Still Life in Flux by Nancy Lindburg

The Playlist — Things to do April 3-6, 2025

by

A Note from the Instigator....

Good day, friends! Apologies on the delayed delivery....times they are a-busy!

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC, where I discovered several Salem connections, from blossoming cherry trees to a Marionberry (albeit not spelled the same or nearly as sweet) to Brutalist architecture (echoing that of our city hall)...watch for more on on all those connections in the future, but until then, let's get a jump on April and all the things to do this weekend. Enjoy!

 — Carlee, The Instigator

'Still Life in Flux' by Nancy Lindburg. See this painting and more during Slow Art Day, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Salem Public Library. Scroll down to learn more.

Thursday Highlights

There will be an opening reception for "The Silver Lining," a stunning new exhibition by the talented Heidi Preuss Grew, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at Bush Barn Art Center. This collection, which spans the past five years, features works created and gathered during a transformative period in the artist’s life. The artist will speak at 6:30 p.m. and the exhibit will be on display through April 30. Learn more here.

Salem Cinema presents the Coen Brothers’ classic Intolerable Cruelty (2003) — Miles Massey (George Clooney) is an exceptional divorce lawyer who specializes in saving cheating husbands from having to pay expensive settlements. Unchallenged, he wearies of his life – until he meets the cunning Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones). When Massey's representation of her husband in court denies her any divorce compensation, Marylin vows to get revenge, enlisting the help of an oil baron (Billy Bob Thornton), and the two vie for the advantage in a flirtatious duel of wits. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at Salem Cinema. 

Salem Poetry Project features Paul Suter — Paul Suter’s roots are in the San Francisco Bay Area. He earned an MA in English at UC Berkeley, 1970, and completed a Fellowship preparing community college English instructors at the University of Nebraska, 1971. He taught composition, American literature and environmental literature at Chemeketa CC. Today he copy-edits Oregon PeaceWorks, enjoys the arts, values political activism, and composes poems. The event takes place 7 to 9 p.m. April 3 at Bush Barn Art Center + Annex, 600 Mission St SE. Each week presents a featured speaker followed by the Infamous Open Mic: 3 poems or five minutes, whichever is first.

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Explore

The First Friday Art Walk invites the community to enjoy local art, pop-up events, live music, and more as you stroll through downtown Salem from 5 to 8 p.m. on the First Friday of each month. And this month welcomes the opening of a new art gallery! Stefani Fine Art is a carefully curated space dedicated to the beauty and power of visual storytelling. Founded on a love for fine art and to honor the legacy of owner Christina Stefani‘s late husband, renowned Salem photographer Richard Stefani, the gallery provides a platform for both emerging and established artists, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Stefani Fine Art, 305 Court St NE. 

Celebrate History & Culture

Salem's annual Qing Ming Festival, or the Clear and Bright Festival, returns on Saturday, April 5, with an open house from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Salem Pioneer Cemetery. The festival is associated with honoring ancestors and celebrating the return of spring. It is also know as "tomb sweeping" day. The program will include dedication music from Willamette University students, a proclamation by Mayor Julie Hoy, speaker Russ Lowe from Salem's Chinese Community and Qing Ming offerings.

Dance

Kick up your heels at Swing Night featuring a live performance by Smut City Jellyroll Society. There will be a swing dance lesson by Mz Jitterbug at 7 p.m., followed by live swing music at 8. Not a dancer? No problem! Go tap your toes and enjoy some great live swing music. For ages 21 and older. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, at The BAD Space, 2572 19th St SE

Take it Slow

Art isn’t meant to be rushed. View, reflect, discuss and learn during Slow Art Day. The Salem Public Art Commission invites you to spend time with art from The CIty’s art collection displayed at the Salem Public Library, followed by a discussion with local artists and art experts. Meet at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5 at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St SE. (See more at Salem On the Edge Gallery and The Bush Bart Art Center.)

A Pop Culture Expo

Bringing fandom to the valley, the Pop Culture and Comics Expo is two days of family-friendly fun featuring artists, vendors, guests, cosplay groups, panels, photo opportunities, theme cars, activities and more. The show takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6 in Jackman-Long Building at Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. Note: The Open Cosplay Contest (Ages 17 and older) happens after the floor closes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Learn more and get tickets here. 

Get Fancy

Formal First Saturday is your opportunity to dress up and head downtown! Happening 4 p.m. to midnight April 5 at Archive Coffee & Bar, they encourage you to dress up and drink & dine fancy. (Formal wear is not required, but it is encouraged - I mean, why not dress to the nines and strut your stuff?!) 

Start Plant Starts

Plant start sales begin this weekend at Minto Island Growers. The local farm will have a booth at the Salem Saturday Market and their on-site Farm Stand, which is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Some plants (like strawberries) will only have limited quantities, so you might want to stop by and snag some before they are gone!

Ask a Master Gardener

Are you into gardening or thinking of starting? If so, then swing by LifeSource on April 6 (and April 22) to meet with members from the Marion County Master Gardener Association, as they will be on site from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to answer all your gardening questions.

Shop Local

Underground Market brings together a variety of unique vendors and their wares for your shopping pleasure, 3 to 7 p.m. April 5 at Blast Off! Vintage. 

The Space at the 45th Parallel Building is hosting a First Sunday Vendor Market on April 6 featuring local vendors offering everything from tiny tattoos and 20-minute massages to hair tinsel, permanent jewelry and more, plus there will be music by DJ ZO. 

On Stage

The magic of storytelling takes center stage at Pentacle Theatre this spring with Big Fish, a heartwarming musical that explores the complex, deeply personal relationship between traveling salesman Edward Bloom and his son Will. This charming tale of fantasy and family aims to captivate theatergoers through April 12. Click here for tickets. And get a preview of the show in Press Play Salem spring edition feature story here.

Poetry in Performance

Poetry in Performance / Native American Traditions — Poet and musician Trevino Brings Plenty, a Lakota Indian born on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, and Renee Roman Nose, citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, and an activist, artist, motivational speaker, poet, photographer, and cultural anthropologist, will perform their work. Their books will be available for purchase at the event. Admission is free, and there will be an open mic between sets by the featured poet-performers, 2 to 4 p.m. April 6 at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE

Celebrate

INDUS welcomes you to celebrate spring with Holi and an Egg Hunt. The event starts at 12 p.m., with an egg hunt for children younger than 12, followed by Holi with a color splash plus the Bollywood beats of DJ Prashant on April 6 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Cost starts at $20. Click here for tickets.

On the Big Screen

Salem Cinema presents Columbia River Canoe Project — An inspiring adventure film that follows Robert Lester and his 18-year-old cousin Braxton Mitchell as they embark on an ambitious 1,300-mile canoe journey from the Continental Divide near Butte, Montana to the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Oregon. Along the way, they navigate both the river’s challenges and their own personal growth. The film delivers a trek filled with breathtaking landscapes and unexpected obstacles and explores their trials and triumphs while raising awareness of the ecological challenges affecting the Columbia River Watershed. Two showings: 3:15 p.m. Saturday, April 5 and 6 p.m. Monday, April 7 at Salem Cinema. All seats $11. Click here for tickets.

For the Kids

Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Days event is sold out, but there are still a variety of Gabby-themed activities you can take in at Gilbert House Children’s Museum through April 6. Learn more here.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

MUSIC

Armonias Mexicanas: Melissa Terrall — Local pianist and Fulbright alumna Melissa Espíndola Terrall presents a solo piano concert featuring music exclusively by Mexican composers. This program offers something for everyone to enjoy, from salon pieces to indigenous dances, exploring the evolution of Mexican classical music from the nineteenth century to the present, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 4 at Chemeketa Community College Theatre Auditorium, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE Building 6. Cost is $15 to $25. Click here for tickets.

Salem Philharmonia presents 150 Years of Ravel with Artistic Director/Conductor Jonathan DeBruyn and featured vocalist/pianist Thomas Otten. Program includes Dvořák’s tone poem, “The Noon Witch”; Otten’s performances of Ravel’s song cycle, “Don Quichotte à Dulcinée” and “Concerto for Piano Left Hand”, and ending with Schumann’s “Symphony #4”. Two chances to experience the show: 7 p.m. April 5 and 2 p.m. April 6 at East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave NE. Cost is $23; $20 students 18+ and seniors; Free for youth up to 17 years. There will be a free pre-concert talk 45 minutes prior to each concert. Get tickets here.

It’s rock and hip-hop night featuring live music by Giantess (Salem/Eugene based Space Party Rock), The New Mistakes (Salem/Corvallis based Prog Rock), Stormy Outside (Salem based Alt/Hip Hop), Truu Story (Salem Based Hip Hop), and DJ Byro (Salem), 8 p.m. April 5 at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE # 150. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10 in advance; $13 at the door for this 21 and older show.

Joanne Broh Band featuring Garry Meziere — Talent and musicianship local to the Salem Eugene PDX area that blends blues, soul and jazz into a seamless package, this amazing balance of soul blues, roots rock, funk and some downright jazzy smooth ditties will get your tapping your toes. Featuring Garry Meziere, guitar; Jon Brand, bass; Nathan Olsen, keyboard; Ed Pierce, drums; Joanne Broh, vocals, 8 p.m. April 5 at the Half Penny Public House, 3743 Commercial St S

RiverCity Rock Star Academy presents End of Season Show featuring live music starting at 12:30 p.m. April 6 at The Yard Food Park. Eat, drink and rock out!

  • Mayra Sandoval — 6 to 8 p.m. April 5 at Simp by Croft Vineyards
  • Eric John Kaiser — 5 to 7 p.m. April 5 at West Hills Vineyard
  • Saturday Música: Jesse Meade — 3 to 5 p.m. April 5 at Cória Estates

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

Level 2 Gallery at Salem Convention Center

Such as...

  • New Gallery — 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.

Read the Spring Edition

Press Play Salem issue 23 | Spring 2025 featuring cover art by Melissa Rivers

Got an event? Submit it here.