The Playlist — Things to do Feb 27-Mar 2, 2025

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A Note from the Instigator....

It's a weekend of celebrate...poetry, fabric art, comedy....Mardi Gras, a new season of sports, art openings. Whatever your interests, you can probably find an event this weekend to meet them. If not...try something new! Just get out and play! 

 — Carlee, The Instigator

Volcano: A Science Comedy Show by Ben Miller is happening March 1 at Infinity Room. Scroll down for info. Photo by Gabriel Miller

Thursday Highlights

Gasp at the eye-opening discoveries experienced by those who have participated in DNA testing during I Survived DNA Testing: The Stories, 7 p.m. Feb 27 in Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library. (PS: Your endearing Instigator will be there, so come, join me!)

The Salem Poetry Festival kicks off three days of poetry on Thursday, Feb 27, with Featured Reader: Jennifer Foerster, 5 to 6 p.m. in Cone Chapel, Waller Hall at Willamette University followed by an Opening Reception at Bush Barn Art Center, 6 to 7 p.m. followed by Featured Reader: John Van Dreal. Scroll down for more info about the Festival.

Oregon Quilt Festival begins 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb 27 (and continues through March 1) in Columbia Hall at Oregon State Fairgrounds. Learn more here.

Active B!tch Face — A comedy show featuring improv and stand-up that bites back at the patriarchy! Featuring stand-up and improv comedy by badass b!tches from right here in Oregon, 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb 27, at Infinity Room. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Click here for tickets.

Celebrate Words

Salem Poetry Festival celebrates three days of poetry events, February 27 through March 1. The festival kicks off Feb 27 with Featured Reader: Jennifer Foerster, 5 to 6 p.m. in Cone Chapel, Waller Hall at Willamette University followed by an Opening Reception at Bush Barn Art Center, 6 to 7 p.m. followed by Featured Reader: John Van Dreal. 

Salem Poetry Festival continues Friday, Feb 28 with Jennifer Foerster: Writing Workshop, The Poetics of Listening, 2:50 to 3:50 p.m. in Cone Chapel, Waller Hall at Willamette University and a Reading and Q&A featuring Stephanie Lenox and Emmett Wheatfall, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb 28 at Ike Box. 

Saturday events include featured readers, poetry, music, workshops and more, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 1 in Room 209, Eaton Hall at Willamette University. Click here for the full schedule.

Celebrate Fabric Art

Oregon Quilt Festival is one of the largest quilt shows in the Pacific Northwest which brings together quilters from all over, who gather to admire beautiful quilts, arts, and fabrics. It features quilts from outstanding artists and collections, exceptional classes from nationally renowned teachers, daily seminars, and hands-on classes. The purpose of The Oregon Quilt Festival is to preserve the heritage of quilting, to be a source of information and inspiration, to perpetuate a high quality of excellence in quilting and related arts, and to coordinate an annual exhibition of this art form. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb 27 and Friday, Feb 28 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1 in Columbia Hall at Oregon State Fairgrounds. Tickets are $15 per day or $40 for a 3-day pass. Parking is an additional fee. Learn more at oregonquiltfestival.com 

Celebrate Mardi Gras - Salem Style

Dawn your funkiest cocktail attire (encouraged but not required) for the Mardi Gras Ball, where you will find a live 10-piece New Orleans-style Brass Band, Second Line walking parade around the block, Mardi Gras beads, speciality cocktails, late night food and more, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb 28 at Noble Wave. $10 cover for this 21 and older show.

Celebrate Art

Salem Art Association celebrates the opening of three new exhibitions ( “The Cherry City of the World” celebrating the vibrant spirit of Salem in the spring, Teachers Showcase | After Hours and De Natural Libris | Alvaro Alejandro) with an Opening reception on 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. February 28 at Bush Barn Art Center. Welcome and artist introductions at 6 p.m. 

Celebrate with Sports

Two chances for sports entertainment this weekend…

It’s opening weekend for the Salem Capitals basketball. Catch the team twice — 6:30 p.m. Saturday vs Vancouver Volcanoes and 3 p.m. Sunday vs Willamette Valley Jaguars, at the Salem Armory, 2310 17th St NE. Learn more and get tickets at salemcapitalsbasketball.com

Start March with a triple-header of Cherry City Roller Derby action featuring the juniors, Renegades and 8 Wheel Assassins, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE. Click here for tickets.

Celebrate the Moon

Chemeketa’s Planetarium Star Show will take you Forward! To the Moon! Narrated by Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters, the show explores NASA's Artemis program. An introduction to the night sky over Salem highlighting activities for of season is included. The show runs every at 7:30 p.m. Friday through March 14 at the Chemeketa Community College Planetarium, Building 2, Room 171, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE. Park in the blue parking lot. The cost is $5, $4 students. Tickets are available for purchase at the door 15 minutes before showtime. Cash only. www.chemeketa.edu/alumni-community/planetarium/ 

Celebrate with Dancing

"I Love Me" Dance Class is a 60-minute class for women to gather in circle and learn twerk moves, dance and wind down with a little yoga and poetry. After the class enjoy a beverage while enjoying a private shopping experience, 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27, at Creativitee & rofe designs, 110 Commercial St NE. Click here to learn more and sign up.

Celebrate with Skating

Traveling Wheelz hosts an Open Skate for All, 7 p.m. Feb. 28, at The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE. Visit www.travelingwheelz.com to have every skater sign a waiver. Do this prior to arrival for faster check-in. Have your confirmation email ready. 

Celebrate Cars

Salem Roadster Show brings together some of the best of the best on the car show circuit, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 1 and 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2, in the Jackman-Long building at Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. Click here for info.

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

Coffee helps keep us going... ☕ and every sip is appreciated! ❤️ 

COMEDY

Volcano A Science Comedy Show by Ben Miller — What happens when a comedian walks into a volcano? In 2023, Ben Miller was the artist in residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the first-ever stand-up comedian ever selected. This was probably a terrible idea on their part.

See the show where NYC-based scientist-turned stand-up comedian Ben Miller explores volcanology, entomology, Hawaiian history, cats, cookies, and more. 

Ben was once ranked as the top roast battler in NYC. He has a degree in Materials Science and Engineering, worked on a science bus, 3D printed cookies and has diffused a few bar fights while on stage. In 2022, Ben Miller's debut hour, Stand-Up Science, had a completely sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and he now tours internationally.

Two chances to see the show: 7 and 9:30 p.m. March 01, at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. SE #150. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 day of show. Click here for tickets.

Oscar Bait: An Improv Show All About the Movies — Lights, camera, laughter! Join us for an evening of hilarious improvised scenes inspired by movies from all your favorite genres and eras, 9:30 p.m. Friday. Feb 28 at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. SE #150. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 day of show. Click here for tickets.

Next Stop Comedy brings top stand-up comedians to your favorite local venues. Each show features a novel line-up with acts seen on TV and heard on your favorite podcasts. And the next stop is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at Ratchet Brewery, 2475 25th St SE. Click here for tickets.

The Best Goose is launching something new — The Sh!t Show is a comedy open night happening, 10 p.m. to midnight very Saturday with the first event happening on March 1.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

MUSIC

Rich Swanger — Americana, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Stomp by Croft Vineyards

Saturday Música: Garrett Fleming — Eclectic mix of hit songs from all decades and genres, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Coria Estates

Johnny Wheels & The Swamp Donkeys and Ben Rice bring you a night of soul-stirring "feel good music" straight from the heart, promising an electrifying performance you won’t forget, 7 to 9 p.m. March 1 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. $30 | All Ages Click here for tickets.

Plus Explore Art

Salem Reads art exhibit on display through March 1 in the Art Hall @ Salem Public Library.

Such as...

  • Nationally recognized mixed-media artist Brenda Mallory: The North Star Changes at Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St | 503-370-6855, willamette.edu/arts/hfma
  • 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
  • Salem Reads Art Exhibit in the Art Hall at Salem Public Library — ENDS THIS WEEKEND
  • Erotica: An Exhibition to Arouse at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE | salemontheedge.com — ENDS THIS WEEKEND
  • For the Love of the Pacific Northwest featuring work by 20 plus artists at the AiA Gallery, 444 Ferry St SE | AiAArtGallery.org — ENDS THIS WEEKEND

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

Got an event? Submit it here.