The Salem Open Market 2016

Essex Street Pedestrian Mall in Salem, MA near the Peabody-Essex Museum
Did you miss the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair in Salem last week? Are you looking for another way to mix your love of Halloween with your love of shopping? Well, if you did miss the Biz Baz (A.K.A. the Bizarre Bazaar) and you’re looking for a place where you can find the ambience of the season and check out a whole bunch of cool stuff, there’s nothing to fear. Salem has you covered. In fact, the Salem Open Market will open for business on Essex Street and Derby Square this weekend. This street fair, which will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. until Halloween, will feature dozens and dozens of artists, artisans, crafters, designers, and other vendors who will be happy to show you everything from artwork to zombie-themed t-shirts (and all of the items in between.) Best of all, if you’re not really into shopping but you have a spouse or child who is, you can always bring them to the Open Market and then check out all of the tours and events that are happening throughout Salem. For more information on the Salem Open Market, please visit the New England Open Markets website.

Photo credit: HBarrison via Visual hunt / CC BY-SA

Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair 2016

old-town-hall-salem-ma
It’s almost that time of year again. One of my favorite times of year (and no, it’s not Christmas.) It’s Halloween, and if you’re looking for a way to get into the spirit of the season, there’s no better place than the Witch City. In fact, it just so happens that the annual Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair is scheduled to take place in Salem this Saturday and Sunday (October 8th and 9th, 2016) from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. each day. This fair, which was originally known as the Bizarre Bazaar (and is still known as such by many of the locals), will give you the opportunity to peruse the wares of over 70 vendors selling art, crafts, jewelry, and a whole lot more. Best of all, if you’re accompanied by someone who isn’t really into shopping (a child or spouse perhaps), there’s no need to worry because there are always a number of street musicians and other performers who are certain to keep your friends and family entertained. For more information on the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, which is free (until you decide to buy everything in sight) and open to everyone, please visit the Salem Chamber of Commerce website or the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair Facebook page.

Photo credit: GWP Photography via Foter.com / CC BY

Topsfield Fair 2016: The Country’s Oldest Agricultural Fair

topsfield-fair-sheep
Chances are, your children already know that the cow goes “moo” and the pig goes “oink”. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance that they may even know that the lamb goes “baa.”  But, if your kids would like to do some empirical research and determine for themselves exactly what sounds a cow, pig, sheep, and pretty much every other farm animal makes, all you need to do is head to Topsfield over the next week or so.  This is because Topsfield Fair, the country’s oldest agricultural fair, runs from today (September 30, 2016) until Columbus Day (October 10, 2016).

This fair will give you and your kids the chance to see animals, artwork, crafts, educational exhibits, flowers, a different group of special performers each day (including the Axe Women Loggers of Maine, monster trucks, Mounties, and musicians), and a whole lot more than I could possibly list here.  Best of all, there will be a wide assortment of concession stands and vendors selling everything from books to tractors and every food item imaginable, including apple pie, Chinese food, cinnamon rolls, corn dogs, fried Twinkies, sandwiches, steak, and pretty much everything else.  For more information on Topsfield Fair and/or to order tickets for the fair, please visit the Topsfield Fair website.

Photo credit: Sultry/sulky/silly via Visual hunt / CC BY

Derby Square Flea Salvage Art Market: Cole Porter

Derby Square, Salem MA
There’s a pretty good chance that, unless you’re a huge Broadway fan, you probably haven’t heard of Cole Porter. However, Cole Porter is the man behind many of the musicals (or at least the songs in many of the musicals) that have truly stood the test of time, including Paris, Fifty Million Frenchmen, and the show that he is best-known for, Kiss Me, Kate. As a result, the Derby Square Flea Salvage Art Market in Salem MA, has decided to celebrate what would be the Broadway songwriter’s 125th birthday if he was still alive.

This celebration, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Saturday, June 18, 2016), will bring together a number of local vendors that will be selling antiques, art, collectibles, handmade goods, jewelry, vintage clothing, vintage furniture, and a whole lot more. If you’re wondering what the Derby Square Flea Salvage Art Market actually is, it is a monthly pop-up market that occurs throughout the summer, and each market has its own theme. The theme of this month’s market, as you might have already guessed, is of course Cole Porter and some of the things that might be associated with him, including cocktails and garden parties. For more information on the Derby Square Flea Salvage Art Market, please visit the Derby Square Flea Salvage Art website.

Photo credit: GWP Photography via VisualHunt / CC BY

Watch City Steampunk Festival 2016

Steampunk Girl with Her Schematics
Did you miss out on last week’s OtherWhere Market or are you looking for another Steampunk fix? Well, if the answer to either of these questions is yes, you’re in luck because it just so happens that the Watch City Steampunk Festival is scheduled to take place throughout Waltham from 9:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. tomorrow (Saturday, May 7, 2016). This event will give you the opportunity to dress in your finest Victorian/Steampunk garb (or come in your modern-day clothing if you lack the appropriate attire) and explore everything that the Steampunk genre and the Victorian era has to offer. In fact, if you decide to attend the festival, you will have the chance to experience a variety of activities aimed at children and adults alike, including artwork, blacksmithing, crafts, costuming, dancing, games, lectures, live performances, music, a parade, sword fighting, and way more than I could ever hope to list here. For more information on the Watch City Steampunk Festival, which is free and open to the public, please visit the Watch City Steampunk Festival website.

Photo credit: Stf.O via Foter.com / CC BY

Escape the Heat in Salem

The House of the Seven Gables
If you’ve been hiding in your house for the past couple of weeks huddled in front of your air conditioner for the chilly comfort it offers, you’ll be happy to know that the heat wave that has been plaguing the Northeast is finally over (at least for now). In fact, the weather this weekend is supposed to be great, especially along the coast, which means that if you are looking for a way to take advantage of the cooler weather, you’ll definitely want to head down by the water. And, if you’re looking for something to do by the water, it just so happens that Salem’s Annual Heritage Days Celebration ends this weekend. As a result, there’s probably no better way to spend your weekend by the coast than heading down to Salem to check out these events.

First, if you’re a history fan or a fan of American literature, the House of the Seven Gables may have the perfect program for you. This is because the House of the Seven Gables is hosting a Living History Lab from 10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday. This educational workshop will allow you and/or your kids to experience what it was like to live in the mid 1600’s by attempting things like writing with a quill, preparing some of the food that people in the 1600’s would have eaten, performing some of the chores that people had to perform in the 17th century, and playing with some of the toys and games from the era. For more information on the Living History Lab at the House of the Seven Gables, please visit the House of the Seven Gables website.

Secondly, if you’re more of a shopper than a time-hopper, you may want to head down to Essex Street in Salem. This is because the Essex Street Fair is scheduled to take place from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday (August 8th and 9th, 2015). This fair will give you the opportunity to peruse and purchase art, books, clothing, crafts, jewelry, and an assortment of other one-of-a-kind items from dozens of small, independent vendors. For more information on the Essex Street Fair, please take a look at the Salem Heritage Days flyer.

Photo credit: lcm1863 / Foter / CC BY-ND

The Best Things in Life Are FREE

Free Hugs
Chances are, you’ve probably heard the old line, “the best things in life are free”, and you may have even heard it in one of the many different versions of the song with the same name. In fact, there are at least ten different versions of the song that was originally written by Lew Brown, Buddy DeSylva, and Ray Henderson for the musical Good News in 1927. Some of the well-known artists to cover the song with or without drastically altered lyrics include the Ink Spots, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford, Hank Mobley, Sam Cooke, Lou Donaldson, and Janet Jackson. As a result, there certainly hasn’t been a shortage of artists trying to convey the importance of the free things in life, but finding things that are free to enjoy can be a lot more challenging than it should be. It is, therefore, fortunate that there are a number of free activities in the Boston area this weekend that are sure to put a smile on your face without forcing you to touch your hard-earned cash.

First, if you are a Shakespeare fan, you may want to head over to the Fairbanks House in Dedham, MA this weekend. This is because the Fairbanks House is hosting the Dragonfly Theater’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 5:00 P.M. tonight and tomorrow (June 26th and 27th, 2015) and at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday (June 28, 2015.) This production will allow you to see Shakespeare’s classic comedy about a group of ancient Greeks caught up in fairy mischief from the comfort of this historic house’s lawn. For more information on the Dragonfly Theater’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is completely free and open to the public, please visit the Dragonfly Theater’s website.

Secondly, if you’re not really a Shakespeare fan or you would prefer wandering around an air-conditioned building to sitting on a lawn, there are a number of museums and historic locations offering free admission today. In fact, the MIT Museum in Cambridge, MA; the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA; Tanglewood and the Mount in Lenox, MA; the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester; and the Peabody Essex Museum and the House of the Seven Gables in Salem, MA are all offering free admission today as part of the Highland Street Foundation’s Free Fun Fridays. For more information on these locations and other locations that are offering free admission to everyone as part of the Highland Street Foundation’s Free Fun Fridays, please visit the Highland Street Foundation website.

Finally, if you’re looking for some free information on Norman Rockwell or any of the other artists that created the magnificent works of art that you may encounter at the museums above, you should definitely check out Artsy.net. In fact, Artsy will not only give you the opportunity to read biographies and articles on over 50,000 artists but will also give you the opportunity to see some of the amazing works of art that these artists have created.

Photo credit: Street matt / Foter / CC BY

Free Salem Scavenger Hunt

The Witch House (Salem MA)
Are you an art fan planning to be in the Salem area this weekend? Well, if you are, you may want to check out the Salem Art Festival. The Salem Art Festival is a three-day celebration of art in all its forms, including the culinary arts, dance, film, music, painting, performance art, photography, poetry, sculpture, writing, theatre, and a whole lot more. In fact, the festival, which runs from today (June 5, 2015) until Sunday (June 7, 2015) has been giving local artists an opportunity to show off their work for seven years now, so there will be no shortage of things to see and people trying to see him.

However, if you’re concerned that your children may be a little too young for a large amount of family-friendly art, or in other words, will be bored out of their skulls by the time you’ve reached the second painting, you may be looking for something to keep them busy. If this is indeed the case, you’re in luck because this free scavenger hunt designed for children under the age of 12 will have you children looking for all of the famous (and not so-famous) landmarks around downtown Salem while you’re moving from one art location to the next (just so you know, the last location will have your kids looking for ice cream. You have been warned.)

Clue 1:
A very large bird after a long day in the sky,
Would return to his home on these sticks up high.

Clue 2:
Just as water flows down the side of a great mountain,
So too will it flow over you as it leaps from the…

Clue 3:
I have two hands upon my face.
You check my time to keep your pace.

Clue 4:
I ride on this right out of the room,
I’m magically powered with a crescent moon.

Clue 5:
During life, the falsely accused did their best,
But now their memorials all do rest,
By the side of the men who believed them unblessed.

Clue 6:
This museum is dedicated to people who were simply misunderstood
Because sometimes those who seem wicked are actually quite good.

Clue 7:
The first part of this place’s name is a person who uses a broom but has never swept the floor,
The second part of this place’s name is somewhere you live with your very own door.

Clue 8:
Looking for something oh so sweet?
Maria’s has something cold that is sure to help you beat the heat.

Answers: 1. The Stickwork Project’s Giant Bird Nests; 2. Fountain; 3. Almy’s Clock; 4. Bewitched Statue; 5. The Burying Point; 6. Witch Museum or Witch History Museum; 7. Witch House; 8. Maria’s Sweet Somethings.

Where Is All This Stuff? (All Locations are in Downtown Salem, MA):
1. The giant bird nests are part of the Stickwork art exhibit sculpted by Patrick Doherty, and these nest-like sculptures can be found in front of the Crowinshield-Bentley House at 126 Essex Street.
2. There are actually two fountains located on the pedestrian walkway on Essex Street, so you can look for one or both of them if you so choose. The first fountain (if you’re walking from the Crowinshield-Bentley House) is located in front of the Museum Place Mall and the second fountain is located across from Rockafellas at 231 Essex Street
3. The Almy’s Clock, which is the only thing left of the Almy’s, Bigelow, & Washburn Department Store that stood on the site until 1982, is located in front of the Commonwealth Financial Offices at 192 Essex Street.
4. The Bewitched Statue, which is a tribute to the fictional character Samantha Stephens from the famous TV series Bewitched, is located in Lappin Park at the intersection of Essex and Washington Street right in front of the Gulu Gulu Cafe.
5. The Burying Point, which was first established in 1637, is the oldest cemetery in Salem and the site of both John Hathorne, one of the judges that presided over the witch trials, and the site of the memorial to the victims of the trials. The Burying Point is located on Charter Street behind the Peabody Essex Museum.
6. The Salem Witch Museum and the Salem Witch History Museum, which are run by two completely different organizations, are both dedicated to teaching people about the events of the Salem witch trials and the innocent individuals who became victims of the witch hysteria. The Salem Witch Museum is located at 19 1/2 North Washington Square diagonally across from Salem Common and the Witch History Museum is located on the pedestrian walkway at 197 Essex Street.
7. The Witch House, which was the home of Jonathan Corwin, is located at 310 Essex Street. Jonathan Corwin was one of the judges that presided over the witch trials, and his home is one of the only structures from the period with a direct link to the trials that is still standing.
8. Maria’s Sweet Somethings is a souvenir, sweets, and ice cream shop located at 26 Front Street right around corner from most of the art festival’s exhibits.

Photo credit: openroads.com / Foter / CC BY

Geek Out This Mother’s Day

Steampunk Doctor Who
Are you a big fan of Star Wars, steampunk, or just all things geeky? Do random people see the costumes you wear and look at you like you’re actually from another world (Tatooine or Naboo, perhaps)? Have you ever tried to explain to someone what your geeky hobby is and why you do it? Well, if the answer to any of these questions is yes and you are a self-proclaimed geek, nerd, fanboy, or fangirl, you’ll be happy to know that there are several events this weekend that will help you show your friends and family what your geekiness is all about. In fact, if you’re a Star Wars fan, a steampunk Fan, or even an exercise geek, this is the perfect weekend to show Mom (or anyone else for that matter), the geeky things that you truly enjoy.

First, if you’re a Star Wars fan, you may want to head over to the Franklin Park Zoo this weekend. This is because the Franklin Park Zoo is hosting their annual Star Wars Day from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday (May 10, 2015.) This event will allow you and your friends and family to see stormtroopers from the 501st Legion, famous characters from the Rebel Legion, participate in a series of Star Wars scavenger hunts, watch animals play with special Star Wars themed enrichment items, and more. Best of all, if you are planning to bring your mother, the zoo is offering free admission to all mothers in honor of Mother’s Day. For more information on Star Wars Day at the Franklin Park Zoo, please visit the Zoo New England Special Events page.

Secondly, if you’re more of a steampunk fan than a Star Wars fan or you love both equally, you’ll probably want to be in Waltham this weekend. This is because the Watch City Steampunk Festival is this Saturday (May 9, 2015) from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on the Common in Waltham, Massachusetts. This festival will give you the opportunity to bring your friends and family into the world of steampunk with artwork, costuming, films, live performances, music, and a whole lot more. However, the thing that will probably truly put a smile on your face is the fact that you won’t have to pay a dime to get in because admission to the festival is free. For more information on the Watch City Steampunk Festival, please visit the Official Watch City Steampunk Festival website.

Finally, if you like to show the world your geekiness by regaling your friends and family with tales of all of the places that you’ve run through and how quickly you ran through them (which is important if you’re trying to avoid imperial stormtroopers or some other nefarious group of villians), you may want to check out the Geek Day Virtual 5K. The Geek Day Virtual 5K is a virtual marathon that runs from now until May 31st. This event will actually allow you to make your own marathon by choosing a 5K route, running it, and then reporting your time (with the appropriate fee of course) to the organizers. You will then receive a Geek Day Medal and a portion of the money from all of the fees collected will go to charity. For more information on the Geek Day Virtual 5K and/or to report your time for the event, please visit the Virtual Run Events website.

Photo credit: Counse / Photo / CC BY

Exploring Artistic Masterpieces

Lego Shakespeare

Art comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Acting, animation, dancing, music, movies, photography, pottery, painting, video game design, writing, and even Lego building can all be considered art forms. However, even though most people will experience a number of these art forms during their lifetimes, many people are never really exposed to the works of true masters. In fact, when most people think of artistic masters, they think of dusty paintings hanging in museums and/or long-since-dead guys that must have been dull and boring. But, this is really pretty unfortunate because there are a number of works, both old and new, that are truly amazing. Fortunately, if you are interested in exploring some really impressive artwork or even trying your hand at getting involved in making your own, there are several events this weekend that you will definitely want to check out.

First, if you’d really like to see the works of true masters and/or you would like to see all of the work that goes into preserving an artistic masterpiece, the Davis Museum at Wellesley College has the exhibit for you. This is because the Davis Museum has a special exhibit from now until June 7, 2015 entitled “Hanging with Old Masters: The Reinstallation of the Davis Museum.” This exhibit will allow you to see the artistic works of famous Italian painters and see how the museum actually preserves each painting, chooses which paintings are displayed, and determines how each painting should be displayed in the museum. For more information on Hanging with Old Masters: The Reinstallation of the Davis Museum, please visit the Davis Museum at Wellesley College website.

Secondly, if you’re really into painting and pottery but you prefer artwork that was made this century, you may want to check out the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society. This is because the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society is presenting their 2015 Paints & Pots exhibit from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. today and tomorrow (March 6th and 7th, 2015) and from 12:00 to 4:00 on Sunday (March 8, 2015.) This exhibit features a wide range of cards, paintings (on both canvas and paper), prints, pots, sculptures, vases, and more. For more information on the Paints & Pots exhibit, which is free and open to the public, please visit the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society website.

Finally, if you’re looking for a way to take a more active role in an artistic masterpiece, you may want to consider creating something for the Fair Verona Festivals presented by the Shakespeare Commonwealth Company. The Shakespeare Commonwealth Company is hosting three outdoor art festivals this year in Boston as part of their Shakespeare OFF the Common series. These three festivals will each feature a performance of Romeo and Juliet and a series of artistic works and activities that explore a specific theme from the play. As a result, if you’re looking for a way to make your own masterpiece and be part of an incredible artistic endeavor, you may want to consider submitting a proposal for a creative work or activity that you can showcase at one of the festivals this summer. In order to find out more information about the Fair Verona Festivals and/or to submit your proposal by the submission deadline of March 15, 2015, please visit the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company website.

Photo credit: Trev Grant / Foter / CC BY