Spring Fling, Belly Dancing Top Weekend Events

From a chance to dress like a Roman god to a chance to give back, there are a lot of events going on this weekend. Here are some of our picks:

Friday

1. will be held on Friday at 7 p.m. at The House of Seven Gables to help keep the Mass Poetry Festival in Salem. Lively reading by award winning poets Rhina Espaillat, Fred Marchant, and Afaa Michael Weaver; a raffle with exciting prizes; as well as delicious desserts, fruits, and drinks supplied by community vendors. Come feed your soul and support the arts in Salem! Parking is out front and FREE. Tickets are $35 per person, or $60 for two people (suggested donation). Tickets can also be purchased online: 
https:// npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1003613&code=01 For more info, contact Jennifer@proffjean@yahoo.com.

Saturday

2. 5th Annual Spring Fling - For $30, Celebrate the Return of Spring at the 5th Annual Bacchanalia! The event will be kicking off Salem Restaurant Week with a sampling of culinary delights from Salem restaurants, a tasting of fine wine and craft beer, music and art! (Food and wine/beer sampling included in ticket). Craft beer from Magic Hat,Ipswich, Cape Ann Brewing,Harpoon, Mayflower,Notch Session American Beer,Cody Brewing,Narragansett, Clown Shoes, Smuttynose, Cisco Brewing and Berkshire Brewing! Fine selection of wines from around the world from Pamplemousse, Market Wine & Spirits and Isaaks of Salem. Culinary samplings will be served by the best Salem restaurants including  , The Lobster Shanty,Victoria Station,Café Polonia,Comida,Tavern In the Square,Gulu-Gulu Café and more! Enjoy ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s .  All attendees will receive a free collectable glass. Local artists will be on hand with fabulous hand crafted works as well as our friends from Art Throb.  Enjoy the auditory musings of DJ Noel Snow and the theatrical and talented Mighty Tiny. You'll meet familiar characters from myth and legend and enjoy the goddesses and nymphs that wander the "Garden of Earthly Delights." Have your fortune told by the Oracle and have fun at Frankenstein's Art Green Screen. Roman attire is encouraged!! Tickets are available at , and online at www.salemspringfling.com.

at 4 Park St., Beverly at 5:30 p.m. Featuring the area's finest dancers, Pot luck buffet, raffles, cash bar, Cost: $10 per ticket

Boston media personality Kim Carrigan will serve as hostess and auctioneer for the seventh consecutive year. Senator Fred Berry and his wife Gayle will serve as this year’s honorary chairs. Come taste premium wines from around the world and bid on many interesting items including: unique artwork, vacation trips, restaurant gift certificates, assorted gift baskets, sporting events tickets and more, all while helping people who are living with disabilities. Balloon prizes will also be available for $50 and $100. All proceeds help to fulfill the Northeast Arc’s mission  to help children and adults living with disabilities lead fuller, enriched lives as contributing members of society. Tickets are $75 per person and $125 per couple and are available now by contacting Becky Landry at the Northeast Arc: 978-624-2401 or by email at  blandry@ne-arc.org. Contact Landry regarding sponsorship opportunities or donations.

Sunday

- Mayor Kimberly Driscoll has released a proclamation establishing Sunday March 25, 2012 as Salem Women’s History Day. In honor of this, Salem’s third annual Women’s History Day, the Phillips House and the Witch House will be opening their doors for a special community open house from 12-4 p.m.  Each property will be open, free of charge, to Salem residents with proof of residency, during those hours.  Each house will also be featuring tours and stories relating to women connected to our local history.

For more things going on this weekend, check out the events calendar.