Photo: Hammond Castle by Fletcher, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped.
Things to do on the North Shore and in the Merrimack Valley, Friday through next Thursday. Check the link before you go, since times and tickets can change.
Picks of the week
The North Shore's Own Renaissance Faire
Sat Nov 7 and Sun Nov 8 · Gloucester
Rain or shine. Park at Stage Fort Park and take the free shuttle. Details
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
Fri Nov 6 · Beverly
Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. Details
November Open Studios
Sat Nov 7 · Lowell
Leashed pets are welcome. Details
This weekend
Friday, Nov 6
Dracula (A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really)
7:30 pm · North Andover · Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College · Adults $15
Also Sat Nov 7 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Merrimack College's fall production of Kate Hamill's horror comedy, based on the Bram Stoker novel. The college notes it may not be suitable for anyone under 16. Details
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
8 pm · Beverly · The Cabot · $39.50 to $89.50
Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart and his longtime band. Details
Fall Comedy Night
8 pm · Newburyport · Firehouse Center for the Arts · From $25
Stand-up night headlined by Tony V, with Kristy Kielbasinski and Shawn Stylz. Details
Saturday, Nov 7
The North Shore's Own Renaissance Faire
9 am to 5 pm, Sat and Sun · Gloucester · Hammond Castle Museum · Tickets on the museum's site
Armored combat demonstrations, roaming performers and a talk on medieval arms and armor at Hammond Castle. Details
Crane Estate Art Show and Sale
10 am to 4 pm, Sat and Sun · Ipswich · Castle Hill on the Crane Estate · Free; book a grounds admission pass ahead
The annual art show and sale at Castle Hill. The linked page is for Friday's ticketed soiree and also lists the free weekend hours. Details
How to Eat Well in Winter, with Chef Kelcy
10:30 am to noon · Lowell · ROOT Community Space, Mill City Grows · Free; registration recommended
Live cooking demo on making the most of winter vegetables. Details
November Open Studios
Noon to 5 pm · Lowell · Western Avenue Studios · Free
Artists open their studios across five floors of a Lowell mill building. Details
An Autumn Vaudevillian Affair
6 to 9 pm · Amesbury · Amesbury Cultural Center · $75, includes food and two drinks
A fundraiser for the C-10 Research and Education Foundation, with an illustrated vaudeville show of 1920s jazz, juggling, comedy and singing saw. Details
Close Enemies ft. Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith
8 pm · Salisbury · Blue Ocean Music Hall · $39.50 to $49.50
Rock band featuring Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, with Lone Wolf James opening. Doors at 7 pm. Details
Stephen Brodsky with Adam McGrath and Erik Wormwood
8 pm · Salem · Gulu-Gulu Cafe · No cover
Solo sets from Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath of Cave In, and from Erik Wormwood, plus a Brodsky and McGrath duo set. Details
Sunday, Nov 8
Walking Tour: Historic Dogtown
10 am to noon · Gloucester · Cape Ann Museum tour · $25, or $15 for museum members; registration required
A guided hike of about three miles over uneven trails, through the abandoned Dogtown settlement and past Roger Babson's carved boulders. Meet at Babson Boulder Parking on Cherry Street. Details
Cambridge Symphony Orchestra: Brahms, Bach and Poulenc
4 pm · Lowell · Durgin Hall, UMass Lowell · Free; RSVP on the orchestra's site
The orchestra performs Brahms' Nänie, Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Poulenc's Gloria, joined by UMass Lowell choirs and the Nashoba Valley Chorale. Details
Next week
Monday, Nov 9
Free Matinee Series: Sunset Boulevard
1 pm · Beverly · The Cabot · Free; register ahead to claim tickets
The classic film on the big screen, with an optional discussion afterward. Details
Tuesday, Nov 10
Chip Carving Ornaments with Eric Goodson
5:30 to 8:30 pm · Newburyport · Newburyport Art Association · $75, or $55 for members, plus $10 materials fee
A woodcarving class where you make ornaments. No experience needed. Details
Wednesday, Nov 11
Fish Tales: Veterans
7 pm · Gloucester · Gloucester Stage Company · $25, plus $3 fee
The Gloucester Writers Center's storytelling night, with true stories by and about veterans on Veterans Day. Details
Thursday, Nov 12
Enduring Hawthorne
7 pm · Salem · Trade House · Free; registration recommended
Opening night of the Salem Literary Festival, with a conversation on Hawthorne and a folksong performance of his story "Feathertop" with a hand-cranked illustrated scroll. Details
A Night Out With NAGLY
7:30 pm · Beverly · Off Cabot · $34
Drag, music and comedy hosted by Ms. Mizery McRae, raising money for the LGBTQ+ youth group NAGLY. Doors at 6:30 pm. Details
Plan ahead
Salem Literary Festival
Fri Nov 13 to Sun Nov 15 · Salem · Venues around Salem · Free; registration open
Continues after Thursday's opening night, with a local-author reading on Friday, a full Saturday of panels and a closing day at Old Town Hall. Details
Hadestown
Sat Nov 21, 2 pm and 7:30 pm · Lowell · Lowell Memorial Auditorium · Tickets on the auditorium's site
The touring production of Anaïs Mitchell's musical retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. Details
Dunes by the Light of the Full Moon
Tue Nov 24, 4 to 6:30 pm · Ipswich · Crane Beach · $30, or $24 for Trustees members; no walk-ins
A sunset beach walk and a hike of two to three miles through the Castle Neck dunes under the full moon. Suited to ages 12 and up. Details
ThanksLIVING: A Holiday Drag Performance
Fri Nov 27, 8 pm · Newburyport · Firehouse Center for the Arts · From $45
A day-after-Thanksgiving drag show hosted by Patrick Falk and Miz Diamond. Details
Christmas in Salem: Seas and Greetings
Sat Dec 5, 10:30 am to 4 pm, and Sun Dec 6, 11:30 am to 4 pm · Salem · Derby Street neighborhood · $45, or $40 for Historic Salem members; $50 day of
Historic Salem's annual holiday house tour, this year through decorated homes near the waterfront. Details
Know about an event we missed? Reply and tell us.