Corn Stalk Decorations

This morning I saw our intrepid city workers carting out trucks full of fresh cut corn stalks and tying them to every available light post and street sign they could find.  Just think in a mere 36 days they will be dry enough to turn into flaming pop-corn dispensers by drunken revelers.

This year Halloween in Salem (and everywhere else for that matter) is on a Friday.  It’s going to be a freaking mad house!  There are so many great parties going on all through the month, starting with our Insiders Open House and coming to a climax with over 100,000 people swarming Salem’s down town on October 31st.

We will keep you abreast of all the great on goings in our fair city but be forewarned this is the first big weekend.  Perhaps the rain will keep some people away however, look for parking to go into lockdown with higher prices at the lots, more enforcement at the meters and resident parking stickers reqired on most streets.  You can head over to our parking primer for more details.

The following images are presented in the order received. Once you view the images please use the poll to the right of this post to pick your favorite (voting ends on Wednesday).

I probably should have mentioned this before but you may vote only once and any duplicate votes will result in all of your votes being thrown out.

Howard Street Graveyard Buttercups by Daryl B.

Howard Street Graveyard Seeds by Daryl B.

Tattoo Guns by Forrest F.

Painting at Witch City Ink by Forrest F.

Old Town Hall by Jeff W.

four kids on the bypass road appear to be headed for the train by David M.

Beat(en) LA, on Bridge St. by David M.

YARR!! by Rippin K.

A dogs view of Salem Common by Robin R.

Untitled 1 by Alex E.

Untitled 2 by Alex E.

Untitled 3 by Jennifer N.

Untitled 4 by Jennifer N.

The 1st Annual (?) Salem Save Our Schools/ Birthday Bash staring DJ Ondrej!
Tickets are available at the door for $10. All proceeds benefit the Salem Education Fund. The 1st 100 people will get their very own birthday cupcake! The 1st 25 people get a FREE t-shirt! Raffle prizes have been donated from some Salem businesses! Come dance with the world famous DJ Ondrej! The wild and crazy guy from Czech Republic returns to cruise and swing successfully in his tight slacks!

Music

Friday April 18th

• Steve Wark(jazz 6:30-9:30pm) The Speakeasys (rock, blues, soul 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Brake for Moose (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Ondrej! ( Techno / Minimalist / Electro 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Grateful Ted (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• Brian Maes Band (rock 9pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Love Dogs (dance, rock, swing) @ Rockafellas
• Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s

Saturday April 19th

• Matt Dorko and Larry Kukers (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) The River Rock ( Folk Rock / Bluegrass / Country 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• 3 Ply (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Centripitalforce (Electronica / Drum & Bass / Breakbeat 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Jackknife Valentines @ The Lobster Shanty
• Brian Maes @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Big Time (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• Preacher Jack @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

The Forbidden Kingdom (PG-13)
Friday & Saturday at 11:00 AM, 1:35, 4:20, 7:00 and 9:30
Sunday at 11:00 AM, 1:35, 4:20 and 7:00.

Leatherheads (PG-13)
Friday & Saturday at 7:15 and 9:40
Sunday at 7:15

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

Nim’s Island (PG)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 12Noon, 2:10, 4:30, 7:30

Spoken Word

Witch City Poetry Series – Continues all month long Sunday from 5-8pm @ Gulu-Gulu

Insider Picks

Friday night offers up some interesting choices. Salem’s New Business of the Year Gulu-Gulu Cafeis hosting a birthday bash / Salem schools fund raiser. I’d love to support G2C on their first birthday but cant bring myself to throw more money at the education fund debaucle. Good thing our friends The Love Dogs are playing over at Rockafellas, they always deliver a good time. Saturday with the good weather supposedly hitting us a trip to the Shanty for cheap beers and Jackknife Valentines is in order. Outside under the stars with friends, thats how Salem insiders spend Saturday night.

Salem Spring Restaurant Week
April 13 – 17
Salem Restaurant Week is an easy and economical way for patrons to eat at their favorite restaurant or try a restaurant they haven’t been to before. Many of Salem’s finer restaurants will be offering prix fixe three-course dinners for $26.26.

Music

Friday April 11th

• Alanna Manning (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Mystic Shakedown (rock 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Wicked Hawt presents Aramis (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
• DJ Seth (Inde, 80′s pop, alternative 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Dave Retros (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
• The Austin Torpedoes (good ole American music 9pm) @ Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• The Spinz (rock, dance, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• TBD @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Saturday April 12th

• Dennis James (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Playing With Fire ( Folk Rock / Bluegrass / Country 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Cherry s/t (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Sun Lee (rock, indie, acoustic 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Bobby Lightfoot @ The Lobster Shanty
• Mike Tebo Band @ The Lyceum
• Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Cee Block (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
• Acme Music (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• TBD @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)
Fri: 11:30 PM

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

Art

Body Politics — Visions in blood and ink @ PEM

Spoken Word

Witch City Poetry Series – Continues all month long Sunday from 5-8pm @ Gulu-Gulu

Insider Picks

Get ready for a good time Friday night and check out Aramis presented by Wicked Hawt over at Dodge St. The Wicked Hawt guys put out a quarterly music mag and are a promotion machine. Saturday our good friend, prolific author, artist, musician and super cute chick Sun Lee is getting her dangerpants on over at Gulu-Gulu – lots of fun and lots of beer.

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.

Looking for a good night out in Salem every month but you aren’t a member of any fine civic organizations in town? The Salem Witches Pub Crawl is a fun night out and you don’t have to be a witch, or from Salem nor do you have to crawl or even drink at a pub. Here is the official word.

There are many fine organizations and groups in Salem and beyond that are dedicated to finding solutions to the serious issues that face the Witch and Pagan community …

The Salem Witches’ Pub Crawl is NOT such a group!

While we honor the work that others do, we also know that Witches just want to have fun once in awhile! So let’s get out, meet one another, and enjoy one another’s company! Our group is disorganized. We don’t have leaders. We don’t do public circles. We’re not battling for civil rights. And, we’re not interested in whether you have three degrees or for that fact three degrees of separation from someone somebody else doesn’t like. Nobody cares! Let’s live life to the fullest and enjoy ourselves!

Yeah, we meet in pubs but not every one of us drinks and we’re ok if you want to come and just relax. We feel this is a great way to build community and get to know one another and we’re excited to have you take part!

How It Works
Once a month, we pick a night that’s easy for a broad range of people and we pick a location in Salem and descend upon it like a flock of crows. You don’t have to be a Witch to participate. You just have to have an open mind. Best Witches!

Pub Crawl Tonight

So tonight is the night. Put on your cape, hop on your broom and fly down to Capt’s on the wharf at 7pm.

Oh and if you like Pub Crawls be sure to let us know, TheSalemInsider.com does a killer all day- all night crawl every September.

The following paragraph stood out to me

The upstairs hall makes an impressive venue for public functions, and it’s been suggested in this space on several occasions that the City Council should consider it as a permanent location for major public hearings and inaugural observances. Local promoter David Pelletier has suggested that a retail tenant be found for the ground floor and the city seek to make the function hall home to one or more cultural institutions that would offer regular performances there.

As you know, we at TheSalemInsider.com don’t comment on the politics of Salem, there are other blogs that do a good job of that, however this is more of a cultural comment. I love the idea of having the city council hold hearings here, and I think it would be great to see inaugurations happen at this location. I can almost picture it now, the new mayor standing in front of this building and everyone in the court yard watching the ceremony. It sure beats people stuffed into some municipal building.

What I’m not fond of is Mr. Pelletier’s suggestion of a retail tenant taking up space on the ground floor. I have to admit I don’t know the specifications of his proposal but I do know that this is a large space that works well being open to the public for a variety of events. Recently I’ve been there for a blood drive, the Spring Fling event, art shows and live music. I am all in favor of the Old Town Hall being used more often but, it would be a shame for other Salem organizations to loose this historic space.

Most years I go to the Southie Parade then spend the day pub crawling through Southie and Dorchester. Once night falls my crew makes its way to see the Dropkick Murphys then end the night at JJ Foleys. The past few years I’ve spent a good chunk of my St. Paddys day in Salem. This year things are a bit different so I’ll be your guide to making the most of your time in Salem on this fun holiday.

First things first, you need to have a plan.

In my days of massive pub crawls its the planning that separates the men from the frat boys. By focusing that you are in it for the long haul (10am to 2am) you prepare for a marathon rather than a sprint. Its not drinking your face off, its about socializing, having fun and keeping your head. Drinking water during your pub crawl and eating something at every other stop assures that you will be more prepared to handle a long night of meeting new people and being thrust into different situations.

Salem doesn’t offer an endless string of Irish bars, and while there are a few great pub crawls (TheSalemInsider.com sponsors one every year) St. Patrick’s day is a bit more laid back here than it is in Boston. With less options it’s easier to make a good solid plan.

1. Bring a buddy
St. Patrick’s day is one of the big three bar days (the others being Wednesday before Thanksgiving and New Years Eve) so it’s best to head out with a friend. Someone to grab the next round when it’s your time to break the seal or to hang with if you are waiting in line to go in somewhere.

2. Dress for Success
Are you Irish? Show it with a cool t-shirt that tells the world. Not Irish, get in the spirit by wearing green or busting out your favorite Guinness shirt. A scally cap or even a shamrock pin will give you some air of authenticity.

3. Know where to go
In Salem there are a couple of options, I usually start out over at The Old Spot then head over to O’Neills. Both will be packed but you will also have the best times here.

4. Think about what you drink
I personally stick to Guinness but there are other acceptable beverages to consume on St. Paddys day. The most well know stout is of course Guinness, but Murphy’s Irish stout is delicious and a bit smoother for the novice stout drinker as is Beamish. If you prefer something lighter, Harp larger or Smithwick’s (pronounced ‘smith-icks’) ale. There is some debate on whether a Black and Tan (Guinness and Harp) or a Black Velvet (Guinness and hard cider) are acceptable. They are served in Ireland but are a pain to build so for this outing I would keep my order simple to keep my bartender happy.

Beer is not the only beverage to be enjoyed on St. Patrick’s day. Irish whiskey is also a smooth, easy libation. Irish whiskey differs from Scotch whisky because it is distilled more than Scotch and peat moss is not used in the firing of mash. What does that mean to you? A smoother less earthy tasting beverage. Some Irish whiskeys you will find in Salem are Bushmills, Black Bush, Jamesons, and Tullamore Dew.

5. Eat your fill
One thing about Irish food, corned beef and cabbage or New England boiled dinner in particular, is that it’s comfort food. There’s nothing like coming home to the smell of a giant pot with corned beef, potato, turnip, carrot, and cabbage all boiling up. People with other heritages may find this food a bit bland but if it’s cooked correctly and seasoned with some malt vinegar, boiled dinner is heaven. The key to success in your boiled dinner is pink corned beef not gray and not over-cooking your veggies.

Not everyone can spend the day hanging out listening to Irish music, singing with new friends at the pub and watching the girls to their Irish step dancing. Some people actually have to work. When I had to do the 9 to 5 thing on St. Patrick’s day, I would meet up with some of my friends afterwards and we would have a toast with an Irish car bomb then head out for some dinner. This would inevitably lead to more late night car bombs. What is an Irish Car Bomb you ask? It’s liquid candy.

Irish Car Bomb
3/4 pint Guinness stout
1/2 shot Bailey’s Irish cream
1/2 shot Jameson Irish whiskey

Add the Bailey’s and Jameson to a shot glass, layering the Bailey’s on the bottom. Pour the Guinness into a pint glass 3/4 of the way full and let settle. Drop the shot glass into the Guinness and chug. The Bailey’s will react with the Guinness making it curdle so it’s best to drink this very quickly.

While the Irish have a reputation for being hard drinkers, the celebration of St. Patrick’s day is not a celebration of drink but a feast that celebrates St. Patrick and all things Irish. Unfortunately it can turn out to be amateur hour at the bar, so if you go out keep a good disposition and focus on having fun. Keep yourself and your friends safe and don’t do anything stupid. The best night you can have is the one where you build long lasting memories and get home safe and sound.

Send us a picture of your St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Salem and we’ll post it later this week.

Salem Theatre Co. presents Seneca’s “Oedipus”

March 21-April 6
Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 5pm
Griffen Theatre, 7 Lynde St., Salem
Tickets: $18 adults/$15 seniors & students
(978) 790-8546 or http://www.salemtheatre.com

“Ignorance cures nothing. This whole nation is sick…”

STC presents Ted Hughes masterful, poetic adaptation of Seneca’s rarely performed epic “Oedipus”. Discover a new and shocking twist on the famous tale of the doomed king and the relentless power of fate. The world of Thebes, sickened and infected, and the story of Oedipus are evoked dramatically through Seneca’s command of mood and Hughes’ stark poetry. Not to be missed!

Music

Friday March 7th

• Acme Music (dance, rock, pop) @ Rockafellas
• Cherry S/T (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Wendy Nottonson (jazz 6:30-9:30) The Kicking Moon (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Radio Scotvoid Productions aka RSVP (Alternative / Experimental / Electronica 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Soul Baby (R&B, Funk, Soul) @ The Lyceum

Saturday March 8th

• New Life (dance, rock, pop, disco) @ Rockafellas
• Akiko Aoki (jazz 6:30-9:30) On 3 (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• The Winstons (rock) @ Dodge Street
• 2nd Saturday Bluegrass Jam (2:30PM – 5:30PM) 500 Plastic Dragons (cd release party- Indie / Pop / Country 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Grateful Ted (classic rock 9pm) @ The Lyceum

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

10,000 BC (PG-13)
Fri & Sat: (11:15 AM), (1:45), (4:15), 7:00, 9:35
Sun: (11:15 AM), (1:45), (4:15), 7:00

Spiderwick Chronicles(PG)
Fri & Sat: (12:15), (2:30), (4:45), 7:15, 9:30
Sun: (12:15), (2:30), (4:45), 7:15

Vantage Point (PG-13)
no-times listed

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

Last month their gig was canceled due to snow but tonight the insider pick goes to the always fun Soul Baby playing over at the Lyceum. Saturday get out an support local Salem band 500 Plastic Dragons as they celebrate their CD release. And for all you Sunday Brunchers, Sixty2 on Wharf is jumping into the heavily saturated market starting Sunday.

As always have a blast, don’t drink & drive and tell us about your weekend.

Witch City Rickshaw is looking for drivers for the upcoming season. If you are 18, responsible, hardworking and active this is a great seasonal job. Mr. Chris is hosting an open house to give you the ins and outs of the pedicab business.

Interested? You can RSVP via MySpace or swing down to 63 Jefferson Ave in Salem on Monday Apr 07, 2008
at 7:00 PM.

Salem’s affinity with wine doesn’t end there (nor did it start there). Pamplemousse, Salem’s eclectically cute home, kitchen and bath store on Essex St. has been in the wine business for years. They stock a variety of wines, meads and micro brews. They also offer tastings
(I recall plenty of them on Sunday afternoons during tourist season) and the occasional wine class. Now Pamplemousse along with local art / craft gallery The Picklepot is hosting a celebration of food and wine.

Spring Fling: a Garden of Earthy Delights

Fashioned after the Bacchanalia – a religious festival in honor of the wine god Bacchus – Spring Fling -
will feature a tasting of over 50 fine wines and international and domestic craft beers. Local breweries
Ipswich, Cape Ann Mercury and Harpoon, among others, will be pouring their spring offerings.
Professionals will be on hand with an assortment of fine wines from around the world.

Salem Restaurants such as The Old Spot, GuluGulu Cafe, 62 on the Wharf, Rockafellas and more will
tickle and tantalize your palate with delectable culinary delights! North Shore Artists will be offering an
eclectic variety of art to please your eye and warm your home. Boston singer-songwriter Katrin Roush will
be performing live – often compared to Bonnie Raitt, Katrin is spellbinding on stage, both soulful and
passionate. A siren to awaken the gods of spring!

Meet familiar characters from myth and legend and enjoy the goddesses and nymphs that wander the
“Garden of Earthly Delights.” Seek out The Oracle of Delphi to hear your fortune. Traditional ancient
attire is encouraged! This is Salem, after all. Experience the intoxicating power of this celebration on
March 15th from 3 – 6pm at Old Town Hall in beautiful, historic downtown Salem, Massachusetts.

We’re always happy to see any event that gives props to one of our favorite painters Hieronymus Bosch. Also, it’s great to have an opportunity to sample some great wines, beers and food. Make sure to mark your calendar for fun.
SPRING FLING: A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Saturday, March 15th from 3 – 6 pm
Old Town Hall, Essex Street, Salem, MA
Tickets $20 advance/$25 door available at www.pmousse.com

Special Events / Festivals

Salem Film Fest 2008
Earlier this week we did a full write up on the Salem Film Fest which kicked off Thursday night. It’s going on all week and there are plenty of great movies to see and fun events at local establishment. We are big proponents of broadening our cultural horizons, this is a perfect opportunity to do just that.

Music

Friday February 29th

• Richie Rich and the 24 Karat Funk Band @ Rockafellas
• The Illegals w/ Dave Fisher (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Steve Marvin (jazz 6:30-9:30) Eternity (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Machine 457 (Electronica / pop / rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu

Saturday March 1st

• Pete Demon & Cocaine Tongue (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Shadowbox Blues Band (blues 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Salem Film Fest Schedule

Vantage Point (PG-13)
Fri & Sat: (11:20 AM), (1:30), (4:00), 7:30, 9:50
Sun: (11:20 AM), (1:30), (4:00), 6:00

Spiderwick (PG)
Friday and Saturday at (12:15), (2:30), (4:45), 7:15 and 9:30;
Sunday – Thursday at (12:15), (2:30), (4:45) and 7:15.

Art

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

Insider Picks

This weekend the insider picks are easy to make. With the Salem Film Fest coming around only once a year its time to head to the movies. Stand out movies this weekend look like B.I.K.E, Everything Will be OK, and Red Without Blue. There are plenty of other great movies coming up during the week. If movies aren’t your bag, dance your booty off with Richie Rich Friday night.

As always have a blast, don’t drink & drive and tell us about your weekend.

On the heals of the Oscars (yes there were Oscars this year) where American actors were shut out this year, Cinema Salem is proud to host the Salem Film Fest February 28th – March 6th.

This year, join a celebration of international film and music in Salem, Massachusetts, America’s first international city.

Enjoy outstanding features, documentaries, and short films from around the world, participate in face-to-face discussions with filmmakers, and party with world-class musicians in one of America’s most beautiful and historic cities.

This seven-day event will showcase brilliant, emerging, and controversial film from Spain, The Netherlands, Thailand, Tuva, Nigeria, Russia, China, and the US.

The films will be shown at Cinema Salem, times are posted on salemfilmfest.com (warning: it is an old frames style website and wont work properly in some browsers) . Events such as lectures, discussions with film makers, insight to the industry and parties supporting the films will be held around town. The Salem Waterfront Hotel stepped up to the plate and is the major sponsor with many other local businesses kicking in and doing their part to encourage and support this endeavor.

With 28 different films being shown you might want to see more than one. Cinema Salem has constructed multiple single and multi-day passes which allow you to save some money when seeing more than one film. Now go get your culture on.

Vegan friendly dining in Salem

1. Cafe Kushco
   Lots of vegan options but the best thing is their desert, frozen tofu made to order.
2. Passage to India
3. Asahi
   A sushi restaurant with plenty of non-fish, vegan friendly items on the menu.
4. Fresh Taste of Asia
   Contemporary Asian cuisine with a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
5. Boston Hot Dog Company
   Yes, a hot dog restaurant. These guys serve tofu pups and you can get vegan friendly buns with no butter.
6. Salem Jade
7. New England Soup Factory
   Soups, with a menu that changes daily and always featuring vegan options.
8. Bangkok Paradise
   Both appetizers and entrees.
9. The Grapevine
   When there menu doesn’t specifically feature vegan items the chef usually has a vegan dish or two ready to go.
10. Salem Beer Works
    great veggie burgers and fried pickles to die for.

If you want to learn more about being a vegan in Salem checkout the Salem Vegan Society.

This Greek style deli gives off a cafeteria vibe but the food is a far cry from school lunch.

Breakfast is served all day for you late risers. And as with any good deli, daily specials are posted up front and change each day. I was impressed with how fresh all the pre-made food (side dishes, chicken drummies, gravies etc.) looked and how clean the kitchen was. I expect any restaurant I eat at to have clean facilities but this kitchen was impeccably spotless.

Whenever I go to a deli my rule of thumb is to try the special, so today I ordered a bowl of beef stew (on special) and a steak, cheese and mushroom sub. My food was served up in a matter of minutes. The stew had a tomato base which I was somewhat skeptical of (I’m used to Irish beef stew) however it tasted delicious and was chock full of beef and veggies. The steak sub was cooked to perfection with the meat being moist and having some crispy parts with the cheese melted on the bottom. In true deli fashion a sour pickle was served with my meal.

The deli was about 1/4 full and well staffed with two cooks, a cashier and one attentive busboy. Three large HDTVs hung on the wall with different programming on each (sports, news, discovery/nature). The dining room was spacious but felt somewhat sterile and lacked any personality. Once again I was impressed with the cleanliness of the dining room.

With close proximity to the Waterfront hotel and many of the tourist attractions, Brother’s Deli is a good bet for quality food at a reasonable price in this area. I look forward to going back and trying their liver & onion dinner.

Atmosphere: C
Food: B
Service: B
Price: B
Overall: B

Special Events

Runway Fashion Show
The Woman’s Friend Society is hosting their biggest fund raiser of the year, their Runway Fashion Show at the Salem Waterfront Hotel, Friday, Feb. 22. A cash bar with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres opens at 6:30 p.m., and the show on the runway begins at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are Required and cost $45.00. You may pick up reservation cards at the participating shops or you may contact: womansfriend@verizon.net for reservations.

This is a great organization that has been helping women in Salem for over one hundred years. If you have the time and the money attending this Fashion Show is a great way to help out our community.

Music

Friday February 22nd

• Moonglow @ Rockafellas
• Autumn Above (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Karen Cameron (jazz 6:30-9:30) AJ Edwards (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• CentripitalForce (Electronica / Drum & Bass / Breakbeat 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu

Saturday February 23rd

• Wildfire @ Rockafellas
• Demon’s Alley, Crash Midnight & Switchblade Suicide (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Matt Dorko and Larry Kukers (jazz 6:30-9:30) Mamadou (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Bring Back Pluto (funk / jazz 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Vantage Point (PG-13)
Fri & Sat: (11:20 AM), (1:30), (4:00), 7:30, 9:50
Sun: (11:20 AM), (1:30), (4:00), 6:00

Spiderwick (PG)
Friday and Saturday at (12:15), (2:30), (4:45), 7:15 and 9:30;
Sunday – Thursday at (12:15), (2:30), (4:45) and 7:15.

Fools Gold (PG-13)
Friday and Saturday at (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:00 and 9:40;
Sunday-Thursday at (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30) and 7:00.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)
Fri: 11:30 PM

Salem Film Fest 2008 - Although not this weekend plan some serious time at the movies from February 28th to March 6th

Art

Samuel McIntire, Carving an American Style @ PEM
This exhibit is a must-see for Salem residents (who get in for FREE) and comes to an end on February 24th, SEE IT NOW!

Insider Picks

With the snow already falling and the weatherman telling us it will last most of the weekend our picks are easy. First stop after work is off to get a snow storm beverage. Do you know what to do in Salem when there is a snow storm? Our Friday pic has to be Gulu-Gulu the sweet beats that Centripitalforce lays down is a perfect mix for the chill vibe of this urban oasis. Saturday Dodge Street is a must if you want some good old ass kickin’ rock-n-roll. Switchblade Suicide is a relatively new band but we saw them a while back in Somerville and they busted out.

As always have a blast, don’t drive and tell us about it.

Perhaps I was correct when I stated “now is the time to pick up retail space in the pedestrian mall.” When Cool Jewls moved out of their corner spot in the mall, Salem’s Vintage Photography saw an opportunity and moved right in. The prime location will surely boost their bottom line. Acupuncture Solutions is also moving from their current home next to Cinema Salem to a more prominent spot just down from Essex N.Y. Deli & Pizza.

Another move from inside the Museum Place mall and expansion into a more prominent location in the pedestrian Mall was Signatures. The womens clothiers storefront and interior looks much more clean and sophisticated. Now if they could get their website out of the early 90′s they would achieve a total transformation.

Fool’s Mansion closed its doors which is sad to see, now the goth kids will have to be content with Hot Topic. Update: According to the current owner a couple has agreed to purchase the shop and continue carrying its current clothing lines hopefully re-opening in April.  The papers may be passed as early as next week. On the other end of Essex Street however, Salem’s own manwitch Christian Day is set to open up his new venture Hex. Salem’s latest witch shop, in a fantastic location between Harrison’s Comics and Laura Lanes Skin Care.

Also hitting the ground running is Salem Wine Imports (seems like we mention them often around here) with a variety of offerings. The newly reopened Spirit’s is packing in the customers at their bar and still working out their dining issues. The old Bella Luna space has been built out and opened as Sixty2 on Wharf it looks to be a sweet summer spot.

The pedestrian mall will also be seeing an other new shop next month when Witch City Ink opens up across from Pamplemousse. Witch City Ink will be Salem’s first down town tattoo shop since the 1940′s. It’s owner a Salem resident was a driving force behind this art form becoming legal once again in Massachusetts, and prides himself in his clean shops and exceptional artists.

It’s nice to report on Salem businesses opening up and doing well. Keep your eyes open for more reviews of the shops mentioned here and a few in depth inteviews with the people that make it happen.

In keeping with the emerging theme of education during this school vacation week,  Frater Alephomen from the O.T.O. sent us a note regarding a lecture tonight.

The Knights Templar Oasis
Presents: Microcosmic Classes
When: Tue, Feb 19, Doors Open 7:30pm classes Begin at 8:00pm and go to – 9:00pm (Sometimes 9:30pm)
Where: The Temple – which is at 175 Essex Street (Above Samantha’s Costume) door number ONE
This week’s class description: Short topics on magic, mysticism, philosophy, etc…
Open to the public with a $5 donation.

Now for a little background on The Knights Templar Oasis.

The Knights Templar Oasis, based in Salem, Massachusetts, is an O.T.O. body serving the Thelemic community in Massachusetts and the surrounding New England states. We teach and practice Thelemic ceremonial magick, celebrate the Gnostic Mass, and are chartered to initiate through the III°. The interests of our membership range widely across esoteric practices and spiritual systems, but all find unity in their acceptance of the principles of The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis).

The letters O.T.O. stand for Ordo Templi Orientis, the Order of Oriental Templars, or Order of the Temple of the East. O.T.O. is an Outer Thelemic Order which is dedicated to the high purpose of securing the Liberty of the Individual and his or her advancement in Light, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, and Power through Beauty, Courage, and Wit, on the Foundation of Universal Brotherhood. The structure of the O.T.O., like that of Freemasonry and the ancient mystery schools, is based upon a graded series of initiations or Degrees. In these Degrees, the O.T.O. seeks to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of Existence, and thereby to assist each to discover his or her own true Nature

Eric sent over a note that said:

Restarting tastings every Tuesday starting the 19th. Greek, Austria, and Swiss will be opened and evaluated. Come join us for an adventure in “emerging wines” at 6;30 or later.

If wine is something you have always wanted to know more about, Salem Wine Imports may be offering classes. For those of you who would be interested in attending wine classes, please contact them. If they can get enough interest classes would be every other Thurs. from 7-9.PM. A nominal fee of between $15 to $20 depending on wines tried.

It’s great to see a new business off and running! Good luck and go get your drink on.

With this being the 250th anniversary of the birth of Salem’s renowned architect and woodcutter, Samuel McIntire, a multitude of events (including the summer walking tours and Christmas house tour) have been offered in celebration with Carving an American Style at the Peabody Essex Museum being the focal point. This exhibit ends next Sunday February 24th. If you are a student of Salem history, fine wood artistry or architecture you owe it to yourself to get over to the PEM and see this collection now in its final week. The entire third floor is devoted to the genius of McIntire’s work.

From fine furniture details; carved desks, game tables, bedposts, mirrors and chairs to mammoth structures like the Old North Church, the Washington Arch (formerly at the West gate of the Salem Common) and a plethora of buildings, a great number of original McIntire pieces are on display. Not only are these pieces beautiful, but a portion of the exhibit is devoted to showing you how McIntire build them using traditional tools and methods. Seeing a master woodcarver ply his trade and viewing the example pieces on hand gives you a unique insight and appreciation on how this master must have worked.

An integral feature of the exhibit is exploring the relationship that McIntire had with the Henry Derby family. Derby was this nation’s first millionaire, making his money through trade with the Far East. Derby commissioned a variety of works, and was the first to commission a home designed by McIntire, who had it furnished with pieces he hand-picked, adorned with carvings.

If you are lucky enough to have some time off this week (it is school vacation week after all), spend some time enjoying this exhibit so you can spend more time enjoying Salem and what she has to offer.

Final lecture of the McIntire Lecture Series

In addition to seeing the exhibit, this Wednesday night is your last chance to attend one of the lectures which have been so informative. According to the PEM:

Elisabeth Garrett Widmer presents a talk on life at home in Federal America, which was demonstrably altered by a wide range of new aesthetic, economic and social forces and will examine these influences and their multifaceted manifestations in the architecture, décor and lifestyles of fashionable citizens of the federal period in America. She will open doors and peer through windows and invite the audience to join her on a tour through the drawing room and parlor, dining room and bedchamber, closet and bath. Along the way she will make observations on decoration and décor, comfort and convenience, furniture forms and feminine persuasion, consumerism and purchasing power, family life and room usage, entertainment and politeness and all the telling minutiae of domestic details.

Elisabeth Garrett Widmer is an independent author and educator. She has previously held leadership positions at Sotheby’s, Strawbery Banke Museum, Christie’s and Antiques America. She is the author of several books including At Home; the American Family, 1750-1870, which received the Charles F. Montgomery Prize of the Decorative Arts Society for the most distinguished contribution to the study of American decorative arts published in the English language by a North American scholar. She is currently working on a book on childhood in America.

The lecture is free but tickets are limited it’s suggested you swing by the museum and pick yours up early.

Music

Friday February 15th

• The Hangovers @ Rockafellas
• The Willows @ Dodge Street
• Christy Bluhm (jazz 6:30-9:30) New Water Hillbillys (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• DJ Ondrej! (house & trance) @ Gulu Gulu

Saturday February 16th

• Lisa Love Experience @ Rockafellas
• Tottaro and the Brigands @ Dodge Street
• Akiko Aoki (jazz 6:30-9:30) Playing with Fire (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Cyanide Valentine (8pm) @ Gulu Gulu

Sunday February 17th

• Greek Night @ Rockafellas
• Harvesting Horror @ Dodge Street
• Jazz Jam! (6 – 10) @ Bangkok Paradise

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Fool’s Gold (PG-13)
Fri & Sat: (11:20 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:00, 9:30
Sun: (11:20 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:00

There Will Be Blood (R)
Fri – Sun: 12:30, 3:45, 7:30

Juno (PG-13)
Fri & Sat: (11:30 AM), (1:45), (4:00), 7:15, 9:40
Sun: (11:30 AM), (1:45), (4:00), 7:15

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)
Fri: 11:30 PM

Salem Film Fest 2008 - Although not this weekend plan some serious time at the movies from February 28th to March 6th

Art

Samuel McIntire, Carving an American Style @ PEM
This exhibit is a must-see for Salem residents (who get in for FREE) and comes to an end on February 24th.

Insider Picks

It’s not often that Czech DJ’s show up in Salem, so Friday night a trip to Gulu Gulu is in order. Keep in mind however that they are having issues with their liquor license (they discuss it on their website) so you might want to down a cocktail prior to heading over.

Saturday night the Lisa Love Experience is sure to get you out on the Rockafellas dancefloor. The last time they played TheSalemInsider.com crew fired up an after hours loft party that went till the sun came up. I wonder if there will be a repeat performance.

Since many people have an extra day in your weekend head over to the PEM and show your Salem ID to get in free and check out the McIntire exhibit. Many of the homes in town were build by him and this is a fascinating peek in to life, art and craftsmanship in Salem a couple of hundred years ago.

SalemOpen.net
A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there was a free internet provider for down town Salem: SalemOpen.net. If you are in the down town area you might even be able to log on to the network but apparently there was a disagreement between the provider and the merchants so the provider pulled the plug but left the hardware in place.

List of Salem locations with free wi-fi

Even though the SalemOpen.net project is dead, there are plenty of merchants that realize the value of offering wireless internet access to their customers.

• Cinema Salem Cafe
• Cornerstone Books
• Front Street Coffee house
• Fuel
• Gulu Gulu Cafe
• Hawthorne Hotel
• Jaho Coffee & Tea
• McDonalds
• Salem Public Library
• Salem Waterfront Hotel
• Starbucks

Also, if you have ever spent time at one of these locations then you know there are plenty of other unsecured wi-fi points in town that an unscrupulous person could use for free access (you would think that business would know better these days).

Map of free wireless access points in Salem MA

Where do you like to pop open your lap top and while away the hours?

What the heck is Baker’s Island?

Most people are familiar with Salem’s 8.1 square miles of land but know nothing about our 10 miles of water or what exists out there. Salem maritime properties include Children’s Island, Ram Island, Cunney Island, Tinkers Island, Great Misery Island, Little Misery Island and Baker’s Island. While some of them have summer homes none are inhabited year round.

The 60 acre Baker’s Island lies 3.5 miles off shore. In addition to its one light house (visible from the Salem Willows) the island is home to 55 cottages most built in the late 1800′s to early 1900′s. The island also has a store, fire house, meeting hall (Sherman C. Burnham Hall), and gift shop known as Driftwood. Baker’s Island it’s Massachusetts’ largest residential island north of Boston.

History of Baker’s Island

During the golden age of sail, Salem was the wealthiest city in the States all because of her port but there were no major aids to navigation to help mariners past the islands and rocks outside her harbor. A conical day beacon erected in 1791 was 57 feet tall, painted red, and topped by a two-foot diameter black ball. Unfortunately this beacon was not much help at night or in the fog and after three wrecks in 1796 killing 16 men the Salem Marine Society sent a message to Congress stating they needed to replace the beacon with a lighthouse.

That much of the property and many of the lives of their fellow citizens are almost every year lost in coming into the harbour of Salem for want of proper lights to direct their course… This calamity can, in the opinion of this society be prevented only by erecting a lighthouse on the northern end of Bakers Island . . .

Congress authorized $6,000 for the establishment of twin lights on Baker’s Island which first lit up on January 3, 1798. The two towers were located on top of a two-story keeper’s house, about 40 feet apart at either end of the building with four lamps being fueled by whale oil. In the early part of the 1800′s there were some configuration changes to the light houses, one was shortened then later restored to its previous height after some confusion with Boston light. In 1926 one of the lights was removed and by 1938 the sole remaining light was electrified.

Baker's Island Light c. 1929

In addition to the light house (set on 10 acres) the remainder of the island was privately owned. In 1888 a homeopathic doctor from Salem named Nathan Morse built a hotel/spa on Baker’s Island called the Winne-Egan. It had 50 guest rooms and catered to seekers of “health, pleasure and needed rest.” In addition to island activities such as sailing, fishing and swimming, guests could play tennis, or even shoot a short round of golf on the hotel’s six-hole course. Like many of Salem’s old buildings the hotel met its demise in 1906 when an accidental fire burned it to the ground.

Baker’s Island real estate; old money, private sales and coastal views.

There is not an abundance of information available about properties on Baker’s Island. No rentals what-so-ever and according to my real estate agent “There hasn’t been a public sale (in MLS) of anything on the island since 1999 – all private sales, and at that only a few”. I examined Salem’s GIS (Geographical Information System) viewer and found most parcels of land have been owned by family’s since before 1900.

Homes on Baker’s Island

Today access to the island is limited to residents and their guests. The islands one pier is where all visitors arrive and depart. Many residents have their own boats but a water shuttle the Double Eagle, is available from Salem harbor.

a view from the pier at sunset

Final thought

I am still looking for my summer retreat. Many Salem residents visit this site, so if you have a place out on Baker’s Island contact me, I would love to learn more about what is in our own back yard. And for all my out of town readers, if I get the opportunity to go over there, walk around and shoot some photos, you can be sure to find them right here at theSalemInsider.com.

His and hers park bench 

A month ago I wrote about how to deal with your snow day in Salem. Since its a little too early to head out for a pint I think I’ll head over to the Army Barracks and pick up a snow hat.

Sometimes you just want a slice or two because a whole pie is too much. For my money, Engine House pizza is your best bet.

Don’t get me wrong, Engine House serves up more than just pie, they also have subs, salads, sides and wraps. It’s just that their slice of pizza is the best in town.

As a pizza expert (worked in pizza restaurants for almost10 years as a teenager/young adult) I know a thing or two about good pizza. Engine House always has fresh slices in their rack. Their slice pies (industry term for a pizza that you serve slices from – this is different from a normal pie you serve as one unit) are made with a bit more cheese than a normal pie so that each slice has a good amount of cheese on it. Also, they take the slice pie out of the oven on the light side so that when you order a slice and have it heated up it does not burn.

Their crusts seem to be tossed with 100% flower and no semolina, which gives it a smooth crunchy texture and an even crust with no burnt gritty dust on the bottom.

Engine house is a true pizzeria (with an antique firefighter motif) , serving beer and wine with traditional Italian style pizza tossed by hand. If your appetite demands more than just a slice or two, Salem insiders know that for every 10 pies you take out or have delivered you get one FREE!

Atmosphere: B
Service: B-
Food (slice): A
Overall: B