A Note from the Instigator...
I am keeping this note short as time got the better of me this week, but I wanted to thank you so much for your support of Press Play Salem, from subscribing to The Playlist to your food recommendations, ad inquiries to cups of coffee — We appreciate it all, greatly! And I'm really excited about how things are falling into place for our Spring edition. I think you will be too when it's released at the beginning of March. But until then, stay warm and enjoy getting out to PLAY! See you next week...
—Carlee, The Instigator (and Editor)
PS: Keep the recommendations coming! Whether it's about food, events or people in Salem, we want to hear from you. Email us at pressplaysalem@gmail.com
Here's what's happening this weekend in Salem...

Oregon Symphony
Exhilarating Beethoven
Oregon Symphony in Salem presents a showstopping ode to the power of dance. Beethoven's Seventh Symphony on Friday. Scroll down for the details.
Thursday Highlights
See the ballet masterpiece Swan Lake, a stage performance renowned for its stunning choreography, intricate set design, and Tchaikovsky’s captivating music which tells the story of a prince who falls in love with a beautiful swan princess under a spell. This timeless tale of love and magic will be brought to life by the finest dancers of the Ukrainian National Opera and Ballet Theater. 7 p.m. January 16 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Click here for tickets.
Salem Poetry Project features award-winning poet and author Ellen Waterston. Ellen has dedicated herself to writing and advocating for the literary arts in the high desert region of Oregon, while continuing to write poetry and nonfiction works that have evolved into essential reading about Oregon and the West. 2024 was a banner year for Waterston who, that year, received Soapstone’s Bread and Roses Award, the Stewart H Holbrook Award and was named the eleventh Poet Laureate of Oregon.
The Salem Poetry Project begins at 7 p.m. Thursdays with a featured reader followed by the Infamous Open Mic: 3 poems or five minutes whichever is first at the Bush Barn Annex, 600 Mission St SE.
Candlelight featuring Listeso String Quartet presents Coldplay & Imagine Dragons 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Spinning Room at Willamette Heritage Center under the gentle glow of candlelight. Click here for tickets.
It’s the third Thursday which means it’s time for Drag Time hosted by Salem's fabulous drag mother RiRi Calienté, 8 Thursday at Infinity Room. Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 at the door. Age 16 and older. Guests under 16 permitted with parent or guardian. Click here for tickets.

La La Land
See a Movie for a Cause
Salem Cinema is hosting a benefit screening of La La Land to support those most directly affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. La La Land is an inspiring and beautiful love letter to Los Angeles breathing new life into a bygone genre with thrillingly assured direction, powerful performances, and an irresistible excess of heart. This 2016 hit garnered 242 wins and 307 nominations during its awards season.
"Nearly 30% of the country's film and television workers live in the Los Angeles area. This includes all the many names you see in the credits after a beautiful movie comes to a close... writers, editors, sound designers, camera operators, makeup artists, caterers, body doubles and stunt artists to name but a few. The current wildfires have spared none in their paths and just in my circle of film worker friends alone, I've been made aware of well over 250 individuals and their families who have lost everything,” said Salem Cinema owner, Loretta Miles. “I've specifically selected Entertainment Community Fund as the beneficiary of our 3-day fundraiser because they are actively, boots on the ground, meeting immediate emergency needs of these behind-the-scenes workers who are now not only left without a home but also without income as so many projects have come to a screeching halt in the smoldering embers."
See the show 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 17; Saturday, Jan 18; and Sunday, Jan 19 at Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway NE. Tickets are $13. Click here to reserve yours.
Cheese, Please!
It’s Fondue Friday at Grazing Fields Cheese & Charcuterie Shoppe, 2195 Hyacinth St NE. Fondue for two (or one, they don’t judge) served table side with roasted potatoes, veggies, bread, cornichons, apples and local sausage. Dine-in only, limited seating. Beverages and desserts available for purchase. $40. Click here to register.
Read a Best Book
Three SPL librarians share the Best Books of 2024 as voted on by library staff, library patrons, and critics in a fun and fast-moving presentation, 1 p.m. Saturday at Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St SE. Copies of many of the titles will be available to check out. American Sign Language interpretation will be offered. This program is free with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make Art
Unleash your inner artist while savoring exquisite wines during Wine & Watercolor. Whether you're an experienced artist or a complete beginner, this event aims to be a fun, no-pressure environment to create beautiful watercolor masterpieces while enjoying the finest wines from the vineyard. Led by professional instructor Elisa Mack, who will walk you through each step to create your own unique piece of art. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Chemeketa Cellars. Click here for more info and tickets.
Laugh
Interrogation: Comedians Tell True Crime Stories — This is the perfect show for true crime and comedy fans. Part 'Kill Tony' and part 'This is Not Happening', it is a unique mix of storytelling, improv, and crowd participation, making it like nothing else you've ever seen. Host Korey David leads you on a wild storytelling journey that needs YOU to be an interrogator. Four comedians take turns telling their own true crime stories, whether it happened to them or someone they know. After their stories, the "criminals" sit down for questioning about their crimes from the host and YOU in the audience. Audience members can also get in on the fun by texting our "crime hotline" during the show to have their confessions read anonymously on stage. 9:30 p.m. January 17 at Infinity Room. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Age 21 and older. Click here for tickets.
See A Moon Show
Chemeketa Planetarium Show goes Forward! To the Moon! 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 17 (recurring every Friday through March 14). Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters narrates. Tickets are $5. Children and Chemeketa students are $4. Cash only at the door. Sorry, no credit cards. Doors open at 7:10 p.m. The Chemeketa Planetarium is located in Building 2, Room 171 on the Chemeketa campus off Lancaster Dr. Use the blue parking lot.
The Playlist weekly newsletter is free...because we want you to get out and play!
Coffee helps keep us going... ☕ and every sip is appreciated! ❤️ Click here to support.
MUSIC
Oregon Symphony in Salem presents a showstopping ode to the power of dance. Beethoven's Seventh Symphony brims with an unbridled energy certain to make your heart race. The composer's Violin Concerto — which ends with its own rollicking tune — trades in technical fireworks for transcendent lyricism, while Jimmy López Bellido's Fiesta! shakes up Baroque dance forms with elements of pop, techno, and Latin music. 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 17 in Smith Auditorium, Willamette University, 270 Winter St SE. Tickets start at $37. Click here for tickets.
A night of electrifying rock awaits. Watkins Glen with special guest Jamalia aims to give you high-energy jams with a soul-stirring performance, 7 p.m. Jan 17 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $20 in advance; $25 day of show. Click here for tickets.
Take in a night of live music featuring The New Mistakes (Salem-based Progressive Rock), Instaband (Willamette Valley-based Groovy/Jam/Rock), and Sunwell (Salem-based Progressive Power Phoenix), 7 p.m. January 18 at Infinity Room. Tickets are $10 in advance/ $12 at the door. All ages. Click here for tickets.
Adam Kenaston — new original music with some country and rock covers mixed in, 7 p.m. January 17 at The Bad Space. Age 21 and older. Click here for tickets.
Hank Shreve Band with Special Guest Lloyd Jones — A harmonica prodigy since age 8, Hank has won numerous accolades, including the Northwest Harmonica Championship and CBA's Muddy Award for Best Harmonica. Known for his versatility across instruments and captivating performances, Hank has shared the stage with legendary artists like Merle Haggard and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Don’t miss this chance to see one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier blues talents live. 8 p.m. January 18, at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 day of show. All ages. Click here for tickets.
Camerata Musicia Salem presents Thunderegg Consort, 2:30 p.m. January 19 at The Unitarian Universalist Church. Learn more here.
This weekend at Salem Cinema...

Salem Cinema
Theatre Talk...
Coming your way 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17 on the KMUZ Theatre Talk broadcast and podcast with host Ed Schoaps is a look at 2025 season openers at Gallery Theater in McMinnville and Pentacle Theatre.
Pentacle Theatre director Scott Ramp and actors Pamela Bilderbeck and Travis Brown join host Ed Schoaps to talk about their 2025 hot-ticket season opener, the zany classic comedy ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, opening Jan. 31
Tune in at KMUZ 100.7 & 88.5 FM, streaming at KMUZ.org and on the KMUZ app for Apple and Android. Or ask your podcast app to play KMUZ Theatre Talk.
Plus Explore Art
Such as...
- Nancy Floyd: For the Love of Trees at Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St | 503-370-6855, willamette.edu/arts/hfma
- Souvenirs of Imaginary Places: Photographs by Randall Tosh at Level 2 Gallery on the Second Floor at Salem Convention Center | 503-589-1700, oregonartistsseries.com
- A companion to Souvenirs of Imaginary Places: Photographs by Randall Tosh in the Art Hall at Salem Public Library
- Work by featured artist Robin Kerr and guest artist Peregrine at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE | salemontheedge.com
- Celebrate the New Year! Celebrate Art! featuring work by 22 artists at the AiA Gallery, 444 Ferry St SE | AiAArtGallery.org
- Angkorian Might — An immersive exhibit exploring the culture of Cambodia at the World Beat Gallery, 390 Liberty St SE | 503-581-2004, salemmulticultural.org
Click here for a full list of what's on exhibit this January.