PEABODY — If you are looking for that special Mother’s Day gift this year, head on over to “Shop like a Queen” at the Black Box Theater on Sunday, an event that promises to bring one-stop shopping to the next level.
“It’s another marketplace event with a couple of twists we think will be really fun,” said Black Box Events Coordinator Lisa Geczi. “This time we will have different vendors compared to past marketplaces we have run, but we will have all sorts of fun stuff for moms, and we have a few surprises up our sleeves. It’s just all about having some fun.”
The surprises start with a special guest, Lynn drag queen entertainer Karisma, who will be available for photographs and selfies under a specially-constructed pink balloon arch.
“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with Lisa on other Black Box events and she really does it all, so I am looking forward to another great event,” said Karisma, whose full stage name is Karisma Geneva Jackson-Tae. “All of the events I’ve been involved with have been so much fun and I expect this one will be no different.
“Hopefully, we will have a great day with the wonderful people who will come and get treated to a fantastic day of shopping and fun.”
The event will require mandatory social distancing and masks. Vendors will be spread out on the floor at safe distances and there will be one-way only entrances and exits.
“We follow all current guidelines to the letter as we want to be sure that we are doing everything we can to keep both our visitors and vendors safe,” said Geczi.
The event features a walk-in, Do-it-Yourself creativity lab where customers can make personalized Mother’s Day gifts. Create and Escape will provide instructions on how to make your own floral arrangements and will also conduct a mini-wood sign workshop and paint-your-own spring mason jars.
“These are perfect gifts for moms,” Geczi said.
For the non-DIY set, local artisans and vendors will also be selling unique apparel, beauty products, candles, home decor, and tasty sweets, including handmade chocolates from Bella & Harvey.
One of the featured vendors is artist Susan Dodge, who will present her home decor/retail line of products, which can be viewed on her website at www.susandodge.com.
Gina Goodwin, owner of Gina’s Giving Back, will be selling raffle tickets to an Ultimate Foodie Giveaway. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be used to purchase Market Basket gift cards to feed families in need from Gloucester to Lynn.
“Gina has been great with us and this will benefit families on the North Shore who are struggling with food insecurity,” Geczi said, adding that Gina’s Giving Back has fed more than 1,500 families over the past few years.
Admission is free. Crafting fees start at about $25 per craft. The event runs from 2:30-6:30 p.m.
Founded by Northeast Arc in partnership with the City of Peabody, area businesses and cultural organizations, Peabody’s Black Box serves as an anchor of the city’s downtown cultural district. The James Family Stage in the Black Box provides state-of-the-art space for theater, comedy, dance, film, music, poetry and other performances.
