6:15 – 7:00 pm, Derby Square
High Meadow Howlers
Bluegrass
Sponsored by Goodnight Fatty
The High Meadow Howlers are a Massachusetts bluegrass band that aims to bring the stirring traditions and sounds of bluegrass to the North Shore and beyond.  Fun fact – their first official show under the name “High Meadow Howlers” was actually at the 2015 Salem Arts Festival! They have a longer history playing together in local band the Tree House Charlatans (also playing at the Festival this weekend). In the High Meadow Howlers, however,  they try to represent a more traditional style of bluegrass music, often throwing their own twist to covers of songs both prolific and obscure, while also composing original songs and tunes to continue building the genre outward. 

7:00 – 7:15 pm, Old Town Hall
Betsy Miller
Modern Dance
A native of Ohio, Betsy Miller is a dance artist, educator, and facilitator currently based on the north shore of Boston. Her choreography, described as “haunting, spunky and full of imagination” (New York State Council on the Arts) has been presented in New York, Ohio, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Texas, and she has received support from The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Somerville Arts Council, The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture & Tourism, and The Ohio State University. Betsy was a 2017 Bates Dance Festival Emerging Artist, a 2016 Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Choreography Fellow, and recently became an Assistant Professor of Dance at Salem State University. She has been on faculty at Providence College, Connecticut College, Dean College, and AS220, and regularly teaches and performs as a guest artist throughout New England and beyond. Betsy holds an MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University and a BA in Dance from Connecticut College. Betsy has additionally coordinated all the Tiny Dance and Old Town Hall dance performances for the 2018 Salem Arts Festival!

7:30 – 8:05 pm, Derby Square
Samba Viva
Brazilian Dance
Sponsored in part by Cojuelos’ Productions
Samba Viva is a Brazilian samba ensemble dedicated to authentically promoting Brazilian culture through dance and music. They make contagious, highly syncopated rhythm and dance music that expresses joy, freedom and the warm, open spirit of Brazilian culture. Representing a fusion of African and European traditions, Samba Viva embodies the joy and exuberance of Brazil and inspires people everywhere to participate in its life-affirming sounds and movements.

8:15 – 9:15 pm, Derby Square
Los Sugar Kings
Latin
Los Sugar Kings is a Boston-based quartet known for their dynamic live performances, rich harmonies, intense musicianship, and ability to transcend genres with an authenticity rarely heard. In their world, respect is paid to the forefathers and traditions of Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa and Rumba-Flamenca but Los Sugar Kings (named after a Cuban baseball team) also actively draw on influences from nearly every continent in their unique roots-rock-reggae fusion repertoire.

11:00 – 11:45 am, Derby Square
The Friends of Broadway
Musical Theatre
“The Friends of Broadway” is a non-profit musical revue featuring girls who travel all over the country singing and dancing to the likes of Broadway, movies, pop songs, oldies, holiday/summer favorites, and much more! Originally a group of six, each new season boasts a cast of up to 22 girls ranging from grades 2 through college.

11:45 am – 12:15 pm, Front Street
Tiny Dance Stage, Group 1
Erin McNulty
Elizabeth Powers
Nellie Rainwater
Cayley Dorr
Jo Troll

11:45 am – 12:15 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Jennifer Evans
Folk
Jennifer is an accomplished fingerstyle guitarist with a rich voice. She performs the honed, socially relevant compositions of her songwriter brother, Griff Evans, as well as material by other contemporary songwriters. Her album “The Last Cheap Hotel” is a lovely and haunting mirror of contemporary culture, rooted in the grand tradition of storytelling and shared through a variety of authentic voices.

12:15 – 1:00 pm, Derby Square
Witch City Bellydance
Bellydance
Witch City Bellydance is a group of local dancers, who have joined together on the Salem Arts Festival stage, for nine years.  They present an array of belly dance styles, spanning traditional, fusion styles, and experimentation, including Egyptian, Turkish, American Tribal Style, Cabaret, Tribal Fusion, and Theatrical Fusion Dance.

12:15 – 1:00 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Poets in the Round
M.P. Carver, Danielle Jones, Colleen Michaels, January O’Neil, Dawn Paul
Host: January O’Neil
What happens when poets leave the page and take the stage? You get Poets in the Round, a spontaneous, back-and-forth mix of verse, insights, and laughter featuring some of the best writers on the North Shore. You’ve never seen a reading quite like this!

1:00 – 1:30 pm, Front Street
Tiny Dance Stage, Group 2
Erin McNulty
Elizabeth Powers
Nellie Rainwater
Cayley Dorr
Jo Troll
Angelina Benitez & Rebecca Lang

1:00 – 1:30 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Liz Bills
Folk
Liz Bills is a vocal powerhouse, a dynamic songwriter and an empowering force who bares her heart for the world to see.  In 2011, Liz formed a rock band called Analog Heart and began gigging all over New England. Later that year, Liz Bills competed in American Idol and placed in the top 30 females in Hollywood, sharing the stage with legendary icons Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Randy Jackson and Nicki Minaj.  Analog Heart has gone on to share the stage with such acts as Bon Jovi, Daughtry, Will Dailey, Zach Deputy, Ryan Montbleau Band, Gary Hoey, The Brew, Kellie Picklier, Danielle Bradbery, Angie Miller, and Saving Abel, among many others.   

1:30 – 2:15 pm, Derby Square
Sarah Blacker & New England Groove Association
Rock/Jam
Sponsored by Derby Square Architects
With roots in the folk, rock, jam-band and funk scenes, Sarah Blacker and New England Groove Association fuse their vibrant musical worlds together to create an original, soulful sound. The project, which often features special guests, is comprised of award-winning / internationally touring singer/songwriters / multi-instrumentalists, Sarah Blacker, Aaron Z. Katz, and Phil Selesnick on keyboards.

1:30-2:15 p.m.
The Poetry of Art, Coffeehouse Stage
Host: M.P. Carver
Want to try writing a poem but having trouble finding inspiration? Join local poet M.P. Carver for this workshop, all about poems based on art! Writers of all experience levels are welcome; this will be a beginner friendly workshop. You’ll read a number of contemporary and classic poems based on visual art and talk about some ways you can get starting writing your own poems. You’ll get a chance to do a bit of your own writing as well, sharing is optional but encouraged!

2:15 – 3:15 pm, Old Town Hall Upstairs
Saturday Dance Block
Jacob Crawford
Pantos Project
Kaleidoscope Dance Company
Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe
Angelina Benitez & Rebecca Lang
Off Beat/ Ryan P. Casey
*Note: Space is limited.

2:15 – 3:15 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Hannah Wagner
Poetry To Go
Hannah Wagner is a resident of Salem, Massachusetts, and a graduate Salem State University. She is also an actor and can be seen in many productions across the North Shore. Her writing has been featured in The Broke Bohemian, Mass Poetry’s Poem of the Moment, Whisper and the Roar, Sudden Denouement, Door is a Jar, and is forthcoming in Soundings East. Poetry To Go will set up their typewriter on their vintage typewriter table and write poems on the spot for people. It is a “pay what you can” system, or pay what you think the poem merits. People may request a love poem be dedicated to someone or just want a poem to capture the day they have spent in Salem.

2:15 – 3:15 pm, Front Street
Faerie Tribe
Joey Phoenix is a Salem-based folk artist fascinated by all things magical. A member of the Faerie Tribe, Joey likes to use her music to tell stories about dragons, adventures, and about people who have lost their way, only to find it with a little help from fascinating places and people. When she is not playing or writing music, Joey spends her time photographing things that interest her, performing in character at children’s parties, and hanging out with her musically-inclined guinea pigs.

3:15 – 3:45 pm, Derby Square
Boston Opera Outreach Troupe
Classical
Boston Opera Outreach Troupe strives to present opera to a wide and diverse audience by creative staging; audience participation, engagement, and interaction; and in doing so, educating and exposing new audiences of all ages to breakdown previously conceived ideas of opera and enjoy this art form that encompasses singing, acting, and movement. B.O.O.T. is a collaboration of New England based opera singers that places great importance on representing singers from a diverse cultural background and on representing these heritages through music in the operatic repertoire.

3:45 – 4:15 pm, Front Street
Tiny Dance Stage, Group 3
Off Beat / Ryan P. Casey
Jacob Crawford
Kate Shepard/Cayley Christoforou
Nikki SaoPedro-Welch
Angelina Benitez & Rebecca Lang

3:45 – 4:15 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Molly Pinto Madigan
Folk
Winner of the Boston Folk Festival’s Songwriter Contest and dual Creativity Award recipient from Salem State University, Molly Pinto Madigan is a young songwriter who has earned praise for her angelic voice. Filled with smoke and roses, heartbreak and beauty and unrelenting hope, her songs combine haunting melodies with raw, poetic lyrics to create an intimate and evocative listening experience.

4:15 – 5:00 pm, Derby Square
Jones Creek Band
Rock
Jones Creek is a southern rock style band, basically a modern-day Lynyrd Skynyrd. All four members are from the local areas; Salem, Gloucester and Reading. Check out their teaser video!

4:15 – 5:00 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Handsome Mantis Poetry Slam
Sponsored by Steel Root
Marika Whitaker, Ryan Heidorn, Nadia Blayer, Bryan Parys

5:15 – 6:00 pm, Derby Square
Mojo Risin’
Rock
Mojo Risin’ is the north shores premiere Doors Tribute Band. The band plays songs spanning from The Doors self titled album to L.A. Woman and everything in between, including excerpts from live albums and reenactments of live TV broadcasts. Whether you are a Doors fan or just a lover of music, Mojo Risin’ will have you smiling and wanting more at the end of a show.

10:45 – 11:30 am, Derby Square
Emma Sundvik & Hunter Burgamy
Jazz
Emma Sundvik is a promising 20-year-old international jazz trumpeter and vocalist. Primarily based out of New York City and Boston, she attends the prestigious Berklee College of Music on the North American Tour Scholarship. Currently, Emma is in her third year at Berklee, studying voice and trumpet as a Performance Major.  Hunter Burgamy is a 22 year-old guitarist and banjoist from New Orleans, Louisiana.  Based out of Boston, Hunter is a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music where he studied Music Business on a full City Music Scholarship. Emma and Hunter first met on study abroad in Spain, and play frequently in clubs and restaurants in Bilbao and Valencia, as well as in Boston.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Green Tea Yoga
Yoga
Start your day at the festival off right Green Tea Yoga, the first and original Yoga Studio on the North Shore of MA. Although Green Tea Yoga has transformed throughout the years, it continues to remain a heart centered studio focusing on community connection and spiritualism. This studio attracts an eclectic mix of individuals, from the beginner student, to the experienced yogi, and provides an assortment of classes and wellness services for everyone. Bring your own mat, or use one of theirs

11:30 am – 12:00 pm, Front Street
Tiny Dance Stage, Group 1
Cameron Decas
Betsy Miller Dance Projects
Jenna Pollack
Nikki SaoPedro-Welch
Nozama Dance Collective

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Community Bike Ride and Bike Decorating
Starts and ends at the Zagster hub, at the intersection of Front and Washington Streets. Ride to include a casual tour of Punto Urban Art Museum murals.  All ages and abilities welcome! Bring your own bike, or rent one of Zagsters (18+ only).

12:00 – 12:15 pm, Derby Square
FlyKidz
Hip Hop Dance
Sponsored by Paul Tucker
The FLY KIDZ of the Salem YMCA are a multi-cultural, diverse  co-ed group of kids ranging in ages from 5-15 from the City of  Salem and surrounding communities. This competitive team is made up of 10 young dancers who have been performing and competing together for a little of one year. Just recently the team not only placed during the LEAP National Dance Competition but also received a Judge’s Award for Potential and Perseverance!

12:15 – 1:00 pm, Derby Square
Dark Follies
Vaudeville
Sponsored by The Larcom Theatre
Dark Follies is an award winning vaudeville style variety show based in Portland, Maine.  Family friendly while still keeping an edge, Dark Follies  features the live music of the Dark Follies Rhythm Orchestra, dancing, juggling, side show acts, fire performers and more.  Born of a love of street theater, and vaudeville, Dark Follies began bringing its special brand of street Vaudeville to life in the dark hours of Portland’s summer First Friday Art Walk nights in the Autumn of 2008. Now entering it’s ninth year, Dark Follies will continue to surprise, entertain and delight audiences in the street and on the stage in 2017 and beyond.

12:15 – 1:00 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Poets in the Round
Jennifer Jean, Jennifer Martelli, Casey Roland, Enzo Surin, Cindy Veach
Host: January O’Neil
What happens when poets leave the page and take the stage? You get Poets in the Round, a spontaneous, back-and-forth mix of verse, insights, and laughter featuring some of the best writers on the North Shore. You’ve never seen a reading quite like this!

12:15 – 12:45 pm, Front Street near Coffeehouse Stage
Baechtold and Abel Aerial Artistry
Molly Baechtold and Leah Abel are two talented circus performers who have joined forces to create dynamic duo acts on trapeze, aerial silks, the cube and other innovative apparatus.  With over 25 years of combined experience, they inspire audiences in and around Boston by challenging the constraints of stability and gravity. Molly and Leah have been seen performing at night clubs, arena shows, corporate events, galas, private parties, block parties, in theater productions and everything in between. They are thrilled to keep bringing their passion to audiences big and small.

1:00 – 1:30 pm, Front Street
Tiny Dance Stage, Group 2
Cameron Decas
Kristin Wagner
Betsy Miller Dance Projects
Jenna Pollack
Sarah Slifer Swift
Nozama Dance Collective

1:00 – 1:30 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
The Boondock Sinners
Acoustic Pop
Paul Duffy & Donna Landry merged voices and musical stylings in 2014 to create a unique musical blending of vocal harmonies and expressive sound called The Boondock Sinners. Hundreds of appearances in New England and beyond have solidified their performances and their ever evolving set list. They’ve got an impressive array of music that crosses many genres, pop, rock, country, and Americana!

1:00 – 3:00 pm, around the festival
Miracle Fish Puppets
What is a Miracle Fish Puppet? Creator, Vinnie Lovegrove thinks of puppets as people.Trained as a sculptor, Vinnie finds inspiration to create his larger than life puppets from the real world all around and fairy tales we all know. Many of the huge puppets require two or three people to manipulate.

1:30 – 2:15 pm, Derby Square
Outrageous Fortune
Jug Band
Sponsored by the Cheese Shop of Salem
Outrageous Fortune is a Boston-based acoustic vintage jazz and blues trio. Their repertoire features innovative arrangements of early jazz, blues and jug band music, and traditional folk music. The group features Chris Welles on guitar; Rod Thomas on harmonica; and Dan Dick on jug, bass, washboard, dobro, banjo, and mandolin. Outrageous Fortune not only revive the rich repertoire of the classic jug bands, but this expert outfit also revels in the wit, theatricality and pure fun of the genre.

1:30 – 3:30 pm, Coffeehouse Stage
Poetry Open Mic with Joey Gould
Read you poetry at our family-friendly open mic, hosted by Joey Gould. Drop in. Sign up. Speak out!

Blackout Poetry Creative Studio—Drop-in Session with Casey Roland
Blackout Poetry is the art of redacting words from an existing piece of text until a poem emerges. Create your own Blackout Poems at the Coffeehouse Stage! Examples will be on hand and for sale, as well as art supplies and “retired” books to inspire visitors to make inventive pieces that combine poetry and visual art. This is a drop-in activity.

2:15 – 3:15 pm, Old Town Hall Upstairs
Sunday Dance Block
BoSoma Dance Company
Margaret Wiss
Kristin Wagner
Forty Steps, Theophile Victoria
*Note: Space is limited.

2:15 – 3:15 pm, Front Street
Calamus
Alternative Rock, Bellydance
Calamus is the music behind The Tarot Experience, with Gret McGilvray & Bruce Malley, creating soundscapes and songs to accompany each show.  In this configuration, we are: Gret McGilvray/Keyboards, Bruce Malley/Guitar,  Aaron Waltz/Drums,  Michael Connolly/Bass. Calamus is based on the north shore of Massachusetts. Their music vacillates between eerie soundscapes and alternative rock – often dark and frequently brooding- yet also contains influences of ragtime, folk and psychedelic rock. 

3:15 – 3:45 pm, Derby Square
Baechtold and Abel Aerial Artistry
Sponsored by Oak + Moss
Molly Baechtold and Leah Abel are two talented circus performers who have joined forces to create dynamic duo acts on trapeze, aerial silks, the cube and other innovative apparatus.  With over 25 years of combined experience, they inspire audiences in and around Boston by challenging the constraints of stability and gravity. Molly and Leah have been seen performing at night clubs, arena shows, corporate events, galas, private parties, block parties, in theater productions and everything in between. They are thrilled to keep bringing their passion to audiences big and small.

3:45 – 4:15 pm, Front Street
Tiny Dance Stage, Group 3
Cameron Decas
Betsy Miller Dance Projects
Jenna Pollack
Layne Willis/Cayley Christoforou
Kristin Wagner

4:15 – 5:00 pm, Derby Square
Flamenco Boston
Flamenco
Sponsored by Northey Street House
Founded in 2007, Flamenco Bostons mission is to bring more flamenco to the New England through providing flamenco dance classes and performances. Flamenco is an eclectic art form originating from the cultural melting pot that was the South of Spain, blending together the influences of the Andalusians, Moors, Sephardic Jews, Indians, and Gypsies.  Flamenco Boston will deliver an authentic flamenco performance filled with intricate guitar playing, emotional singing, and dynamic dancing.

5:15 – 6:00 pm, Derby Square
The Treehouse Charlatans
Bluegrass
Sponsored by Roost
The Tree House Charlatans represent a musical ensemble originally based around a didgeridoo and a tree house – where they would gather every so often throughout the warmer months with other friends and family, and play music. Soon enough, several of them decided that their musical interests were similar enough, and their sound unique enough that they should share it with the world. And so the band was born. They play a mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, folk, and rock. Their instrumentation is that of a traditional bluegrass ensemble, featuring guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, upright bass and hand drums, but with a unique twist in the addition of a didgeridoo!