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.