Students and faculty sing, dance and create

Fundraiser hits high note for good cause

A painter, alumni, an administrative assistant and a communications professor step on a stage. This isn’t the beginning of a joke. This is the Salem State Sings fundraiser. On November 5^th, staff from all parts of the campus shimmied, shook and sang their hearts out in honor of the late communications department chairperson.

Students, staff and members of Salem and its surrounding communities were all in attendance to raise money for the Sandra B. Fowler Scholarship Foundation. Fowler was a beloved member of the communications department before passing from a long and brave fight with cancer.

Highlights of the show included a moving rendition of “Danny Boy” by Jim Dennis that moved the crowd to not only tears, but a standing ovation. Professors Judi Cook and Peter Oehlkers hammed it up with a cover of “Mockingbird” and unmistakable dancing skills. Rhonda Berry rocked the house with her sultry blues voice and powerful lungs with a rendition of “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree” by KT Tunstall. Many performances brought laughs, toe tapping and clapping from the audience. The night was brought to a close with a beautiful rendition of “Seasons of Love” from Rent by the ensemble.

The Salem State chapters of the Public Relations Society (PRSSA) and American Advertising Federation (AAF) were also in attendance helping to raise money for the event by raffling off over a dozen gift sets donated by local businesses. The two groups raised over $400 to be donated to the scholarship foundation and the entire event raised more than $2500.

The night was successful in raising funds for the Sandra B. Fowler Scholarship Foundation, but it also was a wonderful and warm way to remember a strong, caring, intelligent woman. Fowler was an active member of the Salem State Community and will always be remembered for her kind words and willingness to help students and staff.

– Ronni Porter

Newburyport’s cantina hits the sweet spot

Swaddled in tiny twinkling lights on the upper side of State Street lays a small little bistro where everybody knows your name. Agave Mexican Bistro, settled in the heart of downtown Newburyport is home to one of the finest dining establishments on the North Shore. Voted and awarded six out of eight consecutive years by Best of the North Shore, many say Agave hosts the finest Mexican cuisine in a hundred mile radius.

Privately owned and operated by Dawn McCandless, the restaurant was established in the same space as a former pub. “I’ve always been a business woman, but opening up a restaurant is completely different,” remembers Dawn of her experience with opening the restaurant. “There were all these different codes and sectors I had to go through just to open the doors.”

After eight successful years in the restaurant industry, Dawn decided that it was time for a second location. “I decided to open up a new restaurant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire called Agave Dos, because a lot of our clientele is from that area,” states McCandless. “It was like day one all over again, and it was exhilarating.”

With the customer base booming through the roof, even in this time of economic crisis, Dawn hasn’t seen much decline in business. With a regular taco Monday and Tuesday night and a bar special on Wednesday she has repeat customers who are constantly spreading the word.

“I see new and old faces everyday. I have come to remember specific orders for different people and you know that we’re doing something right,” says Grace Larsen, a waitress who has been there since day one.

Newburyport is a historical town known for its shipyards and tourist attractions. People come from as far as California and Texas to see Newburyport and always manage to step into Agave.

Although it is a flourishing and successful business, there are occasional complaints and that’s when the owner sends a gift card and personally addresses a letter back to them.

“We are ever changing but still maintain a steady pace,” states McCandless. “Without complaints or compliments or an added suggestion here or there, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I thank and welcome comments both positive and negative so I can better further the dining experience for all those interested in walking through my door. My home.”

– Jeremy Bocko
Jeremy has worked at a waiter Agave for four years.

Just Dance

What does dance do for you? For Emmanuel Encarnacion, dance is the way he expresses himself; it’s more than a hobby, it’s his passion.

Emmanuel, 19 years old, currently attends Salem State College, where he is a sophomore. Aside from being a full time student, he also works part time at Starbucks. School and work doesn’t leave much time for anything else, but he makes time when it comes to dancing.

He has been dancing since he was young, mostly to Spanish music like Bachata, Merengue, and Salsa. His dance background now consists of Spanish music, Hip-hop, Waltz, and Modern dance. At the age of 12, him and his cousin, Basilio Encarnacion, started their own dance team called Da Blackoutz. This team only lasted one year before they all went onto other things.

In 2007 Emmanuel joined In The Making dance team (ITM). While in ITM he has performed at numerous events, charity shows, and competitions. “Being in ITM has enhanced my dancing skills and the way I interact with a group. I love it, it’s like a second family,” said Emmanuel.

As of the Fall semester of 2009, Emmanuel has been a dance a minor. He has only taken two classes, ballroom dance and modern dance, but loves it.

“They were very interesting, I went into ballroom dance expecting something else and it ended up being street latin dance. Modern dance is very different from what I’m use to because I’m a Hip-hop dancer,” said Emmanuel of the classes. He looks forward to going to class and just dancing, which is his stress reliever.

– Roberta Lantigua

Faculty show sure to excite

Salem State will hold an art exhibition, starting November 10 to highlight its studio art facility on campus.  This art exhibition is a surefire way to heat up art lovers, with displays from professors Benjamin Gross, Richard Lewis, and Mark Malloy as well as many other esteemed artists.

I will go out on a limb and say that no one has ever heard of Benjamin Gross, Richard Lewis or Mark Malloy. No one heard of Michelangelo when he first started out either. Guess they have something in common with one of the all time greats.

The event highlights artwork within the themes of printmaking, painting, glass, design, sculpture, photography, and other media topics. The event will run from November 10 till December 10 which gives art lovers and non-lovers an entire month to visit Salem State’s Winfisky Gallery to enjoy works from such artists.

Danvers North Shore Community College student Randy Hawkes says that he’ll visit the exhibit even though he doesn’t go to Salem State.

“Yeah, I’ll probably hit it up or something. I mean, I’m not a crazy art fan or anything but my girlfriend likes museums and artwork and I’m not shy of it either, so it sort of works out.”

Hawkes is not the lone outsider planning on visiting the event. Lynn North Shore Community College student David Ardon says he’ll be visiting a few friends and may take a stroll by the exhibit. “I might take a peak inside just to see what’s going on with my buddies. I have a few friends that dorm there, so we might run in and have a little fun looking at some of the art.”

The Winfisky Gallery is located on the ground floor of the Ellison Campus Center located on North Campus at Salem State College. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 am-2 pm, or by special arrangement. Those interested in visiting may call 978-542-7890 or email Karen Gahagen for additional information.

– Nick Colon