The Vampires Masquerade Ball

The Vampires Masquerade Ball

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

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

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

The DARQ Gala

DARQ Gala

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

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

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.

Special Events / Festivals

SPRING FLING: A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Saturday, March 15th from 3 – 6 pm
Old Town Hall, Essex Street, Salem, MA
Tickets $20 advance available at Pamplemousse & The Picklepot
Tickets are $25 Day of the Event

Music

Friday March 14th

• Search Party (dance, rock, pop, reggae) @ Rockafellas
• Starlight Grey (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Alanna Manning (jazz 6:30-9:30) Speakeasy (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• DJ Seth (Indie, 80′s, pop, alternative 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Brian Maes Band (Classic rock 9pm) @ The Lyceum
• Preacher Jack (boogie-woogie piano 9pm) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)

Saturday March 15th

• Aliance (dance, rock, pop, 80′s) @ Rockafellas
• Wicked Hawt, DC4, Awakening Stick & Jaded @ Dodge Street
• Karen Cameron (jazz 6:30-9:30) Black Water Noise (rock, blues, alternative 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Jeff Savlon and Big Blue Octopus (MS Fundraiser 7pm) @ Gulu Gulu
• Marybeth Maes (9pm) @ The Lyceum

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)
This cult classic will be presented on Friday night at 11:30 only.

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

10,000 BC (PG-13)
Friday & Saturday: 11:15 AM, 1:45, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30
Sunday: 11:15 AM, 1:45, 4:15, 7:00

Vantage Point (PG-13)
Friday and Saturday: 11:50 AM, 2:00, 4:35, 7:30 and 9:40
Sunday: 11:50 AM, 2:00, 4:35 and 7:30;

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

It seems like there are more live music choices than ever here in Salem. Friday treat yourself to a Salem tradition and go see the legendary Preacher Jack at Spirits. If you haven’t checked out this “everything old is new again” hotspot, you’ll love the bar and live music. Saturday, Jeff Savlon and Big Blue Octopus will be playing a MS fundraiser so stop on by Gulu-Gulu before heading off to the ‘kok to see Black Water Noise bust out their blues meets Black Sabbath groove.

While we were out Friday night talking to local business owner Natan Lin about his latest project we snapped the above photos of Bangkok Paradise mixologist Jay serving up one of his specialties, the Flaming Jay.

Jay keeps his recipe close to the vest but is happy to instruct you as to the proper way to drink down one of these combustible concoctions. Served partly in a martini glass and also from a flowing creamer, the lights are turned down so others can enjoy the blue flame waterfall while you focus on the mint green beverage.

For those of you who don’t want your eyebrows singed off Jay suggests a house favorite the Bangkok Cocaine. Other favorites of the Salem Insider crew are the Fire and Ice and the Lychee Martini, an Asian treat.