About Playing Edition
Sevening (v.): the act of showing up after seven(ish) — for your people, your community, and honestly yourself in Essex County. Still not sure what any of this means? That’s okay, just told someone the other day. The full definition’s playing in our About Time Edition, waiting patiently.
Oh hey there, Essex County. Time to ante up, honeys.
Last week Essex County pulled back the curtain — a fifty-plus-year duo taking the stage together, a plaster dinosaur workshop, a cartoon cosplay meetup, a mushroom walk that read like a runway show, a bonsai bar, and a film that let a family’s secrets spill out one by one. Everything got unveiled, see last week’s edition here. This week, we’re less interested in what’s underneath and more interested in whether you brought your A-game.
Because Essex County is playing this week. Cards, board games, bingo cards, cameras, turntables, trading cards, ten-piece horn sections, a projector, a microphone — doesn’t matter what’s in your hand, something’s getting played. Fortunes get read. Rules get taught. Records get spun. A mic goes hot. A screen lights up with something delightfully trashy from 1987. Essex County isn’t just showing up this week. It’s showing up to play. Let’s deal you in.
July 21, 2026
Tarot Tuesday with Wicked Witchy Writer at 6:00 PM
Fancy a little destiny with your cider? Then Far From the Tree holds your future. Tarot Tuesday is back with the Wicked Witchy Writer for a personalized 10-minute reading for just $20. Balance a cider in one hand, destiny in the other and see what the cards have to say about your week, your love life, or that decision you’ve been putting off. I’ll be having the Nova to make sure my stars align for this sevening. We all need a little bit of magic. First come, first read. The cards are calling, the cider is chilling, and your fabulous future awaits its reveal.
July 22, 2026
Intro to Podcasting: The Podcast! at 6:30 PM
Step into the spotlight and let your voice soar! BevCam turns everyday chatter into pure broadcast glamour, from equipment to editing to your grand on-air debut. You will learn the mic work, the setup, the editing glam, and then you will WERK it live on camera for an episode airing on cable, YouTube, and every podcast platform that matters. Adults and teens 16+ are invited to find their voice and throw it, full volume, into the world. Grab your best angle and your loudest opinions, because tonight, everyone gets their moment. Category is: broadcast-ready.
July 23, 2026
Learn to Play with JP at 6:00 PM
Honeys, gather ’round at The Castle for an evening of dazzling strategy and delightful company — a brand-new game awaits your grand entrance every week. Come learn the rules, throw some shade at your tablemates, and maybe even walk away a champion. My strategy is def going nachos squared with the nacho platter and cannoli nachos and down it with an iced tea, no lemon. Bring your friends, bring your game face, and get ready to learn something new every single time. Strategy is a whole personality, and for this sevening, you get to try one on.
Music Bingo at 7:30 PM
I-29! Aren’t we all, honey? B-1! To come and have some fun! B-4 you know it, you’ll be shouting BINGO at Granite Coast Brewing as you daub your way through the hits to see if your card can carry a tune. Test your ear for lyrics, artists, and one-hit wonders while sipping a Breeze, sour grape is my fave. I’ll be ending my night with my boo, Seraphine, as always in a pack to go. Cheers to the chance to yell ‘bingo’ louder than the table next to you. Somewhere in the room a winner is already decided — they just don’t know it yet.
July 24, 2026
Disco Night After Dark by Scottie Mac at 8:00 PM
Descend into the glowing cellar of The Bell Inn & Tavern for a night dripping in vintage glamour — dinner, dazzle, and disco beats until the wee hours. Start upstairs with dinner in the tavern, then head down to the cellar where the real groove begins. DJ Scottie Mac spins all the classic disco hits, turning a historic basement into the hottest dance floor in town. It’s a night of vintage vibes, great food, and a whole lot of shimmying. Upstairs for dinner, downstairs for trouble, what waits below moves to a rhythm decades old and never forgotten.
Night Light: The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987) at 10:00 PM
Get ready to trade up your Friday night for something delightfully gross — Night Light presents The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987) at Cinema Salem. Directed by Rod Amateau and born from the beloved trading card series, this is cult cinema at its most delightfully theatrical — young Dodger’s journey through bullies and a band of wonderfully outrageous companions is equal parts absurd and endearing. Rated PG, so it’s family-unfriendly in spirit only. Dripping with retro charm, it’s the kind of screening that turns a late-night outing into an event. Dress in your best ’80s flair, tease out that hair, and settle in for a spectacle.
July 25, 2026
Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket @ The Cannery ($10 cover) at 6:00 PM
Who’s go the funk? Prepare for a night of pure, unrelenting groove as Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket — New England’s premier ten-piece funk sensation — takes the stage at The Cannery next to Starbird. Expect horns, harmonies, and a whole lot of bottom-heavy bass to go with your spicy marg. This is music meant to be felt as much as heard, a celebration of rhythm, soul, and summer sevening nights done right. Come find out why they call it dirty. Consider yourself warned, and also, you’re welcome.
Magick of the Tuatha at 7:00 PM
Ready to get in touch with your Irish mystic side? Bet you didn’t even know you had an Irish mystic side, didya? Magick of the Tuatha lands at Pentagram Shoppe led by Nikki Wardwell Sleath. Drawing on the enchanting legacy of Irish mythology and the Tuatha dé Dannan, this workshop offers a beautifully guided meditative divination using one of Nikki’s own grimoiric seals. Come ready to be inspired, transformed, and gently guided toward your own magickal path. It’s time to find out what the Tuatha have been waiting to show you.
2026 Summer Movie Nights at 8:00 PM
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While we all know sevenings is the GOAT, honeys, if you’re also feeling GOAT-y, then you must fam up and get to 2026 Summer Movie Nights with ‘Goat’ screening at McManus Field. Families gather with blankets and lawn chairs, treated to free popcorn and delightful arts and crafts led by Raw Art Works‘ Vango!, all before the film begins its glow against the night. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about watching a movie outdoors, surrounded by neighbors and the hum of a summer sevening. Free, festive, and full of charm, this is exactly the kind of magic that makes summer memorable. Come early, stay for the stars.
July 26, 2026
Dr. Kojo at 6:00 PM
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Um hellur, this comedian has a doctorate AND punchlines, and both are working overtime. Dr. Kojo performs at Off Cabot to give you comedy with a purpose and help you laugh your way to better mental health — no prescription required. Comedian, content creator, and licensed mental health nurse practitioner Dr. Kojo Sarfo blends neurodivergence, mental wellness, and cultural identity serving realness to the stage, honeys. Cough, cough, sniffle, I think I may be coming down with something. It’s time to see if the doctor is in. Oh Dr. Kojo!
Consider this your hand for the week — play it however you want.
That’s just what’s in play across Essex County right now. Don’t leave this to chance — check the full calendar for everything sevening this week, and get on the newsletter so you never miss your turn. CC members, in the game and want in on the coverage? Submit a member marketing request.
And of course, play with us on both socials, @creativecollectivema and @creativecollectiveexplores — no folding on either one.
Until next week Essex County. Stay sevening. You know where to find us. We’re everywhere.
— (unforever) yeong and the (s)evening shift, out.
This story comes from the Creative Collective community
Essex County businesses who believe when we thrive together, our whole region becomes more vibrant. We’re entrepreneurs, creators, and service providers across all industries, collaborating to build the community we want to be part of. If you see your business as more than just commerce — as a way to contribute to our regional ecosystem — you belong here. Discover how to join our community →
Raw Art Works (RAW) | Youth Arts & Art Therapy Programs
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Raw Art Works, aka RAW, is a youth arts organization rooted in art therapy. RAW’s mission is to ignite the desire to create and confidence to succeed in our youth. At its core, RAW believes that all kids should be seen and heard and that everyone has a story to tell. Located in Lynn, Massachusetts, RAW offers a variety of
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