Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Salem Theatre Company's Annual Chilling Tales Event




Photos of actor is Chris Clark with Photo Copyrighted to John Fogle.

Salem Theatre Company (STC) once again boards the historic Friendship, at Salem's Derby Wharf, for its 6th annual Chilling Tales. Three new original stories of the strange and supernatural will be told by professional actors in period costumes. Beginning the weekend of October 3rd through October 26th Chilling Tales will run Fridays from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m ; Sundays from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. Up to 15 people board every 15 minutes for this 45 minute performance that travels through different parts of the ship. Tickets can be purchased online at www.salemtheatre.com or at the STC Box Office at Derby Wharf on the night of performance. Ticket prices are $15 adult and $10 children 13 and under. We regret that phone reservations cannot be accepted for Chilling Tales.

Hundreds of years ago, Salem was a bustling port filled with ships heading in and out of the harbor. Large cargo vessels set sail into uncharted waters, venturing to lands unknown. On board these ships, young crewmen sought adventure while facing the unpredictable sea. What happened to ships that never returned, lost at sea forever? For generations, seafarers have told tales of their voyages. Encounters with mutiny, forces of nature, and even the supernatural have all been a part of maritime history. These accounts inspire STC's Chilling Tales aboard the Friendship. During Chilling Tales, you will experience the confinements of being on a cargo ship, sitting in the dimly lite cabins below at night, perhaps such tight quarters could make a man go crazy, especially out at sea. Although the Friendship cannot leave the dock, Chilling Tales and STC provide a dramatic experience inside this reconstructed vessel.

The three original stories that were selected this year intertwine from one tale to the next, keeping the audience moving through the Friendship, anxious to hear more about the tale. "Over the last few seasons, Chilling Tales has developed into a genuine theatrical production by engaging its audience," states Director, Catherine Bertrand. "The actors are always up to the challenge of being on the Friendship for their performances, even for them it's a whole new experience being 'off stage' in a manner of speaking."

Chilling Tales aboard the Friendship will be performed by local actors, including Gianna Baglioni, Jude Bascom, Stephen Bascom, Jim Burkholder, Mia Cowper, Casey Matteson, Tom Ostrowski, Tom Sprague, Al Vatour, Miles Hartfelder, a Salem High School sophomore and member of the SHS drama club, Andy Mattox and Katelyn Collins, are both students in SSC's Theatre Department. Chilling Tales welcomes back Chris Clark and Art Hennessey, who have both been with this STC event since its inception. They also authored the original stories that will be heard during the performances, as well as acting.

STC would like to thank Dirk Isbrandtsen, owner of Capt's Waterfront Restaurant,Grill and Pub www.capts.com and Jim Hurrell, owner of the Witch Dungeon, New England Pirate Museum, and the Witch History Museum www.piratemuseum.com for sponsoring Chilling Tales this year.

The Friendship was reconstructed in 1998, as a way for the community to gain insight into Salem's important maritime history. The original Friendship traded goods from the Far East to Salem Harbor during the late 18th and 19th century. The cargo ship is currently maintained by the National Park Service and is part of Salem's Maritime National Historic Site. STC will be giving a portion of the proceeds from Chilling Tales to assist the Park Service with its year round maintenance and educational programming, enabling the public to explore and learn more about Salem's maritime history throughout the year.

For more information, call 978.790.8546 or visit www.salemtheatre.com.

The Salem Theatre Company is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the economic, cultural, and artistic quality of life in the Salem community through the performing arts and arts education outreach.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Brochure Edits, Errors and Updates

The Official City Guide of Events, Calendar and Map for Salem Haunted Happenings is produced with many events planned in advance. They may sell out or be canceled at the last minute. We invite you to call ahead for the events you are interested in.

On our HauntedHappenings.org website you will find a page with errors in the guidebook. There are some phone number edits, address additions and date changes. We try our hardest to be a complete as possible with a team of many people checking facts, proofreading and so on but there are some mistakes.

We will be updating our pdf on Monday evenings as needed. VIsit the event website also for further information.

Currently these are the following updates to the brochure:

#9 The House of the Seven Gables
The Spirits of the Gables and Legacy of the Hanging Judge events in the daily listings have an inaccurate ending time. These tours end at 11:00pm on October 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and November 1. 7Gables.org

#12 The Hawthorne Hotel
The CarnEvil Creep Show Ball is on Friday, October 31 not Saturday! For reservations call 978-744-4080. HawthorneHotel.com

#89 Cornerstone Books
This great book store is located at 45 Lafayette Street in Salem. On the guide map they are listed as number 89 near Central Street. Just go one more street over and you will find them along with best reading for the Fall. CornerstoneBooks-Salem.com

#93 Fool's Mansion
To visit their website go to FoolsMansion.com. This was not in the booklet.

The Witch City Haunted Octoberfest sponsored by Ipswich Ale
This event did not have a location at the time we went to print. The festivities will be held at the Front Street Parking area. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 978-745-4343.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Interested in going to a party???



So you want to go to a party while you are in Salem?

Well this year our parties begin starting Columbus Day weekend and go throughout the month on a variety of evenings! ID's are required at all but the children's parties!

Saturday, October 11
On Saturday of Columbus Day weekend the festivities begin the the Retro Zombie Ball at Finz on Pickering Wharf. Put on your best zombie costume! There you can dance to the tunes of the 70's and 80's and zombie songs. You can find out more information by visiting FestivaloftheDead.com.

Saturday, October 18
Salem Harvestfest does not require a costume at all! Celebrate the tastes of the fall harvests with at a mead, beer and wine tasting sponsored by Pamplemousse in Salem on October 18. There will be two tastings at 2 pm and 5:30 pm. Go to SalemHarvestFest.com for more information and to order tickets!

Weekend - October 24-26
Dig out your leiderhosen, derndils and drinking horns! For the first time ever visit the Witch City Haunted Oktoberfest on Front Street October 24-26. Celebrate olde German traditions with Ipswich Ale and Moon Haven Productions with food and entertainment. On October 24 at 7 pm come and hear a caberet style act called "Charmed and Dangerous" from New York. October 25 & 26 celebrate with polkas, ompah music and other entertainment. Tickets can be purcahse in advance by calling 978-745-4343. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Saturday, October 25
Looking for something for the kids? On Saturday afternoon October 25 the Annual Children's Party by the Phoenix School will take place. Games and crafts abound. Find out more information at PhoenixSchool.org.

That same evening swing by the Salem Waterfront Hotel's Wicked Night on the Wharf on Pickering Wharf! Dance to music and dress up for the costume contest! Visit SalemWaterfrontHotel.com.

Dig out your tools and head on over to the Annual Vampire Masquerade Ball! Indulge in a gothic evening unlike any other. Cash prizes. Tickets can be purchased by contacting FestivaloftheDead.com.

Interested in partying at sea! Dress on up and go on over to the Salem Ferry Dock on Blaney Street for The Salem Ferry's Costume Party at sea. For more information go to SalemFerry.com/shc.shtml.

Sunday, October 26
For an incredible children's party make reservations at the Hawthorne Hotel's Stop by for a Spell Children's Party! Entertaining characters, delicious treats and pumpkin decorating! Visit HawthorneHotel.com.

Friday, October 31 - Halloween Night
These parties will sell out quickly so book soon!

Join Salem's Witches at the Lyceum Restaurant for A Feast to the Spirits! An evening of food, honoring the spirits of those who have been part of our lives and delectable food and entertainment. Call Crow Haven Corner at 978-745-8763.

Interested in the largest Halloween party in town? Go the the Hawthorne Hotel's CarnEvil Creep Show Ball! Dance to the sounds of "Hush", DJ's, limited edition t-shirts, photos, and over $1500 in costume prizes! Visit HawthorneHotel.com for more information on purchasing tickets.

Party at Capt's Topsides and Deck overlooking haunting Salem Harbor on beautiful Pickering Wharf! Music, prizes and cash bar! For ticket information go to Capts.com or call 978-741-0555.

Saturday, November 1
Finish Haunted Happenings festivities up at The Official Salem Witches' Ball at the Hawthorne Hotel sponsored by Festival of the Dead. Join Witches from all over the world as they celebrate their New Year. Guest appearances by Fiona Horne of Mad House, musician and singer Wendy Rule direct from Australia and the Dragon RItual Drummers group! Cash prizes and free psychic readings! Rates amongst the top ten Halloween parties on AOL. For more information go to FestivaloftheDead.com.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Salem Haunted Happenings on the Radio!!!!

If you are traveling to Salem for this year's Haunted Happenings you might wish to listen to KISS 108 or North Shore 104.9 either on the air or streaming! There will be fabulous opportunities to hear about the day's events on both stations.

North Shore 104.9 will give Haunted Happenings on air during the week with updated information as needed.

KISS 108 will have giveaways to attractions, tours and a special passes to some of this year's Halloween evening parties!

Stay tune here for more information!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Official City 2008 Salem Haunted Happenings Event Guide




Destination Salem's Official City Guide and Map to this year's Haunted Happenings events, venues, sponsors, and advertisers is now available online or by mail. It is 24 pages choked full of ongoing and daily events. Listed in it are all of the businesses and sponsors who participated in this year's advertising campaign.

Also in the guide is a pull out map pointing to where many of the events are taking place. Look for the number next to the event and match it to the same number on the map!

During October you can hear moments of Haunted Happenings with North Shore Radio 104.9 and KISS 108. Community News will send event inserts to over 30 communities across the state and you will see billboards along three major routes on the North Shore. So keep your eyes open and turn on your radio for daily information from our radio partners.

Over the coming weeks we will be posting here about upcoming events also, where to eat, and much more. Watch HauntedHappenings.org and Salem.com for street closings and where to park.

The hauntingly glorious season of Fall is just a week away with Salem Haunted Happenings coming right up on its heels. We look forward to seeing you here!

The Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Opening Parade!



Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Opening Parade sponsored by the Salem Chamber of Commerce kicks off the season here on Thursday October 2 at 6:30 pm. This event brings out Salem's children in their finest costumes, marching bands, decorated floats, cars and trolleys as well as our public officials. This year's theme for the parade is "Never, Never Land!" Visions for fairies, Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, Captain Hook, and so on will adorn the streets.

The parade starts at the Shetland Office park and ends on Salem Common near the Hawthorne Hotel. Please watch the Official City website at HauntedHappenings.org or Salem.com for street closings and where to park.

For more information about the Parade call the Salem Chamber of Commerce or Destination Salem. See you all there!

Many thanks to Kishgraphics for use of this image.