Sevenings: CCE Nightlife in Essex County

About Curriculum Edition

sev·en·ing /sev·ən·ing/ v. – the act of showing up after seven(ish) for your people, your community, and honestly yourself. Where the weird, wild, wonderful, and worth showing up for things happen. Essex County has been running this curriculum since long before we started attending, we’re just the ones finally posting the syllabus.

Oh hey there, Essex County schoolings and homeroomies. Week two, and everyone’s already lost their pencil. That tracks. Don’t worry at all, we only grade on vibes.

(S)evening shift, present as always. (Un)forever yeong is still off campus, now buried under what per is calling, quote, “a large, not really beautiful bill,” and some other things. Per’s last voicemail was mostly per chewing and popping gum in disbelief. We stopped asking questions.

But no worries because Cole Edge and Stu Dent, your resident drag-royalty teaching assistants, are back with you and covering the classroom again this week. Cole’s already rearranged the desks into a semicircle for “better energy.” Stu brought highlighters, a planner, and mild anxiety about being called on. Together they’re basically a two-person faculty lounge, and should be, tenure track.

This week it’s officially Curriculum Week across Essex County, so we’re sorting the sevening syllabus by subject. Music class, gym class, history class, a pop quiz or two (what?!), and one very advanced theater elective. Pencils up, Essex County. Let’s see what’s actually on the schedule.

Tuesday, September 8

Songs from the Heart: An Evening with Gio & Braedyn at 7:00 PM

First on the course schedule is Music Class, and there’s no skipping to study hall. Gio and Braedyn take the stage at Off Cabot, hosted by The Cabot, for an evening of songs straight from the heart, no auto-tune, no gimmicks, just two artists and whatever they’re feeling that night. Cole’s already humming along before the doors even open. Stu brought tissues, unprompted, and we respect the preparation. This is the kind of class where you don’t take notes, you just feel things or not. Extra credit for anyone who claps on beat. Schoolings and homeroomies, get ready, the lesson starts at seven sharp, and yes, it counts toward your GPA.

Wednesday, September 9

Casual Gaming Meetup at 7:00 PM

Next class is Study Hall, schoolings, except the assignment is Catan and the group project is figuring out who’s cheating at Uno. The Castle opens its tables every Wednesday at seven for board game beginners and seasoned strategists alike, no prerequisite, no pop quiz, just dice, cards, and a room full of people happy to teach you the rules twice. Cole’s declared themselves Hall Monitor. Stu lost his first three rounds and called it “research.” No bells, no homework, just an evening of low-stakes competition and mid-stakes snacks. Come sharpen your strategy, or just your snacking skills. Both are valid electives.

Thursday, September 10

Afterimages: Retracing BIPOC History in the Old China Trade at 4:00 PM

Then it’s time for History Class, and it’s mandatory, no note-passing in the back row tonight. Presented by North Shore AAPI Coalition in recognition of Salem’s 400th anniversary, this exhibition retraces BIPOC presence during the Old China Trade era, 1784 to 1844, when Salem rose to prominence as a wealthy port city, through contemporary artwork from Alex Chiu, Elizabeth Solomon and Sarah Kanouse, Kimberly Villafuerte Barzola, Yamanda Wright, and Yanna Marie Orcel. Cole’s taking this one seriously, no bits tonight. Stu says the syllabus finally makes sense. History isn’t just a course unit, homeroomies, it’s the whole curriculum, and this exhibition teaches it right.

Goth Yoga at The Satanic Temple at 6:00 PM

Up next is PE or Gym class, but make it New Wave, Dark Wave, and Post-Punk, hosted at The Satanic Temple. Crystal of Health leads an all-levels flow set to Joy Division, Depeche Mode, and Boy Harsher, building slow, breaking a sweat, and ending in a very peaceful corpse pose, no props needed beyond a mat. Snacks and water provided, tickets $26.66, which is deeply on brand. Cole’s already picked out the perfect all-black activewear. Stu’s mostly here for the playlist and the corpse pose, but still contemplating the PE versus gym class name. Consider this PE credit fully satisfied, and possibly a little bit possessed. Free parking on site, no permission slip required.

Trivia @ Dire Wolf Tavern at 7:00 PM

Hope you’re ready for a Pop quiz, schoolings and homeroomies, and yes, it’s curved. Sign-ups start at seven, four per team, free to play, hosted by Dire Wolf, with prizes for whoever actually studied, or guessed loudest with the most confidence. Cole insists confidence is a valid category of general knowledge. Stu is bringing his notepad again, which feels like cheating on a test that doesn’t allow notes, but we’ll allow it tonight. No syllabus, no textbook, just whatever trivia you’ve been hoarding since middle school finally paying off. Grab three friends, or three strangers who become friends by round two. Class is in session, and attendance is loud, proud, and mildly competitive.

Friday, September 11

Princess Bride at Hale Farm at 7:15 PM

Head on to Film Studies, required viewing, no substitutions, presented by Historic Beverly. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to Hale Farm for an outdoor screening of The Princess Bride, free popcorn included, candy available for purchase, and pre-show games from The Castle before the movie begins. Proudly sponsored by Salem Five. Cole’s already reciting lines under their breath, per usual. Stu is somehow seeing this for the first time, and don’t tell but, we’re a little emotional watching him watch it. Cozy layers encouraged, September nights get cool fast. As you wish, schoolings and homeroomies, settle onto the lawn and let the assignment be pure, uncomplicated joy.

Karaoke Night at 8:00 PM

Chorus class is next, extra credit for anyone who commits to the key change. The Castle turns the mic over to whoever’s brave enough to grab it, no auditions, no cuts, just friends, fun, and one glorious communal off-key moment after another. Cole’s already picked a power ballad is blocking out choreography. Stu is still deciding between a one-hit wonder and something deeply regrettable from 2004, we’re rooting for regrettable. Nobody’s grading your pitch tonight, schoolings and homeroomies, only your commitment to the song. Come sing, come cheer, come hide by the bar with a drink, all are valid chorus participation grades.

Saturday, September 12

Paul D’Angelo’s 3rd Annual So-Long-To-Summer Comedy Show at 8:00 PM

Then it’s time for Stand-Up 101, taught by a former Essex County assistant district attorney turned nationally headlining comic, which is possibly the best professor origin story on this entire syllabus. Paul D’Angelo has opened for over sixty acts including Aretha Franklin and George Carlin, and returns to The Cut for his third annual end-of-summer show, joined by Carolyn Plummer. Cole’s front row, guffawing supportively. Stu’s nervous laughing at everything, including the parts that aren’t jokes yet. Twenty-one and up, ID required at the door, no exceptions, no hall passes. Consider this the one class where showing up late gets you actual material.

Sunday, September 13

Autumn Equinox Sound Healing at 5:00 PM

Next up is a Mindfulness elective, no final exam, just a very deep exhale, held at The Trustees, Long Hill. Kelley and Karen Annese from Wild Rose Holistic Health lead a guided relaxation session in the garden in honor of the Fall Equinox, featuring crystal singing bowls, gongs, and more, held under the tent on the event terrace. Bring a yoga mat, pillow, and blanket, or use the chairs on site. Cole just wants a nap disguised as personal growth. Stu manifesting an A-plus semester. This is the one credit on the syllabus you actually leave feeling lighter for taking. Essex County, go breathe. You’ve earned it.

The Muppetlesque Cabaret – A Burlesque & Drag Tribute to Jim Henson at 7:00 PM

Finally, it’s Advanced Theater, honors track, and absolutely the final exam of this week’s curriculum. Siren of the Circle celebrates fifty years of Jim Henson and Muppet madness with their infamous, self-described childhood-ruining burlesque and drag tribute, characters from across Jim’s creative works taking the stage at Cinema Salem for one night only. Cole has been rehearsing a Gonzo entrance in the mirror all week. Stu is bringing his inner child and mild dread in equal measure, and honestly, that’s the assignment. This is not the Muppet Show you grew up with, Essex County, it’s the one you didn’t know you needed.

Consider this your full Sevenings course load for the week, our Essex County scholars. No homework assigned, no exams, no grades. Just show up, the rest will take care of itself.

That’s just this week’s sevening courses, Essex County. There’s always more sevening than fits in one week, so go check the full course catalog on our calendar. CC members, if your event belongs on the roster, submit a member marketing request and let’s get it enrolled.

Not on the newsletter yet? That’s an incomplete, fix it. And follow us on the socials, @creativecollectivema and @creativecollectiveexplores, both, every week, no exceptions, no extra credit for skipping one.

Until next week, Essex County. Stay sevening. You know where to find us. We’re everywhere.

– Cole Edge and Stu Dent, covering curriculum for (un)forever yeong (buried in paperwork), from the (s)evening shift, out. Welcome to week two, Essex County scholars. Don’t forget to find your pencils. Check your ear.

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