Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe

06/14/2026

Here at Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe we are more than co-workers, we are a family of curious and creative souls and of course, furry companions. Let’s meet another member of our crew!

Have you been wondering who is behind these intriguing Sunday posts about our staff? It is our Pontifex of Procurement, Alyssa! She is quite mysterious, working through the cosmos of the interweb to make sure our little shoppe has items from the far reaches of the world. If you are lucky, you might get to see her as she makes her rare appearances in the shoppe, when the stars align and the moon is right!

Her fur son, Messi, is a rescue tabby whom the family adopted 5 years ago. He is a perfect supervisor for Alyssa making sure she keeps up on product placement from his perch on her lap!

06/12/2026

What's Happening This Weekend in Salem!

There is SO MUCH TO DO! It's a very exciting weekend! 🐈‍⬛

It's supposed to be very hot, so stay safe out there! 🥵

ALL WEEKEND, 6/12 - 6/14:

*The 1st Annual Beverly Fringe Festival, dates, times, and venues vary, www.bevfringe.org for more info

*Salem Food at 400+, times & venues vary, www.FoodAt400.com for more info

Friday, 6/12:

*Sunset Paddle Tour, 6:45pm - 8:15pm, Salem Willows

*Miz Diamond Wigfall Friday Night Drag, 8pm - 10pm, 21+ no cover, Bit Bar

*Night Light presents FLAMING EARS (1992), 10pm, Cinema Salem (tickets available at Cinema Salem)

Saturday, 6/13:

*The Witches Volleyball team’s 3rd annual Salem Community Volleyball Tournament, 8:30am - 6pm,14+, Salem High School (registration and team entry fee online)

*Salem High School’s 1st ever Track Meet For All, 9am, All Ages, Bertram Field (fundraiser, registration is recommended)

*Salem Ren Fair Flash Day, 10am - 6pm,Tomb Tattoo (First Come First Serve, Limbs Only)

*Stitched by JessaLu Surprise Pop Up! In honor of World Wide Stitch in Public Day, 10am - 6pm, Circle of Stitches

*Creative Foundations: Cyanotypes, 10:30am - 3:30pm, Peabody Essex Museum (ticketed workshop)

*Salem Ren Faire, 11am - 10pm, All Ages, Notch Brewing, $10 ($5 for kids!)

*Learn Tasseomancy w/ Rev. Sarah Frankie, 11am - 5pm - drop in any time though, (paid event, tickets available via Stardust)

*Ghost Ship Market Summer Series, 11am - 5pm, Derby Square

*Kids Bike Rodeo, 12pm 3pm, Salem Police Department parking lot

*Salem Color Run by Color Craze, 12pm - 5pm, Downtown Salem (ticketed event via Luna Ticketing)

*Soccer Sessions by Kids Stuff North Shore, 12pm, Salem Willows

*Salem Honk and Wave for Democracy Weekly Standout, 12pm - 1pm, Riley Plaza

*Salem as Muse: Harriet Low with Karina Corrigan, 1pm - 2:30pm, Peabody Essex Museum (event included w/ museum admission; pre-registration is encouraged)

*Clay Pressed Flowers, 1pm - 3pm, Peabody Essex Museum (event included with museum admission)
*World Wide Knit (and Crochet) in Public Day! By Circle of Stitches, 2pm - 4pm, Derby Wharf

*Judes & The Hutch (live music), 4pm - 7pm, East Regiment Beer Company

*Salem Fashion Show at Gallows Hill Artists, 6pm - 10pm, Gallows Hill Artist Studios (ticketed event)

*Mike McGeown (music), 6pm - 9pm, The Landing at Salem Ferry

*An Evening with Chef Scott Conant, 6;30pm, the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts (ticketed event)

*Privateering and Patriotism: Salem's Revolutionary Privateers by Historic New England's Phillips House and Historic New England , 7pm - 9:30pm, 34 Chestnut Street (ticketed event)

*WHODUNNIT…on a tennis court?! (80s themed mystery; dress up encouraged!). 7:30pm - 9pm, PG-13, Cinema Salem (tickets available at Cinema Salem)

*Double Trouble Pride Party with DJs Buster Pants and Maxine Harrison, 8pm - midnight, 21+, Gulu-Gulu Cafe (ticketed event; tickets both online and at the door)

*“Clownspiracy” Theatrical Premiere, 9pm with Q &A following with cast & crew, Cinema Salem (ticketed event; tickets available at Cinema Salem)

*Emo Night Asian Fusion: three live bands, Paramoreorless as Paramore, Fall Up Dog as Fall Out Boy, & My Chemical Chungus as My Chemical Romance, doors at 9pm, $15

* Brick Convention Lego Fan Event, O'Keefe Center Rockett Arena, 225 Canal Street, 10-5 Saturday and Sunday, BrickConvention.com

*Dueling Pianos, The Witch City VFW Post 1524 (95 Derby St), 7-10

Sunday, 6/14

*Firefighters’ Memorial Sunday, 9am, the front ramp of Fire Headquarters located at 48 Lafayette Street (gathering for friends and family at Longboards after)

*A Walk Into Town 4-mile hike from historic downtown Salem to Salem Willows Park by Boston Chapter American Pilgrims on the Camino Community, 9:30am to 11:30am (roughly), meeting/starting at Salem Public Library

*Student Massage Clinic by the Spirit Wellness Institute, 9:30am - 1:30pm, 27 Congress Street (tickets available at Spirit Wellness Institute)

*Music in the Atrium: Q***r Music Spotlight: Crowninshield Punch, 11:30am - 1:30pm, Peabody Essex Museum (event included with museum admission)

*Clay Pressed Flowers, 1pm - 3pm, Peabody Essex Museum (event included with museum admission)

*Woodburn a Cutting Board, 12pm - 3pm, East Regiment Beer Company (ticketed event)

*73 Duster - Live!, 2pm, The Landing at Salem Ferry
*Drag Brunch - Diamond’s Dine in with Maxine Harrison, 2pm-4pm, Gulu-Gulu Cafe (seating is first come first serve)

*Jay Aptt & The MaliCaminos Sunday Funday, 5pm - 9pm, Brodie’s Seaport

*Matt in the Mix Sunday Night Karaoke, 9pm - 11:45pm, O’Neill’s Irish Pub

06/07/2026

At Black Cat we are more than co-workers, we are a family of curious souls, creative minds, and of course furry companions. Let’s meet another member of the family and her furry babies!

Olivia is our crew captain. She is the one that makes sure our crew and shop have a smooth and safe journey every shift! She guides her fellow crew on tasks, and greets every guest with a smile and cheerful demeanor, while answering questions and educating everyone about our many curiosities!

Olivia has two adorable kitties. Lucy, the mostly white one in the photos came to the family 6 years ago, and Baby, the tabby, came shortly after, 5 years ago. These two sweet cats are out and proud as a pair of females who love each other very much! Happy Pride to everyone, no matter what species! 😻🏳️‍🌈

06/05/2026

What's Happening In Salem This Weekend!

It's the Salem Arts Festival! And so much more! Have a wonderful weekend folks!

Friday, 6/5:

*PEM Pals: PRIDE (a reading of the book I Love You Because I Love You written by Muợn Thị Văn), 10:30am - 11:30pm, Peabody Essex Museum

*Salem Arts Festival Kick Off and Tiny Art Spree, Derby Square, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (For full schedule, please visit: www.salemartsfestival.com )

*Queens at the Castle, 6pm - 10pm, Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester, MA (21+, admission at door)

*Sunset Paddle Tour, 6:45pm - 8:15pm, Salem Willows

*PEM Presents: The New York Neo-Futurists: The Infinite Wrench (13+), Peabody Essex Museum, 7:30pm - 9pm (free but ticketed event)

*Miz Diamond Wigfall Friday Night Drag, 8pm - 10pm, Bit Bar (no cover, 21+)

Saturday, 6/6:

*Salem Arts Fest, 10am - 5pm, All along Essex Street

*Salem Arts at the PEM, 10am - 5pm, Peabody Essex Museum (Free admission to the Peabody Essex Museum on June 6th!)

*Zero Waste Salem’s FREE Swap ‘N Drop, 10am - 1pm, Salem Common (Rain date June 13th)

*Historic New England Open House, 11am - 4pm, Historic New England’s Phillips House (visit www.historicnewengland.org for more information on all 38 open sites!)

*Beep Baseball Exhibition Game in Salem, MA!, Adaptive Sports New England & Boston Strong Beep Baseball, 11:30am, Salem Common

*Salem Honk and Wave for Democracy Weekly Standout, 12pm - 1pm, Riley Plaza

*PEM Presents: The New York Neo-Futurists: The Infinite Wrench (13+), Peabody Essex Museum, 7:30pm - 9pm (free but ticketed event)

*S*x and the City Cider Launch Party 1pm - 8pm, Far From the Tree Cider

*Tortellini Making Class, 4pm - 6pm, Deacon Giles Distillery (ticketed event)

*Native Plants in City Spaces talk presented by Grow Native Massachusetts & City Councilor Kyle Davis, 6pm, 285 Derby Street

*Sunset Mission, Dhärä, & Mutineer at Felt Fanatic, doors at 6pm, show at 7pm, Felt Fanatic (ticketed event)

*POMP26: Party on the Marsh Plaza presented by Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, 6pm - 10pm, 71 Loring Ave (ticketed event)

*4th Annual The Lipsync Smack Down, 7pm - 10pm, Hotel Salem (ticketed event)

*Live Music - Blues on Tap, 8pm, Gulu-Gulu Cafe

*Decade 80s Pride Night in June, 9:30am - 12:30am, Koto Asian Fusion

Sunday, 6/7:

*34th Annual HAWC Walk and 5K Run, 8:30am, Salem Common

*70+ Used Bike Sale, 10am - 3pm, 164 Federal Street, Salem

*Salem Arts Fest, 10am - 5pm, All along Essex Street

*S*x and the City Cider Launch Party, 2pm - 8pm, Far From the Tree Cider

* PEM Reads: Starry and Restless: Three Women Who Changed Work, Writing, and the World, Peabody Essex Museum, 2pm - 3:30pm (free but pre-registration is encouraged)

*Visita Guiada en espanol: Edmonia Lewis, 2pm - 3pm, Peabody Essex Museum (ticketed event)

*Drag Brunch - Diamonds Dine in w/ DJ Maxine Harrison, 2pm - 4pm, Gulu-Gulu Cafe

*Matt in the Mix Sunday Night Karaoke, 9pm - 11:45pm, O’Neill’s Pub

Experience the 18th annual Salem Arts Festival, June 5-7, 2026! Enjoy free art exhibitions, live performances, music, and family activities in historic downtown Salem, MA. Join 10,000+ attendees celebrating local creativity.

06/01/2026

Here at Black Cat, we recognize that Pride isn't only about who you love, why you love them, or what you identify as. Pride is about ANYONE who feels like they are not being seen.

What does "being seen" mean?

It means recognizing that some people have spent part of their lives hiding pieces of themselves out of fear, judgment, rejection, or misunderstanding.

This isn't an experience everyone shares.

Many people have never had to wonder whether being honest about who they are would cost them friends, family, opportunities, or safety.

Pride exists because many others have.

So please, try to understand that Pride is not about "shoving it in someone's face."

It's about celebrating the extraordinary relief that comes from no longer feeling alone.

It's about standing beside others who understand what it feels like to be afraid of being seen for who you truly are.

And a chance to free yourself from that.

Wear your rainbows Proudly my friends.

You deserve it.

05/31/2026

At Black Cat, we're more than coworkers, we're a family of curious souls, creative minds, and, of course, beloved furry companions! We'd love to continue introducing you to the people who help make Black Cat what it is.

Meet Clever, our Magister of the Multiverse!

If you've admired one of our house-made curiosities or unique magical items, chances are you've seen his work. As an extraordinarily talented costumer and crafter, Clever is one of the main sets of hands behind much of our growing collection of curious and magical objects, as well as his own hauntingly beautiful Ghost Portraits and handcrafted jewelry. With an endless supply of imagination and attention to detail, he helps bring a little more wonder into the shop every day!

Meet Dandelion!

Named after the bard from The Witcher, Dandelion first arrived in Clever's household as a foster through the MSPCA. With more than 25 years of fostering experience, the family opened their home to help a cat in need. What they didn't expect was how quickly Dandelion would make herself indispensable.

It wasn't long before "foster cat" became "family."

Today, Dandelion is a constant companion during Clever's creative adventures at home, supervising the crafting of curiosities, inspecting works in progress, and providing the occasional feline opinion whether it was requested or not.

Like many cats, she firmly believes quality control is best conducted by sitting directly on the project.

Adventures of Clever

05/30/2026

It is a very blustery day out there! Our shop will be open as close to normal as we ever get, and our tours this evening will be running as scheduled, but we will not be operating our day tours for the safety of our guests.

Stay safe, and enjoy Salem's complimentary Dark and Stormy afternoon! 😸☔

05/29/2026

This Weekend's Adventures and Events in Salem!

Friday, 5/29:

Drop-in Art: Wet-Felted Snakes - 3pm - 4:30pm - Peabody Essex Museum

73 Duster - Live Music! - 5pm - The Landing at Salem Ferry

Friday Night Drag - 8pm - 10pm - Bit Bar

Tiny the Bear, Dylan Patrick Ward, Yes Chef! - Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm - 11pm - Gulu Gulu

Saturday, 5/30:

NAGLY Pre-Pride Kick Off Drag Show - 2pm - 5pm - St. Peter's Church

Bridge Street Neck Community Yard Sale - 9am - 2pm - Bridge Street Neck

Korean Paper Accessories with Jongkuk Lee - 11am - 3pm - Peabody Essex Museum

Open Studios at Gallows Hill Artists - 11am - 6pm - Gallows Hills Artist Studios

Finding Ourselves in Salem’s History: A Poet in High Street Park - 12pm - 1:30pm - The Pickering House

Drop-in Art: Star Maps - 1pm - 3pm - Peabody Essex Museum

The Downhauls, Silver Screams, Bad Idea USA, The Angry-Las - 1pm - Bit Bar

Craig Bee at The Village Tavern - 3pm - 6pm, The Village Tavern

Dylan Moore’s Not So Sure (music) - 5pm - 8pm - East Regiment Beer Company

Sips by the Sea - 6pm - 10pm - The House of Seven Gables (ticketed event)

A Spirited Evening Connecting with the Other Side, 7pm - 8:30pm - Celestial Navigation, Astrology, & Wellness - 254 Essex Street (ticketed event)

Rockwood Taylor at Gulu Gulu! - 8:15pm - 11:30pm - Gulu Gulu Cafe

Clippertones at Mercy Tavern - 9pm - Mercy Tavern

DEAD DISCO: A Dark Disco, Goth/Post Punk Dance Party - 9pm - 12am, Koto Asian Fusion

Sunday, 5/31:

Goat Yoga w/ Salty Buddah - 10:30am - 11:30am - East Regiment Beer Company (ticketed event)

Polish Fest - 12pm - 6pm - Notch Brewery

Goat Hangout w/ Mapledell Farms - 12pm - 2:30pm - East Regiment Beer Company

Pet Adoption Event! - 12pm - 1:30pm - Far From the Tree Cider

Diamond’s Dine In w/ DJ Maxine Harrison - 2pm - 4pm - Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Vivaldi Symphony by the Sea - 2pm - 4pm - Peabody Essex Museum (ticketed event)

Pub Singing: Sea Shanties and more! - 3pm - 5pm - East Regiment Beer Company

Mystery at the Garden Party - 4pm - 7pm - Salem Athenaeum (ticketed event)

Open Mic Night - 5pm - 7pm - Couch Dog Brewing Co

Lisa Marie, Johnny Juxo & Brian Cogger at Dire Wolf - 5:30pm - 8pm - Dire Wolf Tavern (the Hallowed Ground Speakeasy)

Matt in the Mix Sunday Night Karaoke - 9pm - 11:45pm - O’Neill’s Irish Pub

***

With SUPER thanks to our friend and crew member Em, who is a rockstar for compiling these every week!

Please let us know if you have anything to add or need to make changes to a posted event!

The weather may be a bit unpleasant this weekend, so there are tons of indoor activities available!

05/24/2026

Here at Black Cat we are a close knit crew. Let's introduce you to them and their furry families!

Lisa is our "Minster of Engagement!" She's here to help answer questions about our tours, make bookings, and help folks plan their trips. She's a long-time local, so is a great resource both in the shop and on social media for questions about where to go, and what to see and do!

She has just adopted a beautiful black cat named Tanith Lee. Welcome to the family Tanith!

(We aren't sure why the post says "AI Info" by the way 🤷)

05/22/2026

Looking for things to do in Salem this weekend?

We're going to be posting a weekend events round-up every week going forward! You can always stop by our shop window on Washington Street to see event flyers for what will be happening around town (please come by to bring flyers if it's in Salem!) but these posts will focus on the upcoming weekend! Let us know if you've got an event in town to promote!

Keep an eye on this space every week!

Friday - 5/22:

Stained Glass Workshop - The Lost Library - 5:30 - 7

Drop-in Art: Wet Felted Snakes - PEM - 3 - 4:30

Experience El Punto: Food Shops and Art tour - Punto Urban Art Museum - 11 - 2

Drag Night - Bit Bar - 8pm

Karaoke - Deacon Giles - 8 - 11
Brutal Burlesque - Koto - 9pm

73 Duster (live band) - The Landing at Salem Ferry - 5 - 8

Saturday - 5/23:

Salem Native Nursery Plant Sale - 17 May Street - 10 - 1

Salem As A Muse: Lucy Cleveland, Author & Textile Artist - PEM - 10 - 12

Drop-In Art: Star Maps - The PEM - 1 - 3

Sober Sip & Paint - The Satanic Temple - 6 - 8

DARQ - Koto - 9:30pm - 1am

Vampire Lounge - Tipsy Cowboy After Dark - 8 - 12

Sunday - 5/24:

Music in the Atrium: Sound Bathing Pop-Up - PEM 11:30 - 1:30

Diamonds Drive In (Drag Brunch) - Gulu Gulu - 2 - 4

Stitching at the Wharf - Salem Maritime National Historical Site - 2 - 4

Live music with Judes & the Hutch - Far From the Tree Cider - 2 - 5

Karaoke Night - O'Neils Pub - 10pm - 1am

This Sunday is ALSO the re-screening of the pilot "Witch City" at Salem Cinema with some local street performers in attendance if the weather cooperates! 7 - 9