The Playlist — Things to do Jan 9-12, 2025

by

A Note from the Instigator...

Our spring magazine is coming together, but we need your help. Press Play Salem is a community-driven, community-sponsored resource. As such, we rely on the support of our advertisers and of those who believe Salem needs and deserves a high-quality media outlet focused on arts + entertainment + culture. If you are interested in our advertising and sponsorship opportunities, send us an email. If you just want to help out, buy us a coffee. Your investment in Press Play is an investment in our local community. Every bit of support is appreciated.

And the magazine isn't the only thing we are working on. We have another project we aim to release with the next issue as it will coincide with our food theme — but that's all the teaser we'll give right now. 

—Carlee, The Instigator (and Editor)

PS: Thanks for the Salem food recommendations. We love hearing about your favorite spots in Salem....Keep them coming! Email us at pressplaysalem@gmail.com 

Here's what's happening this weekend in Salem...

Happy 10th Anniversary to Big Wig Donuts — They'll be celebrating on Friday & Saturday.  Scroll down for the details.

Thursday Highlights

2025 Intention Vision Boards For Women — Start the new year with a blast by setting your intentions with guided vision board making! Gather your friends or family for vision board making where everyone can express their goals and dreams visually. You'll learn about how to set lasting resolutions & all materials will be provided. As you cut and paste, share stories & support each other in manifesting a fantastic year ahead! 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan 9 at Creativitee & rofe designs, 110 Commercial St NE. Age 21 and older. Click here to register.

Salem Poetry Project is back at the Bush Barn Annex and this week features Efraín M. Díaz-Horna. Born in Talara, Peru, he was awarded a full scholarship to study at Mt. Angel College in Oregon, where he received his bachelor's degree in Sociology. He then returned to Peru where he worked in the land reform program. Two and a half years later, Efraín returned to the United States and completed two graduate degrees at the University of Wisconsin. Efraín has been described as "a legend in our midst: Philosopher, teacher, artist, poet, director---a true Renaissance Man."

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.

Got Donuts?

Big Wig Donuts, Salem’s vegan donutier (are you sure that’s not a real word?), is celebrating its 10th anniversary and you’re invited. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday the shop will be offering

✨ 1 Free Donut Hole Per Person

✨ Free Drip Coffee ☕️


✨ Free Mini Oat Hot Chocolates

Go by, grab a treat, and help us celebrate a decade of deliciousness — and buy a few extras while you’re there so we can be celebrating again in another 10 years! 

A Star Show…About the Moon

Chemeketa Planetarium Show goes Forward! To the Moon! 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 10 (recurring every Friday through March 14). With NASA’s Artemis campaign, we are exploring the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars. We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. NASA will land the first woman, first person of color, and first international partner astronaut on the Moon using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. 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.

An Art Opening

Salem Art Association hosts an opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 10 in honor of its latest exhibits: "An Angel Will Appear" by EGOR Eilish GormleyI in the Focus Gallery and "ReEnvisioned: Contemporary Portraits of Our Black Ancestors" by Jeremy Okai in the A.N. Bush Gallery, along with featured new works from SAA Represented Artists in the Camas and Annex Gallery Artist introductions will begin at 6 p.m. The exhibits run through Feb 23.

New Year Yoga

Take in a one-hour yoga class that includes yoga tank or t-shirt (you may also upgrade to sweatshirt) created by Roanna specifically for the class. After, shop at CreativiTEE + rofe designs, while enjoying wine and snacks. Special discounts will be announced at the class. Tops will be available before class. Space is limited. 6 p.m. Friday, January 10 at CreativiTee, 110 Commercial St. NE. $42. Click here to save your spot.

Dance

Dance away those holiday calories at the Ceili of the Valley Society’s Second Friday Céilí featuring live music and called dances so no experience and no partner are needed. Sam Keator will call the dances and keep everyone moving. Live Celtic music will be provided by Eliot Grasso and Glen Waddell. There is a dance lesson at about 7:15, followed by live music from 8 to 11. And you don’t even need to dance — just go for a night of music! Bring water. 8 p.m. January 10 at VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. $10-$30. Click here for more information.

Dance Some More

Salem Rueda De Casino hosts Salsa Night 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Fork Forty Food Hall. There will be a lesson at 6:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 7:30 p.m. $5 cover for this 18 and older event.

Run

Willamette Valley Road Runners wants to help you resolve to keep your New Year’s resolutions with a casual social run around Riverfront and into Minto. Join this informal 5k and 10k (routes to be determined) from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan 9 starting at Riverfront Park. After, the group shall retire to Taproot for the solutions part of their Re-solutions.

Laugh

Live Comedy with headliner Adam Pasi featuring sets by David Tveite and Chad Johnson. 8 p.m. January 12 at The Bad Space, 2544 19th St SE. 21 and older. $10. Click here for tickets.

Laugh

Ken Hamlett Presents: A Drunken Night Out — This standup, storytelling and improv show started out in the Pacific Northwest, now has a home in Chicago, and is being taken all over the country! Welcome to A Drunken Night Out! Comedian Ken Hamlett of Chicago hosts a lineup of comics from all over the country as they discuss their worst drunken nights out, do standup, and eventually end the night and perform a set…not so sober with an additional catch. The comics will be forced to do improv on crowd sourced topics. It's part hangout, part show, part live podcast, and totally a fantastic time. It's not a comedy show, it's a Comedy Party. 8 p.m. Friday, January 10 at Infinity Room. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 21 and older. Click here for tickets.

And Laugh Some More

Cara Rosellini is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer who started her career in Los Angeles and continues to work in Seattle. Her dry style and sharp writing keep a captive audience laughing...or at least curious. She was recently a semi-finalist in Washington’s Funniest Mammal Competition, has competed in the Seattle Comedy Competition and is a regular feature and recent headliner in Washington clubs such as Laugh’s and Club Comedy. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan 11, at Infinity Room. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. All ages but material will not be clean. Click here for tickets.

Cheer for Cherry City

Cheer on Cherry City Roller Derby’s 8 Wheel Assassins VS. Birds of a Feather in an action-packed bout. 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, January 11 at The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE. Tickets start at $12 in advance. Click here for tickets.

On the Big Screen

Catch Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl on the big screen, 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday, 3:45 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Salem Cinema. All seats only $11. Click here for tickets.

Salem Cinema presents National Theatre Live: NYE — Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS. Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill. Written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), this epic new Welsh fantasia will be broadcast live from the National Theatre. 12 p.m. Sunday, Jan 12 at Salem Cinema. Click here for tickets.

Browse the Home Show

Mid-Valley Home Show brings three days of all things home-related under one roof. Meet with the experts. See exhibits showcasing the latest in home products and services. Discover what you need to refresh, enhance, remodel and build. Free admission and parking. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, January 10; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 11; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, January 12 in the Jackman-Long Building ​at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. Free admission and parking. 503-399-1500, homebuildersassociation.org

Music

Salem Symphonic Winds will present the U.S. premiere of James Patterson’s arrangement of Little Red Riding Hood, featuring text by Roald Dahl. Roald Dahl’s retelling of this classic fairy tale — a darkly humorous take on the original story — will be narrated by Jeff Witt. The concert will also feature the U.S. premiere of Angels in Alchin Garden by Satoshi Yagisawa with clarinet soloist Patrice DeRoest; as well as music from the Japanese animated film Spirited Away written by Joe Hisaishi and Yumi Kimura; To the Bells of Berlin Cathedral by Julie Giroux; and Overture on Hebrew Themes by Sergai Prokofiev. 3 p.m. Sunday, January 12 at Rose Auditorium at South Salem High School. $5 to $20. Click here for tickets.

Pat Travers Band — Known for his electrifying guitar skills and gritty vocals, Travers burst onto the rock scene in the late '70s with hits like "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" and "Snortin' Whiskey." Over the decades, he’s toured alongside icons like Rush and Rainbow, becoming a guitar hero to fans and musicians alike. With a career that spans classic rock, blues, and hard-hitting performances, Travers’ show promises raw energy and powerful riffs that will leave audiences in awe. 8 to 9:30 p.m. January 10 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets are $40. Click here to purchase.

Dueling Pianos: Eagles vs Fleetwood Mac — Two masterful pianists go head-to-head, playing iconic hits from these legendary bands. Sing along to timeless classics like Hotel California and Go Your Own Way as you cheer for your favorite. It’s a high-energy, interactive showdown where the audience helps pick the winner. 8 p.m. January 11 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. $25. Click here for tickets.

Never 2 Late — 8 p.m. Saturday at South Liberty Bar, 4682 Liberty Road S

Big Bad Beat — the funkiest and grooviest hots from the last 6 decades, 8 p.m. Saturday at Half Penny, 3743 Commercial St SE

Shine On Rocks — cover tunes from the 1960s to 2000s, 8 p.m. Friday at Westside Station, 610 Edgewater St NW

Sassafras! — Americana, roots rock and 50’s-70’s acoustic rock/folk, 9 p.m. Saturday at Taproot Lounge & Cafe, 356 State St

This Weekend at Salem Cinema

Plus Explore Art

Our Meadow by Lorraine Dye

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.

P.S. If you like The Playlist and want to support it, here are three ways —

1) Subscribe right here: https://pressplaysalem.com/the-playlist

2) Send us an email and say hello. 

3) Buy us a coffee.