Salem Pride!

I like to think we have Pride in Salem all the time.  But this weekend, we're going to be bubbling over with Pride.  You are invited to join the celebration of "unity in our community" this weekend as the first annual North Shore Pride Parade takes to the streets of Salem.  Here's the scoop from NorthShorePride.org:

First Annual North Shore Pride in Salem June 30 

Parade, Festival and Performances to Celebrate “Unity in the Community”

More than 80 nonprofits, local businesses, faith groups, and community organizations are set to participate in the first annual North Shore Pride Parade and Festival taking place Saturday, June 30 in Salem, MA. All are welcome to attend this day-long event celebrating unity in the community.

Local news anchor and longtime LGBT activist Randy Price is the Grand Marshal of the Parade, which kicks off on New Derby Street at 12 noon from the Salem Post office on Washington Street. Other special guests include openly gay Boston sportswriter Steve Buckley, Salem Mayor Kimberly Driscoll, and members of the North Shore Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth (NAGLY), who will receive the first annual North Shore Pride Community Award.

Following the parade, the community will gather on the Salem Common for a festival where organizations and vendors will provide information, networking and shopping throughout the day. On stage, performers will keep the crowd entertained all afternoon, including R&B singer (and recent Boston Pride Idol contestant) Rolla, acoustic pop act Seth Wonkka and his band, folk singer Deb Hardy, theatrical cabaret group What time is It Mr. Fox? and the world’s only all-female Queen tribute band Gunpowder Gelatine. Vaudeville performer Johnny Blazes will MC, as well as perform with hir band Johnny Blazes and the Pretty Boys. The music will be punctuated by drag performances, hoop dancers, and remarks from special guests, including a representative from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition explaining the state’s recently-enacted gender identity non-discrimination law, and special recognition of the career-long LGBT advocacy of Congressman Barney Frank.

Following the festival, which wraps up at 5pm, revelers are invited to attend a free after party at the Hawthorne Hotel, with DJ Jodi.

North Shore Pride, Inc., an all-volunteer organization, is planning the day-long event to bring together and celebrate the LGBT community from across the north shore region.

North Shore Pride, Inc, wishes to thank our major sponsor, Eastern Bank, whose instrumental support allowed this event to occur. In addition,North Shore Pride, Inc., wishes to thank North Shore Music Theatre, Lucas Noble Financial, Met Life and Spirit Magazine for their sponsorship. North Shore Pride, Inc. is very grateful for the support of these sponsors who have truly embraced our mission of “Unity in Our Community”.

Details:

North Shore Pride Parade and Festival

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Salem, MA

10 a.m. Interfaith prayer service on the Salem Common
12 p.m. Parade kicks off on New Derby in front of the Salem Post Office
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Parade Festival on the Salem Common
5:30 p.m. – After Party at the Hawthorne Hotel (free admission, cash bar) For more information visit northshorepride.org or facebook.com/northshorepride

 

Restoration of the Salem Witch Trials Memorial

We are thrilled to tell you that the Salem Witch Trials Memorial is being restored this summer.  Dedicated in 1992, the Memorial has received an estimated six million visitors during the past 20 years.  It has suffered deterioration over the past two decades, and is in desperate need of refurbishing.

The Salem Award Foundation has undertaken the project, working with the City of Salem and Peabody Essex Museum, both of whom have committed significant funds to support the restoration.  Additional funding for the project has come from major grants from Eastern Bank and Beverly Co-operative Bank, as well as donations from businesses and individuals. The Memorial Committee is still raising necessary monies to complete work beyond the stone masonry as the work begins.

Please be advised that half the walkway in front of the site will remain open, but due to the scope of the work the site will be periodically closed to the public during the next 4 - 5 weeks.

The Memorial is an ideal place to remember the lives lost and the social injustice of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.  Visitors often leave offerings, candles, and flowers on the cantilevered stones.

After a summer of restoration, the Memorial will be re-dedicated on September 9, 2012.  

Words inscribed in the entrance to the memorial

One side of the memorial entrance, uneven and deteriorated.

Restoration work has begun on the right side of the entrance.

Restoration work will include replacing one of the six Locust trees.