Happy Holidays from Destination Salem

Diane at The Lobster Shanty sent me this picture, and I just love it! Salem is beautiful in the snow. If you have a great picture to share (it can be snow, sun, rain, whatever!) email it to me, and I just may post it on the blog.

If it's really great, I may ask you for permission to use it in the 2009 visitor guide, or on Salem.org. There's no cash involved, but the fame your would discover through being featured in a Salem tourism publication is quite priceless.

More snow is expected this week - so if you're coming into town, make sure to check Salem.com for snow emergency/parking ban information.

Another Snow Postponement to Report

The big band event that was scheduled at Rockafellas for this past Sunday, Decmeber 21st, has been rescheduled for Sunday, December 28th. The rest of the details for the evening remain the same - you can review them on the December 16th post of this blog or visit Rockafellas' web site.

Happy Holidays!

Snow postpones "Cold is the Nightwind."

This just in...

The Dec. 21 "Cold is the Nightwind" Program has been postponed to Dec. 28 due to the snow, ice, and downtown parking ban that was in effect in Salem over the weekend...

"Cold is the Nightwind" A Victorian Christmas Program will be held on December 28, 2008, at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's Church, Salem, MA. (We'll have the New Year to celebrate musically, too, after all!)

Ticket sales have been extended to Dec. 28 and advance tickets will be on sale all week! You can purchase tickets at the door, or online, as well.

Salem Trolley Christmas Carol is Great Family Fun

The Salem Trolley Christmas Carol is the best ticket in town right now! This contemporary adaptation of A Christmas Carol has been done by Eric Rodenheiser of The Griffen Theatre, and it is wonderfully scripted to appeal to all ages.

It's a movable production - the audience travels via trolley with Ebeneezer Scrooge between today, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. Jacob Marley comes aboard, and the famed ghosts ensure nobody is left behind on this journey of self-realization and holiday cheer.

Bring your hats and gloves, and appropriate footwear, if you go - traveling between scenes does involve walking on snow and ice right now, and it is chilly at night.

The Trolley Christmas Carol runs through Monday, December 22nd, and tickets are $22 per person. It's great for all ages (last night the youngest audience members were 7 and 8 and laughing hysterically), and the production is less than 90 minutes, so attention spans can stay in tact!

Call the Salem Trolley at 978-744-5469 for tickets.

Get into the Holiday Spirit at Rockafellas!

Rockafellas is offering two great holiday shows this Sunday, December 21st. I love the big band scene, and think we need more of it. And who doesn't love a family sing-along - especially if the Jolly Ol' Elf is going to make an appearance.

Here are the details for you and your families - it looks like it's going to be cold on Sunday, so come on down and stay warm in Rockafellas.

Holiday Family Brunch Sing Along featuring Lisa Love & Billy Garzone
12:00 p.m.-2 p.m
The brunch buffet will feature everything from an omelet station to a carving station and it will finish with a variety of desserts. The buffet begins at 11 a.m., and music is from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Admission is $22 per person, and children 10 & under eat for free. There will also be a guest appearance by the man who can tell whether you've been naughty or nice.

Holiday Dinner Show: The Compaq Band and Special Guest Singers Ed Scheer & Britt Sawdon
6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
The 21-piece big band, The Compaq Band, will feature special guest singers Ed Scheer and Britt Sawdon in their 4th annual holiday show at Rockafellas. Seating begins at 6 p.m. with music and a buffet dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. The buffet has a wide selection of winter favorites, including stuffed broiled pork loin, wild poached salmon, and baked stuffed haddock with lemon butter sauce. Reservations are required, and admission is $38 per person, while children 10 & under eat for free.

For people interested in enjoying the bar scene on Sunday night, seats at the bar are $10 a person beginning at 6 p.m. Whether with a group, on a date, or by yourself, the Big Band Show always provides a classic evening of entertainment and refreshment.

For reservations or more information, call 978-745-2411 or email rock@rockafellasofsalem.com

Christmas with the Phillips Family Tour

Celebrate the holiday season with a special tour of the Historic New England’s Phillips House. This 40 minute tour will focus on the way a prominent Salem family celebrated through the month of December. View original Christmas cards, shopping lists, wrapping paper, and gifts that were exchanged. A limited time exhibition will show young Stevie Phillips’ letter to Santa and the gifts he received in 1915.

The Phillips House is located on 34 Chestnut Street. Tours are available on Saturday and Sunday through December, on the half-hour, from 11-4. This special tour is $5.00 for adults and free to Historic New England members and Salem residents with a valid ID.

The gift shop is also open. All jewelry is 15% off and holiday items are on sale as well. Historic New England members can receive 10-15% off with their membership card.

Gift Ideas on Washington Street

Head over to Crunchy Granola Baby to stuff a stocking full for the little ones on your list. This weekend only, CGB is offering a handcrafted recycled sail cloth stocking at a 20% discount - buy the stocking, and fill it with fun stocking stuffers, like toys and clothes, and everything you can fit in your stocking is also discounted 20%!

Some may say the discount is the best part, but I love that the recycled stockings are a local product from Again and Again in Gloucester! The handcrafted stockings perfectly capture the essence of living on the Massachusetts coastline.

While you're on the top of Washington Street, head upstairs to Body & Soul Massage and buy that special someone a gift certificate for massage. If you're reading this from far away, and are planning a trip to Salem for 2009 - what better way to round out a trip to Salem then relaxing during a massage? Body & Soul can make any trip into a spaaaaaaaaahhhhhh trip! They have lots of specials going on for December, so check out their website for shopping ideas.

Back down on street level, Salem Cycle has great gift ideas for all the cyclists on your list. Whether you're a member of the Lycra set or a more casual cyclist, Dan and his staff can set you up for the holidays. If you're looking for an original souvenir - they have awesome t-shirts for the whole family. The witch-on-a-bike logo makes a great gift to give or keep.

Discover the magic of holiday shopping!!

Get Glowing for the Holidays

I was at a meeting a couple of weeks ago and Anne Massey, who owns Rouge Cosmetics, described the store as, "We are located on Derby Street. We glow pink at night." I love that description, and at this time of year, seeing that warm pink glow coming from Rouge warms the cockles of my heart. Or it warms my pores. Some days it's hard to tell.

Rouge has some fabulous holiday gift ideas on their web site. They also have the list printed in convenient flyer format in case you want to leave it surreptitiously around the house. And they are running a "give a gift - get a gift" program in December, so if you're a "What's in it for me" personality - you'll find Rouge is a win/win this month.

Don't think Rouge is just for women - Rouge carries some fantastic lines for men and kids. Go in and browse about. The staff is fabulous, and they will steer you in the right direction for your holiday shopping.

So get glowing! Head down to 322 Derby Street toward the shop that is glowing pink.

A Classic Christmas at The House of the Seven Gables

If you didn't make it the The House of the Seven Gables last weekend for the Classic Christmas, check it out this weekend.

A Classic Christmas is Salem’s newest Christmas tradition. You will be surrounded with the spirit of the season as Holiday scenes from famous works of literature including Little Women, A Christmas Carol, and A Child’s Christmas in Wales are brought to life for audiences in the rooms of The House of the Seven Gables.

This is a unique and exciting theatrical experience that transforms The House of the Seven Gables into a living illustration of Christmas. It is a fantastic reason to discover - or rediscover - this gem on Turner Street.

Performances begin every five to ten minutes in The House of the Seven Gables and last approximately 30 minutes. The last performance begins at closing. Reservations are recommended and group rates are available.

Saturday, December 13, 4:00PM – 7:00PM
Sunday, December 14, 4:00PM – 6:00PM

For Tickets in advance, please call 978.744.0991 ext. 104.

Adult Tickets: $12 each. Child Tickets (Ages 5-12) $8.00 each.

Holiday Happenings in Salem

There is a lot going on in Salem for the holidays. Check out some highlights below (thanks to the Salem Chamber of Commerce for providing their comprehensive list!) and download your copy of the Holiday Happenings brochure at Salem.org.

Chulamama Maternity & Baby - 12 Deals of Christmas - 320 Derby Street

Through December 12 - Every day from now until December 12 Chulamama is having a daily special: Discounts, raffles and free gifts! All offers are good while supplies last and discount prices will go back up the next day. For more information call (978) 741-4600.

The Theatre of Light Presents: Narnia.....the Musical - St. Peter's Episcopal Church - December 13 and 14. Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 3 pm - NARNIA....the Musical, based on "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", C.S. Lewis' most popular story from the Chronicles of Narnia, will be presented by the Theatre of Light on the above mentioned dates. Suggested ticket donations are $5 for children ages 5 and under, $10 for students and seniors and $15 for adults. For reservations and more information call (781) 210-9818.

Peabody Essex Museum Winter Festival - East India Square - Saturday, December 13 from 11 am - 1 pm

Midwinter Magic, inspired by Claude Debussy's work for piano, Snowflakes Are Dancing. Len Gerwick and Deborah Cosine delight audiences with this story of two children awaiting the first snow, featuring over 30 puppets. For adults and children ages 5 and up.

Gingerbread Houses and Cookies - Saturday, December 13 from 11 am - 3 pm - Chefs from the award-winning North Shore Community College Culinary Arts program in Danvers demonstrate the art of gingerbread house construction and decoration. Decorate your own gingerbread cookies for a yummy snack! Don't miss the chefs' gingerbread house interpretation of the museum's Gardner-Pingree House.

Crystal Watercolor Snowflake - Saturday, December 13 from 1 - 3 pm - Create a design as unique as a real snowflake. Paint with watercolors; then sprinkle on some salt and see what happens! (For all ages).

Make Your Own Snow Globe - Saturday, December 13 at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm - For adults and accompanied children ages 7 and up.

Animals in Winter - Saturday, December 13 at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm - Meet at the information desk. For accompanied children ages 3 - 6.

For more information on these events visit http://www.pem.org/.

Teddy Bear Tea at the Hawthorne Hotel - 18 Washington Square West, Salem, MA

Saturday, December 13 from Noon to 2 pm - A favorite tradition at the Hawthorne, this tea is 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. Adults $21, children 12 and under $13.50 or free when they bring a "Toys for Tots" donation (new and unwrapped, please). (Above prices are inclusive of tax and gratuity). Reservations are strongly recommended. Please call (978) 825-4311.

Holiday Event at Maria's Sweet Somethings - 26 Front Street - Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 - Visit Maria's Sweet Somethings this Saturday and Sunday and take a dip at our chocolate fountain. Also, enjoy complimentary samples of other fabulous gourmet items. Shop for great gifts for everyone on your holiday list - Marias carries Christopher Radko, Bearington Bears, Gund, Kurt Adler, Patience Brewster, Jim Shore and much more! Custom gift baskets, corporate gifts, shipping. For more information call (978) 825-9111.

The Jewel Tones at New Civilitea - 318 Derby Street - Saturday, December 20 from 1 to 4 pm - Celebrate this joyous season with the Marblehead High School Jewel Tones. The Jewel Tones will be entertaining at New Civilitea for the afternoon of December 20. Stop in to hear this highly trained group of young singers as they bring joy to your world with their unique arrangements of the holiday standards. No Charge. For more information call (978) 740-2832.

Celebrate the Season at Rockafellas - 231 Essex Street

Holiday Brunch Sing Along featuring Lisa Love & Billy Garzone on Sunday, December 21 at Noon. $22/person, children 10 & under free!

Holiday Dinner Show featuring the Compaq Band and special guest singers Ed Scheer and Britt Sawdon. Sunday, December 21 at 6 pm, seating starts at 6 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm. Reservations required, $38/person, children 10 & under free!

For more information call (978) 745-2411

American History & Music Festival

Mark your calendars for the American History & Music Festival Inaugural Event on Dec. 21, 2008, at 2 p.m.

This family-friendly event will be held at St. Peter's Church and will feature a program rich in holiday traditions and spirit, including:

• Cold is the Nightwind: A Victorian Christmas Program - a concert featuring Jim & Maggi Dalton
• Illustrated Talk on Salem and Regional Christmas Customs with Historic New England's Julie Arrison and Megan Mac Gregor
• Tour of the lovely and historic St. Peter's Episcopal Church and more!

Ticket prices:

• Adults $10.00
• Festival Excursion (Children under 12 years of ageaccompanied by one adult) $18.00
• Family Festival (Two adults with their children under 12 years of age) $25.00
• Historic New England Members: $8.00

Print ticket order form here

Christmas in Salem House Tours this weekend

There are perennial favorites, and then there are perennial favorites. Christmas in Salem - a tour of historic homes that benefits Historic Salem, Inc. - is of the latter variety. People love this annual weekend, and for good reason.

This is the 29th year residents of Salem's grandest, most historic, and most interesting homes and properties have decked their halls and flung open their doors to public tours. This year the houses are located in Salem's McIntire Historic District.

Here are the highlights of this weekend's event:

Friday, December 5th, 2008

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Candlelight preview of 3 selected homes

15 Chestnut Street

1 Cambridge Street

10 Broad Street

A limited number of $30 tickets will be available that night at these houses. Cash and checks only, please.

And the Tour:

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

11:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Stop by Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street, for:

• Holiday Lectures
• Music
• Decorating Presentations
• Refreshments for sale

There will be complimentary trolley service from downtown Salem to the tour area, and many of Salem's fabulous shops and restaurants are offering discounts and promotions in conjunction with the event.

Tickets: $30 day of tour on Saturday and Sunday

Available at Hamilton Hall only 9 Chestnut Street

Don't stop there - the weekend is full of things to do in Marblehead, too. For information on the Marblehead Christmas Walk, visit our friends at the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce.

It's a New England holiday bonanza! Discover the magic, indeed...

Maritime Lecture Tonight - Wednesday

Have you ever seen a Friendship Sloop gliding gracefully along under a full press of canvas? Ever wonder about her design, or what it’s like to sail one? If so, attend a presentation by Friendship Sloop owner/builder Charles Burnham of Essex this Wednesday, December 3, at 7 PM.

Through use of both new and historical photographs, Charles will discuss the history, characteristics, and special sailing qualities of this workhorse turned yacht. Also discussed will be the resurgence of popularity in recent years, fostered by the Friendship Sloop Society, and the undiminished enthusiasm such a beautiful sailing vessel can inspire.

St. Joseph Hall, 160 Derby St., Salem.

The Hall is handicapped accessible.

Directions: Derby Street runs along the Salem waterfront, from Pickering Wharf where Fame is located, through the National Maritime Historic Site where the Custom House and Friendship are located, down to the power plant, whose stacks are visible from a great distance. St. Joseph’s Hall is a three-story brick building on the landward side of the road, immediately after the small gray West India Goods Store and before the Witches’ Brew and Pig’s Eye Pubs. Enter through the gray door on the street and go up the gray stairs to the second floor.

Parking: There is legal parking all along Derby Street, but it may be difficult to find a space. There is two-hour parking on Pickering Wharf and a parking garage at the corner of Derby & Congress Street.

For more information, call 978-729-7600 or 978-740-1660.

Pictured: Friendship Sloop "Resolute", launched 1973, built by Charles Burnham.

Greensleeves at New Civilitea

This sidenote from the Crunchy Granola Baby newsletter caught my eye, so I'm passing it along. I know I'm in the market for stocking-stuffers, and this is a great one:

Do you ever get annoyed with those stupid (and ecologically disastrous) cardboard coffee sleeves at your local java house? Luckily, one local mom has come up with a solution! Greensleeves are fabric coffee sleeves that are both stylish and reusable! We don't even sell them at CGB, but we just adore the idea and couldn't wait to share the news! Pick up your Greensleeve today at New Civilitea (318 Derby Street) for only $8!

After you go to New Civilitea for greensleeves for all, check out these events at CGB:

• FREE Parenting Group: Every Friday morning, 9 -10 am
• FREE Toddler Play Group: Every Wednesday morning, 10 - 11 am
• CPR: Wednesday December 10, 6:30 - 9:30pm $50 Fee; please register at CGB
• Guest Speaker From The Waldorf School: Wednesday January 7, 10 - 10:30 am
• Cloth Diaper Demo: Saturday January 17, 10am - noon

Discover the magic of shopping in Salem!

The Grand Finale of Arts & Antiques Month

Arts & Antiques Month in Salem (known to most as "November") concludes this weekend with the Peabody Essex Museum's 36th Annual Antiques Show.

Up to thirty top antiques dealers from the United States and abroad will feature exceptional American and English furniture, paintings, porcelain, jewelry and decorative accessories.

All proceeds from the 36th Annual Antiques Show support the museum’s educational and public program initiatives which benefit thousands of families and schoolchildren each year.

Expected 2008 Dealers:

American Decorative Arts, Canaan, NH

Boston Art Club, Boston, MA

Birchknoll Antiques, Wolfboro, NH

Bradford Trust Fine Art, Harwich Port, MA

David Brooker Fine Art, Woodbury, CT

CIRCA Antiques & Fine Decorations, Rockport, MA

The Country Squire Inc., Milton, MA

Carl L. Crossman, Wellington, FL

Colette Donovan Antiques, Merrimacport, MA

East Dennis Antiques, Cape Cod, MA

Federalist Antiques, Kenilworth, IL

B. Fine Art, Beverly, MA

Hanes & Ruskin, Old Lyme, CT

Heller Washam Antiques, Portland, ME

Sandy Jacobs Antiques, Marblehead, MA

Landry & Arcari Oriental Rugs & Carpeting, Salem and Boston, MA

Maxine Antiques, Oakland, CA

Jane McClafferty Antiques, New Canaan, CT

Charles Edwin Puckett, Akron, OH

Steven J. Rowe Antiques, Hanover, NH

Running Battle, Newagen, ME

F. Russack Books, Inc., Danville, NH

W.M. Schwind Jr., Yarmouth, ME

Silver Plus, New York, NY

Christine Crossman Vining, Wellington, FL

David A. Weston Associates, Kent, England

Michael J. Whitman Antiques, Ft. Washington, PA

Downtown Salem's Tree-Mendous Event!

Come downtown this weekend when Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, The Salem Beautification Committee, and Salem Main Streets will hold their Tree-mendous Event - a Holiday Tree lighting in Derby Square at Old Town Hall.

The tree lighting and festivities will begin on Friday Evening, November 28th at 6:00 p.m. when Mayor Driscoll lights the City's 18 foot Holiday Tree. There will be Victorian Carolers, hot chocolate and cheer. And, get a jump on your holiday shopping at the shops on Front Street!

Activities continue through the weekend when there will be Christmas Trees for sale on Artist’s Row and hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies made by the Lobster Shanty. "Shanty Clause" will make special appearances on Saturday and Sunday between 4-6 pm.

November 28 - 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday, November 29 – 9:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday, November 30 – 9:00am to 6:00pm

Proceeds from the events will benefit the Salem Beautification Committee and Salem Main Streets.

Visit and Vote! Salem's Downtown Window Contest is Underway...

Downtown Salem has never looked so festive and bright!

More than 30 Downtown Businesses and Organizations are participating in the Downtown Salem Holiday Window Contest this year, and you are the judge! So come downtown, pick your favorites and vote at any participating business. Your vote will enter you into a raffle to win a holiday stocking.

Winners will be announced December 12 at noon at

Derby Square.
Participating Business Include:

• For Kids Only (224 Essex St.)
• Laura Lanes Skin Care (242 Essex St.)
• Sacred Gear (118 Washington St.)
• Crunchy Granola Baby (72 Washington St.)
• Salem Wine Imports (32 Church St.)
• Penelope’s (99 Washington St.)
• Coon’s (226 Essex St.)
• Caffé Graziani (133 Washington St.)
• Treasures Over Time (139 Washington St.)
• J. Mode (17 Front St.)
• Fiddlehead (24 Front St.)
• Trolley Depot (191 Essex St.)
• Angelica of Angels (7 Central St.)
• Signatures (181 Essex St.)
• Peabody Essex Museum Shop (East India Square)
• Angels Landing (131a Essex St.)
• Fool’s Mansion (127 Essex St.)
• Rouge Cosmetics (322 Derby St.)
• Chulamama (320 Derby St.)
• Boys and Girls Club (13 Hawthorne Blvd.)

In Museum Place Mall:

• Bewitched In Salem
• Bruce Rossmeyer Harley Davidson
• Christy’s Dry Cleaners
• Daily Bagel Cafe
• Hair Design by Linda
• Rose Medallion
• Turtle Alley
• Witch Tees

On Pickering Wharf:

• Cat N The Fiddle Uniques
• Living With Pets
• The Picklepot
• Quintessentials
• Salemdipity

This program is presented by Salem Main Streets.

Thanks to everyone who made The Buried Treasure Appraisal Event a Success!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Buried Treasure Appraisal event on Sunday. We had a great time! We fought back the cold weather with fantastic food and lovely music from a quartet from the Lexington Symphony Orchestra. And Grogan & Company Fine Art Auctioneers provided verbal appraisals on some very interesting items that were brought in by our guests.

The most interesting was a necklace that I didn't get to see, but heard it was estimated at $20,000. That's a happy Sunday surprise!

I also heard one attendee comment that he was relieved to know he could give away a chair without hesitation... it was not an original piece of modern art. A handsome chair, though it was.

The food was really fantastic, and many people commented on how the restaurants could be their own event. I think that's (I have to say it) good food for thought!!

The Regatta at the Waterfront Hotel provided awesome mini crab cakes with a cucumber salad that had us going back for seconds. They also had a lovely apple crisp.

Sixty2 on Wharf wowed the crowd with their warm toffee pudding. This pudding is a destination in and of itself. It was amazing. Sixty2 also served braised short ribs over polenta, and that was delicious, but the toffee pudding is a show-stopper.

Capt.'s brought duck - yumm! - that was served on spinach and a little piece of garlic toast. It was amazing. Capt.'s also brought scallops wrapped in bacon, but with a twist! They had a filling of polenta that was really great.

Moving along down the line, Finz thrilled the crowd with gazpacho served with grilled shrimp (and a wedge of lime!). It was the perfect shot of veggies after the duck and ribs.

Coffee Time Bake Shop brought pies, marvelous pies, to get us ready for the weeks ahead. They also had cups of tiramisu and some of the cutest cookies I've never eaten.

And, last but certainly not least, Caffe Graziani brought a wonderful pasta dish from Italy - Pasta alla Ciociara. It had peas, ham, mushrooms and a yummy cream sauce. It was the cold-weather-buster of the day.

Clearly the food was fantastic! We had a great time with the restaurants, Grogan & Company, and the staff from WCRB including Laura Carlo. Hope to see you next year!

Join us for the Buried Treasure Appraisal Event this Sunday!

The Buried Treasure Appraisal Event
1-4 pm
Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites
225 Derby Street, Salem, MA
$20 per person, cash bar

Find out if your own personal bail-out plan is lurking in your attic by bringing treasure to the Salem Waterfront Hotel on Sunday, November 23 at 1pm.

We have a fantastic afternoon planned for Sunday - Grogan & Company Fine Art Auctioneers will be providing verbal appraisals. Classical 99.5 WCRB's Morning Program Host Laura Carlo will be the event host, music will be provided by a trio from the Lexington Symphony Orchestra, and food - wonderful food! - will be your for the tasting.

Appropriate treasures include paintings, silver, estate jewelry, oriental rugs, and decorative arts (glass, china). Please bring a photos of any large items (don't lug the desk or armoire to the hotel! A photo is fine.) Guests are asked to bring only one item.

Items of particular interest may be evaluated publicly, and prizes will be awarded for the most interesting items of the day!

A sampling of Salem restaurants will be provided by Finz Seafood, Sixty2 on Wharf, Capt.'s Waterfront Restaurant, Caffe Graziani, The Regatta, and Coffee Time Bake Shop.

Prizes will feature gift certificates from Treasures over Time, Sixty2 on Wharf, Strega, and others.

Discover the magic of your buried treasures, and Salem's wonderful restaurants, on Sunday!

Salem Artists Open their Studios this Weekend

Download your copy of the map and the key to the map at the Salem Arts Association website. This is a great weekend to explore Salem's arts community and kick-start your holiday shopping.

Discover the magic of the arts in Salem!

Destination Salem, Cultural Tourism, and Ireland

You may have noticed that I haven't posted anything in about a week - I've been in Dublin, Ireland, where I was privileged to be invited to speak at the Failte Ireland annual tourism conference, which was about the assets and opportunities that lie in cultural tourism.

It was a tremendous opportunity to discuss Salem as a successful case study in cultural and heritage tourism, and learn a bit about what our destination marketing counterparts are doing in Ireland.

I'll be back on track with blog posts by week's end. In the meantime - have you purchased your tickets for the Buried Treasure Appraisal event on Sunday? I hope to see you there!

Body & Soul for the Holiday Season

At Body & Soul they have 8 unique therapists with 8 unique massage styles. They strive at all times to give you the best and individually customized session possible. Much like a box of chocolates they all may be different, but you still get your "sugar fix!" If there is a specific technique you prefer or something you are especially fond of, please be sure to ask.

At Body & Soul its all about you!

Integrating different types of bodywork and modalities into a session is essential to give your body, mind and soul the relief that it deserves. They design each treatment to be just right for your every appointment. For example: Do you like deep tissue massage? Are you also needing to relax at the same time? No problem! We are more than happy to combine both deep tissue and relaxation massage and at no extra cost!!

Holiday Shopping Made Easy! Body & Soul offers gift certificates online! Simply go to:Gift Certificates. Your gift certificate will be promptly mailed to you or the recipient. Please note gift certificates are written in monetary amounts. If you would like to say (or not say) something special, please let us know and we will be happy to transcribe your note.

WBZ-TV, Music, & Photography at Chulamama this week!

WBZ-TV is coming to Chulamama to film a pilot of their new show,"What's in Store" this Thursday starting at 10am. It's great exposure for all of Salem, and your opportunity to be famous! Stop by Chulamama for a chance to be on the show and 10% off apparel.

And then, on Saturday (November 15) head back to Chulamama with the kids for a day of music and photography. Photographer Linda LoPiccolo will be offering free sittings for your little ones in plenty of time to use as holiday cards and gifts.

Music Together will also be visiting Chulamama on November 15th. Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and the adults who love them. Free music class Starts at 1pm.

After your photo shoot or music class, stick around and enjoy the free treats and refreshments Chulamama will be serving all day.

To to set up your sitting with Linda LoPiccolo please contact Chulamama. Walk-ins are also welcome and will be taken on a first come first serve basis. LoPiccolo will be available from 10am – 2pm November 15th. For information: Phone: 978-741-4600

Arts & Antiques Month Events

Here's what is happening in Salem for Arts & Antiques Month this week. Take it all in... and visit Salem.org/art for more info!

Arts & Antiques Month brochures are available all over town - the Visitor Center, Peabody Essex Museum, Kensington Stobart Gallery, and others.

Thursday, November 13

Kensington Stobart Gallery From Paris to Provence: A Cultural Odyssey 7:30 pm; Kensington-Stobart Gallery, Hawthorne Hotel. The second in a three-part series of art lec- tures by Salem historian Jim McAllister. For descriptions, visit website. $10.00 (or $25 for all three lectures), 978.825.0022 KensingtonStobartGallery.com.

Friday, November 14

Peabody Essex Museum Adult Workshop - The Art of Batiking, with Mary Edna Fraser 9:30 am-4 pm; Phillips Library Auditorium. Reservations by Nov. 7. Members $95, non- members $115. Experience the process of working with fiber dyes on silk with internationally ac- claimed batik artist Mary Edna Fraser, whose work is on view in PEM’s exhibition Polar Attractions. 866.745.1876 • pem.org.

Peabody Essex Museum Film and Dance Performance - An Evening of Kutiyattam (Sanskrit Theater) 7 pm; Morse Auditorium. Excerpts from the film Kutiyattam - Kailasodharanam. 8 pm Live performance. Reserva- tions by Nov. 12. Members $25, nonmembers $30. Experience riv- eting 2,000-year-old Sanskrit dance theater. Kutiyattam is a bold mix of color, expression, drama, dance, music and recitation of verses. 866.745.1876 •pem.org.

Saturday, November 15

Peabody Essex Museum Atrium Alive: Extreme North and South All programs in- cluded with museum admission. Experience the Arctic with special events inspired by the exhibitions To The Ends of the Earth and Polar Attractions. Events include work- shops & art activities, family gallery explorations, performance art, artist presentations, concerts & more! Plus, hear harrowing tales from Arctic explorer Conrad Dick- inson! 866.745.1876 • pem.org.

Peabody Essex Museum Family Gallery Exploration 3:15-3:45 pm Families with children 5 and up. Polar Explorations with Peter C. Stone. 866.745.1876 • pem.org.

Peabody Essex Museum Multimedia Performance Art - Southern Ice with Brooks de Wetter-Smith 1-2 pm; Morse Auditorium. All ages. Reservations by Nov. 13. Musician/ adventurer Brooks de Wetter-Smith takes you on a photographic journey round- ing Cape Horn, a vast, pristine landscape of ice and stone. 866.745.1876 • pem.org

Peabody Essex Museum Presentation - The Hardest Expedition in the World, with Explorer Conrad Dickinson 2:30-3:45 pm; Morse Auditorium. For adults and teens. Reservations by Nov. 13. Hear Dickinson’s har- rowing tales of his treacherous journey across the frozen Arctic Ocean. A lender to PEM’s exhibi- tion To the Ends of the Earth, Dick- inson will also share his passion for art. 866.745.1876 pem.org

Urban Elements • Feng Shui Basics 6 – 7 pm; 230 Essex Street. Is your bed under the window? Do you know why a bed under the window is considered bad feng shui? Learn more and see the beautiful collection of vintage Asian & Indian home accents. Complimentary Wine & Cheese 978.666.4408, UrbanElementsHome.com.

Sunday, November 16

Peabody Essex Museum Atrium Alive: Extreme North and South All programs in- cluded with museum admission. Experience the Arctic with special events inspired by the exhibitions To The Ends of the Earth and Polar Attractions. Events include work- shops & art activities, family gallery explorations, performance art, artist presentations, concerts & more! Plus, hear harrowing tales from Arctic explorer Conrad Dick- inson! 866.745.1876 • pem.org.

Peabody Essex Museum Presentation - Xavier Cortada at the Poles 1-2 pm; Morse Auditorium. For adults and teens. Reservations by Nov. 13. See Miami-based artist Xavier Cortada’s installation art and paintings and hear about his experiences at the ends of the earth. The artist leads a painting workshop at 3 pm. 866.745.1876 pem.org.

Peabody Essex Museum Multimedia Performance Art - Southern Ice with Brooks de Wetter-Smith 3-4 pm; Morse Auditorium. All ages. Reservations by Nov. 13. Musician/ adventurer Brooks de Wetter-Smith takes you on a photographic journey round- ing Cape Horn, a vast, pristine landscape of ice and stone. 866.745.1876 • pem.org.

Peabody Essex Museum Workshop - Mixed-Media Paint- ing with Xavier Cortada 3-4:30 pm; Art Studios. For adults and teens. Reservations by Nov. 13. Using natural materials gath- ered in Salem by artist Xavier Cortada, create mixed- media paintings in response to his ice paintings on view in Polar Attrac- tions. 866.745.1876 •pem.org.

Wednesday, November 19

The House of Seven Gables Hawthorne’s Haunts in New England by John Hardy Wright 7 pm; 115 Derby Street. Free to members, $5 for general public. A lecture, book signing and ex- hibit of the author’s Hawthorne artifacts. 978.744.0991 x104 7gables.org

Polar Landscapes at PEM

The Peabody Essex Museum opens a new exhibit this weekend!

To the Ends of the Earth, Painting the Polar Landscape

NOVEMBER 8, 2008 THROUGH MARCH 1, 2009

Capturing the high drama and stark beauty of historic polar expeditions, To the Ends of the Earth, Painting the Polar Landscape presents more than 50 works by prominent artist-explorers, from monumental romantic canvases to early modernist works in pastel — all rarely shown in a single exhibition. The exhibition offers a range of artistic responses to the unique landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctic — from the documentary to the sublime and existential, by renowned painters such as Frederic Edwin Church, Rockwell Kent and Lawren Harris.

If Polar Landscapes aren't your thing, click on the PEM logo for a complete list of their current exhibits. The museum is a perfect retreat from a rainy day.

Image credit: May, North Greenland, 1935-37, Rockwell Kent, oil on canvas, 44 x 55 inches, Collection of Deborah and Ed Shein, by permission of the Plattsburgh State Art Museum, Plattsburgh College Foundation, Rockwell Kent Collection, bequest of Sally Kent Gorton.

The weather outside looks gloomy...

...so go to the movies - here's what CinemaSalem has scheduled for this weekend:

Although it's the blockbusters and family fare that pays the bills, it's awesome to be able to bring in quality cinema of the more artistic kind, including three great flicks in the last three weeks: The Duchess, Appaloosa, and this week's title, Oliver Stone's W. With more great films rolling out this fall, we hope to keep the streak going for a while longer.

W (PG13-129 minutes) impressed the New York Daily News: "W. is not the hatchet job some may have expected (or hoped for). It is instead a measured and thoughtful meditation on a leader who, this terrific movie believes, inadvertently made the world as roiling as his soul."
With the national holiday falling in Tuesday, we've got a hefty schedule of screenings for all our films. W will play on Friday at (4:50) and 7:30; Saturday and Sunday at (11:40 AM), (2:15), (4:50) and 7:30; Monday at (4:50) and 7:30; Tuesday at (11:40 AM), (2:15), (4:50) and 7:30; and Wednesday and Thursday at (4:50) and 7:30.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (PG- 99 minutes) a great new family animated feature from Dreamworks. Variety Magazine loves it, calling it "a notable improvement on its predecessor in every department."
Madagascar 2 will play 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 (11:00 AM), (1:00), (3:00), (5:00) and 7:00; Monday at (5:00) and 7:00; Tuesday at (11:00 AM), (1:00), (3:00), (5:00) and 7:00; Wednesday and Thursday at 5:00 and 7:00.

That's right, you read it correctly: six screenings of Madagascar 2 in one day, a new CinemaSalem record. If anyone buys tickets to all six shows of the film on Saturday, we'll offer them unlimited FREE delicious coffee drinks, smoothies, desserts, and alternative concessions in the new Cinema Café!

Even if you can't devote a day of your life to watching MAD 2 six times in one day, you can use your CinemaSalem ticket stub to any movie in order to get a steep discount at the Café, either $1.00 off the Daily Special (such as a Mint Mocha or Hot Caramel Cider) or a large beverage for the price of a small!) Or if you don't want to come to the movies to earn a discount, you can always clip the attached coupon.

Still drawing big crowds at CinemaSalem is the finale of the film series that defined a generation, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and it's not because of Dick Cheney's cameo (since there isn't one). The Washington Post wonders why you (yes, you) haven't taken it in: "Despite its own over- processed production values, "High School Musical 3" exudes genuine appeal, thanks to director Kenny Ortega's brilliant choreography and a gifted cast.
HSM 3 will play 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; Monday at (4:30) and 7:15; Tuesday at (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30) and 7:15; and Wednesday and Thursday at (4:30) and 7:15.

For those of you who are sorry that Halloween is over, -- surprise! -- SAW V (R - 85 minutes) stays for one more week with Friday and Saturday night shows at 10 pm.

Toy & Wine Night at Crunchy Granola Baby

Looking to get a head start on holiday shopping?
Or looking for a bargain on quality toys and other great items?

Then join Crunchy Granola Baby on Thursday, November 6 from 4:30 to 8pm for their Friends of Forest River Park Toy & Wine Night!

The night will include a wine tasting, light hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction of HABA toys, as well as other donated gifts and services. Some auction items are listed below, but more amazing items are being donated everyday! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Crunchy Granola Baby. Proceeds benefit the rebuilding of the playground at Forest River Park in Salem. For more details, or to purchase your ticket, call CGB at 978.741.0800.
But hurry, tickets are going fast!

Event: 4:30 to 8pm

Silent Auction: 4:30 to 7pm

Wine Tasting: 5 to 7pm

Winners will be announced at 8pm

This event is sponsored by Crunchy Granola Baby and Pamplemousse.

Silent auction items will include...

1 ½ Hour Massage with Nancy Gebhardt of The Tranquil Garden

1 Hour Massage with Catie of Body & Soul Massage and Wellness Center

$50 Ice Skating Lessons with Colette Loux

HABA Ball Track Trullala

HABA Walker Wagon

HABA Swing Seat Ikarus

Gem & I Necklace

Sailboat Painting from Jill Pabich at The Enchanted Fauxrest

Pastel Kite Painting from Jill Pabich at The Enchanted Fauxrest

Chinese Fan Painting from Jill Pabich at The Enchanted Fauxrest

New Menu at Sixty2 on Wharf

Sixty2 on Wharf now features live music for Sunday Brunch! Local impresario Qwill will be impressing diners with his contemporary mix of jazz, soul and funk. Tony and Valerie tell me there is no better way to spend a lazy Sunday morning than groovin' with Qwill while enjoying their Italian-inspired brunch specialties (and I believe them). Cozy up for a plate of piping hot brioche doughnuts or indulge in an amazing champagne cocktails- shaken not stirred of course, by resident mixologist Justin.

(I have to add that the bar staff at Sixty2 is becoming a bit of a legend in Salem. Whether it's dinner time or Sunday brunch, stop by for a cocktail and conversation. Be careful, though, you may find yourself there until last call...)

In addition to adding music to brunch, Sixty2 has also launched a new menu for fall that is rich with items that celebrate the season. Tony's signature antipasti, homemade pastas and rustic entrees feature all the flavors you love at this time of year...sweet butternut squash, earthy sage, glazed chestnuts and roasted apples. Our Fall classics will take the chill out of even the most blustery fall evening.

I'm hungry just from writing the post!

One last post about Haunted Happenings 2008

Boston.com posted some great images by photographer Esdrass Suarez on their web site over the weekend.

It was a wonderful, successful weekend. More than 100,000 revelers came to Salem on Friday night to celebrate All Hallow's Eve, and they capped off a month during which more than 102,000 people visited Salem to celebrate fall, Haunted Happenings, and all things Salem.
Haunted Happenings 2008 was blessed with great weather, lots of visitors, and an ongoing enthusiasm for the magic of Salem.

Halloween's Not Over Yet!

Here's what's happening in Salem during the next 24 hours...

• Celebrate Halloween at Crunchy Granola Baby, 3-5pm. 72 Washington Street.
• Chilling Tales on the Friendship, 5-9pm.
  
• 16th Annual Temple of Nine Wells Samhain Magick Circle, 5:30pm. Gallows Hill Park. tnw-salem.org.
• Sixty2 on Wharf Halloween Cocktail Party, 7pm-midnight, 62 Wharf St.
• Live Music Around Town - featuring Total Entertainment DJ on Derby Street, DJ Doug on Salem Common, Undercover Band on Front Street, Grateful Ted & Britannica on Hawthorne Blvd. 7-10pm
• Legacy of the Hanging Judge & Spirits of the Gables at The House of the Seven Gables. 7:30pm-9:30pm.
• Witches Commemorative Candlelight Samhain Walk, 7:30pm.
  
• The Hawthorne Hotel's Car-Evil Creep Show Costume Ball, 8pm-midnight.
  
• Salem's Witches present A Feast to the Spirits, 8pm-midnight. CrowHavenCorner.net
  
• Eerie Evenings at the Witch House.
  
• Halloween at Capt.'s Topsides, 8:30pm. Capts.com.
  
• Halloween Finale, presented by VDA Productions at Washington & Federal Streets followed by fireworks over the North River. 10:30-11pm

It doesn't end on Friday night. If you couldn't make it here on Halloween, many of the street vendors will be here on Saturday, and there will be music at the Fountain Stage, as well as a number of events on Saturday night, including The Official Salem Witches' Ball at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Visit HauntedHappenings.org for complete info.

Arts & Antiques Month... next week!

The Arts & Antiques Month brochure is available. You can pick it up in Salem at the visitor center (2 New Liberty Street), Peabody Essex Museum, Urban Elements, or the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

You can also request one be sent to you by emailing us at info@salem.org with your mailing address.

The schedule of events is online, too (of course!) at salem.org/art

I hope you can join us on November 23 for the Buried Treasure Appraisal Event at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites!

Grogan & Company, your fine art auctioneer and appraiser, will be providing verbal appraisals of paintings, silver, estate jewelry, oriental rugs, and decorative arts (glass, china). Photos of large items may be brought, as well. Guests are asked to bring only one item. Items of particular interest may be evaluated publicly, and prizes will be awarded for the most interesting items of the day!

A sampling of Salem restaurants will be provided by Finz Seafood, 62 on Wharf, Capt.'s Waterfront Restaurant, Caffe Graziani, Coffee Time Bakery and others. You can even buy tickets online!

Public Safety on Halloween

NEW RULES FOR HALLOWEEN IN SALEM

City of Salem advises visitors to be safe, use common sense,

and be prepared to leave at the end of the evening

The City of Salem is encouraging participants in Salem’s Halloween night festivities to be safe and considerate during their celebration of all things haunted, spooky and bewitching.

Halloween night is filled with costume balls, festivals, dramatic presentations, ghost stories, walking tours, and parties. Visitors are advised to make reservations for tickets events early, as most will sell out.

The schedule of public events is as follows:

7:00-10:00 pm - Live music around town featuring the Undercover Band on Front Street and Grateful Ted on Hawthorne Boulevard;

10:30 pm - Halloween Finale presented by VDA Productions at Federal & Washington Streets, near the MBTA Commuter Rail station, followed by fireworks over the North River.

11:24 pm - Final train departs to North Station, Boston

11:26 pm - Final train departs to Newburyport

12:38 am - Final train departs to Rockport

The MBTA has added additional train service for Halloween night, and will be adding a temporary loading platform that will enable northbound and southbound trains to service Salem depot simultaneously. Visit MBTA.com for the complete expanded schedule of services for Haunted Happenings.

Those planning to celebrate Halloween in Salem are reminded of the following:

• Omit any weapons – fake and real – from costumes, as they will be confiscated;
• Public consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated;
• Salem is a residential city – please be considerate of private property and downtown residents;
• The finale at 10:30 PM is the conclusion of the public Halloween celebration . Please note that the streets will be closed after the fireworks and in conjunction with the final trains departing Salem . The Police and Public Works Departments will be clearing all streets and sidewalks so visitors should be prepared to depart Salem following the closing ceremony;
• To make the most of the public Salem Halloween experience, people are encourage to arrive no later than 8:30 pm, and should plan to depart after the finale at 10: 50 pm.;
• From October 29 – November 1 citations for illegal behavior – including public drinking, vandalism, and littering – will have tripled fines, up to $300, associated with them..

The Halloween holiday attracts tens of thousands of costumed revelers to Salem to visit attractions and partake in the Fall festivities. While the vast majority of visitors enjoy their time here without incident, there are some that take advantage of this public gathering and end up causing harm to the area, themselves or others. Please know that the City strongly discourages disorderly behavior (such as drinking in public, littering and random acts of vandalism) and will penalize offenders to the maximum amount allowed under the law both civilly and criminally. Please help us maintain a fun and safe downtown environment on Halloween evening!

For complete information on Salem Haunted Happenings and Halloween night, please visit Salem.com and HauntedHappenings.org.

Arts & Antiques Month

I sent out information about Arts & Antiques Month and The Buried Treasure Appraisal Event, which will happen on Sunday, November 23, last week, but I haven't put the ticket information on Salem.org yet!

Please bear with me while I catch up with myself! If you would like to purchase tickets online, you can do so here.

This week we will post a page on Salem.org that is dedicated to November's Arts & Antiques Month. In the meantime, the schedule of events is available, and you can request one by emailing your mailing address to info@salem.org.

I hope you can join us in November for the lectures, tours, exhibits, open studios, and appraisal events that are being planned. It will be another magical month in Salem!

Salem named on of the nation's 10 best neighborhoods!

This is very cool, and I've excerpted it directly from Mayor Kimberley Driscoll's FYI Salem.

The American Planning Association (APA) announced that Downtown Salem has been designated one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2008 through APA's Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and communities of lasting value. APA singled out Downtown Salem for its historical character; redevelopment as a compact neighborhood with residential, retail, and commercial uses; and for helping boost Salem’s local economy.

To celebrate, the City hosted a neighborhood block party celebration for downtown residents, work-ers and visitors to attend on Wednesday, October 8th at Noon at Derby Square in front of Old Town Hall. Mayor Kimberley Driscoll along with U.S. Senator John Kerry, U.S. Representative John Tierney, State Representative John Keenan, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Daniel O’Connell, and other City Officials were on hand to participate as we celebrated this very special announcement in down-town Salem!

The City of Salem is extremely excited and honored by this designation. Over the last few years, the downtown has been transformed with a lively mix of retail and residential uses, beautiful architecture, a rich and intriguing history and a pedestrian friendly environment. These attributes have come together to make Salem’s downtown an active and vibrant place for residents and visitors to live, work and shop. This award is a wonderful recognition of all that Salem has to offer.

APA’s designation would not have been possible without the involvement of Salem’s strong leaders – past and present. Beginning in the 1970s when urban renewal threatened demolition of historic downtown architecture, local leaders shifted redevelopment policies to address preservation concerns. By 1996, the city had updated its master plan, refocusing its mission on improving the business climate, capitalizing on maritime and cultural heritage, and redeveloping vacant building sites and the neglected waterfront. Today three separate plans address specific neighborhood goals to make the downtown business district a premier retail destination; transform vacant waterfront land into a neighborhood park; and construct a wharf and harbor walk.

Salem’s downtown neighborhood is roughly a half-mile square and orbits around the Salem Common, the cobbled Essex Street pedestrian mall, and a cross-hatch of commercial streets lined with two-to-six story buildings, generous sidewalks, and trees. Juxtaposed against these period buildings, is the contemporary addition to the Peabody Essex Museum -- the nation’s oldest continuously operating museum. The ad-joining residential streets contain mostly freestanding, single-family homes with close-by churches and pocket green spaces. The neighbor-hood boasts dozens of retail stores, more than 50 restaurants, and 400 newly built residences.

The nine other APA 2008 Great Neighborhoods are: Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA; Greater Park Hill, Denver, CO; North End, Boise, ID; Old Town Wichita, Wichita, KS; Charles Village, Baltimore, MD; Greater University Hill, Syracuse, NY; Village of Mariemont, Mariemont, OH; Society Hill, Philadelphia, PA; and Downtown Sheridan, Sheridan, WY.

Salem on TV Diner with Billy Costa

I told you I would let you all know when TV Diner's big Salem festival aired, and it has aired! It ran on Saturday, October 18 on NECN. It has been running since, though. Last night at 7:30 I caught the first half. I think the second half may run tonight at 7:30, for those of you in the NECN listening region.

Mayor Driscoll was on with Billy Costa, I was interviewed, Finz, Capt.'s, Upper Crust Pizza, The Regatta at the Salem Waterfront Hotel were all featured - among other restaurants. There was also great footage of Salem.

The festival was a lot of fun. Check out the video clips on the TV Diner web site.

These pictures from the festival feature Billy Costa with Mayor Driscoll (top) and with Mike and Rick Rockett, who own the Salem Waterfront Hotel.

Many thanks to TV Diner for putting on such a great show, and thanks to the Salem Waterfront Hotel for pulling the festival together. It was a great day under the tent!

There are rooms to be had in Rockport!

If you're coming for Salem Haunted Happenings and haven't booked your accommodations reservations yet, well, shame on you! There is hope, though!

The HauntedHappenings.org site has listings for current availability at regional accommodations (Salem inns are booked solid - make your reservations for 2009 in November!), and the Inns of Rockport have just sent me their availability.

Rockport is a 30 minute train ride north of Salem, which makes it very easy and accessible. Check the Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail for the schedule.

TUCK INN B&B
17 High St., Rockport
Bed and Breakfast
MIDWEEK: YES
WEEKENDS: YES
BLACKOUT: NONE
978-546-7260 / 800-789-7260

THE INNS OF ROCKPORT
25 Various locations throughout the town.
Inns, B&Bs, Motels, and Hotels
MIDWEEK: YES
WEEKENDS: YES
BLACKOUT: NONE
Various phones as noted on the website below

The Halloween Finale

The 27^th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings will conclude with an original sound and light show produced by VDA Productions, Inc., of Somerville, MA. The closing ceremony will combine music, light, and movement soaring into the night sky followed by a fireworks finale over the North River. The entire event will provide a exciting, unique conclusion to Salem’s Haunted Happenings festival and Halloween night.

In addition to the finale, bands and DJs will be situated throughout the downtown on Halloween night, including the very popular Undercover Band on Front Street and Grateful Ted on Hawthorne Boulevard. All public music will end at 10:15, and audiences will be encouraged to venture toward the finale on Washington Street before leaving Salem via MBTA or private transportation at the conclusion of Salem Haunted Happenings and the Halloween Festivities, which will be at 11:00 PM.

Read the story about the Halloween finale in The Salem News.

MBTA has added trains for October Weekends

The MBTA has added extra trains to and from Salem for the weekends of October 18-19 and 24-25, as well as Halloween night. Visit mbta.com for complete information.

If you click here, you can download a pdf of the revised schedule.

Salem is a 30 minute ride on the Newburyport/Rockport line of the MBTA Commuter Rail.

Or, you can take the Salem Ferry from Central Wharf, Boston, to Blaney Street, Salem. Either way - we recommend leaving the car at home and taking public transportation into Salem during October weekends!

Set Your DVRs and Start Your Engines

Salem, specifically the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites, will be featured on TV Diner with Billy Costa tomorrow, October 18, on NECN. The show ares at 10am, and will undoubtedly repeat next week. It will also be available online at the NECN web site.

Hundreds of people gathered under the tent last week to watch the filming and sample some excellent food from Finz, Capt's, Upper Crust Pizza, The Regatta Pub (in the Salem Waterfront Hotel), and others. It was a great event, and I for one can't wait to see what makes it into the show and what ends up on the cutting room floor!

I believe reviews of at least two Salem restaurants will be included. You know I'll post a link to the TV Diner site once the show is posted!

And then, on Sunday...

The annual Halloween Motorcycle Run to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) rolls into Salem on October 19. The ride is expected to arrive in Salem sometime between 1:00pm and 1:30pm and will enter Salem on Lafayette St. from Marblehead. The ride will proceed down Lafayette St., right on Derby St., and right on Congress St. ending at Shetland Park. Derby St. between Lafayette and Congress St. will be closed during this time and extensive traffic delays are expected in all areas of the route.

Have a great weekend!

Buy tickets online for Oktoberfest!

You can buy your tickets online to The Witch City Haunted Oktoberfest, which is happening October 24-26, and know you'll get into the hottest addition to the Haunted Happenings schedule in 2008.

Friday night will feature entertainment by "Charmed & Dangerous" - a cabaret group out of New York that has quite a reputation to live up to!

Saturday and Sunday the stage will be alive with Oompah and Polka music, played by the Bavarian Hofbrau Band and the Buddy Walker Orchestra. There will be dancing, food, Alpine hats (to the first 1,000 guests!), and beer provided by Ipswich Ale.

Buy your tickets now and we'll raise a stein with you next weekend at the Witch City Haunted Oktoberfest.

WitchCityOktoberfest.com for more info.