhere near down town if you drive in after noon.  If you have to drive you will be walking a distance.

DO wear something comfortable.  I know you want to wear that slutty witch costume with the 8 inch f**k me boots, and we want to see you in it but remember that many of our streets are cobblestone or brick.  DO consider the size of your costume as you will be packed in like sardines whether on the street or in a bar.  DON’T freak out when you get stopped every 5 seconds because someone wants to take a picture of you looking like a bondage Tickle Me Elmo in a gimp outfit.

Naughty Halloween Costumes

DON’T expect a prime spot at your favorite bar.  DO use the opportunity to chat up people so they will give you their bar stool when they leave.

Speaking of drinking, DON’T bring a glass bottle of jagermeister with you.  I’ve seen too many people trip over their own costume or someone elses, packing glass is a bad idea.  DO patronize your favorite watering hole or have a cocktail at home.  If you must bring a beverage with you, use a flask.

View from Bar on Halloween

DO take the time to walk all around down town.  The streets will be blocked off from Washington Street from New Derby to Lynde streets; Derby Street from Lafayette to Congress streets; Hawthorne Boulevard from Derby to Essex streets; Washington Square west and south; Essex Street from Barton Square to Union Street.  Live bands and DJ’s will be set up on all of the streets with different types of music playing.  DON’T stay in one spot, you’ll miss out on so much of whats going on.  At least do one jog around town and plop yourself at your favorite spot.

The City wants to close things down at 10:30 pm ,well before you are done partying.  DON’T wait to get into a bar or restaurant no lines will be allowed after 10:45.  DO plan on being inside somewhere or being moved along by the massive contingent of coppers.

Cops on Halloween

If you are not comfortable in large crowds DO come early and leave early or take a valium.   DON’T expect people to make a path for you to move.   DO be polite, it will get you much further than being a tool.

We will be out having fun and taking pictures but if you have a great photo you would like to share with us send it over and we will post a bunch on Monday.

Last night the City of Salem’s Licensing Board flexed their muscles and told Fresh Taste of Asia to  close their doors this Thursday and they are banned from having entertainment after 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday nights for the rest of the year.

Recently some trouble has occurred which garnered the attention of Salem PD.  In fact if you remember our video from last week Bad Cop, you might be interested to know that events precipitating this were caused by people who attended Fresh Taste earlier that night.

I’ve heard much talk that its because of the type of music they play combined with alcohol that draws the out of hand patrons.  Having worked in Boston on Lansdown Street for quite a few years I can tell you that it is an undeniable fact, venues that play hip-hop music have more altercations than those that play other types of music.  However, when you compare the number of police reported issues of Fresh Taste to that of O’Neills (that has a larger capacity) on hip-hop nights the results show a big problem at Fresh Taste that does not exist at O’Neills.

I am a fairly large guy who has worked in the night club industry for years and has learned to spot and deal with problematic and physically violent people.  Recently I went to Fresh Taste on a hip-hop night with a lady friend of mine.  We were seated at the bar and had some dinner and cocktails.  Shortly before 10pm the tables were cleared to make room for a “dance floor”.  It was about this time that the bar started to pack in with girls in short skirts and guys wearing Affliction, or Tapout brand clothing.   My friend had to go to the little girls room and no sooner had she stepped away from her chair than some meathead decided to sit there. I politley told him that the seat was occupied and the young lady was to be right back.  Next thing you know he was up in my face telling me he would kill me and kick my head in.   When I asked him which he would do first he instantly became physical.  Thankfully I was able to handle the situation but the mood for me was ruined.  It’s acts like this that usually end up sprawling outside and becoming problematic for bar staff, patrons and police.

As much as I love to see Salem businesses doing well and people spending their money to have a good time in our city, I think this wake-up call is a good thing.   One of the board members last night was upset telling the bar owner that by having entertainment and dancing he is acutally running a club not a restaurant.  I don’t have a problem with that either, my philosophy when working at or running a club has always been offer the people a good time while keeping them safe.  Establishments that do that turn out to be successful, those that dont do that end up feeling the wrath of the city.  Hopefully Fresh Taste will learn something from this and offer a better environment keeping both their patrons and the City happy.

Halloween Carnival

Oktoberfest – We wrote an entire post about this great event which starts tonight and runs till Sunday.

Carnival on Derby Street – Next to the Hess the carnival is in full swing. Stop by and take a spin on one of the rides.

Balls!- Don’t forget about the Vampires Masquerade Ball or the Dark Gala.

Kiddie Hay Maze – Stop by the Common for some carnie food (lots of options) and let the ankle-biters run around in a cute maze made with hay bales.

Vend vend vend – see some of the numerous vendors around the down town area. Our favorite has to be the Kettle Korn guy – so yummy. Running a close second is the Sausage guy. But there are plenty of non-food vendors also, get fangs, horns, tails, jewelry, t-shirts, face painting, trinkets and everything else you can think of.

Horror movies at midnight at CinemaSalem this week its Rocky Horror, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer, and The Blob.

Don’t forget about all the great music, food and drink that are available on a regular basis.

And to quote a wonderful famous talk show host from Chicago.

Be good to yourself… and each other.
-Jerry Springer

The Vampires Masquerade Ball

The Vampires Masquerade Ball

Having long been the premiere event of the Halloween season this ball has moved from venue to venue and this year is descending upon Finz Seafood restaurant on Salems wharf.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that since October is Salem’s busy month, bars and restaurants jack their prices up through the roof for anyone wanting to book space to hold an event.  Many of the restaurants that have function rooms are delusional and think that people will bang down their door wanting to have a wedding there in the mist of all the spookiness.  From what I have been told, it is due to this and some changes in the organization structure of the Vampire Ball that so much talk about the specifics and price of this event has occurred. I an assure you that as of today tickets  for the October 25th Vampire Masquerade Ball are still available on their website for $95.

This is a “dress to impress” event with a $500 cash prize going to the person with the most provocative costume.  DJ Addambombb will be spinning the tunes, Black Cat Burlesque will be shaking their stuff and Finz will be supplying some hors d’oeuvres.  Local clothier Fools Mansion usually does a fashion show at this event, however as of yesterday when we spoke with them it was unclear if that was going to happen.  We will let you know when we hear any news.

The DARQ Gala

DARQ Gala

For those of you who want to save $75 but still put your leather, rubber or pvc on, the unlikely standout of Salem’s club scene, DARQ held at the Bangkok Paradise has upped their game (and price) for a great event and fine alternative to the Vampire Ball.   The DARQ Gala also held on October 25th, will feature NYC Industrial Artists Terrorfakt and DJ/Project Tonikom. If you are not familiar with their music go check out their myspace pages at the links provided – we’ll wait.  Your host Vudu DJ will also be spinning tunes through out the night.

A strict dress code will be inforced.  Wear your goth/industrial/fetish best because this week even basic black and your $20 cover (usually $5 but this is how it goes for special events in October) might not be enough to get you into this industrial Gala.

The Salem start-up isn’t the only walking tour available, Untravel Media a Boston based company offers a variety of tours one of them being Seeking Sanctuary in Salem.  This walking tour was written and mapped out by Salem filmmaker Mike Boudo.

Already in the tours business for the past 92 years is the National Parks Service.  They offer “audio tours” of various Salem sites owned or run by the NPS.

We decided to check out these downloadable tours and give you the low down.

Format

All of these tour providers offer MP3 download formats.  Seeing as though Apple has sold over 100 million ipods (1 in 3 Americans own an ipod or mp3 player) formats other than mp3 are not needed. However Untravel Media goes the extra mile and offers not only audio downloads but M4V video as well and has a windows mobile OS download option for people with Crackberrys and the like.

Cost

Tourists are already spending money getting to their destination and especially these days every penny counts.  Iseesalem.com and the NPS have free downloads of their tours while at Untravel Media you will fork out $6.99 for any of their three versions of the tour.

Narration & production quality

If I’m going to listen to someone talk to me about Salem I want it to be a pleasant experience. If you’ve ever been to a National Park and used one of their “press this button” features to hear or see some multimedia about whatever you’re looking at you know this is nothing short of professional, one might say the industry standard. The Salem audio tours are cut from the same cloth, professional voice actors with clear elocution, good use of ambient sounds, clean consistent sound and volume featuring male narration.

Iseesalem.com does a good job with a clean recording although it does feel as if it were recorded in a small room.  The female narrator does a fine job reading an informative script. These tours offer no actor portrayals and ambient sounds limited only to royalty free music when directions are given to the next location on the tour,  keeping the emphasis on the narration.

Untravel Media sits on the other end of the spectrum offering ambient sounds, background music, actor portrayals, interviews, and narration.  The male narrator is not as polished as the NPS narrator but offers much more enthusiasm and character.  Recording quality of the different segments changes widely in some places the audio noise and background sound shows the user that many of the interviews must have been done on location, it’s not distracting but it is noticeable.  They do go above board with a nice selection of photographs from interiors, exteriors and of the people talking during the audio tour.  They do a great job instructing you where to walk but the photographic cues are a true bonus for users of video ipods.

Do they deliver what they promise?

The National Park Services says of their Audio Tour of Salem Maritime:

The tour takes about an hour to complete, and consists of ten stops within the nine acre site. The stops are marked on the map, which is available here in pdf format

Each of the 10 downloadable files are between 2:45 and 7:04 minutes long and quite informative.  Using the accompanying map you move from place to place and once there listen to a new file.  This is truly an audio tour as opposed to a walking tour as there are no walking directions or comments on what you see as you walk from one location to the next.

When we did the tour with four adults and two children it took us just over an hour.  This tour delivers exactly what they claim.

Iseesalem.com says of their tours:

Download these free walking tour podcasts and enjoy learning about Salem’s history at your pace.  You will discover tales of Salem’s famous residents, long nautical history, haunted sites, witch history, and more!

Currently they offer 3 downloadable files with two “coming soon” (we need to add a special section for “coming soon” to our web site post) ranging in length from 6:28 to 6:52 minutes and walking from location to location took us about 45 minutes for the Revolutionary War tour and slightly less for the other tours.

While not as leisurely as the NPS tour these tours did offer directions to the next location.  Unlike the NPS tours their “click here (*ahem*) to download a map” doesn’t actually download a map, it opens up google maps with points plotted.

These tours are free to download, they offer directions and you can take it at your own pace so once again their claims true.

Untravel Media says of their tour:

The first part of the tour highlights buildings that are on the grounds of the Peabody Essex Museum. Through their foresight, some of Salem’s oldest and grandest architecture is being preserved.

The last part of the tour takes you to the Salem Maritime Historical Site which has preserved a number of waterfront buildings including the Narbonne House and oversaw the building of the 1797 replica “Friendship” merchant vessel.

While Untravel Media offers a bunch of tours only one is devoted to Salem.  They go above and beyond by being concerned with your safety and pointing out facts that only insiders know.  You get much more from this tour than you would from reading books or any of the available tourist literature.  I would like to see better photography (only applies to video ipod downloads) and some info is a tad dated (no more horse drawn carriages, sorry).

The format holds true to the description as the tour takes you from downtown by the PEM and Visitors Center through some of the PEM grounds, across the common and down to the Wharf.

Is it worth it?

The NPS tours give you some good info in a professional manor but having been at some of the houses I have to say that your best bet is a tour given by one of the Park Rangers.  If the Rangers are not available these tours are a fine substitute.  And since they are free you have nothing to loose.

As for iseesalem.com’s tours you might want to listen to them before you head out.  They do offer some good facts to know but as for a walking tour they don’t hold up to our other two options.  Once again they are free so judge for yourself.

Untravel Media is exceptional and exactly what I want out of an audio walking tour. As I said earlier, they are the only tour offered by these three companys that you have to purchase but, I think its worth it.  If you don’t want to be bothered with other tourists, set your own walking pace and still see some sites and learn some tid-bits, spending $7 for a tour you can enjoy over and over again is a bargan as compaired to some of the guided tours of Salem costing $10 or more.

We would love to see the entire event in order to see what transpired to provoke this police officer to take the actions he did. And as such we are not pointing fingers only spreading a word of warning.

Drunken Happenings

Drink em up

Using some whimsical adaptations from the official Haunted happenings an avid group of Pub Crawlers brings you Salem’s 4th Annual Drunken Happenings, this Saturday October 18th starting at 3pm.  The crawl involves visiting 7 different bars and drinking the recommended specialty drinks.  Six hours later everyone meets up at O’Neills to swap stories and hi-five your new BFF.

Having organized a few Salem Pub Crawls myself I commend the Drunken Happenings crew for getting the word out about being safe.  They suggest you crawl with a group, set aside time for dinner and remind you NOT TO DRIVE.  They even went the extra mile and included info on the cab company and pedicabs for those who might be in need.

While there was some talk of this event being canceled due to an increased police presence this year, it is still on.  I look forward to sharing a drink with many of you who will be crawling and remember – Be Safe Out There!

Octoberfest

Do you like oom-pah Bands?  What about cute chicks wearing a drindl?  Are you looking for an excuse to dust off the lederhosen in your closet?  Then look no further, Octoberfest is coming to Salem.

Octoberfest

I can’t tell you that all the girls that show up will be this pretty nor can I tell you the mugs will be this large but I can tell you they both should.

Here is the low down.  This great idea was brought to life by Dianne from Pamplemousse (remember Harvestfest) and it looks to be a lot of fun.  A large tent will be set up in the Front Street parking lot on Friday October 24th serving as your Octoberfest headquarters till Sunday the 26th.  Local brewery Ipswich Ale will be providing the suds for your consumption.

Now for the bad news.

You have to buy a $20 ticket to enter the tent, similar to the real Oktoberfest (or Wies’n as it’s called in the motherland) where you need to buy a voucher to get a seat in order to be served, however that $20 ticket only gives you a commemorative Ipswich Ale mug and one beer.  If the festbier (German for beers sold during Oktoberfest) are 1 liter and the server girls are seriously cute then maybe just maybe $20 is worth it.  Keep in mind though if you want  any food (New England type food not Germany type food) or an additional beer you are paying for it out of your own pocket.

Proceeds from the event will go to Destination Salem a city department that markets Salem as a tourist destination.  Organizers are hoping to walk away with $30,000 profit.  While I hope this event is a huge success and they hit their mark something tells me that paying for additional beers of unknown size and price on top of a $20 cover charge might discourage most potential revelers. We will do a follow up to this and let you know how it went.

The Days of Wine and Roses

With all the subtly of a heavy weight MMA fighter, Salem Wine Imports opened up shop almost a year ago.  Even before the first bottle of wine was sold the usual cadre of Salem gum flappers were making quite the hullabaloo.  It would appear that the owner of Salem Wine Imports Eric, (whom I personally like) used to be the salesman who sold to Dianne (whom I also personally like) owner of Pamplemousse another shop in town that sells wine.

You can read all about what transpired and come to your own conclusions but now we have two great shops in Salem that have a good selection of wines. We the consumers win.

As with most businesses that have nearby competitors, each shop tries to promote itself and entice new customers with a variety of techniques.  Pamplemousse (who should learn a thing or three from our Your Website and You posts - their site has been “under construction” for way too long now) hosts wine tastings most Saturdays from 2-4pm while Salem Wine Imports (who needs to realize that if you have a blog you need to update it once in a while) does tastings on Thursday nights from 6-8.  I feel this is a healthy competition which again benefits us the consumers.

The dark side of the cork

We here at TheSalemInsider.com try to keep up on all the events going on around town so you the reader will know whats going on.  As such we often get notices and invitations to events happening around town.  I’ve noticed a disturbing trend lately which makes me think there’s more than meets the eye in the land of corks and casks.

Take for instance the night of September 25th.  The Lyceum hosted Salem’s first Wine Expo.  This event  presented by Salem Wine Imports, The Salem Athenaeum and Historic New England was announced way back in July.

A few weeks back in my in-box I received notice of another wine event, Women & Wine Tasting.  The event  held at Laura Lanes Skin Care on September 25th,  featured wines specially selected from Pamplemousse.  Coincidence?  I think not.

This is not the first time a clash of the tannins has occurred.  Thankfully neither of these proprietors has sunk to the level of public nuisance or disturbance like our ice cream combatants.

Enough sour grapes, uncork the future and tell me what’s in store.

There are some great beverage related on goings in Salem in the next couple of weeks.  What better place to talk about the Salem Harvest Fest than this wine related article.

Salem Harvest Fest

If you like wine, mead or artisnal beers then this is an event for you.  For $20 in advance or $25 at the door you will be able to sample over 60 different libations from all around the world over a 2 1/2 hour period.   This Saturday October 18th, from either 2:00-4:30 or 5:30-8:00 Pamplemousse along with Magic Hat Brewing Company, The Upper Crust and Rockafellas offer up some great selections at a great location – The Gathering, at 217 Essex Street Salem.

If you DONT like wine, mead or artisnal beers then check in with us tomorrow as we tell you about two other festive events that you’ll need a designated driver for.

Witch City Motorcycle Run for MDA

Last year we reported that Boston Harley-Davidson (the ride organizer) had been purchased by Bruce Rossmeyer (a big deal in the Harley world) and that he had breathed new life back into the old ride.   As you know, Rossmeyer recently opened the Salem Harley shop on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.  This year he along with a few celebrity’s will be  leading the parade in what promises to be a large and impressive ride.

The parade route is supposed to be similar to last years with the procession making its way down Lafayette to Derby around 2pm this Sunday October 19th.  The streets get lined with onlookers early so stake your claim.  I’m looking forward to seeing some great photos and video from this years ride.

Since the weather is predicted to be great for riding plan on an additional 4000 plus people in town.  Also, keep in mind that getting lunch or dinner in Salem will be a bit tighter than a normal weekend day in October so make your plans with that in mind.

Witch City Show & Glow Car Show – Friday night from  6pm to 8:30pm on  Essex St. near Armory Park and Saturday from 10am to 3pm at Central Wharf near the National Park Service Site .  Chrysler Cars done up with neon, flames, unique graphics and tricked out interiors will be on display.

Flatline Film Fest – Cinema Salem will be showing a series of spooky films at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays until Halloween.

Haunted Happenings Bizarre Bazaar – The Salem Chamber Haunted Happenings BizBaz is a two-day street festival in downtown Salem. The festival will feature entertainment, crafts, food and fun for all age.

Retro Zombie Ball – presented by Festival of the Dead at Finz Saturday night from 8 to 12:30.  This $95 event (plus CASH BAR) isn’t a real Zombie event as we talked about in yesterdays post, but I’m sure nobody would mind if you got dressed up. Best thing about this event is our friend DJ Addambombb will be spinning.

Music

Friday October 10th

• Dennis James (jazz  6-9pm) DARQ ( industrial, goth 10pm)  @ Bangkok Paradise
• Demons Alley & Clear the Way (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Seth (pop, 80’s, indie, alternative 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Groove Authority (r&b, dance 8pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Wildfire (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday October 11th

• Sandi Bedrosian (6-9pm jazz) Playing With Fire (10pm rock) @ Bangkok Paradise
• 60’s nigh w/ Chocolate Milk (60’s) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• 2nd Saturday Bluegrass Jam (2:30-5:30) The Ressurectionists (rock, americana, blues 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Kevin Kennedy (contemporary piano 8pm) Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Big Time (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

The Express (R)
Friday at 5:30 and 8:20
Saturday and Sunday at 11:45 AM, 2:30, 5:30 and 8:20

Eagle Eye (PG-13)
Friday at 4:40 and 8:00
Saturday and Sunday at 11:30AM, 2:05, 4:40 and 8:00

Beverly Hills Chihuahua (PG)
Friday at 5:15, 7:20 and 9:20
Saturday at 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20  and 9:20
Sunday at 1:00, 3:10, 5:15 and 7:20

Flatline Film Fest Flicks shown at midnight on Friday and Saturday

Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)

Cthulhu (R)

Slither (R)

Insider Picks

Free is good.  So start your weekend off by checking out the Car Show after dusk.  If you are looking to get your spooky on this weekend save the $90 you’d spend on Saturday and hit DARQ Friday night.  Saturday if you live down town or are planning on heading over that way make sure you wear your battle armor as the streets will be filled with tourists and vendors alike. Saturday night keep it low key by catching a midnight horror movie at the Flatline Film Fest.  Remember people, the month of Ocotober is a marathon not a sprint.

Salem MA Zombie Walk

Salem State College is participating in  “Thrill The World“, a 25th anniversary commemorative event celebrating Michael Jackson’s Thriller – perhaps one of the best videos of all time.  If you want to participate all you need to do is learn the dance, dress like a zombie and head over to Veterans Hall on the SSC campus Saturday October 25th at noon. More info is available on their website. Just to get you in the mood here are 1500 Philippino Prisoners busting out the moves.

If organized zombie dances aren’t your thing you might want to check out round 2 of the Zombie Walk.

On November 1st after the crazyness has died down a bit a second Zombie walk will commence.  Leaving from Collins Cove and making its way to Cinema Salem where there will be a special showing of Die You Zombie Bastards. As many Salem Insiders know this film was writen by a Salem State professor and shot locally.

Oh and if you want to see a few more pictures from the first Zombie walk in Salem you can head over to our Flickr page.

Salems Super Info Booth

Don’t get me wrong as a site that offers info on Salem and what it has to offer I am glad to see the city stepping up and helping tourists out but, they are doing themselves a disservice by cheesing it up in some left over carnie mobile.

Come on Salem you’re better that that!

If you are new to Salem or are just coming for a visit please note that most of the streets in the down town area will be on lock down tonight.

According to the Salem PD:

A parking ban will be in effect along the parade route streets beginning at 5pm and roads along the route will be closed from 6pm until 9pm.
On Thursday, October 2nd the Grand Opening Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. The parade route is as follows: From Congress Street at Shetland Park, the parade will take a left onto Derby Street, a right onto Lafayette Street, a left onto Front St., a right onto Washington Street, a right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, a left onto Washington Square and into the Salem Common.

A parking ban will be in effect on 10/2/08 on the following streets between 5pm and 9pm. Any vehicle parked in these areas will be towed.
Congress Street – both sides from Harbor St. to Derby St.
Derby Street – both sides between Congress St. and Lafayette St.
Lafayette Street – both sides between Derby St. and Front St.
Front Street – both sides.
Essex Street between Liberty St. and Hawthorne Blvd.
Washington Sq – both sides in front of the hotel.

The following roads will be closed on 10/2/08 from 6pm until 9pm.
Congress Street will be closed from Harbor Street to Derby Street.
Derby Street will be closed from Congress Street to New Derby Street.
Commuters will not be able to use Route 1A between Dodge St. and Brown Street which includes Derby Street, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square at the Common entrance.
Also closed to traffic will be New Derby Street, Front Street and Washington Street between New Derby Street and Church Street.
Essex Street will also be closed at Washington Street.

In other event news

Painting at Witch City Ink

Art Fusion at Witch City Ink

Friday night there will be a public event intended to increase awareness of the tattoo artist’s capacity for fine art. The night will offer insight into the nature of tattoo fine art for the general public and any viable media source. Tattoo Artist and Artists from all other mediums will be welcome to come and work in a creative open studio atmosphere every Friday night in October.  So if you are an artist or just enjoy watching art happen, head on over to Witch City Ink.

Zombie Walk Salem T-Shirt

Zombie Walk

Sunday – As you may have heard the Zombie Walk is getting much attention by “the man” and event organizers are being strong-armed into paying for permits and having police details.  This is changing from its original intent of being a spontaneous spooky happening to a disneyfied-official-in-the-guidebook event.  While we are not too happy with city officials we still fully support Steve in his effort to do something fun and formerly free.  If you would like to find out more info about Sundays Zombie Walk or support this effort by either buying a killer t-shirt or making a donation head over to their Zombie Walk Salem myspace page.

I know we have a better picture somewhere

Local bellydance teacher Aepril Schaile (who doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her) has been changing the way people perceive belly dance right here in Salem.  Aepril Schaile is ‘an American priestess of the Dark Goddess‘. Combining a study and practice of Bellydance begun in 1996 with a background in theater arts, Jungian psychology, mythology, and occult science, Aepril’s style of movement is a shamanistic exploration and expression of mythic and archetypal themes. A resident of Salem, Massachusetts, she teaches classes and workshops, and directs Exquisite Corpse Productions; Aepril holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art.

Aepril is teaching a bellydance workshop with a dark and witchy perspective just in time for you to prep for Halloween.

“Invoking the Dark Goddess through Bellydance” with Aepril Schaile

Medusa, Kali, Hecate, Circe, Persephone, Lilith: goddeses and mythical archetypes; the “witch” energy in us all, the ability to shape-shift, to hex and to heal. Using moving meditation and a combination of improvisation and choreography, we will evoke the Dark Feminine within us to speak through the serpentine sorcery of bellydance. You will come away with a fresh sense of authenticity, power and grace in your dance, connecting to ancient/ timeless energies and becoming adept at casting any audience under your spell. All levels of experience welcome!

Sunday October 12, 2008
12:00 – 1:30pm
at Dance Class, 302 Essex St, Salem MA (across the street from Jerry’s Dept store and the Witch House)

$25 pre-registration; $30 at the door, space permitting
for more info and to register:
http://www.aeprilschaile.com/workshops.htm

Trails & Sails - The Essex National Heritage Area is hosting a ton of things to do this weekend in Essex County (guess they didn’t plan on rain all weekend) many Salem locations are participating.

Music

Friday September 26th

• Steve Wark (6-9pm jazz) Speakeasys (10pm rock)  @ Bangkok Paradise
• Jason Bennet & the Resistance, Swaggering Growlers, Have Nots (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Machine 475 (electronica, pop, rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Wildfire (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• Hot Like Fire @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Saturday September 27th

• Suzanne Perel (6-9pm jazz) DARQ (10pm goth, industrial) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Beast over Boston (Iron Maiden cover band) Faith in Distortion (rock) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• Saturday Acoustic  Jam (2-5pm)  The Milling Gowns (indie, rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• TBD @ The Lobster Shanty
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Hangovers (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Mystafine @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Eagle Eye (PG-13)
Friday at 4:30, 7:15 and 9:50
Saturday at 11:30AM, 2:00, 4:30, 7:15 and 9:50
Sunday at 11:30AM, 2:00, 4:30 and 7:15

Burn After Reading (R)
Friday at 4:30, 7:40 and 10:00
Saturday at 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:40 and 10:00
Sunday at 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 and 7:40

The Women (PG-13)
Friday at 4:00, and 9:15
Saturday at 11:15 AM, 4:00  and 9:15
Sunday at 11:15 AM and 4:00

Vicky Christina Barcelona (PG-13)
Friday at 7:00
Saturday & Sunday at 1:45 and 7:00

Theater

Salem Theatre Company
Griffen Theatre, 7 Lynde Street
Saturday, September 27 at 4 pm and Sunday, September 28 at 7 pm
Staged Reading of Robert Reich’s Political Farce, Public Exposure
$10 with a $2 discount for students and seniors.

More info about the reading and tickets are available for purchase online at www.salemtheatre.com

Insider Picks

The weather looks like a total downer this weekend but don’t let that stop you from getting out and having fun. Friday night looks like a trip to Rockafellas is in order with Wildfire burning down the house.  Since Saturday is supposed to be hosting a monsoon keeping it in doors at either the CinemaSalem or Salem Theatre Company looks to be the best bet.  Saturday night there is no question where to be.  All the insiders go to DARQ, get there early as this is turning out to be the montly event to be seen at!

Corn Stalk Decorations

This morning I saw our intrepid city workers carting out trucks full of fresh cut corn stalks and tying them to every available light post and street sign they could find.  Just think in a mere 36 days they will be dry enough to turn into flaming pop-corn dispensers by drunken revelers.

This year Halloween in Salem (and everywhere else for that matter) is on a Friday.  It’s going to be a freaking mad house!  There are so many great parties going on all through the month, starting with our Insiders Open House and coming to a climax with over 100,000 people swarming Salem’s down town on October 31st.

We will keep you abreast of all the great on goings in our fair city but be forewarned this is the first big weekend.  Perhaps the rain will keep some people away however, look for parking to go into lockdown with higher prices at the lots, more enforcement at the meters and resident parking stickers reqired on most streets.  You can head over to our parking primer for more details.

Do I need to hire a professional?

A web developer, who read our post yesterday, said on Twitter “Somebody had to do it, good for you. Supports my theory that 90% of the intertubes should just use Wordpress.”  Honestly, I couldn’t agree more.  In fact, this web site is run on the Wordpress blogging platform.  Many Salem businesses run their sites on a blogging platform and it eliveates a world of headaches.

• http://www.picklepot.com uses wordpress and their own url
• http://www.theartcorner.blogspot.com uses a shared platform called blogspot (a google product) this is not as versatile or professional as a standalone solution

However, if you want your site to stand out while using a blogging platform as a Content Managment System (CMS) you will need to create a custom theme (like we have) and you might want a developer who is familiar with the platform to help you set it up and get you going.

For everyone else who doesn’t want a blog, but still wants a professional site that adheres to yesterday’s rules, it’s time to find a designer & developer (or full service web shop) to get you moving.

People contact me daily to promote their Salem based businesses, projects, groups, bands and events.    Marc Amos and Angelo Simeoni, recently formed a group of web professionals called the Build Guild. When they contacted me I knew it was a great opportunity for people who live in and around Salem. It’s through this group I discovered just how many Salem-based freelancers there are.  Some build flash sites, others focus on ecommerce. Some build cool applications you can add to your site, while others just make your web presence pretty.

For the average Joe who doesn’t know what  hex values, rails, xml, seo, ppc, css or any number of other acronyms are, finding and hiring someone to help you create a professional online presence is a daunting task.  Why does one person tell me I can build a site for $200 while the next guy says its $20,000?  I sat down with local developer Marc Amos, who runs a Salem-based business Boston Web Studio, to help demystify these issues.  The following is what he suggested to get you started.

List of questions a business should ask a developer.

1. “How long have you been designing and/or developing websites?”
2. “Can you name a few of the companies you’ve completed projects with and what your role was in those projects?”
3. “Have you designed/developed a website for another company in our industry?”
4. “Are you solo or do you work with partners/a team?”
5. “Do you also providing a hosting service, or can you recommend a quality hosting company?”
6. “What sort of target-audience research do you do before starting the design?”
7. “What is the general project process? (How do the unique phases progress? [discovery, information architecture, wire-framing, design, client-review, etc.])”
8. “Are you self-employed or are you freelancing at night and on the weekends?
9. “Once the project is complete, what source files do you provide to us?”
10. “Do you design every site from scratch, or do you use templates?”
11. “How do you stay on top of web design & development trends?”
12. “Do you attend any design/development events, big or small?”

How to interact with a developer

Many designers/developers that I know prefer to communicate through non-traditional mediums rather than by phone. For example, after a project is kicked off much of the conversation will happen via a project-management tool such as Basecamp or Unfuddle (both of which send out email notifications). If there isn’t a project-management tool in use, email is probably the preferred method. It allows the designer/developer to have a “paper trail” of requests, conversations, files, deadlines, and other important information that they can refer to later; it’s often the case that when a client calls their designer/developer, they don’t receive the full attention they expect because that designer/developer is in front of a computer and probably working on something that is consuming their focus. To this same point, a designer/developer may even let many of the phone calls go to voicemail for that same reason–they’re too deep in a consuming task to break their focus and answer a call. Doing so usually results in the designer/developer having to back-track to the beginning of their task to re-establish their focus. (Wow, that was a long point)

If you’ve hired a well-qualified designer/developer, understand that, most of the time, they will know what is best for your web site’s visitors. Don’t hesitate to allow your well-qualified designer/developer to make suggestions or decisions that you yourself aren’t so sure about. Just as a well-qualified contractor has a reputation to lose if he does shoddy work on a home, a designer/developer stands to lose if s/he does shoddy work on your web site.

List of what questions to expect from a developer

1. “Do you have any analytical data for your website?” (referring to Urchin stats, Google Analytics, etc.)
2. “Can you describe your target audience?” (Sex, age range, interests, location, etc.)
3. “What existing marketing/branding material do you have?” (Company logo, brochures, letter-head, etc.)
4. “What marketing has been done recently?” (Radio, T.V., online pay-per-click campaign, etc.)
5. “What companies are your direct competitors?”
6. “Could you show me three websites you think look great, regardless of industry?”
7. “Could you show me three websites you think look terrible, regardless of industry?”
8. “Do you have a budget?”
9. “Do you have a deadline?”
10. “Who will be my direct contact during the project’s duration?”
11. “Do you have content written for the website?”
12. “Do you have all photos/videos/media files for the website?”

Hopefully this primer helps you separate the hacks from the true professionals. Here in Salem (as you can see if you’ve looked at some of yesterday’s example sites) we have our fair share of clueless lunkheads masquerading as web professionals.  I encourage you to look at who built some of the more horrible sites and avoid them.  In my experience bad sites often have links back to bad portfolios giving you a head’s up not to use that guy.

Or they link to a “designers” email

• http://www.grapevinesalem.com

Or worse of all, they link back to some bad DYI that let you build your own site.

• http://www.sophiasofsalem.com
  see the link at the bottom of the page

Most good sites, on the other hand, are above linking to the developer.  You need to ask the site owner who built it.  Most people won’t mind if you drop them a line and ask who did their site. You might even get an insight as to how the developer was to work with.

There are some larger or more notable shops around town if you need more specialized treatment or an entire team to get your project going.  You can even find they guy who wrote the book(s) on proper design and how to implement it, right here in Salem.

Where can I find a developer for my project?

My first bit of advice is if you are a local business, band or organization, then try to hire someone local. Build your community up.  The best route is word of mouth. Find someone locally who does a great job. How does that person’s portfolio look? Do the sites they build stick to the rules we discussed yesterday?  If so, then contact them and ask some of the questions we talked about today.

Watch out for poseurs. Recently I met a guy trying to sell one of Salem’s new businesses a website.  He had read a few books and took a JavaScript class at a local community college.  Doe-eyed, he asked me for advise about getting into the development field. I told him:

It’s easy to get sucked in to the glamorous lifestyle that is the web professional.  Let me tell you from personal experience the days of razor scooters, pinball machines and funky loft spaces are over.  Being a developer in Greater Boston or San Francisco is like being an actor in LA – start waiting tables now.

We’ve got some great talent here in the Witch City, talent you don’t see when you walk around town.  Do yourself a favor when it comes to your website, build a georgous hotel with a doorman not a flea bag pay-by-the-hour motel.

I invite local web professionals to comment on this post and link to their own portfolios, talk about their work or show some examples in order to help our readers get a more personal connection than a simple google search.

Does my web site suck?

Look at the following rules and rate your website objectively, better yet have a stranger do it for you.

RULE #1 In today’s super-highway-information-tubes age people no longer pick up the phone to get the information they seek, they use google at any hour of the day or night and bypass pesky human interaction.

It might be hard for some elderly people to grasp but consumers comparison shop and gather information online. This is especially true for destination locations (like Salem, Massachusetts: the home of Halloween and all things spooky) where people might not be in the same time zone or don’t want to spend money for a long distance call. If people can’t find you, you don’t exist. Take the time to search for your site and see if it can be found.

When preforming a search, look for your business from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know of you.

• Don’t search for “Bella Verona” (yay #1 result)
• Do search for “Salem MA Italian restaurants” (boo not found in first 1000 results)

RULE #2 Just the facts ma’am

Once someone finds your site make sure important information is served up in an easily digestible fashion.  Remember the five W’s of journalism (Who? What? Where? When? Why?) and show them to your potential customer. People don’t want to be burdened by lengthy load times or superfluous BS. Content is King!

Good: http://www.picklepot.com
Poor: http://www.cilantrocilantro.com

RULE #3 Your online property is just as important as your bricks and mortar property.

For the love of God people, get a good domain name and have your web site hosted with a real company!  Your restaurant is in the bustling down town area or over by the college or on a heavily trafficked thoroughfare because you understand the first lesson in real estate – location, location, location. That lesson carries through to online properties. Own a domain name that is reflective of your business.

• Good : www.RedsSandwichShop.com – Name of business: Reds Sandwich Shop
• Fair: www.HipFinz.com – Name of business: Finz (I get it, they’re hip)
• Utter Failure: http://www.geocities.com/str_mw/ Name of business: who cares

Oh, and don’t let your domain name expire. If you buy a new one have the old one forwarded in case it’s indexed anywhere. Otherwise you might end up like this.

• http://www.pyramidbooksofsalem.com

RULE #4 The design of your web site is more important than the visual merchandising of your product or the exterior upkeep of your shop.

A polite and well groomed doorman greeting you at your fancy hotel goes a long way to justify the price you pay to stay there. He is a welcoming ambassador there to serve you. Your website is a silent doorman greeting more potential customers than you can imagine. It’s in your best interest to put on a good face and inspire confidence in those who might spend money with you.

Your best friend might have a flare for decorating a room or your brother-in-law might be a networking engineer, that in no way qualifies them to be interactive designers. Keep them away from your web site.   Let’s look at another three local Salem based websites and marvel at their design, which one is clean, has good use of color and font, is easily readable or inspires you to pull your wallet out?

• http://www.redssandwichshop.com
• http://www.grapevinesalem.com
• http://dodgestreet.com

That’s right, it was a trick question none of them do any of those things. This is not to say that they don’t provide good content but they fail on the delivery method.

Like it or lump it, a poorly designed site is a direct reflection of your actual business, by the same token a well designed site is also a reflection of your business. Can you walk right in and easily find what you are looking for or do you have to go through a few doors then guess at where to find things based on some kooky organization that is understood only by the owner (Derby Books *cough*)?

• Easily findable segmented information: http://www.sacredgear.com
• Wait a tick, is this a site about a dead dog? : http://www.goddesstreasure.com
• What the hell? Get me off this kiddie ride! : http://www.penelopespetboutique.com

For people doing some research prior to their trip to Salem, their first impression is made at your web site.  Why would they come and visit your physical location if your competitor has similar product at similar prices but has made a better first impression?

RULE #5 Don’t piss off your reader with poor user experience.

Have you ever seen an ad saying that new HDTV you want is on sale but when you get to the store, you find the sale over? What about getting directions to somewhere but along your way you find an error and end up getting lost, stopped or misdirected? The same thing can happen on your website.

What makes a reader leave your page faster than a cop scooting down Washington Street on a segway? Broken links. Why even have a link on a page if it goes to nowhere?  I understand that sometimes you might link off of your web site to some other site and they might change their pages (although you can check for that) but linking to a non-existent page on your own site is a total bonehead maneuver.

• Bonehead maneuver: http://www.historicsalem.org (click on site guide in the footer)
• Try almost any link: http://www.wlpssp.com pathetic

Any copywriter worth her/his weight in Red Bull and Twinkies will tell you usage of “click here” as a link is dead. Looking beyond that, if you are going to tell your reader to “click here” you had better a) make it clickable and b) make it go to a live page somewhere.

• Click here fail : http://www.redlionsmoke.com/index_files/Page790.htm

Proper Coding

People don’t like to wait around. The average person will only wait 7 seconds for a page to load. Honestly, there really is no reason for any site to take longer than 7 seconds to load if coded properly.

• Fail: http://strombergs.com/directions.html 27.789 seconds (due to third party app)

That brings about another issue: pictures on your web site. Make sure they are the proper size and resolution. Don’t try and cram huge images in a small space.

• Photo Fail: http://strombergs.com/calendar.html that little photo is 2288 x 1712 px and 882 kb – WTF?

Links as we mentioned above are a major issue:

• link coded wrong http://www.salemathenaeum.net/resources.html House of Seven Gables link has an extra quotation mark within the link code
• even the heavily-trafficked http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/stay_eat.php didn’t close their link tag on the Clipper Ship Inn link properly

Great lots of sites suck, what does this have to do about being a Salem Insider?

I’m glad you asked.

If we were in some podunk little town with only dial-up service, dueling banjos playing in the background and the latest Charlie Chan film playing at the bijou theater, then I might cut you some slack. But Salem, Mass is filled with some outstanding web professionals, freelancers, design shops and authors. Because this historic seaport city focuses it’s efforts on publicizing retail, museum and historic businesses, you might not be aware of the abundance of talent working in the internet arena.

Tomorrow I will introduce you to some local web professionals. I’ll give you some tips on finding the right designer/developer/company to help get your website to where you need it to be. And best of all I’ll teach you how to head into a new site build or site redesign with your eyes open, knowing how to get the most from the person you hire.

We are in the process of busting out a new fall design for the blog (if our web guy ever gets some free time). There have been a bunch of people interested in writing columns for the blog but most of them seem to just trail off into the ether.

Since we rolled out our video posts I’ve been inundated with submissions, unfortunately most of them have been crappy psuedo-commercials for local businesses. If you have some quality Salem based video/film I’d love to hear from you.  If you want to show me a video of the junkers at your auto dealership – keep it to yourself.

We’ve also tapped some local business people and artists for a few posts coming out shortly.  They will help you navigate your way through the barrage that is tourist season in Salem.

Salem Fall Restaurant Week

Twice a year Salem restaurants offer a price fixe menu so we can see what they have to offer and not spend too much cash in the process. It’s a little marketing technique learned from the crack dealers in the 1980’s who gave you free samples because they knew you would be back.  Unfortunately there isn’t a restaurant rehab for us to go to once were hooked.

lobster ravioli

This week from September 14th to September 18th 2008 (sorry no weekend bonus for you) at participating restaurants Pricing for a three-course dinner is $20.08 (get it? 2008 – the year – clever huh?).  Those restaurants may also offer an additional exclusive $30.08 dinner option.

Many of the restaurants that are in on this deal have been reviewed by us, the others are on our “to-do” list.  Click the links below for a review.  If you take advantage of this deal chime in and let us know what you thought of your experience.

The Black Lobster at Stromberg’s Cove
2 Bridge Street
Tel.: 978-744-1863

Caffe Graziani
133 Washington Street
Tel.: 978-741-4282

Capt.’s Waterfront Grill & Club
94 Wharf Street
Tel.: 978-741-0555

Cilantro
282 Derby Street
Tel.: 978-745-9436

Finz Seafood
76 Wharf Street
Tel.: 978-744-0000

Grapevine Restaurant
26 Congress Street
Tel.: 978-745-9335

Lyceum Bar & Grill
43 Church Street
Tel.: 978-745-7665

Nathaniel’s
18 Washington Square West
Tel.: 978-744-4080

Passage to India
157 Washington Street
Tel.: 978-832-2200

Regatta Pub at Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites
225 Derby Street
Tel.: 978-740-8788

Rockafellas
231 Essex Street
Tel.: 978-745-2411

Sixty2 on Wharf
62 Wharf Street
Tel.: 978-744-0062

Spirits at 300 Derby
300 Derby Street
Tel.: 978-744-8889

Strega Restaurant & Lounge
94 Lafayette Street
Tel.: 978-741-0004

Tavern at the Hawthorne
18 Washington Square West
Tel.: 978-744-4080

Thai Ginger
335 Lafayette Street
Tel.: 978-607-0060

Thai Place
Museum Place Mall
Tel.: 978-741-8008

Salem Literary Festival 2008 – Inspiration for writers and setting for classic and contemporary literature, celebrates its passion for all things literary in the 2008 Salem Literary Festival. The festival will start Friday night from 5-7pm at the Old Town Hall.  Get more info on their website at salemlitfest.com.

Callahan Family  Fundraiser – Two weeks ago over at the Gulu you helped raise over $11,000 for the Jocelyn Callahan fundraiser with the money slated to build a fence in the hopes a similar tragedy can be avoided.  It turns out that the city has already funded the building of a fence with construction to begin shortly.  The Callahan family is consitering putting that money to good use in the form of a scholarship.  This Sunday September 14th Dodge Street will be hosting an all day fundraiser for the family.  Swing by for some great music, stories and to put a few dollars to good work.

Callahan fundraiser at Dodge Street

Music

Friday September 12th

• Alanna Manning (6-9pm jazz) Acid Foley (10pm rock)  @ Bangkok Paradise
• Demons Alley, Two Saints, Red Invasion (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Dj Seth (indie, 80’s pop, alternative 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Dave Retros (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Search Party (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• mamadou @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Saturday September 13th

• Fran  & Bobby Tyler (6-9pm jazz) Playing with Fire (10pm rock) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Break for Moose, Guided by Wires (rock) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• 2nd Saturday Bluegrass Jam (2:30-5:30pm)  Jo Henly (country, rock, pop 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• TBD @ The Lobster Shanty
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Open Bar Band (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• dis n’ dat @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)
Friday 11:55PM

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Burn After Reading (R)
Friday at 5:00, 7:30 and 10:00
Saturday at 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:40 and 9:50
Sunday at 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 and 7:40

The Women (PG-13)
Friday at 4:45, 7:15 and 9:45
Saturday at 11:15 AM, 1:45, 4:15, 7:00 and 9:30
Sunday at 11:15 AM, 1:45, 4:15 and 7:00

Tropic Thunder (R)
Friday at 4:10, 6:40, and 9:00
Saturday at 11:45 AM, 2:10, 4:35, 7:20 and 9:40
Sunday at 11:45 AM, 2:10, 4:35 and 7:20

Insider Picks

I say this all the time but if you haven’t checked out Rocky Horror here in Salem get your butt over there Friday night. If Rocky isn’t your thing you can’t go wrong tonight at Gulu-Gulu,  DJ Seth is always a house favorite.  Saturday in Salem is all about the rump shakin’ so it’s off to see Search Party at Rockafellas and sing cover songs at the top of our lungs.  Sunday swing by Dodge Street any time after 1PM for the Callahan Family benefit, its a worty cause.

This weeks Video feature comes to us from recent Salem transplant Jason Hawkins.  Jason, who I’ve had the pleasure of having a beer with is an enthusiastic young film maker looking forward to his first Halloween Season here in Salem.

Jason writes a blog called MakeFilmWork.com which talks about various video, photography and computer related ongoings. From his bio Jason writes:

I shoot, edit and light for video. Sometimes I do motion graphics and some audio production (but not as much). I also enjoy photography and building things. You should know up-front that I’m not very good at building things. But I still like it.

Recently he made a short about one of Salem’s Cemetery’s, I’d love to see the follow up to this piece when the hordes over run Salem in late October.

Salem, MA – The Cemetery from Jason Hawkins on Vimeo.

Jason is accepting some freelance work if you are in the market, just drop him a line.

In a future post we will be discussing the disparity of good web designers and developers here in Salem to pathetic websites but you’ll have to wait for that…

On to today’s post.

So, when I moved to Salem I wanted to join the Historical Society. In my previous town I was a member and they were quite active in town. I’m also involved with the Dedham Historical Society and figured Salem would be just as active. Well to my dismay there isn’t really a Salem Historical Society.  Bummer.  What I did find was the Salem History Society, (another stellar website from 1992 maybe).  If you can struggle through their site you would find that they host meetings at Cornerstone Books.  In fact tonight September 9th at 7:30 is there first meeting of fall.   Unfortunately we will be attending the Build Guild so we can’t make it there but if you go let us know how it was.

Getting back to my quest for history.  So the Salem History Society didn’t look to organized nor did they have any offerings at the time I was looking so I moved on.

In my searching I found that the old Historical Society was assimilated quite some time ago by the Borg collective that is the PEM.  My quest almost died there until I did some research on the house plaques you see here in town.  That’s when I discovered Historic Salem Inc. and quickly became a member.  They have done a bunch of tours and programs we’ve reported on in the past.  And they’re at it again.

Have you heard of the Great Salem Fire on June 25th 1914?  Well our friends at HSI are ready to tell you all about it.

Great Salem Fire

The Great Salem Fire started with a series of explosions, caused by a mixture of acetone, amalacitate, alcohol, and celluloid. At 1:37 PM, a fire alarm box was used to report a fire in the Korn leather factory, 57 Boston street.

The fire spread quickly down and across Boston Street. The police department sent out calls to 21 cities for assistance. One industrial department, the Fore River Shipyard, also assisted. Over 90 police men from out of town came to help. The Salem Evening News, (Friday, July 24, 1914, page 11), has a complete list of all responding departments and where and how they worked to fight the fire.

The fire burned 253 acres (1 km²) with 1,376 buildings. The entire loss was estimated at US$15 million; insurance policies paid US$11.744 million. Some 20,000 people lost their homes, 10,000 their jobs, and a few their lives.

Interesting – so what?

Remember last September when everyone was going bonkers over the Samuel McIntire anniversary?  HSI did a series of Fall walking tours and we all learned about McIntire archetechure.  This year their focus is on The Great Salem Fire.

The series will trace the path of the Salem Fire of June 25, 1914 focusing on three distinct neighborhoods.

• September 14, 2008 The General Alarm: The First Streets to go up in Flames
• September 21, 2008 The Conflagration Strikes South Salem
• September 28, 2008 The Fire Swallows Salem’s Jobs: The Point, the Mills, and the Waterfront

So put on your walking shoes – bust out $5 and fire up some of your brain cells, its going to be a fun fall.

Historic Salem Inc. Fall Walking Tour Schedule

None listed

Music

Friday September 5th

• TBD @ Bangkok Paradise
• Criticize w/ Supertonic (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Radio Scotvoid Productions (alternative, experimental, electronica 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• TBD (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Big Time (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• The Classmates @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Saturday September 6th

• TBD @ Bangkok Paradise
• Toolfist (rock) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• Rev. Bob & the Darkness (acoustic, gothic, blues 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Grateful Ted @ The Lobster Shanty
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Richie Rich and the 24K Funk band (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Hot like Fire @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Tropic Thunder (R)
Friday at 4:50, 7:15, and 9:40
Saturday at noon, 2:25, 4:50, 7:15 and 9:40
Sunday at noon, 2:25, 4:50 and 7:15;

Pineapple Express (R)
Friday at 4:30, 6:45 and 9:30
Saturday at 11:30 AM, 2:00, 4:30, 6:45 and 9:30
Sunday at 11:30 AM, 2:00, 4:30 and 6:45

Star Wars; The Clone Wars (PG)
Friday at 4:00, 7:00 and 9:10
Saturday at 11:40 AM, 1:50, 4:00, 7:00 and 9:15
Sunday at 11:40 AM, 1:50, 4:00 and 7:00

Insider Picks

I don’t know about you but after last weekend end of summer marathon partying I’m pretty beat this weekend.  That being said I’m going to muster up what I have left in the tank and rock out over at Dodge Street with Criticize.  Saturday I’ll start winding down early with the always entertaining Rev. Bob & the Darkness over at the Gulu. Summer is now over and we have a couple weeks before we are thrust into full time tourist town mode with more parties than you can shake a broom stick at.  Enjoy your down time while you got it.

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