Al fresco dining in Salem, MA is nothing new. Salem institutions like the Lobster Shanty and Finz have predicated their business model on it. Victoria Station has some great al fresco action overlooking the wharf and Salem Light. Even Capts. with their second floor balcony understands people’s desire to feel connected to the outdoors while refueling the body. However, recently a few things have changed and now everyone is clamoring to get in on the game.

The Lobster Shanty Salem

There was a time, not too long ago, that if you were in down town Salem and wanted to eat or drink outside under the stars (or an umbrella) your options were fairly limited. There was Rockafellas, the Garden at the PEM, the aforementioned Lobster Shanty and, depending on its state of flux, the business now currently known as Murphy’s.

A few years back Gulu-Gulu came to town and added outdoor seating. Other Salem restaurateurs took notice and started playing that game. Some failed miserably like Cafe Graziani who tried to stuff a table or two out their back door in an alley under the constant hum of their kitchen air conditioner (they now have added 3 tables in front on the Washington St. sidewalk). Others, like Fresh Taste of Asia and The Upper Crust, succeed despite not getting direct sunlight during prime dining hours.

Then the game changed again. Tavern in the Square opened in the old Salem News building, eventually adding one hundred seats outside and securing the rights to use the public sidewalk as part of their business much to the dismay of some residents and special interest groups. Like it or not, the president set by Tavern in the Square paved the way for more businesses to steak a claim to public walkways. Maria’s Sweet Somethings has expanded its outdoor seating. Down town new-comer, Puleo’s Ice Cream (next door to Cafe Graziani), has set up shop with tables and chairs on the  cramped Washington Street sidewalk.

New outside seating at the Lyceum

The latest restaurants to throw their hats in the al fresco ring are Greenland Cafe, with a sizable brick patio behind their location and a few feet away from the Greenland Cafe in the courtyard behind Church Street, the Lyceum just opened their patio featuring about 25 more seats.

Not to be left out of the quest for fresh air and sun shine, the city of Salem has stepped up and installed a bunch of tables and chairs in the Derby plaza area in front of Old Town Hall and around the East India Square fountain, free for everyone to use 24 hours a day.

I personally love good al fresco dining, when I can sit outside sipping a cocktail, eating a meal, not being distracted by loud noise or obnoxious smells and being treated to a nice view. Now, with patio dining  pretty much saturated in Salem we will have to wait till next summer to see what the future holds. My prediction for the next trend in Salem dining…roof decks.

Salem Farmers' Market 2010

The return of the Farmers’ Market is a welcoming site. Not only did it signify that summer was finally here, but that we residents can enjoy the pleasure of what it has to offer. Seasonal produce, farm eggs, fresh cheese, baked breads & goodies, seafood, live music and a generous sense of community (in a timely article by the Salem News, sometime in the future we may also be able to buy wine there as well. But until that happens you can fulfill your wine needs at Pamplemousse or Salem Wine Imports). You will also find some non-food vendors there as well, to round out your overall shopping experience.

Every week there are different musicians for entertainment, rotating vendors and sometimes cooking demonstrations and guest appearances (today features an appearance by Lt. Gov. Tim Murray)  to keep the experience fresh and new.

A full list of vendors (including foods and wares available weekly), featured musicians and any timely info is available at the Salem Farmers’ Market website at: http://salemfarmersmarket.org.

The Salem Farmers’ Market happens every Thursday afternoon from 3PM-7PM until October 21st. To stay up to date on the activities, they  also has a Facebook page and you can follow them on Twitter @salemfarmmarket.

Oh, and don’t forget to head over to Pamplemousse between 4-7pm today for some cake as they celebrate their 8th anniversary!

Related posts:
Salem Farmers’ Market
Salem Farmers’ Market initial review
Salem Farmers’ Market going strong (some great photos in this post!)

Special Events / Festivals

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

Gulu-Gulu presents:

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

Ongoing Events

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

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

O’Neill’s

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

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

Music

Friday, Aug 14

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

Sunday Aug 16

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

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing the following.

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

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

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

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

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

Insider Picks

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

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

From their email:

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

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

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

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

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

July 22, 3pm  Salem Common

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

Salem Common durring Snow Storm

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

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

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

Jocelyn Callahan Benefit - This Friday night The Gulu-Gulu Café in Salem is hosting a fundraiser to help the Callahan family deal with their tragic loss.  Machine 475 will be heading the evening. Donations of any kind are welcome (we will be hosting a live auction that evening).  Cover charge will be $10 and all proceeds from the evening will be given to the family.

Music

Friday August 29th

• Suzanne Perel (jazz 6-9) Mamadou (rock 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Starlight Grey (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Machine 475 (electronica, pop, rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Dave Retros (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Ted Solovicos (blues 8pm) @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Hangovers (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• Elle Gallow Band @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Saturday August 30th

• Karen Cameron (jazz 6-9) Speakeasy (10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Wicked Hawt Magazine CD Release party (rock) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• Acoustic Jam (2-5) Ross Livermore (acoustic 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Lee Harvey @ The Lobster Shanty
• Ted Solovicos (8pm)  @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Wildfire (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Dis n’ Dat @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Sunday August 31st

• Jazz Jam (jazz 6-10)  @ Bangkok Paradise
• Big Shoes to Phil (jazz) @ Dodge Street
• Eric Reardon & Sarah Seminski (3pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Wildfire Labor Day Party (dance, rock, pop, 80’s 9:30pm) @ Rockafellas
• BAND-Lee Hawkins @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

The Longshots (PG)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at  11:45 AM, 2:10, 4:30, 7:15 and 9:30

Pineapple Express (R)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 12:15, 2:35, 5:00, 7:30 and 9:45

Star Wars; The Clone Wars (PG)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 11:15, 1:30, 3:45,  6:45 and 9:15

Insider Picks

Friday night whether you knew Jocelyn or not, swing by the Gulu and put your $10 toward something worth while,  you will gain mucho karma points.  Saturday get out there and party party party let DJ Cee Block kick your weekend into high gear with some fine beats over at O’Neills.  Remember that you have Monday off so keep the weekend rolling on Sunday, I’m going to make my annual pilgramige to the Rockmore for some day drinks then check out a set with Big Shoes to Phil at Dodge Street followed up by a little Labor Day party with Wildfire over at Rockafellas.   Monday you can find me In a Pigs Eye for a little hair of the dog with one of the best Bloody Marys around.

Keep up with us on Twitter!

Essex Street Fair – Downtown Salem & Pickering Wharf this Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 from 10 am – 6 pm Fun for all ages this street festival has something for everyone. Crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and other unique items will be featured along the Essex Pedestrian Mall. Street performers, face painters, and musicians will entertain all.

Berklee Summer Concert Series – Manami Morita on Derby Square, Saturday, August 9 from 5 – 7 pm

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival - The Nat Simpkins Band Featuring Henri Smith at the Museum Place Mall Fountain, Essex Street, Sunday, August 10 from 1 – 3 pm and The Boston Horns with Barrance Whitfield from 2 – 4 p.m.

Heritage Days - Tons of activities going on through out the city.  Check out their complete listing here.

Music

Friday August 8th

• TBA @ Bangkok Paradise
• Neurological Damage (alt, metal, funk) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Seth (indie, 80′s, pop, alternative 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Three Toad Sloth (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Janine Graham Jazz Group (jazz 8pm) @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Ritchie Rich and the 24K funk band (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• Groove Therapy @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Saturday August 9th

• TBA @ Bangkok Paradise
• Cherry S/T (rock) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• 2nd Saturday Bluegrass Jam (2:30-5:30) 500 Plastic Dragons (indie, pop, country 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Grateful Ted @ The Lobster Shanty
• Brian Maes Solo (piano rock 8pm)  @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Razen Kane  (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Mystafine @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

The Mummy: Tomb of the dragon emperor (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 11:30, 2:00, 4:30,  7:00 and 9:00

The Dark Knight (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at  11:45 AM, 3:15, 6:45 and 10:00

Step Brothers (R)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30 and 9:45

Insider Picks

Once again this weekend is chock full o’ free goodness.  All the freee music should be excelent but do yourself a favor and make sure you see Barrance Whitfield in the Essex St pedestiran mall by the fountains on Saturday.  Friday our friend and excelent vocalist Janine Graham will be singing over at the Lyceum, if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing her yet get over there.  Saturday there is a plethora of free music around town. Saturday night Cherry S/T rocks the house over at Dodge Street.  Remember the Essex Street Fair is on and Heritage Days wraps up, check the links above for more info on all those activites.

TheSalemInsider.com Photo Contest – Contest deadline is Sunday at 11:59pm get all the details including info on our great prize pack here.

Mayors Night Out – We ran into her honor the other night having an Italian Ice and she reminded us to join her Friday from 5 -7 for some drinks and apps as she kicks off Heritage Days

Heritage Days - Tons of activities going on through out the city.  Check out their complete listing here.

Salem Arts Association and Aepril Schaile present The ART of Bellydance -  Saturday, August 2nd from 1pm to 2pm on Artists Row

Music

Friday August 1st

• * Entrain (rock, blues, calypso, zydeco, jazz and funk) free – @ Derby Wharf by the Friendship
• TBA @ Bangkok Paradise
• Demons Alley / Sins of America (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Ondrej! (house, trance 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Three Toad Sloth (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Tom Pittman @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Spinz (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• Night Owls Band @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Saturday August 2nd

• TBA @ Bangkok Paradise
• Taboot  (Phish cover band) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• DJ John (8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Lee Harvey @ The Lobster Shanty
• The Merge  @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• New Life  (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
• Mystafine @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

The Mummy: Tomb of the dragon emperor (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 12:05, 2:30, 5:00,  7:30 and 9:50

The Dark Knight (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at  11:45 AM, 3:15, 6:45 and 10:00

X-Files: I want to believe (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 11:30 AM, 2:00, 4:20, 7:00 and 9:20

Insider Picks

You know how we roll over here, if it’s free it’s for me.  So Friday take yourself down to the Wharf and check out Entrain – you have nothig to loose it’s free and it’s early. That gives you plenty of time to grab some dinner and check out The Spinz at Rockafellas.  We’ve heard varing opinions of them (if you know something we don’t drop us a comment) so get in before they charge a cover and if it sucks head to the Shanty to enjoy the good weather and fun tunes put down by Three Toad Sloth.  Saturday if the weather is agreeable, enjoy some of what Heratage Days has to offer then go visit our friend DJ Cee Block for some Saturday night booty shakin.

The Salem CultureFest runs on Saturday July 26th from 10a.m. to 8p.m. and Sunday July 27th 10a.m. to 6p.m. Salem CulturFest schedule offers a cross cultural blend of world-fusion dance music including and diverse performers coming from many world traditions Unique Arts, crafts, colorful clothes and ethnic food will be available for purchase. Parents and children can enjoy a wide range of entertainment & hands on participatory art activities. There will be a Moon Walk/Bouncy Thing, clowns, games and more.

The not for profit organization A3D has a vision to open a multicultural center in Salem, Massachusetts with the Salem CultureFest being a platform to invite citizens of Salem and the greater North Shore area to experience the festivities for themselves and to get interested and involved in the idea of a multicultural Center.

In addition to using the monies raised at the festival to fund A3D goals, 10% of the proceeds from the Salem CultureFest will be donated to the Salem School Foundation to assist raising much needed funds for Salem’s public schools. Any additional funds raised at the Salem CulturFest will help A3D’s humanitarian efforts in Senegal, West Africa. Through the Salem CultureFest, A3D’s wish is to bring true meaning to the phrase: “act locally and think globally.

” For more information on how to volunteer for the Salem CultureFest go to: www. a3dinc. org and friend them on myspace at  myspace.com/salemculturefest.

Thankfully for you I have just what you need – an all day long music fest.

Witchstock

We wrote about Witchstock a few months back but wanted to remind you now that they have all their events finalized.

Witchstock is large-scale free, non-profit, all ages, outdoor music festival held right here in our very own Salem Willows Park Amphitheater on Saturday July 5th from 2pm-10pm.  And continuing festivities from 10pm till close over at Dodge Street.

In addition to eight great rock, alternative, reggae, funk, hip-hop, electronica, jazz, and soul bands (many from around here) there will be plenty of family friendly things to do like free face-painting, temporary tattoos, stuff for kids and the kid in all of us.

For the full line-up and to get any other information about this great event check out the Witchstock myspace profile.

Thankfully the weather was spectacular so I sat under a tree watching the joggers circle around the park and took in life so early on a Sunday morning. A total of six classic cars showed up and of them the only Cadillacs were a 1932 La Salle and the above pictured ’55 Fleetwood.

Even though the showing was poor, I still shot a ton of photos (it’s one of my things), which got me  thinking. I often go to shows, see exhibits, or find fun things in Salem to photograph but only a fraction of those images ever make it in this blog. So… I decided to fire up a flickr page. I’ll work get a decent selection of photos in there over the next week or so for your Salem photo fix.

Are you kidding me? It’s the beginning of summer.

Music

Friday May 23rd

• Alanna Manning (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Speakeasys (rock, punk 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Neurological Damage (alternative, metal, funk) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• Machine 475 (electronica, pop, rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Grateful Ted (classic rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Tony Gallo (jazz, r&b, pop 9pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Search Party (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• Close to Home @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs (new listing)

Saturday May 24th

• Sandi Bedrosian (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Terri Lee ( world 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Fair Warning (Van Halen Tribute) @ Dodge Street
• DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
• HAPPY SPRINGALLOWEEN!!(blues 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• TBA @ The Lobster Shanty
• Santarella – Kimball Duo (folk rock) @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Wildfire (dance, rock, pop, R&B) @ Rockafellas
• TBA @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
• Wishful Thinking @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs (new listing)

Sunday May 25th

• Jazz Jam! (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Big Shoes 2 Phil (Jazz) @ Dodge Street
• Gulu Sunday Morning Brunch featuring Eric Doucette (acoustic guitar 11am-2pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• TBA @ The Lobster Shanty
• Traditional Irish Music (4-7pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Lisa Love Experience (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• High Tide Party @ (2-6pm) Strombergs (new listing)

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)
Friday & Saturday at 11:10AM, 1:45, 4:25, 7:15 and 9:50
Sunday & Monday Memorial Day at 11:10AM, 1:45, 4:25 and 7:15

Ironman (PG-13)
Friday & Saturday at 11:10 AM, 1:45, 4:35, 7:20 and 10:00
Sunday at 11:10 AM, 1:45, 4:35 and 7:20

Prince Caspian (PG)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11:00AM, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00

Insider Picks

The cute weather girl on TV tells me its going to be a stellar weekend so lets plan on some out door fun.

Insiders know that when the weather gets good we all gather at the Shanty. You can meet all sorts of Salemites there and everybody is usually friendly. Kick off the long weekend with a true Salem fixture Grateful Ted. Cheap food, warm beer, lousy waitresses and classic rock older than you are. Saturday the HAPPY SPRINGALLOWEEN!! event is going on at Gulu-Gulu Dan Blakeslee as Dr. GASP, Orange Nichole, and our personal friend Monster Reusch (why he doesn’t live in Salem I don’t know) will all be preforming in a kooky ode to Halloween party. Newcomer to our musical offerings is Strombergs, this Sunday they will be having a High Tide Party and if it’s as good as their previous events you are in store for some fun, grab your fiends and head on over. Monday looks to be the best day yet weather wise so where better to spend your time than on the water. Since you probably wont be going to Bakers Island – do the next best thing and take a ride out to the newly opened (noon today) Rockmore. And for you slackers who want to take it easy, Salem Cinema has the new Indiana Jones flick (we saw it last night) its well worth your $6.

Lately there have been some great jazz vocalists and bands playing in Salem so they have garnered a few write ups and some insider picks on the Weekend Warrior (what to do this weekend) posts. Salem’s musical offerings are of a much broader spectrum than only jazz. On any given week you can find hip-hop, experimental, dance/pop, R&B, rock, folk, blue grass, punk and soon to be goth shows around town.

Taking the musical ball and running with it, the Witchstock Music Festival is now entering it’s fifth year as one of the premier summer music events around.

From their myspace page:

WITCHSTOCK is a FREE, all ages, outdoor music festival founded in 2004 by myself (Madison) and Scott (The 80′s Man) which takes place every July at the Salem Willows shell stage overlooking the harbor…Salem, Massachusetts…designed to spotlight local, musical talent and enjoy a beautiful venue!

This summer 2008: 5th Annual Witchstock Date: Saturday July 5th (4TH OF JULY WEEKEND!!) (Raindate on the 12th) Hours: 2PM – 10PM (We Extended the hours this summer into the night so we can do a light show!) We are showcasing 8 bands from Boston, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and North Shore Area favorites!! Also…It’s an all ages show!! So there will be some free, fun stuff for the kiddies in the earlier part of Witchstock(2pm -4pm), face painting, temporary tattoos!….and some free stuff for the adults in the later hours as well.

If you are interested in being part of the action Madison is looking for some volunteers. You can contact her via the Witchstock myspace profile. If you just want to come and enjoy the music I suggest you come early, bring your chair-in-a-bag or blanket and get a nice spot where you will be comfortable for the long haul. Also this year, the fun doesn’t stop at 10PM. Dodge Street Bar and Grille will continue the extravaganza till 1am. And if I know anything about Salem in the summer – there will be a kickin’ after party till the sun comes up on Sunday morning.

Stay tuned for more info on this great event as it comes in.