The Playlist — Things to do April 17-20, 2025

by

A Note from the Instigator....

It is finally, actually Spring (knock on wood). The weather is warming, and nature blooms all around. I know I don't have to tell you to take advantage of it — as Oregonians, we live for all that surrounds us. It's one of those common threads that bind us. 

At Press Play HQ (that's me working from whichever local coffee shop is calling my name), we are immersed in the production of the Summer edition of Press Play Salem. Anticipated release is the beginning of June, but we can use your support to make that happen. Our magazine and newsletter are available free of charge thanks to the support of our advertisers (and those who buy us coffee). We are driven by a passion to share stories of our community, to help people connect through arts + culture, and to encourage everyone to get out and play! If that sounds like something you believe as well, send me a message and let's talk.  

Until next time...have a beautiful weekend, friends!

 — Carlee, The Instigator

Gaiety Hollow hosts Open Gardens this Saturday. Scroll down to learn more.

Thursday Highlights

A project for spring! Learn to needle felt a nest made of 100% wool with Audrey Comerford of Wee Woollies Fiber Arts. Needle felting is fun and a great way to expand your fiber arts knowledge. It is a great class for beginners and those who have felted before. All supplies required for this class are included and you will walk away with a finished nest, felting knowledge and a felting block/needle for you to keep! *Pre-registration is required, tickets must be purchased in order to attend. 6 to 8 p.m. April 17, at Creativitee & rofe designs, 110 Commercial St NE. Click here to register.

Nashville Unplugged Presents: Chad Brock Featuring Joey James — Experience the heart of country music with Nashville Unplugged, featuring Chad Brock and Joey James. This intimate, storytelling-driven performance brings you the stories behind the songs from two incredible artists. Chad Brock, known for hits like "Yes!", and rising talent Joey James will deliver an unforgettable night of acoustic country music, raw emotion, and unforgettable melodies, 8 p.m. April 17, at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets are $55 to $75. Click here for tickets.

Salem Poetry Project presents Triggerfish Critical Review, an online literary arts and poetry journal established in 2009 that publishes biannually (January/July), and features one artist whose work appears on every page. Poetry comes from practitioners around the world. The Salem Poetry Project is a recurring event happening 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Bush Barn Annex, 600 Mission St SE. Each week presents a featured reader followed by the Infamous Open Mic: 3 poems or five minutes whichever is first.

Drag Time! with RiRi Calienté — A recurring event on the third Thursday of the month, this drag extravaganza is hosted by Salem’s fab drag mother RiRi Calienté and features a variety of local talent, 8 p.m. Thursday, Apr 17, at Infinity Room. Cost is $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Click here for tickets.

Take part in Taproot Karaoke,  9 p.m. every Thursday at Taproot Lounge & Cafe, 356 State St. 

This weekly newsletter is free...because we want you to get out and play!

Help us keep it that way. Click here to buy us a coffee ☕ Every sip is appreciated! ❤️ 

On Stage

Willamette University Theatre presents Bloom Bloom Pow — Returning to her conservative Ohio town, non-binary Mag finds everything is dull and weird and not queer at all. While trying to keep it together despite desperate phone calls from their mom, chatty co-workers, and visions of melting ice caps and dead horses at the bottom of the east river, Mag's life gets decidedly more interesting (and sexy) when they meet The Creature and learn about the algae taking over the town's water supply. Will Mag save the city, or is it the algae's time to shine? Bloom Bloom Pow is inspired by 1950s monster movies as well as the real-life 2014 crisis in Toledo, Ohio, when the tap water became deadly for humans due to toxic algal blooms. Bloom Bloom Pow de-centers humans, elevates microorganisms, and celebrates queer joy in the face of climate devastation. The show takes place 7:30 p.m. April 16-19 and 23-26 and 2 p.m. April 19 and 26, in Putnum Theater at Willamette University. Tickets are $9 to $15. Click here to purchase.

Grab your basket and take in a Black Light Easter Egg Hunt. Wear white or neon to glow in the black light. Food will be available for purchase from So Cheesy food truck and Raw Blendz. 6 p.m. Friday, April 18 at Salem Tennis & Swim Club, 4318 Lone Oak Rd SE. This all-ages event is free but you must RSVP here. 

A family favorite for many in the area, the Deepwood’s Easter Egg Hunt is a tradition started many years ago. The last owner of the beloved Queen Anne Victorian home held egg hunts for her grandchildren and the children of the community in her gardens, and the tradition continues. This event is designed with Elementary school aged children (12 & younger) in mind. The Easter Bunny will be on the grounds for photo hopportunities, and the first floor of the Queen Anne Victorian Museum home will be open for viewing after the egg hunts. Also after the egg hunts, the Solarium will open for more photo hopportunities with the Easter Bunny. The fun takes place 1 to 3 p.m. April 19 at Deepwood Museum & Gardens, 1116 Mission St SE. Cost is $6 per child; $1 per adult. Registration required. Click here for tickets.

Salem Center is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bunny Photos, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 19 near the Food Court. Egg Hunt times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for ages 6-12; 12 p.m. for ages 1 to 5. 

Hop on down to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel and participate in an Easter egg search on April 19 and 20. A limited number of eggs will be hidden around the carousel throughout the day. Each egg will have a treat inside or one free ride! Limit one egg per participant. No cost to participate.

Eggprov: An Improv Show Full of Easter Egg Surprises — Spring into EGGPROV! The ultimate form of improv where the performers not only make up scenes off the tops of their heads, but have to fulfill prompts and tasks found in Easter eggs written by the audience! Audience members will be invited to write down suggestions such as characters, locations, emotions, etc., and those will be collected before the show and used throughout the performance. Plus a few other big surprises! Anything could happen... it's all in the eggs baby! Check it out at 9 p.m. Friday, Apr 18, at Infinity Room. cost is $10 in advance; $12 at the door for this 21 and older show.

Walk & Learn

Join the City’s Climate Action Team and Marion Soil & Water Conservation District for a Plant Walk at Bush's Pasture Park. Learn about native and invasive plants, expand your plant identification skills and receive free resources on how to meadowscape your yard. This free event takes place 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Meet at the bottom of the derby track at Bush's Pasture Park, 890 Mission St. SE. 

Open Garden at Gaiety Hollow

The Lord & Schryver Conservancy invites you to Open Gardens at Gaiety Hollow, the historic home, studio, and garden of pioneering landscape architects Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver. Enjoy one of the most spectacular times of year in the garden, with tulips, lilacs, Korean spice bush, tree peonies, rhododendrons, and more in full bloom with live music by Constant Billy (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) Visitors may also come into the home during the Open Garden to learn more about the legacy of Lord and Schryver. This event is free and open to the public. It will take place rain or shine. No RSVP required. Pop in between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at 545 Mission St SE.

Wine & Watercolor

Whether you're an experienced artist or a complete beginner, Wine & Watercolor event aims to be a fun, no-pressure environment to create watercolor art. For this class, you will be creating ap painting of your furry best friend (so bring a black and white print out or favorite photo of your pet on letter-size paper — headshots work best.) If you don't have a pet or a picture on hand, you can pick a different animal. The instructor will have several options available or bring your own for this guided paint session led by Elisa Mack. All art materials and instructions included in the price of admission. Wine available for purchase. The fun takes place 1 to 3 p.m. Apr. 19, at Chemeketa Cellars Tasting Room, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW. Click here to reserve your spot.

Blend your own Pinot

Pinot Noir Blending: Exploring Complexity — Discover the artistry of Pinot Noir in this immersive blending session and barrel tasting, This event delves into the nuances of oak aging, microclimates, and clonal selection, offering an unparalleled exploration of this celebrated varietal, 1 to 4 p.m. April 18 at Vitae Springs Vineyard and Winery, 3675 Vitae Springs Rd S. Cost is $100. Click here to register.

Wedding Show

Marion County Wedding Show is a one-day wedding vendor extravaganza. Engaged couples will be able to meet in person all of the service providers that will make their day beautiful and memorable from venues to catering, photography to wedding attire and more, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 19 at Jackman-Long Building at Oregon State Fairgrounds. Cost $7 in advance; $10 day of show. Click here to purchase.

Burle-Q

Cabaret in the Clouds: Freshly Baked Burlesque — Holly Dolly is bringing her favorite friends back to her hometown to kick off this holiday celebration a day early with a little tantalizing tease, and you won't want to miss out. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at The BAD Space, 2572 19th St SE. Tickets start at $25. Ages 21 and older. Click here for tickets.

It’s The Dude

Take in a big-screen viewing of The Big Lebowski. Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski who insists on being called "the Dude," a laid-back, easygoing burnout who happens to have the same name as a millionaire whose wife owes a lot of dangerous people a whole bunch of money -- resulting in the Dude having his rug soiled, sending him spiraling into the Los Angeles underworld, 4:20 p.m. April 20 and 7 p.m. April 22,  at Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway St NE. Click here for tickets.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

Laugh, Laugh and Laugh Some More

The Winery Comedy Tour brings a night of laughter to Cubanismo Winery, 7 p.m. April 18. Click here for tickets. 

Chaos Comedy — Stand-ups take the stage to perform, but they have no idea what they're in for. Each set is subjected to an element of chaos that is guaranteed to send the show off the rails. Witness the madness at this comedy show unlike any other. Performers can sign up by emailing info@irsalem.com between now and the end of the day 4/17. Be sure to put "CHAOS" in your subject line. Spots are limited, so signing up is not a guarantee that you will perform this time. 7 p.m. Friday, Apr 18, at Infinity Room. Cost is $10 in advance; $12 at the door. All ages show but material will not be clean.

Stand-Up Comedian: Kyle Kinane Featuring Tyler Boeh — Raised in a cultural fondue pot, it was natural for Kyle Kinane to find his way from warehouse work into show business. As a comedian, he has been seen on Conan, The Tonight Show, Netflix’s “The Standups,” and three of his own hour-long specials on Comedy Central. As an actor, he’s been in the Judd Apatow series “Love” and truTV’s “Those Who Can’t.” He was also on “Drunk History,” where he unfortunately wasn’t acting. Tyler Boeh’s comedy has been described as high-energy, intelligent, physical, and silly. His quick wit and award-winning “beat-boxing” talent bring audiences to hysterical heights. The show begins 8 p.m. April 19 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets are $25 to $45. Click here for tickets.

Blazed & Amused: Leave Your Troubles at the Door — 4/20 Weekend Special — Leave Your Troubles at The Door is a completely improvised stand-up comedy showcase where the audience's problems help create the topics of the jokes that comedians riff on stage. Audience members anonymously write their problems/troubles down on pieces of paper, put them in a box before the show and then many of the best comedians from the Pacific Northwest and beyond take on those issues with their on-the-spot jokes. You can STAY anonymous, too. Two chances to see the show: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Apr 19, at Infinity Room. Each show is $15 in advance; $20 at the door and for ages 21 and older.

MUSIC

Queen Mother: A Tribute To The Music Of Queen — Hailing from Seattle, Queen Mother harnesses the Northwest’s best talent to bring these epic songs to life, including Under Pressure, We Are the Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, and many more. With each show they make the whole room a stage, hoping to draw out your inner “Freddie.” 8 p.m. April 18, at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets are $25. Click here for tickets.

Yoav Eshed Trio — On tour from NYC, guitarist Yoav Eshed joins forces with Oregon locals Garrett Baxter on bass & Ken Mastrogiovanni on drums, 7 p.m. April 19 at Christo’s. Click here for tickets.

Make Music Salem Countdown Show featuring a night of Latin-influenced music with Pachanga and Jaime Talavera, 6 p.m. Friday, April 18 at Xicha North Salem, 2195 Hyacinth St NE. Free all ages donations accepted.

DJ 42 presents Friday Night Videos — 9 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Taproot Lounge & Cafe, 356 State St. 21 and older.

Forest Bailey — 9 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Taproot Lounge & Cafe, 356 State St.

Jams with Justice of the Peace — Take in an evening of live music, plus cheesesteaks! Music starts at 7 p.m., food and drink specials start at 5 p.m. April 19 at Epilogue Kitchen & Cocktails.

On Going Events

Discover Chemeketa's Planetarium — The current show Two Small Pieces of Glass is a full dome presentation that follows two teenage students who learn from an astronomer how telescopes work during a star party. It also examines how these optical instruments have improved in the last 400 years and what great discoveries were made with them since the time of Galileo. It also includes a brief introduction to the night sky over Salem. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. every Friday through June 6 in Building 2, Room 171 on the Chemeketa campus off Lancaster Dr.  Use the blue parking lot. For more information, call 503-399-5248

Salem Saturday Market featuring a rotating line-up of 150 vendors selling local produce, hand-made products and more, is now open for the season. Shop 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through October in the parking lot at 865 Marion St NE. salemcommunitymarkets.com

Traveling Wheelz hosts Open Skate starting at 7:30 p.m. Fridays at The Mad House. Learn more here.

Seat up for the Super Casual Saturday Salem Bike Ride on Saturdays. Meet at the bottom of Soap Box Derby Track at Bush Park at 11 a.m. Wheels down at 11:30.

Plus Explore Art

Stefani Art Gallery

Such as...

  • Stefani Art Gallery showing modern, contemporary, and abstract art from local and internationally-recognized artists, 305 Court St NE | stefaniartgallery.com
  • Nancy Floyd: For the Love of Trees at Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St | 503-370-6855, willamette.edu/arts/hfma
  • New Energy: New Work by M. Shoki Tanabe and Adam Zeek at Level 2 Gallery on the Second Floor at Salem Convention Center | 503-589-1700, oregonartistsseries.com (See an extension of this exhibit in the Art Hall at the Salem Public Library)
  • Living Landscapes featuring artists who explore the ever-changing relationship between humans and the natural world, celebrating resilience, adaptation, and the beauty of Oregon's shifting and fragile ecosystems, at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE | salemontheedge.com
  • The Cherry City of the World captures the beauty of Salem as it blooms, at Salem Art Association, 600 Mission St SE | salemart.org
  • Special feature of the work of co-op members Lorraine Dye, pastel, and Susan Grace Branch, acrylic and jewelry, at the AiA Gallery, 444 Ferry St SE | AiAArtGallery.org

Click here for a full list of what's on exhibit this April.

Got an event? Submit it here.