WHAT IS THE SALEM SCARLET SOCIETY?
An all-levels parade dance troupe for adults in Salem
At a time when we’re starved for connection and community, come and dance with your neighbors, subvert classic literature, and show support for Salem!Finding inspiration from the eccentric dance troupes that make New Orleans parades so fun, we’re bringing the spirit to Salem. Think themed costumes, lively music, and great energy.In our inaugural season, we have marched in the Pride Parade, the Salem 400+ Parade, performed at the Witch City Community Theater Cabaret, and will be marching in the Haunted Happenings Parade on October 1st. This is an all levels group: the choreography is accessible whether you’ve danced before or not. Come meet some new friends and celebrate the joy of living on the North Shore.
THE THEME
Subverting The Scarlet Letter
Honoring Salem’s rich literary history, with a cheeky nod to one of the most iconic pieces of millennial pop culture.
The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s most recognizable work, touches on themes of public shame, guilt, hypocrisy and justice. In 1850, Hawthorne poignantly displayed the injustice faced by protagonist Hester Prynne back in the 1600s, yet we still feel connected to her story today.There’s no debate that women have significantly more rights today than they did during the days of Hester Prynne, Hawthorne, or even our grandmothers. But consider the pullback of reproductive rights and voting protections, the rise of “wellness culture” that monetizes insecurity, ongoing pay discrepancies, lapses in medical care, and the way that women are continually vilified in the media while their male counterparts seem to get off scot-free. We can acknowledge tangible progress while calling out the double standard that women still face. No wonder we continue to see parallels in Hester’s tale.But we’re here to have fun, not to lecture! Something we’ve always found so genuinely funny about living in Salem is how intense historic themes (the Witch trials, the significance of our ports, war, in general) are played against commercialism and merriment. So rather than poo-poo the tourists who come in their Hocus Pocus shirts, we’re going along with it. We’re taking classic American literature, going a step further into its adaptations, and actually dancing to it.We’ll be honoring Easy A, a classic millennial movie (loosely) inspired by The Scarlet Letter. Think Emma Stone’s black corset, ruffles, red ribbons. We’ll be dancing to the tunes of the early 2000s. Let’s go back to a time when we were hopeful, when yoga pants were cool (the first time around), and when the world didn’t feel so heavy. All are welcome, so if you need an excuse to dance, this is it.The mood board: a little goofy, a little spooky, a little femme (all genders are welcome!), a lot of fun.
WHAT TO KNOW
Scarlet Society Schedule & Commitment
By joining The Scarlet Society, you’re committing to learning the choreography, sourcing your costume, attending at least 4 rehearsals in-person per cycle, and marching in the parade with us. We typically offer at least 8 rehearsals per parade after work hours in Salem, with a few weekend dates to offer flexibility. We may also have optional socials, craft nights, and performance opportunities.
Our Mission
To connect the Salem and greater North Shore community through the radical joy of dance while honoring the rich history of this space.
Our Values
Honoring Salem’s HistorySalem has a rich maritime, social, and literary history that’s been permeated popular culture, but the history of this land predates the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. We love living here, and acknowledge the nuanced and beautiful history of the land we reside upon.Acceptance of Ourselves & OthersAll bodies, all colors, all genders, and all levels of dance are welcome and celebrated here. We don’t tolerate prejudice and want this to be a space where you can be yourself, let loose, and have fun. (And if this statement makes you feel unwelcome, well, maybe think about that a little bit.)Dedication to the BitWe’re all busy, but part of being in a community is showing up. As members of the Society, we show up to learn the choreography and try our very best- even if we’re not technically great. We go all out on our costumes, because it’s more fun when we all dress to the theme. And we bring the energy, because it’s infectious.
Join the waitlist to be the first to hear about 2027 enrollment!
We had over 40 members join our inaugural season! While registration is now closed for 2026, we look forward to welcoming even more dancers next year. More information will be released in early 2027, including parade and performance dates, rehearsal commitments, the year's theme, and required dues. Hope to dance with you then!