Salem So Sweet in 2010

It is time again for Salem So Sweet, the weekend created with chocoholics in mind!

On February 5, 2010, Salem will become a haven of chocolate, wine, and ice. The weekend kicks off with the annual Chocolate & Wine Tasting at historic Hamilton Hall (tickets are $20 each, available from the Salem Chamber of Commerce). This event is always crowded, so get there early - and remember to eat some protein before you go, because the samplings are decadent. Chocolate truffles, chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate mousse, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, iced chocolate... last year some of the wine was chocolate, as well as red, white, and sparkling.

I like to make a night of it and go out for dinner (Calories? What calories?!) after the Chocolate & Wine tasting, I'm not alone in this, however, so you may want to make a reservation if your heart is set on a particular restaurant. Check out your options on Salem.org.

Come back downtown on Saturday for the ice sculptures. Organizers at Salem Main Streets expect more than 12 ice sculptures to be on display around town. Keep an eye on the weather forecast - if it warms up (like it did last year) you want to come out on Saturday to walk around and see the ice. If it's very cold, the ice will be around throughout the weekend and into the week.

I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't mention how easy it would be to make a weekend out of Salem So Sweet! Check out the off-season hotel rates on Salem.org and find some cozy quarters, walking distance from everything, that will make your weekend a perfect escape.

Locations of the sculptures will be posted here and at SalemMainStreets.org, and it's a lot of fun to wander from Town House Square to Pickering Wharf looking at the sculptures. There is also going to be a mixed media sculpture (ice is one of the media!) at the Phillips House on Chestnut Street, so be prepared to wander that way, too!

Most of Salem's stores and restaurants run Salem So Sweet promotions, which range from sale pricing to chocolate infused menu items to chocolate samples, so be sure to browse a bit while you wander. You'll need to warm your fingers and toes, anyway. No better way to do that than with chocolate!

Also worth noting: February 7 is the last day of the Iris Apfel: Rare Bird of Fashion exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum. If you haven't seen it, make time to do so. It is a fabulous and fun exhibition of fashion and personality.

There is no better way to kick-off the Valentine's Season in Salem then with chocolate and ice, so mark your calendars and make your plans!

Salem Episode of “What Not To Wear” to Premiere at CinemaSalem

Last September, TLC camera crews descended on Salem to perform a style makeover on Leanne Marrama, a member of Salem’s witch community. TLC has announced that the Salem episode of the popular television show “What Not To Wear” will premiere on Friday, January 15 at 9:00 pm, and CinemaSalem is opening up its downtown movie theater for a free screening of the event.

The show stars fashion gurus Stacy London and Clinton Kelly and features a mock trial of Leanne’s style, followed by a staged riot starring the cast of “Cry Innocent” chasing Stacy and Clinton through the streets with pitchforks and rakes.

Check out the episode and season preview video on YouTube!

The “What Not To Wear” broadcast starts at 9:00 pm on Friday, January 15, but the public is invited to arrive at 8:40 in order to insure that everyone is seated for the start of the show. Admission is free.

You can read about the episode and Leanne in the Salem News.

Winter Weekends at the Phillips House begin January 16th

Here's something fun to do on cold winter Saturdays...

Historic New England’s Phillips House will be offering its Winter Weekends program every Saturday afternoon at 3PM beginning on January 16. This family friendly program will feature excerpts from the Phillips family home movie collection showing the family enjoying a plethora of winter activities around New England. The viewing will be followed by a brief first floor house tour which will discuss how the family lived during the winter months in Salem.

The Phillips House, if you haven't visited lately, is one of Salem's hidden gems. It is the only house on Chestnut Street that is open to the public, and its beautifully decorated and preserved rooms allow you to step back in time to one of Salem's grandest eras. The home movie collections are fantastic, entertaining for the adults who remember the days prior to DVRs, VCRs, or Betamax, and fascinating for the kids who can't imagine a world in black-and-white AND without sound.

The cost for Winter Weekends is $5 for Historic New England members, $8 for nonmembers, $7 for students or seniors, and $6 children. Advance registration is strongly suggested as space is limited. Light refreshments including hot cocoa and cookies will be provided.

Please contact the Phillips House with any questions or to register. Online registration is available at historicnewengland.org.

And, in case you were wondering... About Historic New England

Historic New England is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the lives and stories of New Englanders through their homes and possessions. For more information visit

HistoricNewEngland.org.

Sand T Exhibit at Urban Elements

Urban Elements Home and Gift Boutique located in downtown Salem, will host visual artist Sand T's latest mixed media artwork from January 11 to February 20. The public is cordially invited to a reception with the artist on Saturday, January 16, from 6-8pm.

Sand's latest work is composed of her notorious dotted patterns formed by luminous and tactile resin droplets. Beneath the gloss lie the unyieldingly delicate graphite lines. The square clayboard supports are saturated with cheerful vivid colors such as chartreuse, orange and red.

Sand T has participated in numerous solo and group shows internationally and locally including: Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and throughout The United States. Her works reside in public and private art collections world wide, and have recently been added to the permanent collection of the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"I describe my work as non-objectional reductive art that deals with the elements of repetition, rhythm and structure." Sand T says, "This body of work, at first look, appears to be rather simple. However, upon closer inspection, it turns out they are not quite simple, but what I term semi-simple."

"I love the minimal nature of the work- its simplicity. They feel jewel-like and optimistic to me. The colors are so vibrant, and the different patterns of what look like water beads give them a very modern and clean edge." Kim Tenenbaum, owner of Urban Elements says about the work: "The term 'less is more' is an excellent characterization of Sand T's non-objective work."

The reductive, formalistic aesthetic embraced in Sand's work is an overlapping of decidedly contrary visual elements: fluidity vs. structural, flat vs.3-D, and opacity vs. transparency. "They are solid, yet elegant; formalistic, yet spiritual." is how Tenenbaum describes Sand T's work.

When the viewer moves from one side to another of the artwork, they will see a sequence of moving lights in her work. Clearly, there is more to be mined from the work when seen in person.

Kim Tenenbaum has always enjoyed promoting and selling fine art by local artists. "I feel a special bond between me and the artist knowing we are there to support each other. I find original art uplifting and I get a charge of positive energy when I look at it. It inspires me to create things." Tenenbaum wants to expose the art to her customers and hopes they experience that same energy.

Tenenbaum's store, Urban Elements Home & Gift Boutique, is full of popular name brands in home accessories, candles, soaps, beautiful vegan (animal-free, eco-friendly) handbags and wallets, local handmade belts and bracelets, as well as artisan-inspired jewelry imported direct from Milan - and yes, it's all very affordable!

"If you've yet to visit Urban Elements, or just haven't been lately, you should expect many new and interesting items for 2010." Tenenbaum says.

Sand T's artwork is on display at Urban Elements Home and Gift Boutique located at 230 Essex Street in Salem, MA through February 20. For more information and store hours, please contact Kim Tenenbaum, Owner at 978.666.4408 or visit Urban Elements online.

Exhibition dates: January 11 - February 20, 2010
Art reception with the artist: Saturday, January 16, from 6-8pm.

Atrium Alive at the PEM this weekend!

The Peabody Essex Museum will celebrate Japanese New Year this Saturday, January 9th. What a great way to spend a chilly January afternoon! (Note, the afternoon Caligraphy class is sold out, so I did not include it here.) For more information about visiting the Peabody Essex Museum, visit pem.org. 11:30 am–noon and 4–4:30 pm, Atrium

Taiko drumming performance by Odaiko New England and Japanese lion dance by Stephen Long.

Noon–12:30 and 3:30–4 pm, Atrium
Master calligrapher Michiko Imai demonstrates her skill, accompanied by music. After, try using calligraphy brushes.

Noon–3 pm, Atrium
Play traditional Japanese games.

12:30–1 pm, Morse Auditorium
Reservations by January 7
Storytelling on large, colorful kamishibai cards with Midori Oka, accompanied by drumming. Reserve Tickets Now

12:30–3 pm, Art Studios
Print woodblock nengajo New Year's cards and decorate your own daruma doll (while supplies last).

2:30–3:30 pm, Morse Auditorium
For adults and children ages 9 and up
Reservations by January 7
Taiko drumming workshop with members of Odaiko New England. Reserve Tickets Now

This Atrium Alive program is made possible by ECHO.

Salem's Old Jail Project

Every morning I pass the Old Salem Jail on my way into work. For the past five months a considerable amount of work has been going on at the jail, as it is being redeveloped into apartments, a restaurant (what restaurant, we do not yet know), and a small museum of jail history.

The 1813 jail operated until 1991 when a new facility was constructed up the road in Middleton, MA.

The building and its property is a frequent stop for many of the local walking tours. My son's favorite bit of jail trivia is that it did not have running water (ever, and did you note that it operated until 1991?) so prisoners were given a bucket upon admission.

The jail has an interesting history, which includes a few famous residents including Harry Houdini and the Boston Strangler.

I'm looking forward to its future as a new gateway to Salem, a beautiful restored facade, and yet another great (I'll hope) dining option for residents and visitors.

If you want more Salem Jail history or folklore, check out Salem's great walking tours on Salem.org.

Going to the Dogs

I just got this listing from Living with Pets on Pickering Wharf, and I have to pass it on because it made me want to take my dog to Living with Pets, so perhaps it will inspire you to do the same...

Living with Pets in Salem has an amazing assortment of natural and organic treats. Whether you want a long chew or the flavorful and savory treats, there is something for every pallet.

Living with Pets is located on Pickering Wharf at 73 Wharf Street in Salem. You can contact them at (978) 740-9663.