Insiders guide to food, entertainment and living in Salem Massachusetts for tourists and residents.

Whats up?

Written by Glen Hughes on December 2nd, 2009 1 Comment

Where the F have we been?

Good question, here’s the skinny. As you know many of the businesses take a week off after Halloween.  We usually take a week also.  This year when our week was up there were a few changes.  One of our contributors is doing a semester abroad starting in January but headed out to scope living conditions and get all set up. Also, our photographer; another  major contributor just had a baby!

Baby Rose

Thanks for the update, what’s next?

Glad you asked. We can’t do this alone so its time to ask for your help. We are currently looking for a few bloggers to help The Salem Insider and write a regular column.  Sound like something you want to do? Please read on…

Looking for Salem MA bloggers

We are one of the most read sites about Salem MA and offer a helpful service to both Salem residents and tourists looking for inside information about Salem Mass. In an effort to expand upon that we are looking for bloggers willing to discuss subject of specific interested to those groups.  Subjects include womens/mommy/family issues, Salem’s music and/or arts scene, and Salem history.

If you currently blog about those subjects and would like to expand your readership to the tens of thousands of readers we have per month let us know.

Not already a blogger? You don’t have to be currently blogging, if you are interested and willing share your insights with our readers on a regular basis drop us a line and we will be happy to give you the low down.

It takes a village (and all those other metaphors) so please, help spread the word and share insider views.

This is Halloween

Written by lizzie on October 31st, 2009 No Comments

Cops on Halloween

Today is the big day, Halloween in Salem Mass.  Friends who just got into town said that the MBTA Commuter Rail from North Station to Salem was almost 100% full.  The streets must be cleared of all vehicles by noon and all traffic will be blocked off by 4pm.

Hundreds of cops from surrounding communities will be patrolling town so be on your best behavior.

Have fun and follow us on Twitter today @saleminsider as we post photos and give updates.  Feel free to send us some of your favorite photos and we will do a big photo post tomorrow.

Halloween week fun

Written by Glen Hughes on October 28th, 2009 No Comments

Even though there are only a few more days until Halloween there are still plenty of cool things to do. Here are a few events worthy of checking out.

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.

Sublime Salem sweet sounds and suds sipping

Written by Glen Hughes on October 23rd, 2009 No Comments

The closer we get to Halloween in Salem Mass the more you can feel excitement in the air.

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.

Friday – flick or frolic

Written by Glen Hughes on October 22nd, 2009 No Comments

Tough Choices.  It’s getting out of control here in the Witch City.  Roving bands of tourists hunting for ghosts and goblins day and night. Strolling through the cemeterys has now become a contact sport. And trying to get a seat at your favorite restaurant or bar is as difficult at finding a spot on the 8:06 commuter rail express.

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