The Salem Insider » arts

Salem Old Town Hall

Glen Hughes — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:25:32 +0000

For almost 200 years the Old Town Hall in Salem’s Derby Square has been a central fixture of this historic seaport city. The Federal style municipal building is a joy for students of the Federal period as it exhibits features of Salem’s number one architectural son Samuel McIntire and his contemporary Charles Bulfinch. (As an aside Bulfinch’s only other surviving Salem building stands a few yards away next to Reds Sandwich Shop.)

Old Town Hall Salem MA

For a while now various groups have been holding events there and using the space for all sorts of fun stuff. A little over one year ago we discussed a few plans that people had floated regarding the future usage of the Old Town Hall. The outcome was that since Gordon College does a fine job with its Cry Innocense program that they would become stuarts of the stucture and use it to promote the Arts and Community.

Continuing with this spirit of arts, education, community and entertainment the good folks over at Gordon College have opened their doors to you on their new website www.SalemOldTownHall.com.

Time Travel Days at the Old Town Hall

The Gordon College Institute for Public History announces a collaborative festival for residents and visitors providing opportunities to interact with Salem’s rich and diverse history. Time Travel Days is looking for musicians, performers, venders, and presenters to provide programming for students, history buffs and the community at large. Programming may be from any time period, but must be related to Salem.

Potential programming participants are invited to submit a response to the call for proposals. Programmers whose proposals are selected may be required to submit an additional application.

To find out more about this program and to download a application head over to their website.

Literally Salem: The Salem Literature Festival

Glen Hughes — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:42:19 +0000

Salem has all sorts of thriving scenes that the average tourista would never find if s/he wasn’t looking for it. Take for instance our local wordsmiths. We have done articles in the past about Author lectures and events pertaining to improving your writing. Recently Cornerstone Books hosted an Editor speed date. Writers are alive and well in Salem and throwing a bit of a shindig this coming weekend.

Salem Literature Festival

The Salem Literature Festival

From March 27th through March 29, Salem, Massachusetts will take the weekend to celebrate the literary arts with author readings, writing workshops, open mics, word-game tournaments, parties, and more.

Events are being held all over town including: Hamilton Hall, the Salem Athenaeum, Cornerstone Books, Front Street Cafe, The Old Town Hall and an handful of other places. You can meet authors, learn how to hone your skills, see plays, read, write or listen to poetry, attend a tribute, play Scrabble, even make your own paper.

One of the best parts of this lit-fest is that most of the events are free. Hopefully my writing will improve a bit so you will keep reading this site faithfully

For more great info on the Salem Literature Festival check out their site at SalemLitFest.com.

3rd Annual Salem Open Studios Tour

Glen Hughes — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:07:17 +0000

The Salem Arts Association, in cooperation with the Salem Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem, announces the 3rd Annual Salem Open Studios Tour on Saturday, November 22, 2008 from 10 am to 6 pm. The event is part of Arts & Antiques Month in Salem.

3rd Annual Salem Open Studios

Dozens of artists will showcase their work during this festival of craft and art. A wide variety of media including painting, photography, mixed media, jewelry, fiber, glass and sculpture – will be exhibited:
• at Old Town Hall,
• in live/work studios,
• and at retailers throughout Salem.
I don’t know how they manage to do it but it seems as if each year they hold the Open Studios, it’s always frickin fridgid out. Regardless of the cold, its fun to walk around and check out everybodys space and work. For more information, and to plan your visit with a downloadable map, visit salemartsassociation.org.

Weekend Warrior: arts & entertainment for your weekend

Glen Hughes — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:57:17 +0000

Special Events / Festivals

Berklee Summer Concert Series part of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival presents La Timbistica from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday July 12th in front of Old Town Hall.

Mementos of Celebration The Salem Arts Association’s annual PEM Companion Exhibit opens at the Old Town Hall Friday.

Music

Friday July 11th

Christy Bluhm (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Lone Wolf James ( 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
What it Do (hip-hop) @ Dodge Street
Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
DJ Ondrej! (house, trance 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
DJ Joe (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
TBD @ The 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
Garage Rock Night @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Saturday July 12th

Suzanne Perel (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Playing With Fire ( 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
Cocaine Tongue (GnR tribute) @ Dodge Street
DJ Zati (10pm) @ Fresh Taste of Asia
2nd Saturday Bluegrass Jam (2:30PM – 5:30PM) Frank Fotusky (blues, acoustic, americana 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
TBA @ The Lobster Shanty
TBD @ The Lyceum
Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
Open Bar Band (dance, rock, pop, 80’s) @ Rockafellas
TBA @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby
Mamadou @ (8-11:30pm) Strombergs

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Son of Rambow (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 12:15, 2:20 and 7:30

Hancock (PG)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 11:20, 1:30, 4:00, 7:15 and 9:30

WALL·E (G)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 11:40 AM, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00 and 9:15

Get Smart (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 4:45 and 9:45

Insider Picks

Friday start you night off early over at the ‘kok with the sweet soulful sounds of Christy Bluhm then head over to Gulu-Gulu for the trippy mixes of DJ Ondrej! Kickin it from the Czech Republic. Saturday is a real treat with a free concert in front of the Old Town Hall. Salem Jazz and Soul Festival presents La Timbistica from 5 to 7 p.m. After the concert run into the Old Town Hall and check out the free art exhibit Mementos of Celebration. Then late night head over to O’Neills to heat the night up. With everyone buff and tan for the summer DJ Cee Block puts the hammer down and everyone has a blast!

Toast: a benefit for The Art Corner

Glen Hughes — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:13:23 +0000

A few months ago (April 24th 2008) one of Salem’s businesses The Art Corner suffered a horrible fire. Over the past couple of months we have seen them keep their chin up and move forward, resurrecting the business in a new location.

Many of the areas local artists, photographers and businesses use the framing services of The Art Corner faithfully knowing that they always try to make a positive impact on our community. Now it is our turn to help them. Being a patron of the arts and loving to see small local business succeed, we feel this benefit is a worthy cause. Even though this info is all over town it’s our pleasure to repost the following.

“Toast” to Benefit The Art Corner

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Ward 2 Social Club – 1 East Collins Street – Salem

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT THE SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 265 ESSEX STREET AND EXPERIMENTAL ART GALLERY AND STUDIO IN SALEM’S ARTISTS ROW. You may also contact Sara Ashodian at 781- 771-2587.

The Salem Arts Association will host a Benefit for The Art Corner on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the Ward 2 Social Club from 7pm to 10pm.

Tickets are $10.

The event includes music by Charlie Chesterman and the Motorbikes with a special guest appearance by Barrence Whitfield.

Raffles will include juried works of craft and art, artist designed jewelry and gift certificates donated by local artists and business owners.
With special thanks to the folks and businesses who have donated funds, materials and gift certificates for our raffle: Jennifer Bell, Cafe Graziani, Carol Dearborn, Digital Imaging, Ditto Editions, Fire Fox Studio, The Fool’s Mansion, Sandy Heaphy and the Kensington-Stobart Gallery, Marine Arts Gallery, Mickey Northcutt, Pamplemousse, The Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem Main Streets, Ward 2 Social Club, and more on the way!

Weekend Warrior: who’s doing what April 4th weekend

Glen Hughes — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:00:38 +0000

What’s going on in Salem MA the weekend of April 4th

Special Events / Festivals

None Listed

Music

Friday April 4th

Christy Bluhm (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Sad Marvin (rock 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
Preacher Jack(boogie woggie piano 8:30pm) @ Capt’s
Catfish Lucy (rock) @ Dodge Street
Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
Radio Scotvoid Productions aka RSVP (Alternative / Experimental / Electronica 8pm)
@ Gulu Gulu
Three Toad Sloth (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
Janine Graham Jazz Group (jazz 9pm) @ Lyceum
Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
Richie Rich and the 24K Funk Band (dance, soul, pop) @ Rockafellas
No listing @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Saturday April 5th

Suzanne Perel (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Playing With Fire ( Folk Rock / Bluegrass / Country 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
3 Ply (rock) @ Dodge Street
JP Jazz Collective (jazz 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
No listing @ 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
No listing @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Sunday April 6th

Spokenword Productions presents…
The Witch City Poetry Series – Hosted by Chris Keefe
Sunday April 6, 5PM – 8PM

Open Mic Format every Sunday in April at the Gulu-Gulu Café in Salem.

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Leatherheads (PG-13)
Friday & Saturday at11:30AM, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00 and 9:35
Sunday at 11:30AM, 2:00, 4:30 and 7:00

Horton Hears a Who (G)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12:15, 2:30, 4:45 and 7:30

Nim’s Island (PG)
Friday and Saturday: 11:20AM, 1:45, 4:00, 7:15 and 9:25
Sunday: 11:20AM, 1:45, 4:00 and 7:15

Theatre

Salem Theatre Co. presents Seneca’s “Oedipus” Friday & Saturday 8pm @ The Griffen Theatre
This is the LAST WEEK of this performance.

Art

Body Politics — Visions in blood and ink: the return of Maori tattoo @ PEM
This exhibit is a joy for photography fans and those interested in an insight to other cultures. Remember Salem residents get in for FREE.

Insider Picks

Winter is over and everybody is coming out to kick April off right. Capt’s and Edgewater are doing live music and The Lobster Shanty is back in action. Friday check out killer jazz vocalist Janine Graham, as she is back in Salem doing a show at the Lyceum. This is a real treat since she hasn’t played in town for quite some time. Saturday it’s time to mix it up a bit and shake your booty to DJ Cee Block‘s hip-hop grooves over at O’Neill’s. Usually we don’t give too much props to Sunday but this Sunday is different. Mr. Chris is starting up an open mic Poetry Night at Gulu-Gulu, if this is anything like his past projects this could be the start of something good.

Weekend Warrior: March 21st – 23rd

Mr. Salem — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:00:29 +0000

What’s going on in Salem MA the weekend of March 21st

Special Events / Festivals

None listed

Music

Friday March 21st

Dennis James (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Barflyz (rock, covers 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
The Force (rock) @ Dodge Street
Radio Scotvoid Productions aka RSVP (alternative, experimental, electronica 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
Kevin Kennedy (solo piano & vocals 9pm) @ The Lyceum
Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
Lisa Love Experience (dance, rock, pop, soul) @ Rockafellas
Unknown @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Saturday March 22nd

Matt Dorko and Larry Kukers (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Dana Z: Elvis Impersonator (Elvis! 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
Zullo (hip-hop) @ Dodge Street
Drift Session (rock, blues, psychedelic 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
Kevin Kennedy (solo piano & vocals 9pm) @ The Lyceum
Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
The Hangovers (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
Unknown@ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Horton Hears a Who (G)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11:30am, 1:45, 4:10 and 7:00

10,000 BC (PG-13)
Friday & Saturday: 12 noon, 2:30, 5:20, 8:00

The Bank Job (R)
Friday and Saturday: 11:15 AM, 2:00, 4:30, 7:15, 9:40
Sunday: 11:50 AM, 2:00, 4:30 and 7:15

Theatre

Salem Theatre Co. presents Seneca’s “Oedipus” Friday & Saturday 8pm @ The Griffen Theatre

Art

Insider Picks

I love the great choices we have this weekend. Friday night I’d love to see the Barflyz, they were great when we last saw them but RSVP at Gulu Gulu is just too much to miss. Saturday we are hitting it high brow style by checking out Oedipus at the Griffen then heading over to the ‘Kok to get our Elvis on with Dana Z. Looks like we will be sleeping in Sunday, sorry Mom no Easter dinner here.