A Note from the Instigator....
Hello, Friends! The days may be getting shorter, but the calendar’s still full. From comedy and concerts to a variety of theater, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of the season. Grab your friends, bring a blanket, and press play on something new.
— Carlee, The Instigator
PS: For those who like to plan, watch for the August calendar later today!
Courtesy of Theatre 33
Theatre 33 present WAGMI
Theatre 33 presents WAGMI, featuring Parth Ruparel and Devika Dhamija, on stage this weekend in Salem.
📅 THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Theatre 33 presents WAGMI by AR Nicholas — A conspiracy thriller exploring surveillance culture, science, and the collapse of trust in a tech-dominated world. 7 p.m. July 31 at Willamette University. Click here for more info and reservations. (Scroll down for more details and to see what’s on stage through the weekend)
Theatre Under the Stars: Mary Poppins — Chemeketa Community College reimagines a classic with a fresh, modern take on Mary Poppins, performed under the stars. Set in today’s tech-obsessed world, this family-focused production blends heart, humor, and live orchestration inviting audiences to rediscover the magic of being present. Bring blankets or low-profile lawn chairs; food trucks, beer, and wine available on site. 7:30 p.m. July 31 (and August 5, 6, 7) at the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater. Click here for tickets. Read the Press Play Feature Story here.
Yoga in the Park — Unroll your mat and unwind on the lawn behind Bush Barn Art Center during this summer yoga series hosted by Salem Art Association and Common People Yoga. All levels welcome. Bring water, a mat, and a willingness to breathe. 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31 (and August 14 & 28) Click here to reserve your spot.
Yoga + Wine — This 60-minute, all-levels yoga class takes place on the lawn. After class, gather with the yoga community for a glass of wine on the patio. 6 p.m. July 31, at West Hills Vineyard, 4785 Salem Dallas Highway NW. Suggested donation of $5-10 per yogi. Click here to reserve your spot.
The West Salem Lions Club hosts live music with Roundhouse Band, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m July 31 at West Salem Park, 265 Rosemont Ave NW. Attendees can enjoy the music with a picnic or purchase concessions on-site to support the concert series. Bring your chairs, blankets, and a sweater for a fun summer evening—just remember, no alcohol is allowed in the park. facebook.com/WestSalemLionsClub
Trick or Treat Night at the Ballpark — Why wait until October? Suit up in your spookiest costume and head to the diamond for a Halloween-in-July bash as the Marion Berries take on the Cowlitz Black Bears. Trick-or-treating, costumes, candy, and a little eerie energy pair perfectly with Thirsty Thursday drink specials. 6:35 p.m. Thursday, July 31 at Chemeketa Baseball Field, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets from $6. Click here for tickets. (The Marion Berries have games on Aug 1 and 2, too)
Mary Poppins Ad
⭐ FEATURED PICKS
Howie Mandel Live
Comedy legend Howie Mandel takes the Elsinore stage for a night of stand-up that’s sharp, smart, and completely unpredictable. With more than 40 years in showbiz, Howie is known for his long-running role as a judge on America’s Got Talent, hosting Deal or No Deal, and starring in everything from St. Elsewhere to his own Netflix game show. He currently co-hosts the podcast Howie Mandel Does Stuff with his daughter and still performs nearly 200 stand-up shows each year across the U.S. and Canada. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 3 at the Elsinore Theatre. Click here for tickets.
See a New Play
Theatre 33 invites audiences to take a chance — on new plays, new voices, and a new future for American theater. The Salem nonprofit will debut three fully produced plays and three staged readings, all written by Pacific Northwest playwrights and developed in collaboration with dedicated dramaturgs.
Each mainstage play is fully designed and performed script-in-hand — part workshop, part premiere — offering a rare look at new work in development. Staged readings offer a glimpse into what might be next on the regional stage. Click here for our feature story.
Here’s what’s on stage this weekend:
- Confabulous by Susan Faust — A comedic drama about dementia, sisterhood, and what it really means to be a caregiver. 7 p.m. August 1.
- Staged Reading: Proper, A Steampunk Comedy of Manners — A melodramatic period adventure. 7 p.m. August 1
- WAGMI by AR Nicholas — A conspiracy thriller exploring surveillance culture, science, and the collapse of trust in a tech-dominated world. 7 p.m. July 31 and August 2.
- Staged Reading: Coal is King — A portrait of gender, labor, and survival in 1970s Appalachia. 2 p.m. August 2
- The City and The Sea by Paul Lewis — A noir-tinged musical set in 1940s Astoria, where a daughter and her long-lost father search for truth on the treacherous Columbia Bar. 7 p.m. August 3.
- Staged Reading: I Want You — A quiet exploration of race and marriage. 7 p.m. August 3
Additional performances and readings continue through August 10. All performances take place at Willamette University. Click here for more info and reservations.
This weekend at Salem Cinema...
Salem Cinema August 1
🤝 COMMUNITY
Minto Island Growers hosts an art pop-up with relief print artist Wizard Kelu, 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at 3394 Brown Island Rd S.
First Friday of the month means it’s time for the First Friday Art Walk, 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Salem. Check out the participating businesses and artists here.
Outer Realms Art Market — Step into a space of wonder and creativity at the Outer Realms: Enchanted Art Market, where you can explore a lineup of local artists, performers, and makers offering all things magical and mysterious. Costumes and creative flair encouraged (think elf ears, cloaks, and all the whimsical touches your heart desires.) 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, August 2 at the Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High St NE.
ES Fest 2025 — Custom rides, cool vibes, and one-of-a-kind trophies—ES Fest returns for its 8th year with an epic indoor car, truck, hot rod, and lowrider show. Expect standout builds, local vendors, and a solid day of automotive culture. 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, August 2 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Free for kids 12 and under with an adult. Click here for tickets.
Salem Jeep Fest — Rev up for a full day of high-octane fun at a free, family-friendly celebration of all things Jeep. Stroll through rows of rigs at the massive Show & Shine (with trophies awarded), test your skills on the tire obstacle course and RTI ramp, or kick back with live music and a bite from local food carts. Meet fellow Jeep enthusiasts, browse vendor booths, enter raffles, or join the cornhole tournament. For the littlest adventurers, there’s a bounce house and kid-friendly activities all day. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 2 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Admission is free; parking is $10 in the Yellow Lot off Silverton Rd NE.
Small Producer Sunday is an opportunity to highlight makers. Bryn Mawr invites a winemaker specializing in limited-production wines for a pop-up tasting. Hear their story, taste their wine, and explore their craft firsthand. 12 to 5 p.m. every Sunday in August. August 3 features L Wine Co.
Salem Cinema Sunset Blvd
🎶 Live Music
City of Salem hosts a Concert in the Park featuring Bees in a Bottle and Camp Crush. 6 p.m. Friday, August 1 at the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater, Riverfront Park.
Fear of The Dark: Iron Maiden Tribute featuring Boundless Joy — This Pacific Northwest supergroup features current and former members of Everclear, Black N’ Blue, and Vicious Rumors, uniting to deliver the legendary sounds of Iron Maiden with precision, power, and passion. Opening the night is Salem’s own Boundless Joy, blending classic metal, hard rock, and a dose of funk; their sound is driving, rhythmic, and irresistibly heavy. 8 p.m. Friday, August 1 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets $20 in advance; $25 day of show. Click here for tickets.
Rewind Band — rock, pop and R&B from the 50s-90s, 5 to 8 p.m. August 2, at Stomp by Croft Vineyards, 5475 River Rd S.
Fire and Ice: A Pat Benatar Tribute — Get ready to rock as Fire and Ice brings the powerhouse sound of Pat Benatar to the stage. This Portland-based tribute band delivers the hits, from “Heartbreaker” and “Love Is a Battlefield” to “Invincible,” with the intensity and vocal fire that defined an era. Whether you grew up with Benatar on MTV or are just discovering her for the first time, this is your chance to experience the anthems that made her a rock icon. 8 p.m. Saturday, August 2, at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Click here for tickets.
Mele Aloha: A Celebration of Hawaiian Music & Dance — Celebrate the spirit of aloha at Mele Aloha, a heartfelt evening of island music, hula, and storytelling in honor of Holoholo Island Grill’s first anniversary in Salem. Enjoy performances by Aunty Jackie and Uncle George of Holoholo Island Grill, a special hula ensemble, and the soulful slack key stylings of Hawaiian artist Kaleo Titcomb. It’s a mixed plate of aloha sure to bring joy. 5 p.m. Sunday, August 3 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets start at $20. Click here for tickets.
Theatre 33 AD
🎨 ON EXHIBIT
Explore art from prints to paintings...
- At Hallie Ford Museum of Art see Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts Biennial, highlighting a selection of contemporary prints created at the renowned printmaking atelier on the Umatilla Reservation.
- At Salem on the Edge see exhibits featuring Prince Gnarls Presents: Welcome To Heartbreak and Guest Artist Sontonya Necheal through August 17.
- See new exhibits at Salem Art Association
- At Stefani Art Gallery, Veils of Light: Between Stillness and Illusion closes July 31 and In The Space Between: Neeraj Narayan opens Aug 1
- Artists in Action Gallery’s August featured artists are Patricia Young, acrylic and Jim Richards, oil and acrylic.
Click here for a full list of what's on exhibit this August.
