Exquisite Corpse Dance Theatre presents The Book of Lilith at Salem Theatre Company this September

Book of Lilith

From their release:

Exquisite Corpse Dance Theatre performs its original theatrical bellydance production The Book of Lilith, based on the story of the ancient Middle Eastern goddess and demoness. From her beginnings as handmaiden to the Great Goddess, initiating men into Her mysteries through sacred eros, and her appearance as First Woman in the Garden of Eden, to her Fall from Grace to become a darkly serpentine, winged and fiery force of nature and the supernatural. Come with Lilith as she flies through the ages through dance and artistry.

Exquisite Corpse Dance Theatre

Here is what you really need to know:

The Exquisite Corpse Dance Theatre is led by Artistic Director Aepril Schaile she teaches bellydance here in Salem (and outside Salem for those not local), you can always find her around town.  Other troupe members include  Amelia Kurpeski, Libby Rowe, Shaina Rae, and Samara Martin.   You may know these ladies from Salem State, prior belly dance performances, some of the music events in town (most notably DARQ), Wiccan circles and most recently and regrettably  the news.

Go forth and witness the bellydance!

September 3 and 4 at 7:30pm
September 5 at 3:00pm

STC Theater
90 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA

Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase online at www.salemtheatre.com.

Wednesday October 28th, 2009

SYNTH: 80′s party with Darq

Synth: an 80's Halloween party

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

Thursday October 29th, 2009

The Dumb Supper: Dinner with the Dead

Dumb Supper

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

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

Friday October 30th, 2009

The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball

The official Salem Witches Ball

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

The 3rd annual SALEM HARVEST FEST

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

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

The DARQ Gala

2009 DARQ Gala

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

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

Bikers Redux

21st Annual Halloween Ride

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

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

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

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

Nosferatu with Devil Music Ensemble

Nosferatu the Vampyre

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

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

The Vampires’ Masquerade Ball

Vampire Masquerade Ball

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

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

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

Salem MA Zombie Walk

Zombie Walk Salem October 10th 2009

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

From their facebook page:

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

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

Dress up, join in and have fun.

Like a little belly with your dance?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Music

Friday February 27th

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

Saturday February 28th

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

Movies

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

Insider Picks

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

The Vampires Masquerade Ball

The Vampires Masquerade Ball

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

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

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

The DARQ Gala

DARQ Gala

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

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

Salem MA Zombie Walk

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

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

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

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

I know we have a better picture somewhere

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

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

“Invoking the Dark Goddess through Bellydance” with Aepril Schaile

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

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

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