North of Boston

Ropes Mansion Self-Guided Tour
2026-05-24 11:15 - 15:15, 2026-05-23 11:15 - 15:15 (America/New_York) | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Built in 1727 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Ropes Mansion is recognized as one of New England’s most significant historic structures. Fans of the 1993 movie Hocus Pocus will also recognize it as “Allison’s house” – though the inside of the home did not appear in the film. Instead, its decorations and furnishings reflect a renovation by sisters Sarah, Mary and Eliza Ropes in the 1890s. Visitors can explore the mansion at their own pace with PEM Guides on hand to answer questions.
Visits inside the mansion are $15 per person, or $5 with the purchase of museum admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the Admissions desk inside the museum (161 Essex Street). Timed entries are at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour, with only a limited number of people allowed in the house at a time. Visitors are requested to arrive 10 minutes before their entry time. The last entry of the day is at 3:15 pm.
The Ropes Mansion Garden is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk and is free to visit. Learn more about the house with PEM Walks.
In-person, self-guided tour. Available Saturdays and Sundays
Location: Ropes Mansion and Garden | 318 Essex St, Salem
$15 or $5 with purchase of museum admission
Free for members
Timed tickets required. If you have already purchased your museum tickets, please call 978-745-9500 to arrange your Ropes Mansion tickets.
Ropes Mansion is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors must enter and exit using a set of stone steps; parts of the tour are only accessible via a staircase.

Kids Photo Op at Witch Pix
2026-05-24 10:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-23 10:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-22 10:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-21 10:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-18 10:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-17 10:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-16 10:30 - 16:30 | Witch Pix, 172 Essex St, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
A kid-only witchy portrait session offering four fun styles for a quick, imaginative Salem experience. For a limited time, young visitors can enjoy a brief witchy portrait designed for vacation fun in Salem. Children pick one of four signature styles—Graveyard Magic, Crystal Ball Witchery, 1692 Glamour, or Earth Witch—and step into character with simple costume pieces. The session blends creativity, history, and play, producing a small gallery of expressive images.

Seasonal Saturday Tours!
2026-05-23 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-16 11:00 - 16:00 | Museum of Old Newbury, 98 High Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Guided tours of the Museum of Old Newbury’s 1808 Federal-style home, offered Saturdays this winter. History comes alive on every floor!
NEW! Fall and Winter Guided Tours at the Museum of Old Newbury
Beginning in mid-October, 2025, the Museum of Old Newbury will open its doors for guided tours every Saturday. Tours begin on the hour from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last tour departs at 3:00 p.m.). Please note: certain dates are excluded, and tours are weather permitting.
Step back in time as your knowledgeable guide leads you through two floors of our 1808 brick Federal-style home, where every room is filled with objects, stories, and memories of Old Newbury. Along the way, you’ll hear tales of the families who lived here, discover treasures from our collection, and gain new insight into the rich history of Newburyport and the surrounding area.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime resident, this is your chance to experience the museum in a whole new way—through a carefully curated, guided experience designed to bring history to life.

Salem as Muse: Lucy Cleveland, Author and Textile Artist
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Know before you go
In-person
Location: Morse Auditorium
Included with admission; preregistration encouraged. Registration link coming soon.
Lucy Hiller (Lambert) Cleveland , “There was an old lady who lived in a shoe..” (detail), 1840-1860. Paper, watercolor, linen, leather, silk, cotton, ink, wood. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Morck, 1998. 137846. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Lucy Cleveland.
In 2026, as part of the Salem 400+ initiative, PEM will present “Salem as Muse,” a series of talks that highlight works represented in PEM’s collection. These programs will explore a diverse range of subjects that connect to the unique history and character of Salem, Massachusetts.
Curator-at-Large Paula Richter will give a presentation centered on Lucy Cleveland: textile artist, children’s book author, 19th-century reformer and abolitionist. Born in Salem in 1780, Cleveland traveled to China and Indonesia with her husband, a sea captain, and published more than a dozen books. One of her artworks is on display in Salem Stories.
About our presenter
Paula Richter
Since 2009, Paula Richter has been responsible for curatorial research and support of the museum’s changing exhibition program, related publications and core activities within the curatorial department. She has participated on exhibition teams for more than a dozen recent and upcoming exhibitions and numerous gallery installations and rotations, including The Salem Witch Trials 1692. She previously worked for the Cape Ann Historical Association, the Sargent House Museum and Landmark College. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Richter writes and lectures on American textiles and fashion and New England art and decorative arts. She also leads PEM’s partnership with Handwork 2026, presented by Craft in America.

Dead to the Core - May Show
2026-05-22 20:00 - 23:00 | The Cut, 177 Main Street , Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Dead to the Core is Sam Bouve (Bass), Sean Galbraith (Guitar), John Spurr (Drums), Phil Todisco (Guitar), and Scotty King (Keys). This collective of North Shore original artists, songwriters, and producers came together in 2020 to honor the timeless catalog of the Grateful Dead with a fresh and innovative approach. Dead to the Core celebrates the Dead’s spirit with inspired playing, infused with unrestrained improvisations, and a real good time.
Dead To The Core is The Cut’s 2026 Resident Band – they will play a show every month in 2026, culminating with a New Years Eve show on 12/31/26. Don’t forget to bring your punch card and get a stamp for each show you attend. Collect them all (Feb-Nov) and get free tickets to the NYE show!

Billy Childs Trio
2026-05-22 19:30 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Experience an evening with Billy Childs, one of the most celebrated and visionary composers and pianists of our time. Widely regarded as among the foremost American composers of his generation, Childs has forged a singular voice that seamlessly unites jazz, classical, and contemporary chamber music traditions—creating a richly expressive style that is both sophisticated and deeply personal.
A six-time GRAMMY-Award winner and seventeen-time nominee, Childs has been honored across genres, receiving awards for Best Instrumental Composition, Best Arrangement, and Best Instrumental Jazz Album, most recently for The Winds of Change. His groundbreaking ability to move fluidly between jazz improvisation and orchestral composition has earned him commissions from leading institutions including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, National Symphony, Kronos Quartet, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. His works have been performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Childs first rose to prominence as a prodigious young pianist with J.J. Johnson and Freddie Hubbard, launching a jazz career that has evolved into one of remarkable breadth. His recordings—ranging from the acclaimed Lyric and Autumn: In Moving Pictures to Map to the Treasure, featuring artists such as Renée Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma—demonstrate his extraordinary range and collaborative spirit.
In performance, Childs combines virtuosic piano artistry with compositional brilliance, delivering music that is lyrical, rhythmically vibrant, and emotionally resonant. Whether in intimate trio settings or expansive chamber works, Billy Childs offers a concert experience that bridges traditions and redefines the possibilities of American music.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams
2026-05-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Through Tom’s cinematic eyes, his family’s life isn’t the dream he imagined. In a rundown St. Louis apartment the matriarch, Amanda Wingfield, is desperately clinging to a past of parties and endless callers. Her adult children, Tom and Laura, become victims of her delusions as she pushes for Tom to provide for the struggling family and Laura to find a husband. The two seek solace in ways of escaping their mother and their own misery until a visit from a gentleman caller presents the possibility of new opportunities.
Renowned playwright Tennessee Williams opens the 2025 Season with this classic drama, directed by Doug Lockwood. Running from June 5 to 28, all performances are at Gloucester Stage’s Theater 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. Showtimes are Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, and matinees Saturdays & Sunday at 3:00pm.

The Bordellos - FREE SHOW - Third Thursday (music) Therapy at The Cut
2026-05-21 19:00 - 22:00 | The Cut, 177 Main Street , Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
FREE SHOW!
21+, Positive I.D. Required
Doors at 6pm
Show at 7pm
This is a perfect opportunity to check out The Cut’s incredible music venue – killer sightlines, banger sound system, huge dance floor and 2 large bars!
The Bordellos describe themselves as, “The second best bar band on the North Shore and most of France.”

Virtual Creative Foundations: Cyanotypes
2026-05-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual, MA, United States
Celebrate Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest with a guided tour and workshop!
First, go inside the exhibition with Jane Winchell, PEM’s Sarah Fraser Robbins Director of The Dotty Brown Art & Nature Center and Curator of Natural History, and discover the biodiversity and global importance of our northernmost forests. Afterward, join artist Patricia Scialo to learn how to make cyanotype prints: a “cameraless photography” technique using treated paper that chemically reacts to sunlight. Reflect on the exhibition and your own connection to nature by creating, exposing and processing your cyanotype print. This workshop will also provide resources, ideas and methods to further explore cyanotypes at home.
This class is perfect for beginners or those returning to art after a break. All supplies are provided, and participants will take home essential materials so they can continue practicing at home.
About our collaborator
Patricia Scialo
Fine art photographer Patricia Scialo applies alternative photographic processes to create unique handmade prints. She began her career as an intern at Peter’s Valley Craft Center, Layton, New Jersey, where she mastered view camera work, historic photographic printing processes and still-life compositions that earned her a state fellowship. She has continued working with raw materials, producing handmade paper and cyanotype prints that incorporate mixed media techniques. Scialo was invited to exhibit at the 2024 International Fotografia Festival, Portugal. She is a first-place recipient in the 15th Julia Margaret Cameron Gala Awards, Barcelona. Additional juried exhibitions include: Griffin Museum of Photography, Danforth Art Museum, Winfisky Gallery, Cove Gallery, Jolie Tea Company and Marblehead Arts. Since relocating to the North Shore in 2019, Scialo has conducted workshops for Salem State University, the Cape Ann Museum and Montserrat College of Art. Her studio is located in the Lydia Pinkham Building in Lynn.

"The Fisherman’s Cause: Atlantic Commerce and Maritime Dimensions of the American Revolution" Lecture
2026-05-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, join us for Conflict & Community: Salem, Essex County, and the American Revolution — a dynamic series of programs exploring the American Revolution — its many perspectives, lived experiences, and lasting legacies. This series brings together a range of voices and experts to examine the Revolution from multiple angles. Programs will take a variety of formats including lectures, panel discussions, living history presentations, and more.
Christopher Magra, Professor of History at the University of Tennessee, will present “The Fisherman’s Cause: Atlantic Commerce and Maritime Dimensions of the American Revolution.” This lecture, based on his 2007 book by the same name, will explore the maritime roots of the Revolution.

The American Revolution: A story of the War in 28 Paintings
2026-05-21 12:00 - 20:00 | Cabot House, 117 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
1776 was more than a turning point; it marked the birth of a new world order. A bold line was drawn as ordinary people made extraordinary decisions, declaring independence from the most powerful empire on earth. Driven by youthful fire, they believed in the promise of liberty more than they feared the cost of pursuing it.
Historic Beverly proudly presents The American Revolution: A story of the War in 28 Paintings, a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of artworks commissioned to illustrate Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Sr.’s landmark book.
These paintings are featured in Ken Burns’ upcoming documentary The American Revolution. The exhibit will be on display at the Cabot House from September 6, 2025 to July 4, 2026. Tickets are free and open to the public

Chamber Music Concert to Celebrate Spring
2026-05-17 16:00 - 17:00 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 135 Lafayette St, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
What: Spring chamber music concert — Debussy, Franck & Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires Who: Pianist Eleena Gelfgatt (Carnegie Hall debut, 2018), violinist Diane Hastings (toured nationally with Michael Bublé and Josh Groban), and cellist Peter Zay (Principal Cellist, Plymouth Philharmonic)
When: Sunday, May 17, 4:00 PM (doors 3:30 PM) Where: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead, MA Cost: Free admission, suggested donation $25. Doors open 3:30pm.

Rockport Music Youth Spotlight
2026-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Enjoy an afternoon of music showcasing students who participate in Rockport Music’s education programs. The feature ensemble, the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, will present a heartwarming program of pieces about animals and nature, the perfect setting for spring.
ABOUT YOUTH CHORUS
Rockport Music’s Cape Ann Youth Chorus offers an engaging, inclusive choral experience for young singers across Cape Ann and Essex County. Participants rehearse weekly, explore repertoire from diverse musical traditions, and perform at concerts and community events throughout the year.
The chorus brings together singers of different ages and backgrounds, fostering confidence, musical development, and a strong sense of belonging.

An Afternoon of Spring Concerts with NMYO
2026-05-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Dolan Performing Arts Center, 130 High St., Ipswich, MA, 01938, United States
The Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras presents An Afternoon of Spring Concerts on Sunday, May 17, at the Dolan Performing Arts Center, 130 High Street, in Ipswich, MA. The 2:00 pm concert features the NMYO Prelude String Ensemble, Overture String Ensemble, and Intermezzo Orchestra. The
4:00 pm concert features NMYO’s advanced ensembles: Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. The concerts will include both classical and modern music including works by Holst, John Williams, Tchaikovsky, and more.
The concerts will also be live-streamed on NMYO’s YouTube channel. To watch from the comfort of your home, visit nmyo.org and click the link on the Home Page to see the concert in real time.
NMYO concerts are a great way to experience orchestral music in a comfortable setting while supporting the musical training of the area’s finest young musicians. NMYO is committed to making its concerts accessible to all
patrons and makes reasonable accommodations when possible. For assistance, contact the NMYO office. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

KEVIN OLUSOLA IN CONCERT
2026-05-16 20:00 - 21:00 | Cochran Chapel, 2 Chapel Ave, Andover, Massachusetts, 01810
Kevin Olusola ’06 in Concert
Presented by The Bernard and Mildred Kayden Fund & The William Thomas Visiting Artist Fund
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Cochran Chapel
KEVIN OLUSOLA ’06
As one-fifth of the multi-platinum-selling a cappella group Pentatonix, the multi-faceted Olusola defies stereotypes by reimagining classical musicianship through a modern sonic and lyrical lens.
This event is free and open to the public.
RESERVE YOUR TICKET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kevin-olusola-06-in-concert-tickets-1986466032377

The Many Names of Anonymity
2026-05-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join us for an author talk and book signing for a groundbreaking new publication with close ties to PEM’s collection. In The Many Names of Anonymity: Portraitists of the Canton Trade, art historian Winnie Wong explores the vibrant community of artists working in Guangzhou, China in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Many of their paintings survive today, yet scholars have identified only a handful of the painters’ identities. Pushing against Western norms that have shaped our understanding of authorship, Wong reveals that these artists shared names, created works in multiples and signed their pieces with different names or none at all. She charts the genealogy of this naming problem by bringing to life the artists of the Qing Empire’s trade with Westerners at the port of Guangzhou, centering on a group of portraitists known by names that were recorded in a pidgin language: Chin Qua, Chit Qua, Spoilum, Lam Qua and Ting Qua.
Wong’s lavishly illustrated book explores portraiture across media, including unfired clay, reverse painting on glass, watercolor on paper, oil on canvas and the daguerreotype, to propose new ways of studying anonymity, copying and the emergence of author names in the Chinese-European visual culture of the 18th century.
Wong will present a talk to introduce the book’s main themes and then talk with Karina Corrigan, Deputy Chief Curator and H. A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art at PEM about her ongoing research.

KidsFEST
2026-05-16 12:30 - 16:30 | Haverhill High School, 137 Monument St., Haverhill, MA, 01832, United States
KidsFEST is more than just an event; it is a celebration of childhood, creativity, and community. In bringing back this beloved Haverhill tradition for 2026, Haverhill Education Foundation aims to create a vibrant, inclusive family festival featuring: live performances, a diverse array of vendors, friendly competitions, interactive shows and activities, and a spotlight on Haverhill’s talented youth musicians, athletes and artists! You do no want to miss it!

New England Equine Rescue's Spring Open House
2026-05-16 11:00 - 14:00 | New England Equine Rescue North, 52 Ash Street, West Newbury, MA, 01985, United States
Please join us for our Annual Spring Open House at the New England Equine Rescue in West Newbury from 11-2 on Saturday, May 16th.
Come visit our donkeys, mini horses and horses for this family friendly event! We will have training demonstrations in the arena, farm tours, food for purchase (including @fatbellybbq), family activities including crafts for the kids and the Mass State Mounted unit will be here too! The NEER North Used Tack Shop will be open for all your horsey needs.
Drawing items:
2 Red Sox Tickets
Hotel stay at Aloft in Seaport, Boston
Ezra Adam Group tickets at House of Blues 6/20
Barn starter kit basket
Cocoa Gift Baskets
Trail Max Saddle Bag
More to come!
Hope to see you there!

“Where I’m From” Poetry and Collage at PEM
2026-05-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Know before you go
In-person
Location: Create Space Studios
$30 members; $35 nonmembers.
Preregistration required.
Based on the poem “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon, create your own poem telling the story of your heritage and identity, calling upon the power of the five senses. You can choose to work with the power of words, or use collage materials to represent your message.
Studio Saturdays is a series of adult art making classes designed to inspire creativity and connection through multimedia arts exploration. Each class includes an arts activity that will inspire collaboration, curiosity and creativity, culminating in a completed individual artwork and communal sharing.

North Shore Children's Museum: Marblehead Free Days!
2026-05-16 09:00 - 2026-05-17 16:00 | North Shore Children’s Museum, 10 Main Street, Peabody, M, 01960, United States
Marblehead residents can enjoy free admission to the North Shore Children’s Museum on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17!
With the generous support of Marblehead Cultural Council, we are excited to offer free admission days for Marblehead Residents. Tickets may be reserved online in advance or in person. Get your tickets now at www.nschildrensmuseum.org/visit/buy-tickets/
Guests must be prepared to show proof of Marblehead residency at the door.
**Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last

Motif No.1 Day
2026-05-16 09:00 - 17:00 | Downtown Rockport, 15 Dock Square, Rockport, 01966, United States
Join us for Motif No. 1 Day as we celebrate Rockport’s unique identity as both a historic fishing village and a vibrant artist destination. Centered around the iconic red fishing shack—long a favorite subject for painters and photographers—this beloved annual event brings together the very spirit of Rockport: coastal beauty, creative energy, and community pride.
Stroll through town as artists set up along the harbor capturing Motif No. 1 and Rockport’s stunning waterfront in real time. Enjoy live music, street performances, family-friendly art activities, and pop-up experiences that unfold throughout the day. From Dock Square to Bearskin Neck and beyond, there’s always something happening just around the corner.
Explore galleries, discover local shops, and experience the charm that has inspired generations of artists. Whether you’re watching a painting come to life, enjoying a performance, or simply taking in the view, Motif No. 1 Day invites you to slow down, look closer, and connect with what makes Rockport so special.
🎨 Come for the art. Stay for the experience. Discover Rockport.
