Sevenings: CCE Nightlife in Essex County

Sevenings: About Having Arrived Edition

Sevening (v.): the act of showing up after seven(ish) — for your people, your community, and honestly yourself in Essex County. The whole definition? That’s in our About Time Edition. Def go check it out. We’ll be here.

Oh, hey there, Essex County. You got caught! You were out there sevening last week, weren’t you? Because we saw you — showing up, showing out, doing exactly what Essex County does best. Were you even trying to be subtle? Totes not.

Congratulations, Essex County — and condragulations to the (s)evening shift — because Sevenings has arrived, gurl. Like, officially. Four editions in and we’re not a moment, not a flash, not a one-time thing. We are here, honey. The shift has done clocked in, the county has shown up, and together we have built something worth sevening for. That’s not nothing. That is ev-er-y-thing. Last week, Essex County was out there doing what it does — weird, wild, wonderful, and worth every minute after seven — film screening, queer youth drop-in, candle making craft night, sober women’s circle, tarot deep dive, glow sand family night, free live music, book club & author signing, stand-up comedy, and live blues. Sevenings has never been the same yet with 30-something sevenings in and we haven’t even scratched the surface. Essex County just keeps going — and so do we. Endless. Optionless. Bottomless. Hm? This week, we keep going. Because that’s what sevening means. It’s not a destination. It’s an action. And Essex County, (unforever) yeong and the (s)evening shift? Well, we’ve made sevenings happen together.

June 2, 2026

Full Moon Yoga at 6:30 PM

Moon’s out, mats out! Oh my gosh, okay so like — yoga? At The House of the Seven Gables? Under a FULL MOON? That is literally so aesthetic we can’t even. Wild Sea Wellness is hosting this monthly on Salem’s waterfront and the vibes are genuinely unmatched. Stretch, breathe, and maybe howl a little — no judgment, the full moon said so. All levels welcome, which is code for: yes, you absolutely qualify. It’s a lunar-tic idea — and we mean that as a compliment. This full moon yoga class is the perfect way to get in alignment with the universe.

Mini Class: Easy Cut Relief – Adult at 7:00 PM

The block holds its image in silence. But what happens between the first mark and the final multi-color impression? Only you will know. We’re not saying this class will carve out a new hobby for you, but… it absolutely will. Get relief from the mundane and make a pressing commitment to your creative side at MiraMar, Salem’s most beloved print studio. And look, if you walk away with a new obsession for linoleum blocks and ink, that’s not on us. We warned you. Or rather, we didn’t. Consider yourself warned now. Come find out what’s inside. 

June 3, 2026

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament @ Bit Bar Salem at 8:00 PM

It’s time to smash sevenings! Bit Bar is calling all fighters, button-mashers, those non-competitive peeps who claim they “haven’t played in forever,”  and yes, even you, the one who still plays Kirby. Smash Bros Ultimate tournament is back and all skill levels are welcome. Like only ten dollars to enter and ALL of it goes to the prize pool which is just so rad. Where else can you watch grown adults get absolutely wrecked by my Jigglypuff. JK, I’m all Yoshi and drag-down combos. Choosing between Princess Peach and Princess Daisy is never easy, so I’d go with both. If you think you’re beating me, then I love that for you. But do I really? We’ll just have to see about that. Three, Two, One…GO!

June 4, 2026

Hidden Histories: Expanding Narratives and Inclusive Storytelling in Historic House Museums at 6:00 PM

Um, hellur, do we ever got questions. Maybe some answers, but mostly questions. Did you know history is never just what happened? Is it? Or maybe it’s about how every community is not reflected in the places that preserve history? Can it be? Historic house museums have been telling the same stories for centuries, and let’s be real, they’ve been leaving out a lot. Like a lot a lot. Fortunately for us, Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens is presenting a groundbreaking conversation about what historic sites owe to the communities whose labor, lives, and legacies built the very spaces now on display, to ask what remains hidden, and what it would mean to finally let it be seen. The past is not finished with us yet. 

Artist Gallery Talk: Reimagined by Bobbie Bush at 7:00 PM

Bobbie Bush is living proof that great art is always in process. So Iconic. Like she starts with a photo but then adds ALL these layers of digital stuff AND oils AND pastels AND cold wax?? She created this process by spending years studying paintings in museums, then went home and invented her own approach entirely. Hear her talk all about it at Salem Arts Association, and see the work up close. This gallery talk is picture perfect for anyone who wants a deeper exposure to how a truly original artistic vision develops. Come. Listen. Look closely at what the surface is showing you and what it is still hiding. If you dare.

June 5, 2026

Country Weekend Kick Off Night at 5:00 PM 

Giddy up, yee-haw and hay there! Get yer fringe, boots, denim, and a whole lot of attitude out cuz we’re goin to a hoedown, hootenanny, and shindig. The Bell Inn is calling y’all to the barn door for line dancing, music, cold beers, and country folk. No worries about whether you know the steps, honey. Because lessons start at 6, so the excuse that you “don’t know how” expired the moment you read this. We reckon you’d be a boot-iful addition to the dance floor, pardner. We may be on the East Coast, but we’re going full western. Sevenings can do the two-step. Can you?

The New York Neo-Futurists: The Infinite Wrench at 7:30 PM

30 plays. 60 minutes. Zero filter. The New York Neo-Futurists are coming to PEM and they are blowing up every idea you have about what a theater night looks like by bringing funny, profound, musical, strange, and occasionally unsettling performances — sometimes all in the same 90 seconds. Wh-wh-wha-wait, what? Shhhh. Don’t ask. Just watch. This is theater that doesn’t ask permission to be what it is, so lower your expectations of normalcy. This is the weird, wonderful one to be sevening. Try not to act brand new when something brilliant happens unexpectedly. It will. You’re welcome.

June 6, 2026

Copper Dog Book Sale at 4:00 PM

Can you name two of my fave b-words? Five letters. Starts with B. If you guessed BOOKS and BREWS, give yourself a high-five! What were you thinking? Oh me, oh my. You should totes know that Copper Dog Books plus Granite Coast Brewing equals the utmostest novel pop-up. There is a particular pleasure in finding an unexpected book in an unexpected place. And when you can’t decide which one to buy, let the beer be your guide. Also, I bet you thought I was gonna remind you about my boo, Seraphine. But nope. Total plot twist! I’ll be hanging with the limited edition PRIDE Breeze flight. Let’s take off and get lit!

ON YOUR FEET! at 8:00 PM

Fe-Fi-Fo-Fab! From the streets of Miami to the stages of the world — Gloria and Emilio Estefan built something extraordinary from talent, love, and an absolute refusal to be stopped. Their music found the world because the world was waiting for it, and the world never forgot. North Shore Music Theatre has the rhythm that’s gonna get ya and give ya a full-body experience — joyful, powerful, impossibly catchy, and completely unapologetic about all of it. Make sure to bring tissues for Coming Out of the Dark. And standing ovation? You already know what to do.

June 7, 2026

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at 7:00 PM

You could say the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has preserved something truly special — but there is oh so much more to their jams. They haven’t just kept New Orleans music alive; they’ve kept it moving, evolving, and jazzing relentlessly forward for 65-plus years. One of the most celebrated jazz ensembles in the world is right here (like right here!) in Essex County at The Cabot. Come for the jazz, stay for the soul, and leave knowing that live music at its most authentic is something you can always find if you know where to look. That’s so sevening.

Consider this your proof of arrival. Four editions in, now 40-something sevenings deep, and we’ve barely cracked the door, touched the hem, dipped our toes, well, you know what we mean. Or not.

The rest of Essex County is waiting and it is a lot. All of it lives on our calendar — go find your next sevening. CC members, if you’re out there doing the thing, get it in front of the people who need to know. Submit a member marketing request. That’s what it’s there for. New to sevenings? Welcome. Genuinely. Get on the newsletter so we can find you every week before you even have to look. And if you’re not already following @creativecollectivema and @creativecollectiveexplores — what are you even doing? Both. Always both.

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 →