The Playlist — Things to do June 19-22, 2025

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A Note from the Instigator....

Hello, Friends! This week(end), we celebrate two important community events—Juneteenth and Make Music Day. Whether you’re reflecting, rejoicing, or just looking for a reason to connect, there are meaningful ways to mark both occasions, as well as a handful of other activities to keep you going all weekend long.

— Carlee, The Instigator

Celebrate Make Music Day on June 21 throughout Salem. Scroll down for details. Photo by Rebecca Turner.

Celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth Community History Walk will give you a fresh perspective on Salem’s history. Join a guided or self-guided walk to honor Salem’s early Black residents. This year’s walk traces the story of the Gorman family—once enslaved, later reunited in Oregon. The journey begins at the Willamette Heritage Center, then sets off on a 2-mile walk featuring 14 stops around downtown Salem. At each pit stop, step back in time to explore the remarkable story of the Gorman family — discovering where they lived, worked, and worshiped.

This interactive tour offers a unique and meaningful way to connect with Salem’s past, by tracing the Gorman's’ powerful story of resilience, reunification, and perseverance through enslavement, transcontinental journeys, and generations of change.

Guided tours leave at 9, 10, 11:15 and 12:15 June 19 from Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE. The walk is free, but donations are accepted. Click here for more information. 

After the walk, head to the Juneteenth Block Party, a celebration of Black excellence, history, and culture at a community street party with food, music, vendors, kids’ activities, and more, 12 to 6 p.m. June 19 outside the Micah Building, 680 State St.

Additional Thursday Highlights

Drink Beer. Snuggle Kittens. It’s time for Beer & Kittens Adoption and Snuggle Event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 19 at Santiam Brewing, 2544 19th St SE. This family-friendly event has a suggested donation of $5. $1 from every pint sold during the event is donated to Meow Village.

Yoga in the Park – Salem Art Association and Common People Yoga host this all-levels flow on the lawn behind Bush Barn, 6 to 7 p.m. June 19 at Bush’s Pasture Park, 600 Mission St SE. Donation-based participation fee. Click here to learn more. 

Yoga on the Lawn — Take in a 60-minute yoga class led by Kristen Aubert. After class, gather with the yoga community for a glass of wine on the patio. Wine and food available before and after class, 6 p.m. June 19 at West Hills Vineyards, 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW

Live Music: Ships to Roam — Settle in for a relaxed evening with live music, good wine, and vineyard views. The tasting room is open from 4 to 9 p.m. with music from 6 to 8 p.m. June 19 at Chemeketa Cellars. Free and open to all ages. Info: chemeketacellars.com

After nearly six decades, the legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band takes the stage for All the Good Times – The Farewell Tour. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate a legacy of Americana, country, and roots music from the three-time GRAMMY® winners behind classics like “Mr. Bojangles.”  7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Elsinore Theatre. Click here for tickets. 

Drag Time! with RiRi Calienté is a night of dazzling drag entertainment paired with exquisite food and signature cocktails creating sparkly, fabulous fun, 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19 at Infinity Room. $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Click here for tickets.

Salem Poetry Project presents Sharon Johnson, a writer whose poems, essays, and short stories have appeared in Oregon Humanities Magazine, The Memoirist, Timberline Review, Woman’s World, The Christian Science Monitor, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and other popular and literary press, June 19 at Bush Barn Art Center + Annex. The featured readers begins at 7 p.m. followed by the Infamous Open Mic: 3 poems or five minutes whichever is first. For more information contact Marc Janssen at mrcjanssen@msn.com.

Thursday is Trivia Night at Checkpoint 221. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. and it’s free (but tips for your host are encouraged.) All ages welcome. Get there early to grab food and drink then test your knowledge.

It's Karaoke Thursday at Beehive Station 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 22

Take part in Taproot Karaoke,  9 p.m. every Thursday at Taproot Lounge & Cafe, 356 State St.

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Let’s Make Music!

Celebrate 10 years of Make Music Salem on June 21 as live music fills the alleys, streets and parks of our city. You have the opportunity to hear more than 160 artists at almost 60 venues during Salem’s biggest street music festival. You can search the schedule and plan your day here.

Some of our recommendations…

  • Pick up and play! There’s a Harmonica Lesson Audience Participation Event, 5 to 6 p.m. at Salem's Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St NE. Everyone’s welcome, no experience required.
  • Hear Masumi Timson play koto, 7 to 8 p.m. on the KMUZ Stage at Durbin's Alley, 120 Commercial St
  • Salem Orchestra joins together with the Hypnatwists, a dynamic three-piece garage and indie-rock band to bring crowd favorite covers and original songs to the masses, 7:30 to 8 p.m. at Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater, 200 Water St NE
  • Wild Ire will play its fusion of pop rock and progressive music…for the 10th year, 9:45 to 10 p.m. at Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater, 200 Water St NE
  • Close out Make Music Salem’s 10-year anniversary with a silent party like no other—a high-energy Silent Disco from 7 to 10 p.m. at Riverfront Park. Throw on a pair of the provided wireless headphones and switch between multiple live DJs spinning different styles of music all night long. Free to attend. Headphones provided. All ages welcome. 
  • Plus there will be a Make Music Day Karaoke Afterparty, 10 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at Infinity Room. No cover. Click here to learn more.

Read our feature story: A Decade of Community — 10 fun facts about Make Music Salem.

Tune In ​

Tune in to a new KMUZ Theatre Talk broadcast at 9 a.m. Friday on KMUZ Media 100.7 FM. Episode 25-0620 features Black Comedy, which lights up the stage at Pentacle Theatre June 27 t0 July 19 and Theatre 33’s Summer Festival that highlights new works in development written by Pacific Northwest playwrights July 29 to Aug. 10. KMUZ Theatre Talk airs at 9 a.m. the first and third Fridays of the month at KMUZ 100.7 and 88.5 FM ⁠in the mid-Willamette Valley, on the KMUZ Media mobile app and wherever you get your podcasts.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

Sip & Stroll

Sample wine, beer, and spirits while exploring downtown Salem shops during Sip & Stroll. Cheese pairings at each stop. Proceeds benefit Garten’s local programs for people with disabilities. 4 to 8 p.m. June 20 in downtown Salem. Click here for tickets. Age 21 and older.

A Burly-Q Tribute 

Truth, Beauty, Freedom, & Love – Burlesque Tribute to Moulin Rouge. Lacy Productions brings a bold, bedazzled, and cheeky homage to the famed musical with burlesque, aerial, drag, and cabaret performances. 8 p.m. June 20 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets start at $30. Click here for tickets. 

Skate

Friday Night Roller Skating – Put on your best evening wear and hit the roller rink for a grown-up skate night with Traveling Wheelz. This week’s theme is Adult Formal Night. Age 18 and older only. 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE. Click here for tickets.

Dance

Filament Fusion is a monthly fusion dance event where anyone—yes, anyone—can learn to dance, no rhythm required. This partnered social dance has just enough structure to feel supported, but no choreography to memorize. It blends beautifully with nearly any kind of music and focuses on connection, creativity, and presence. Things kick off with a beginner-friendly lesson covering the basics of partner connection, followed by an open social dance where you can try it out, meet new people, and just have fun, 7 p.m. June 21 in the Grand Theatre Ballroom. $17.50. Click here for tickets. 

Laugh

Emma Jonas is a funny Jewish lady from Salem whose hobbies include petting dogs and avoiding eye contact with their owners. Emma has opened for Kate Willett, Jenny Zigrino, and a number of other talents, and has featured on festivals including Tower City, Lysistrata, Savage Henry, Ha Ha Harvest, Upper Left and Last Best Comedy Fest. She writes for The Hard Times, hosts the comedy game show Truth or Dare Live and is a regular performer at Infinity Room in Salem. Please don't talk to her while she's eating, 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 20 at Infinity Room. $15 in advance; $10 at the door. 21 and older. Click here for tickets.

Play Trivia

Tsunami Taproom hosts Trivia Night, 6 p.m. June 21 at 2925 22nd St SE.

Walk-N-Wag

Leash up your pup and go out to the park for activities for dogs and humans, too, at Walk-N-Wag which benefits Willamette Vital Health’s Pet Peace of Mind program and grief care services. Paid registration includes a dog bandana, goodie bag, and door prize ticket,11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at Minto-Brown Island Park. Click here for details and registration.

Capitol Cruise In

Classic cars, live music, food trucks, and good vibes await at this evening cruise-in, 5 to 9 p.m. June 21 as the Oregon DAS Green Lot, 865 Marion St NE

Kick-Off

Salem Center hosts a free Summer Kick-Off Party, 12 to 3 p.m. June 21 featuring bounce houses, face painting, popcorn, games, and live music. Located in the food court + toddler fun zone inside the old Footlocker.

Shop Local

There’s a Weirdly Sentimental vintage pop-up, featuring brass, linens and blankets, stoneware mugs, enamel pots, glass and vases, and a bunch of cute ceramics, happening on Saturday, June 21 at Prismatic Coffee, 3996 Cousteau Dr SE. 

Shop the Salem Saturday Market, featuring a rotating line-up of 150 vendors selling local produce, hand-made products and more, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through October in the parking lot at 865 Marion St NE. salemcommunitymarkets.com

Run like a Superhero

Superhero Run — Not all superheroes wear capes; some run or walk. Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly event, which features a free 1-mile fun run and timed 5K/10K races and benefits CASA's advocacy for children in foster care, 11 a.m. Sunday, June 22, at Riverfront Park. Click here for details and registration.

Meet a Maker

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, June through August. June 22 features Guerrilla Wine Co. 

Ride

Seat up for the Super Casual Saturday Salem Bike Ride on, uh, Saturday (and recurring every Saturday). Meet at the bottom of Soap Box Derby Track at Bush Park at 11 a.m. Wheels down at 11:30.

Explore Art

Stop by to celebrate summer and art (with a little bit of birthday cheer, too) at the Solstice Open Studio with artist Susan Appleby, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 22 at 2160 Berry Street SE

Check out the Martell-Owen Studio Sale, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21 and 22 at 4705 Lone Star Road NW, where you will find pottery by Craig Martell, including new work, bargain older pots and 2nds. Older fused glass by Linda Owen and Terry Martell, and more.

Silent Film Sunday

The Elsinore Theatre presents Silent Film Sunday featuring Charlie Chaplin in The Circus, with live organ accompaniment by Rick Parks on the Mighty Wurlitzer, 2 p.m. June 22. $5. Tickets available at the door or online here.

MUSIC

Sunset Concert: Daniel and the Blonde — Unwind with breathtaking sunsets, live music, and delicious wines as summer unfolds over Coria Estates vineyard and the Willamette Valley. Experience the authentic sound of Daniel and The Blonde, a duo connected in life, love, and music. They champion "real music"—raw, pure, and beautifully imperfect, reflecting the human journey with heartfelt truth. Daniel’s lifelong passion meets Rumeysa’s discovered voice, creating a powerful duo. Experience their unique blend of reality and passion. 6:30 p.m. June 20 at Coria Estates. ​Tickets are $15. This is an all-ages event, and children younger than 12 are free. Click here for tickets.

Saturday Música: Dylan Crawford — A mix of folk, bluegrass-old country, and jazz-infused-funk-reggae-soul-blues originals, covers, and more, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE.

Mark Seymour & Friends — A combination of acoustic, electric, and bass guitar creating intricate instrumental interplay and silky smooth vocal harmonies of songs from the last 60 years, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Ankeny Vineyard 2565 Riverside Dr S. $5

Eddyville — Classic rock and country, 2 to 4 p.m. June 21 at Trinity Vineyards, 1031 Wahl Lane S

Joseph Dane — 2 to 5 p.m. June 21 at Cubanisimo Vineyards, 1754 Best Rd NW

Steve Hale — 5 to 7 p.m. June 21 at West Hills Vineyard, 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW

Tin Can Alley — A blend of Hot Jazz, Latin Swing and Classic Americana from the blues tradition delivered in the style of a New Orleans street jazz ensemble, 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 22 at Ankeny Vineyard, 2565 Riverside Dr S.

Scott Wilson — keyboard, 3 to 5 p.m. June 22 at Trinity Vineyards, 1031 Wahl Lane S

Plus Explore Art

Such as...

  • C.S. Price: A Portrait is a retrospective of one of Oregon’s most influential Modernist painters, tracing 40+ years of his artistic evolution, highlighting his journey from Western illustrator to nationally recognized artist who helped define America's vision of the West. His bold, expressive style left a lasting impact on the region’s art scene and inspired a generation of Northwest painters.
  • Work by Robert Bibler and John Van Dreal, which converges in a contemplative encounter—an exhibition where visual language is pared down to its most essential and presence is shaped through restraint, tone, and light, at Stefani Art Gallery, 305 Court St NE | stefaniartgallery.com
  • A Majority of Wildness | Duncan Berry with Guest Artist Ebenezer Galluzzo at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE | salemontheedge.com
  • Four exhibits of artwork at Salem Art Association, 600 Mission St SE | salemart.org
  • Creatures Great & Small, celebrating the beauty, personality, and presence of animals through art, at the AiA Gallery, 444 Ferry St SE | AiAArtGallery.org
  • Nancy Floyd: For the Love of Trees at Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St | 503-370-6855, willamette.edu/arts/hfma

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

Got an event? Submit it here.