Salem Art Walk at Stefani Gallery

The Playlist — Things to do June 5-8, 2025

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A Note from the Instigator....

The new issue of Press Play Salem is hot off the press, and deliveries are hitting the streets. Look for your copy during First Friday at Stefani Art Gallery, Salem on the Edge, or The Book Bin—or grab one at Lifesource if you're headed that way. (More drop spots coming soon!) And don't forget the digital side: we’ve got a lot of fresh content rolling out at PressPlaySalem.com. Click back often—we've got lots to share!

— Carlee, The Instigator

Press Play Salem issue 24 | Summer 2025 | Cover art by Kellin Bass

Thursday Highlights

Chemeketa Community College’s Visual Communications program hosts its annual Graphic Design & Multimedia Arts Portfolio Show on Thursday, June 5 in the Building 2 Student Center at the Salem campus. Take a seat, and watch the Multimedia Arts students present their demo reels, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. followed by the Graphic Design & Multimedia Arts Portfolio Show • 4:15 to 7 p.m. Drop-in anytime.

Live Music — Wind down the evening with Joanna Lee’s soulful sound on the patio at Chemeketa Cellars. Enjoy wine by the glass and unwind with live music in the vineyard setting. 6 to 8 p.m. June 5 at Chemeketa Cellars. chemeketacellars.com

Music & Poetry Open Mic — Sign up in-person beginning at 6:30. Please message us ahead at info@irsalem.com if you will need any special equipment or accommodations, including extra equipment setup or if you are performing as a group. Sets are 10 minutes or 3 songs. No cover. Food and drinks available all night. Two item minimum for audience members and performers. 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5 at Infinity Room.

Salem Poetry Project featured reader is  Doug Stone, who has written three collections of poetry, The Season of Distress and Clarity (Finishing Line Press), The Moon’s Soul Shimmering on the Water (KPD) and Sitting in Powell’s Watching Burnside Dissolve in Rain (The Poetry Box). He has won the Oregon Poetry Association’s Poet Choice Award and is a two-time Pushcart nominee. Following the featured reader is the Infamous Open Mic: 3 poems or five minutes whichever is first, 7 to 9 p.m. June 5, at Bush Barn Art Center + Annex, 600 Mission St SE. 

Live Music — The great jazz crooner Mike Winkle returns with his fantastic Conversation Quartet featuring Mike and the band's favorite psychedelic 60's hits re-imaged as jazz. Beatles, Animals, Cream, Traffic, Zombies, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Procol Harem and more, 7 p.m. June 5 at Christo’s Lounge. Click here for tickets.

King Youngblood with Lara Lavi — Catch Seattle’s King Youngblood and opening act Lara Lavi for an evening of alt-rock, soul, and storytelling. Expect big vocals, thought-provoking lyrics, and a high-energy performance. 8 p.m. June 5 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Cost: $20 in advance; $25 day of show. salemshg.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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Explore Art

First Friday Art Walk — Explore downtown Salem during the Art Walk where you can admire art, meet local artists, and more, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 6. Click here for an online map of participating businesses. Learn more at salemart.org

Rock On

Counting down to Make Music Day (on June 21) take in a night of tunes hosted by The Moon 105.5 FM, and DJ42* on Friday, June 6 at Taproot Lounge. Featuring 70s at 7 p.m.; 80s at 8 p.m.; 90s at 9 p.m. and 2000s+ at 10 p.m. All ages welcome until 10 p.m. 

Skate

Friday Night Roller Skating – Skate into summer with Traveling Wheelz. This themed open skate (this week’s theme is Summer Beach Night) welcomes all ages with beach vibes and good tunes. 7:30 p.m. June 6 at The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE. Click here for tickets.

Laugh Out Loud

All Ages Improv with Electric Baguette — Enjoy Infinity Room's signature improv style over dinner and drinks. They take your suggestions and turn them into a one-of-a-kind show — each show is a unique experience, 7 p.m. Friday, June 6 at Infinty Room. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door for this all ages show. Click here for tickets.

Gabriel Rutledge is coming to Salem for three shows at Infinity Room, 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 6 and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7 (although sold out, or nearly sold out, online, the venue said they will have some tickets at the door. Visit website for waitlist info)

Celebrate Pride

Celebrate at Salem Capital Pride Parade & Block Party with live music, drag shows, vendors, and more, 12 to 5 p.m. (parade begins at 11 a.m.) June 7. Parade starts at State & Cottage; block party on State between Liberty & Commercial. salemcapitalpride.org

Confluence: Willamette Valley LGBT Chorus wraps its season with “Celebrate.” Celebrating 25 years of community, friendship and acceptance, and the final concert under the guidance of founding Artistic Director, Raymond Elliott, 7:30 p.m Friday, June 6 at First Congregational UCC, 700 Marion St NE. $20. Free for age 12 and younger. Click here for tickets.

Act It Out

Pentacle Theatre Jo Dodge Acting Workshop — Jo Dodge returns with her acclaimed 11-week acting workshop focused on self-expression and connection through scene work and improv, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays (through August 16) at Pentacle Theatre Rehearsal Space, 197 Liberty St SE. pentacletheatre.org

Bid or just Admire

MAG Auctions presents Salem Collector Car Auction — View and bid on 300+ classic cars and automobilia, June 7 and 8 at Oregon State Fair and Expo Center, 2330 17th St NE. Admission is $10/day or $15 for two days. Military & First Responders: $5/day. Free for children 12 and younger. Click here to learn more.

Shop Strange

Market for the Strange hosts the Goblin City Market. Shop dark and alternative vendors at this eclectic market full of curiosities and creative oddities, 11 a.m. 6 p.m. June 8 at Salem Convention Center. $5 entry. Click here for tickets.

Get Active

STRIDE Run/Walks — Although City of Salem recreation programs are limited right now, there is one STRIDE run/walk on the books at the time of print. This event invites runners and walkers of all ages while encouraging fitness and community. Strollers and dogs on a leash are welcome. Bibs are available on event day, 9 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Bush’s Pasture Park. Click here for details and registration.

Walk

Pollinators in Our Gardens Walk — Celebrate pollinators with a free progressive garden walk featuring plant education, pollinator tips, and garden tours. The event highlights a different focus at each stop. Jun 7, 9 a.m. at Deepwood Museum & Gardens, 10 a.m. at Bush’s Pasture Park, and 11 a.m. at Gaiety Hollow. Click here for more information.

Gaiety Hollow Open Garden — Explore the historic home garden of Elizabeth Lord & Edith Schryver during a free casual visit, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at 545 Mission St SE. Click here for more information.

Run for a cause

Haley's Heroes Foundation: Run for the Rare — Did you know…1 in 10 people have a rare disease and 50% of those are children. There are more than 7000 known rare diseases, and an estimated 350 million people globally are diagnosed with a rare disease, yet 95% of rare diseases don't have an FDA-approved treatment or cure. This run is a fundraiser that aims to change that. 10 a.m. Sunday, June 8, at Riverfront Park. Click here for details and registration.

On the Big Screen

Salem Cinema presents National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove — Steve Coogan stars in this stage adaptation of Kubrick’s iconic dark comedy, 12 p.m. June 8 at Salem Cinema. Click here for tickets.

Celebrate The Goonies 40th Anniversary with a big screen viewing. When two brothers find out they might lose their house they are desperate to find a way to keep their home. They find a treasure map and bring some friends along to find it. They are all out looking for the "X" and trying to get away from a group of bad guys who also want the treasure. 2:45 p.m. June 7 at Salem Cinema. Click here for tickets.

Taste

Start your weekend with Pinot & Pizza, 12 to 6 p.m. Fridays at Hudak House, 5737 Orchard Heights Rd NW, where you can enjoy custom-made pizzas fresh from the outdoor oven while sipping on Hydak wines. Each week offers a unique pizza experience, thoughtfully paired with their signature wines to highlight the season's best flavors. This Friday also features live music by Mayra Sandoval. No reservations required.

Chemeketa Cellars Barrel Tasting & 25th Anniversary —  Sample wines from alumni and students, enjoy food and live music, and bottle your own Pinot Noir at this unique opportunity to celebrate 25 years of winemaking education in Salem. 1 to 4 p.m. June 7, at Chemeketa Cellars. Cost: $30 (21+), $20 non-drinker, $25 for club members. Click here for tickets.

Designate Day at Björnson Vineyard —  Enjoy an afternoon of tastings with winemakers Ben Casteel, John Grochau, Chris Butler and Tim Wilson as they present their wines made from Björnson grapes, 1 to 4 p.m. at Björnson Vineyard, 3635 Bethel Heights Rd NW. $30. Click here for tickets.

Bryn Mawr Vineyard is highlight makers during Small Producer Sunday where you can meet a winemaker specializing in limited-production wines at a pop-up tasting. Hear their story, taste their wine, and explore their craft firsthand, 12 to 5 p.m. every Sunday through August at 5935 Bethel Heights Road NW. This Sunday’s featured producer is Satyr Fire. 

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

MUSIC

The Oregon Symphony presents a historic performance that bridges timeless music with the cultural and ecological legacy of the Pacific Northwest: Scheherazade and Celilo Falls, led by Jean Vollum Music Director and conductor David Danzmayr, live in concert, 7:30 p.m. June 6 in Smith Auditorium at Willamette University. Tickets start at $43.

Major Hex/Seance Crasher — Portland's Seance Crasher and Salem locals Major Hex will be supplying Salem with synthesizers, smoke, sexiness, and sleaze, 9 to 11 p.m. June 7 at Christo's Pizzeria & Lounge, 1108 Broadway St NE. $10 at the door. 21+

Live Music: Gail Gage Jazz Band — Jazz, 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8 at Ankeny Vineyard, 2565 Riverside Dr 

Live music featuring Grand Head (Salem-based Hardcore), Lords of Blackpool (Salem-based Rock/Pop), and WyWolf (Salem-based Psychedelic), 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8 at Infinity Room. $10 in advance; $13 at the door. Click here for tickets.

Live Music: The Easy Targets — Party like it's 1959 as The Easy Targets salute the pioneers of rock n' roll from Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry, to the early Beatles, and other gems, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Ankeny Vineyard 2565 Riverside Dr S. $5

Dueling Pianos: British Invasion — The Dueling Hobbits return for a high-energy piano showdown filled with cheeky banter and hits from The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, and more. 8 p.m. June 6 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets start at $25. salemshg.com

Saturday Música: Robert Meade — singer/songwriter playing his brand of upbeat Americana, rhythm 'n' blues originals and classics of the 60’s to 90’s, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE.

On Going Events

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

Seat up for the Super Casual Saturday Salem Bike Ride on Saturdays. Meet at the bottom of Soap Box Derby Track at Bush Park at 11 a.m. Wheels down at 11:30.

Plus Explore Art

There will be an opening reception for Veils of Light: Between Stillness and Illusion, a compelling dual exhibition of works by acclaimed Oregon artists Robert Bibler and John Van Dreal, 5 to 8 p.m. June 6 at Stefani Art Gallery.

Such as...

  • 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
  • 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 (See an extension of this exhibit in the Art Hall at the Salem Public Library)
  • 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.