Salem Massachusetts insiders guide to restaurants, bars, nightlife, shopping and living for tourists and residents.

Having breakfast at one of the coffee shops the other morning we had heard the news but wanted to get all the facts before posting anything.

We are sad to report that sometime late Sunday night early Monday morning Jocelyn Callahan died.  If you’ve ever gone to Gulu-Gulu (where she worked) or Dodge Street or any number of local hangouts where there’s good fun and plenty of friends you may remember seeing Jocelyn.  We got into a discussion about tattoos a couple of weeks ago while I was having a bite to eat at Gulu-Gulu.

I don’t profess to know her well, just in passing. But she did make an impact on those who knew her.  I’ve heard plenty of people talking of her - recounting stories - and the Salem News did a piece about her untimely death.

Just felt I should share.

We will be adding a new page to our site listing some of the blogs kept by residents of Salem.  Our main goal is to shed some light on the people who live in town, giving a glimpse into a different aspect of life here in Salem.  Your writing doesn’t have to be perfect (ours isn’t) nor do you have to live an amazingly facinating life (although we hope you do).  You just have to be from here and blog.

Leave a comment and we will add your blog to our list.  Who knows you might get a few more [...] Continue Reading…

Much talk latley in the frozen desert realm has revolved around the NKOTB Rita’s, you might remember we did a review of them a little while ago. But the pinaccle of cool and delicious has to be Salem’s great ice cream palours.  Each of these shops deserves their own post and in time will probably get one but since Labour day weekend, the unofficial end of summer, is right around the corner I wanted to make sure you know your options.

Maria’s  Sweet Somethings
26 Front Street
978.825.9111

Independantly owned
Great hard ice cream in a variety of flavors
soft serve available
extensive chocolate & [...] Continue Reading…

Special Events / Festivals
Shanty Cruise aboard the Hannah Glover - Saturday August 23rd, 7:30PM to 10:30PM
Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 the day of the trip. Food, entertainment and DJ Joe DiFranco will be served up.
Music
Friday August 22nd

Dennis James (jazz 6-9) DARQ (rock 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
Chris Keating & Special Guest (rock) @ Dodge Street
Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
DJ John (electronica, pop, rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
TBA (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
1201 Blues Band (blues 8pm) @ The Lyceum
Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) [...] Continue Reading…

Thought I would have access while I’m away on a short vacation.  That is not the case.  Fret not dear readers, someone is working on the weekend post and we have a bunch of fun stuff in store for you next week.

Special Events / Festivals
Five Funny Females -  A while back we did a write up on this great ever changing comedy show and now they are back in town.   Our photo contest winner won a pair of tickets to this show but luckily for you there are still a few tickets left and you can save $5 if you buy advanced tickets online.

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival - The premier jazz event of the season over at Salem Willows Friday from 6-8 Saturday from 11:30 to 6 and Sunday from 1-4.  Check out [...] Continue Reading…

Today August 13th, Salem plays host to another great event, the Witches Cup bicycle race.

Back in the days of Greg LeMond Salem started up a world class bike race that found national acclaim with many top athletes coming to the Witch City to take part in the race.
In the cycling boom of the 1980’s, Salem proudly hosted annual elite calibre bicycle races with national exposure. It’s the goal of the Witches Cup organizers to revive the strong bicycle racing tradition in downtown Salem, Massachusetts. The last race to take place [...] Continue Reading…

Rita’s Italian Ice
188 Essex Street
978.741.7482
As the new cool kid in town Rita’s serves up some frozen treats.

With the scooperbowl just happening and the ice cream wars heating up a new hat was thrown into the ring recently when franchise frozen ice water shop Rita’s Italian Ice opened up.  Thankfully for them their big opening was a couple weeks back when we still had some summer heat.

Their shop along the pedestrian mall on Essex Street, next to Witch City Ink and across from Pamplemousse is a colourful explosion of red, green and white. [...] Continue Reading…

Many thanks to everyone who voted in our second photo contest Summer In Salem.  The voting closed today and with over 20,000 page views and a few hundred votes we have a winner.  Keela B. who tells us;
I’m not a Salem resident, but my sister and her fiance live in Salem so I’m in town visiting them quite a bit.

Well, Keela your image captured the eyes of many and you are our winner!

Thanks to the generosity of some great local businesses and promoters you’ve won the following prizes.

2 [...] Continue Reading…

Special Events / Festivals
Essex Street Fair - Downtown Salem & Pickering Wharf this Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 from 10 am - 6 pm Fun for all ages this street festival has something for everyone. Crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and other unique items will be featured along the Essex Pedestrian Mall. Street performers, face painters, and musicians will entertain all.

Berklee Summer Concert Series - Manami Morita on Derby Square, Saturday, August 9 from 5 - 7 pm

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival - The Nat Simpkins Band Featuring Henri Smith at the Museum Place Mall Fountain, Essex [...] Continue Reading…