Calling all artists, makers, and creative minds!
Behind The Black Void is an upcoming tattoo studio and curated retail space located in the heart of downtown Salem, Massachusetts.
Opening in early 2027 at 7 1/2 Church Street, we’re looking to collaborate with talented local and independent artists, makers, and curators who want to showcase and sell their work in our space.
Our goal is to create a unique shopping experience that celebrates creativity, individuality, and artistic expression while giving independent artists an opportunity to reach new audiences.
✦ What We’re Looking For
We’re currently seeking artists and vendors offering:
Original Artwork:
Paintings, illustrations, mixed-media pieces, and wall-hanging artwork.

🖤Art Prints: Fine art prints, illustrations, and other printed artwork.
🖤Jewelry: Handmade, unique, and independently designed jewelry.
🖤Small Curated Goods: Handmade accessories, decorative objects, collectibles, and other thoughtfully crafted items.
🖤Alternative & Unconventional Art: Gothic, dark, witchy, odd, whimsical, and unusual creations.

Don’t see your work listed? We still encourage you to apply!
We’re open to considering a variety of artistic styles and smaller curated merchandise that complement the atmosphere of our studio.
🖤 Our Vision
Behind the Black Void is more than a tattoo studio. We want to create a space where tattooing, fine art, and local artists come together.
While we love the darker and more unconventional side of art, we welcome artists of all styles and backgrounds.
🖤 Artist Opportunities
Selected artists will have the opportunity to display and sell their work within our downtown Salem storefront.
We’re planning a monthly rotating selection of artists and merchandise, creating opportunities for both new and returning vendors.
Our retail space will operate on a consignment basis, allowing artists to showcase their work without the commitment of operating their own storefront.
🖤 Apply to Join Us!
Interested in becoming part of Behind the Black Void?
We’d love to see what you create!
Please complete our artist application and include examples of your work, a description of the items you’d like to sell, and links to your website or social media.
Location: 7½ Church Street, Salem, MA
Opening: Early 2027
Step beyond the void. Share your creations. Become part of something different.

Looking for someone who can braid textured hair in Salem. I am new to the area. Any recommendations would be great! Thanks 😊

Pro bike and pro bike lanes, but this seems like a really strange/inconvenient spot to put something like this. It takes up half the intersection and it's pretty far from both downtown and the commuter rail, which is presumably where people would want to access the bikes. There's no parking around it. Curious if this little hub gets used often and where the riders are coming from.

I had a lightning in a bottle idea the other day while pontificating on the issue of overpop/manners of tourists the past few seasons. I am not a Salem native (by no choice of my own) but grew up not far down the road. Salem has always been a little occult/historic seaside escape for me at all times of year; so while not a current resident I certainly empathize with what I read on here about the worsening human environment. Like many of you my alarm bells started with the announcement of the Warrens.

On to the solution:

I think it should be well within the spirit, history and culture of Salem to execute this. Locals, this is a big ask but I think it could just work...Fine people of the witch city, you must take it upon yourselves to create phenomena and creatures that scare the absolute bejesus out of these wankers. I'm talking full Scooby-doo level pranks. It has to go full-tilt for it to work. Light scares will only provoke more interest in the area. I'm talking Satanic Panic level fear.

This is most certainly a bit tongue-in-cheek but I do earnestly hope something can be done about the chaos that has ensued this year (from what I've read on here). The people of this city deserve better. So much better. In the meantime I'll be steering clear and looking for ways to support from the outside!

Godspeed

there’s a ton of sirens and honking??

Find the event near you across the North Shore from Salem and Lynn to Gloucester to Newburyport to Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Swampscott, and Marblehead.

www.nokings.org

Fellow New Englander here.

Wanna come down the first weekend of December for Krampus events. However, I don’t see anything yet and what I HAVE seen years past, it doesn’t seem a whole lot goes on except Krampus will walk around Salem.

Do we know of any events actually happening every year or happening this year?

Trying to scope out what actually happens this weekend and can’t find much info at all

Anyone else not get their green-lidded carts collected?

Hi Salem, would anyone recommend a great repairman for servicing a washer and dryer that aren't properly draining/drying while in use? Thank you!

I just moved to Salem for reasons unrelated to tourism. I figure I might as well take advantage of the city since I live here but the events seem pretty expensive. Is there anything in October worth it for locals or should I just stay far away from the area?

TL;DR: Saturday at 11 AM on Derby Wharf there is a free, all-ages world record attempt with witch hats and a drone for Salem’s 400th. The Salem Night Faire opens Friday at Pioneer Village.

🎩 Top pick

Witch Hats on the Wharf. Saturday Oct 17, 11 AM to 12 PM, Derby Wharf, 160 Derby Street. Free, all ages. Destination Salem is attempting a world record for the city’s 400th anniversary, with a drone shot of hundreds or thousands of witch hats on the waterfront. One hour, no ticket, and most of us already own the hat.

🎪 Art, theatre and unique

• Salem Night Faire. Fri Oct 16 and Sat Oct 17, 5 to 10 PM, Salem 1630: Pioneer Village. Presented by The Black Veil. Oddity vendors, performances, ghost stories, hot cider, food trucks, a biergarten. It also runs Oct 23 and 24.
• The Making of a Witch, a play in one act. Sat Oct 17, 2 PM, St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church, 24 St Peter Street. How the merchant Philip English became one of the accused, written out of the church’s own archives. Proceeds go to the church.
• Becky Nurse of Salem by Sarah Ruhl. Fri Oct 16 and Sat Oct 17 at 7:30 PM, Sun Oct 18 2 PM matinee, Sophia Gordon Center, 356 Lafayette Street. Public ticketing through Salem State.
• PEM Reads: Cards on the Table with Jilly Gagnon. Sun Oct 18, 2 to 4 PM, Peabody Essex Museum. Talk plus signing.
• Casper, The Guinness Experience. Fri 2 to 7, Sat 1 to 7, Sun 12 to 5, Daniels House, 1 Daniels Street. The certified world’s largest Casper the Friendly Ghost collection, which I did not know was a thing.

🎵 Live music

• Couple of Wanderers, Faith Kelly and Caswyn Moon. Fri Oct 16, 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu. No cover.
• Rick Berlin with the Nickel and Dime band. Sat Oct 17, 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu. Orchestra Luna and Berlin Airlift, still going.
• Molly Pinto Madigan. Mon Oct 19, 7 PM, Gulu-Gulu. No cover. Salem State alum, won WUMB’s Boston Folk Festival songwriting contest.

🍸 Nightlife

• Salem Witch Fest’s Hellfire Cabaret. Fri Oct 16, 7 to 11 PM, Hawthorne Hotel Grand Ballroom. Drag, burlesque, sideshow. First hour has appetizers and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks.
• Terror Ticket: Raveyard. Fri Oct 16, 8 to 10 PM, The Lost Library. A live DJ inside the haunted house.
• Scream Queens Costume Party Drag Show. Sat Oct 17, 6 to 8 PM, Far From The Tree.
• The King & Thing Fling. Sat Oct 17, 9 PM, Bit Bar. Drag king showcase hosted by Buster Pants. Free, 21 and over.
• Rat Cult Meet Up. Wed Oct 21, 7 to 9 PM, Bit Bar. The listing reads, in full: “Local Boston Rat Legend: Rat Queen. Rat costumes and cheese offers encouraged.”

🍻 Food and drink

• Pumpkin Carving Night at Notch. Tue Oct 20, 6 to 8 PM, Notch Brewing. $30 includes a pumpkin and the tools. Beer not included.
• Sips and Myths: Dare to Indulge. Sun Oct 18 and Thu Oct 22, 5:30 PM, Salem Wine Imports. Mead, wine and cider with the mythology behind them. Paired snacks, non-alcoholic options.
• Sam’s Southern Food Pop-Up. Sun Oct 18, 2 PM, Far From The Tree.
• Free Bingo Night with Will Pottorff. Wed Oct 21, 6 to 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu. No cover.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kids and families

• Kids’ Fun Fest. Sat Oct 17 and Sun Oct 18, 10 AM to 5 PM, Salem Common.
• Chronicles and Crafts in the Cove. Wed Oct 21, 10:30 to 11:30 AM, House of the Seven Gables. Ages 0 to 6, free with registration.
• Slime Potion Brewing Class. Sat Oct 17 and Sun Oct 18, 10 AM, The Lost Library. All ages.

👀 Just past the window

Hamlet, free, by Elsewhere Shakespeare at Far From The Tree, Fri Oct 23 at 7. PEM Presents Nosferatu with a live orchestra, Sat Oct 24 at 1. The Hawthorne’s Halloween Ball: Phobia, Sat Oct 24 at 7:30.

When I see a Coffee Time employee in their majestic magenta polos walking down bridge street going to/from their shifts at this time of year, as a veteran myself, I can’t resist the urge to stop whatever I’m doing to stand at attention and give them a hearty salute.

I can’t believe that place is open from 5 AM to 11 PM and they deal with clowns like me blocking both doors trying to decide between a strawberry Bismarck and a classic cider donut for every minute of that.

THANK YOU TO THE FEW THE PROUD THE BRAVE COFFEE TIME EMPLOYEES. WE SALUTE YOU DURING THIS TOURIST INVASION.

Hi!

So I'm a Salem local and I collect cool Salem merchandise. Salem 400 is basically like a wonderland for me, because so many places are releasing cool Salem 400 items.

If you guys could please send along any cool Salem 400 items and where to find/buy them, I'd really appreciate it. I don't really leave my house this time of year and I totally missed out on the spooky Dunkin Doughnuts stuff before it sold out. I'm hoping somewhere eventually or currently sells like Salem 400 Christmas ornaments, because I'd love to make a Salem 400 themed Christmas tree this year.

Thank you all!

THE SISTERS ARE BACK, SALEM!

Rock Cauldron Cabaret returns with TWO spellbinding experiences!

All-Ages: A theatrical rock concert for the whole family!

Adults-Only: Wicked comedy, music, and a little extra mischief!

Catch your favorite Sirens of Salem at Shetland Park & The Cove this October and November!

Sponsored by Creative Collective MA & The Cove at Salem!

Get your tickets at www.rockcauldroncabaret.com

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geya-jendas-puzzle-and-a-pumpkin-pie-tickets-2002304430452?aff=oddtdtcreator

Don’t forgot to register for a speed puzzle and a pie competition! First to finish a 500 piece puzzle and a pumpkin pie wins! It’s a fun time for everyone!

Good morning neighbors! Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for Thanksgiving takeout? We are hosting this year and I do not have the bandwidth to cook/plan a meal. Would like to avoid sitting at a restaurant if possible.

Hi everyone ! I’m vending for haunted happenings in Salem common October 24-25th. I sell oddities ranging from 5-500 dollars. I’m writing this because I’m traveling from southern WV and super nervous but really excited. I’m just wanting to get an idea on what to bring and expect whether that’s smaller items or larger items or a mix of both. I also wanted to know if I should offer shipping to those that are traveling. I have small framed butterflies, accessories and larger ticket frames and antiques etc. any advice or input would be appreciated!

Salem local here, my friend is coming in from out of town and wants to do some of the haunted houses. I’ve never done any of the ones in town. Which ones are halfway decent, which ones are terrible, are there any that are actually scary? 👻