Press Play Salem

Gaiety Hollow Open Gardens
2026-07-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-08 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-11 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-25 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-05 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) and 5 more dates | Gaiety Hollow, 545 Mission St. SE, Salem, 97301, United States
The Lord & Schryver Conservancy invites the public to experience the beauty and history of Gaiety Hollow during the 2026 Open Gardens season at the historic home and garden of pioneering landscape architects Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver.
Open Gardens will take place Wednesdays from May through September from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with select Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gaiety Hollow, located at 545 Mission Street SE in Salem.
Saturday Open Garden dates and entertainment include:

May 30 ~ Constant Billy, a fun and energetic Americana music duo
June 13 ~ Explore an exhibit in the museum home about Lord and Schryver
June 27 ~ Finn Yang Quartet (instrumental live music)
July 11 ~ Constant Billy returns to the Garden Terrace
July 25 ~ Salem Madrigal Singers – Renaissance musical group
August 8 ~ Explore an exhibit in the museum home about Lord and Schryver
August 22 ~ Artists in Action! Paint/Write the town artists creating works in the garden
September 5 and 19 ~ Mid-Valley Poetry Society readings on the Garden Terrace for both September Open Garden dates

Start times for music performances vary depending on the group’s preference, but most often start during the 11 am hour.
Visitors are encouraged to stroll through the nationally recognized garden, learn about the legacy of Lord & Schryver, and enjoy one of Salem’s most treasured historic landscapes. Gaiety Hollow is located across from the northeast corner of Bush’s Pasture Park. Parking is available on the east side of Church Street or at the base of the Soap Box Derby ramp in Bush’s Pasture Park parking lot. Admission is free, but donations toward the care and preservation of Gaiety Hollow are greatly appreciated.

Weekly Drop-In Improv Comedy Class
2026-07-06 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-07-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-07-20 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-07-27 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-08-03 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-08-10 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-08-17 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-08-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Grand Ballroom, 187 High St NE, Salem, Oregon, 97301, United States
Date: Every Monday
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Price: $5 (first class free!) – Pay at doors
All experience levels welcome
15+‍
Take a break from real life to come play and let loose! Improv is all about teamwork, communication and, most importantly, FUN!‍
Whether you’re a casual fan or seasoned performer, this class is great for improvisers of all experience levels! Ages 15+ recommended. Classes are $5 each and your first class is FREE!

First Tuesday Music & Poetry Open Mic
2026-07-07 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, 187 High St NE, Salem, OR, 97301, United States
Salem’s Historic Grand is pleased to invite performers of all varieties to take the ballroom stage the first Tuesday of every month! Musicians, bands, poets, and all other performers are encouraged to sign up and share your talent! Hosted by Matador Hamilton and Danny Shaw of Giantess.
Doors at 6:30, show 7pm-10pm. No admission, all ages. Sign ups open with doors at 6:30.
If your band would like to perform, please reach out to Matador Hamilton via Facebook or @matadormakesmusic on Instagram and let him know which backline gear your band will need.

MIG Fest 2026
2026-07-18 14:00 - 20:00 | Minto Island Growers, 3394 Brown Island Road S, Salem, 97302, United States
Punk and ska music on a farm in Salem, Oregon
Started in summer 2021, MIG Fest combines punk and ska music with locally grown, organic food.
This year features:

Alice Bag Band
MONKEY
Devon Kay & the Solutions
Cut-Rate Druggist
Rad Max

Lacey Lady's Birthday
2026-07-25 10:00 - 16:00 | B-17 Alliance Museum, 3278 25th St SE, Hangar C, Salem, 97301, United States
We’re having a CRUISE-IN to revive the American Spirit as we celebrate the Lacey Lady’s birthday! The Lacey Lady is the original nose art of the iconic Gas Station Bomber. She represents women in leadership who love their country.

Meet our Lacey Lady Branding Model or come in your own living history attire. Event doors open 10am to 4pm.
Admission & trophies: pre-admission available soon.
Community ACE awards: Award for Commitment to Excellence and Service to Honor. Nominations being accepted now:

A high-ranking military leader from the Pacific Northwest,
A community leader advancing youth education in aviation, and
A veteran volunteer whose dedication has been vital to the Lacey Lady’s restoration.

To complement the celebration, a Classic Car Club showcase will feature vehicles from the 1940s–1970s, illustrating the parallel evolution of American mechanics and aviation. Attendees will also experience an up-close look at the latest restoration milestone—the completion of the Plexiglas Nosecone and preparation for its attachment to the aircraft.
We will invite community members, dignitaries from other B-17 museums, and aviation enthusiasts from across the nation to join us in honoring history, innovation, and service under Lacey’s wings.

Live Music or DJ
Military Vehicles and Living History
Featured Exhibit in Museum
FREE Soda – at Soda fountain
BBQ on site for sale.
Silent Auction
VIP Dinner
Live Auction

Theatre 33 presents Be Witch
2026-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 | OR
Theatre 33, in residence at Willamette University, is a new play development company that helps Oregon/NW playwrights develop their new scripts from our 60-hour rehearsed workshop production (fully designed lights, sound, props, set, costumes, and entirely blocked with scripts in hand) to a world-premiere full production.
Be Witch
by Rob Smith
All Kendra has ever wanted is to be a witch. Sadly, her magik (with a K), doesn’t make for the most solid career. Down on her luck and with nowhere else to go, Kendra moves in with her brother, Huey. The fun doesn’t last long and sibling tension grows as Huey tries to help his sister find a “real job” while running his business, paying all the bills, and most importantly, becoming the best bowler he can be. On the edge of losing everything, Kendra finally makes a breakthrough and gets the attention of one of the most prominent Covens in the world of Magik. Now if she wants in; it’s the Coven’s way or the no-Magik highway. Can Kendra achieve her dream without pushing away the one person who has always had her back?

August 5 @ 7 p.m.
August 8 @ 7 p.m.
August 11 @ 7 p.m.
August 14 @ 7 p.m.

Theatre 33 presents Pull
2026-08-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Pelton Theatre at Willamette University, 900 State St, Salem, 97301, United States
Theatre 33, in residence at Willamette University, is a new play development company that helps Oregon/NW playwrights develop their new scripts from our 60-hour rehearsed workshop production (fully designed lights, sound, props, set, costumes, and entirely blocked with scripts in hand) to a world-premiere full production.
PULL
by Sara Jean Accuardi
A group of teachers attends a gun safety training program designed for educators planning to arm themselves in the classroom. Over the five-day course, convictions are tested as they wrestle with questions about responsibility and what safety really means.

August 6 @ 7 p.m.
August 9 @ 2 p.m.
August 12 @ 7 p.m.
August 15 @ 7 p.m.

Englewood Forest Festival
2026-08-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Englewood Park, 1192 20th St NE, Salem, 97301, United States
The Englewood Forest Festival returns on Saturday, Aug. 8 for an enjoyable and educational summer day of art, music, dance, fun, and free, family-friendly environmental activities – all under a canopy of lovely trees.
The 7-acre Englewood Park is a major highlight of the day. Developed by the renown Lord & Schryver design team, Salem’s oldest park is a historic gem full of hundreds of oaks and Douglas fir trees, plus many birds, animals, plants and flowers.
This year the park is celebrating its 100th year anniversary.
Besides a full day of live music and dance on two stages, the festival offers a wealth of nature-based activities for people of all ages.
Now in its 8th year, the free festival will have many local artists, nonprofits, and community resources, plus food vendors.
Favorite performers will return including the Ty Curtis blues band, Salem Aerial Dance Company, Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe, ENLACE Cross-Cultural Development music, and the Premier Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA) dancers.
For more details go to www.englewoodforestfestival.org or find Englewood Forest Festival on Facebook.

Capital City Retro Fest
2026-08-14 - 2026-08-16 | OR
Capital City Retro Fest is a 3-night, all-ages concert event at the Gerry Frank Amphitheater on Salem’s Riverfront Park including food cart pod and a central bar serving adult beverages to 21 & over attendees.
The 2026 line-up includes tributes to DEF LEPPARD, FLEETWOOD MAC, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, FOO FIGHTERS, DURAN DURAN, TOM PETTY, U2, ALANIS MORISSETTE, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS and HALL & OATES
Click here for tickets.

Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery: The Trouble with Angels
2026-08-28 19:30 - 21:00 | Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE, Salem, OR, 97301, United States
The Trouble with Angels
An evening of mischief and music from two very familiar faces. It’s like the Rat Pack… but with a couple of broads.
Join Emmy Award-winner Jane Lynch and the hilariously charming Kate Flannery for a raucous night of comedy, song, and unapologetic mischief in The Trouble with Angels. With powerhouse vocals, razor-sharp wit, and more than a few surprises, these two beloved stars serve up a cocktail of classic tunes, campy banter, and devilish charm. It’s part cabaret, part stand-up, and all sass—because when these angels get together, heaven can wait.
