scoow

I would love to make this. Will see how things work out.

violist

Where to stay: the hotels within walking distance are sold out.

No tickets: It's an 1812 concert on the wharf. Free and first come first served.

CDKing

Theres also a ferry that runs from Boston to Salem

http://www.salemferry.com/

jan_az

Have 3 programs we could do a 48 hour force with

JerseyJoe

Ouch. July 4th weekend is a busy concert time for me. Mrs JJ and I certainly wish you well on your last official concert --- now if you need a guest conductor.....

jan_az

So the Marriot Peabody?

boxo

That's where I am booked, Sat-Mon, $139nt+. Probably won't decrease, but I set up a Yapta alert anyway.

violist

The Peabody Marriott is okay but a couple miles down the road -
miles that will be clogged before and after the gig and that don't
have public trans attached to them. The local nonchains that are
convenient to the site are sold out. There are B&Bs that may or
may not be useful, as well.

Suggestion. People find a place to stay and carpool. Before the
gig, show up early, park in the South Harbor municipal garage,
spend a few bucks in the local tourist traps, and settle for the
show. Afterward, Salem Beer Works, after which the traffic should
be calmed down. The garage is only a few blocks from the event.

FlyinHawaiian

I have a reward booked at the Marriott Peabody from Saturday to Monday as well. Looks like it's as good as place as any for us to use as a base of operations and carpool from there.

I hope we can make it!

tkey75

I am interested in this. I'll have to see how my schedule works out. If anyone wants to stay in Boston, I could offer a ride to Salem and back for three people.

zeikka

As a local to Salem I can't recommend Marriot Peabody -- rooms are ok, but location is in middle of nowhere.

Salem is nice town to walk about with dozens of cafees, restaurants and bars - so staying at Hawthorne or some other local & independent place is recommended. If no availability, then I'd stay in Boston and take the boat or commuter rail in.

Lot of places that are far superior to Beerworks -- examples Finz seafood restaurant, bar/ casual diningl Rockefellers, fine/ authentic Mexican Cilantro, small/ romantic Italian Bella Verona (favorite), bar Pig's Eye, A Passage to India, etc. Beerworks is rather uninspired in my view.

scoow

I might take you up on this.

jan_az

I booked fri-monday on an award , but note that the AAA rate is $125

violist

And anyhow, the best in town for real food is the Grapevine, hands down.
The bar right at Riley Plaza (name forgotten) is decent, too.

I did point out upthread that the local fine-staying places are sold out.
We're talking about an event with sizable attendance: one year the
figure 60000 was bandied about; beds are at a premium.

An aside (not regarding my retirement from this group at all) I was talking
to monitor and Franny - as I am still physically capable of doing a recital,
and my accompanist just got laid off by the college where he taught (and
which forbade his taking outside work), I might do one closer to an airport
- BOS or PVD for example. That wouldn't happen for a while. Probably around
a fare sale.

None of these places is that exciting [snarky and almost-true comment removed].

Finz is okay plus (the fish is okay, the short ribs are plus); it has been at
various times an iDine place, which may be important to some.

Rockefeller's, however you spell it, is truly nasty. Truly. Taints your credibility.
Not so bad as Roosevelt's, late and unlamented. What's it about Salem and
these stupid names? Why not Increase Mather's? Or Giles Corey's Rib House?

Cilantro has a mediocre reputation, so I've never bothered.

Bella Verona has been well recommended but is not my style.

In a Pig's Eye, okay; Witch's Brew across the street is better. But of
course the former is iDine. The best iDine in the region, in my experience,
is Fire Bull in Peabody Square - no atmosphere, but wonderful salty
bloody rodizio meat.

A Passage to India, fine, but you don't go to Salem for B-/C+ Indian food.

Too bad: Beer Works is a nonnegotiable, plus it will welcome us with
open arms after the fireworks, it always has. I am not suggesting that
people take all their meals here, but my afterparty will be here.

boxo

I need to book a "publicly available rate" for BOGO. Thanks for pointing that out for others though.