The Playlist — Things to do May 1-4, 2025

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A Note from the Instigator....

Welcome a new month with a new event — or an old one — just as long as you get out and PLAY! We've got some ideas to help you with that, just scroll (you've got our permission). 

 — Carlee, The Instigator

PS: ☀️ Summer edition is underway...and we still have a couple of ad spaces available. Interesting in supporting arts + culture in Salem? An ad is an easy way to do it! Hit reply and let's chat.

Cheers to shopping (and drinking) local! Lifesource hosts its Spring Food Fair, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3. Scroll down for more information.

Thursday Highlights

All ages are welcome at Music & Poetry Open Mic, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 1 at Infinity Room. Want to perform? Sign up in person beginning at 6:30. Message ahead (info@irsalem.com) if you will need 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, but there is a two-item minimum for audience members and performers.

The Problem Party is a D&D Improv Comedy Show starring Tina Hogstrom, Tony Meyer, Oriana Mulatero, and Michael Winder. They’re brave adventurers facing the challenges of the world around them, solving problems the only way they know how…by causing more! 7 p.m. May 1 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High St NE. $15. Click here for tickets.

Salem Poetry Project presents M. Ann Reed, an independent teacher/learner who was awarded a doctorate in Theater Arts/Performance Studies from the University of Minnesota. She further studied Jungian psychology with various analysts, both studies leading to her literary essays cited or remarked in journals of medicine, literature, and psychology, as well as her recent book-length collection of poems, “he for she she for he,” published by Kelsay books, February 2025, 7 p.m. May 1 at Bush Barn Art Center, 600 Mission St SE.

Tumbling Blocks Beaded Necklace Class — Learn how to make your own beaded necklace with Judy Walker. The class kit includes all the beads you need to make a 3-unit necklace, as well as beading needles and thread, and a chain to complete the necklace. None of it is difficult, but you'll need good close-up vision, so bring your glasses if you need them! The only additional tool you'll need to bring is a small pair of fine scissors, 6 to 9 p.m. May 1, at Creativitee & rofe designs, 110 Commercial St NE. Click here to register.

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

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Help us keep it that way. Click here to buy us a coffee ☕ Every sip is appreciated! ❤️ 

Got Art?

Go downtown for the First Friday Art Walk and explore all the city has to offer, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2. Participating businesses stay open late and feature local/area art and artists.

Some highlights —

— Meet artists @paradisvineyards with lovely wine tastes and wine bottles for sale and @janiquecrenshaw, who has created a special piece of art dedicated to our hard-working teachers at Creativitee + Rofe Design

— Opening Reception for May artists Dayna Collins, and Lisa Laser, at Salem on the Edge

— Opening Reception for DeeHendrix and Jean Lea, at AiA Gallery.

Artwork by Jesus Escobar

PLUS, local artist Jesus Escobar has an exhibit of digital collages and limited edition prints at the Best Goose Bar, inside the Fort Forty Food Hall. A key component of this exhibit is Jesus’s commitment to supporting the YES for Salem campaign, which aims to raise awareness for a new levy measure pending a vote. To help further this cause, Jesus will donate 50% of all proceeds from sales of the limited edition prints at the Best Goose Bar to the YES for Salem campaign. Pop-in during the First Friday Art Walk to meet Jesus and make your purchase.

Salem Art Association hosts an Opening Reception for their latest exhibits: Persistent Voices - Six Artists Perspectives, A Selection | Jennifer Gimzewski, Colorful Chronicles | Art of Eric Wuest, and Veiled & Reveals | Andrea Lopez Chen, 5:30 to 7:30  p.m. Friday. May 2, at Bush Barn Art Center.

Artists Talk – Persistent Voices, co-curated by artist Susan Napack and Kathleen Dinges Rice, is a powerful exhibition of six artists who center their art practice on the complexity of being human, especially the social, political and personal experiences and ramifications of living as a female in our time. Come to listen and engage with the artists as they share their perspectives during an artists’ talk, 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Bush Barn Art Center. RSVP here.

From Sheep to Shawl

Sheep to Shawl brings you an exciting day of woolly wonder where you can watch skilled shearers remove the wool from sheep, alpacas, llamas, and the occasional rabbit, too. Cheer on talented spinners as they transform the fluffy fleece into beautiful yarn, and marvel at the nimble fingers of expert weavers and other fiber artists as they create gorgeous fiber treasures right before your eyes. Featuring activities for the whole family, including live animal visiting, children’s activities, fiber artists, woodworkers, blacksmiths, flintknappers, living heritage demonstrators, live music, food and drinks, games and shopping, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3, at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE. Admission is free for everyone. (Note: Willamette Heritage Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations, surely, are appreciated.)

May the Fourth be With You

May the Fourth: Carousel Invasion is a meet & greet with photo opportunities in partnership with Star Wars Oregon, 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at Salem's Riverfront Carousel. Free with pay-to-participate option. 

May the Fourth be With You during a big-screen viewing of Star Wars: A New Hope while you relive the iconic adventure that started it all. From the twin suns of Tatooine to the explosive finale in the Death Star trench, this is your chance to experience the legendary film with fellow fans in a historic setting that’s as timeless as the story itself. Costumes encouraged. Lightsabers optional. The Force? Required. 4 p.m. May 4 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. $5. Click here for tickets.

Celebrate Star Wars Day with themed cocktails, a costume contest, games and trivia, and LIVE Cantina music by DTW Productions, 5 to 9:30 p.m. May 4, at The Bad Space. $10. 21 and older.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

MUSIC

Live Music: Darci Carlson — Seattle’s outlaw country queen Darci Carlson is a high energy, no non-sense singer-songwriter, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 2 at Ankeny Vineyard. $5. Reservations recommended.

An Evening with Head Over Feet: Alanis Morissette Tribute — Get ready for a night of pure 90s nostalgia with this Olympia, WA, powerhouse tribute that brings the raw emotion, iconic sound, and electrifying energy of Alanis’s music to life, 8 p.m. May 2, at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. $25. Click here for tickets.

Hear the renowned Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar, an ensemble celebrated for its dynamic performances and dedication to preserving and innovating within the mariachi tradition. One of California's most recognized mariachi bands, it is led by Jimmy K. Cuéllar—a three-time Grammy Award winner—and comprised of 8 to 12 skilled musicians who deliver vibrant renditions of traditional Mexican music, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2 at Chemeketa Community College Theatre Auditorium, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Building 6. $25-$60. Click here for tickets.

Two of Portland's finest jazz guitarists, Dan Balmer & Jack Radsliff join forces for a special one night only presentation! Featuring Patrick Golichnik on bass and Michael Raynor drums, 7 p.m. May 3, at Christo’s. $20.

Kai Slemenda — 2 to 4 p.m. May 3 at Trinity Vineyards

Saturday Música: Leanne McClellan and Nathan Olsen perform a diverse range of familiar classics, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE

Live Music: Hannah Paysinger — 6 to 8 p.m. May 3, at Stomp by Croft Vineyards, 5475 River Rd S. Call or text 503-364-3085 to RSVP.

Dylan Santiago — soulful tunes, 5 to 7 p.m. May 3 at West Hills Vineyards, 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW

Festival Chorale Oregon presents Magnificent Magnificats — The Magnificat ("My soul magnifies the Lord") is one of the most ancient Christian hymns and has been set to music by numerous composers. This performance will present two of the most well-known versions. J.S. Bach's Magnificat is considered one of the grandest illustrations of his genius and is one of his most popular vocal works. John Rutter's Magnificat is a modern masterpiece that builds on the structure of Bach's version while incorporating elements of Latin American music and that region's jubilant celebration of Mary, 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Salem First Presbyterian Church, 770 Chemeketa St NE. Click here for tickets.

Oregon Symphony in Salem presents Vivaldi’s Four Seasons — From festive birdsong and thunderstorms to harvest celebrations and tranquil snowfall, Vivaldi’s wildly popular Four Seasons represents Baroque music at its most cinematic. It’s a timeless classical favorite performed by your Oregon Symphony, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. Click here for tickets.

Live Music: Manny Martinez Quartet — jazz, 3 to 5 p.m. May 4 at Ankeny Vineyard

Camerata Musica Salem presents a Scholarship Benefit Concert featuring local performers, 2:30 p.m. May 4 at the Unitarian Universalist Church. All proceeds will benefit MEAP scholarships for young musicians. Click here for more info.

On Going Events

Discover Chemeketa's Planetarium — The current show Two Small Pieces of Glass is a full dome presentation that follows two teenage students who learn from an astronomer how telescopes work during a star party. It also examines how these optical instruments have improved in the last 400 years and what great discoveries were made with them since the time of Galileo. It also includes a brief introduction to the night sky over Salem. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. every Friday through June 6 in Building 2, Room 171 on the Chemeketa campus off Lancaster Dr.  Use the blue parking lot. For more information, call 503-399-5248

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

Traveling Wheelz hosts Open Skate starting at 7:30 p.m. Fridays at The Mad House. Learn more here.

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

The Salem Art Walk is happening on5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2. 

Such as...

Stefani Art Gallery showing modern, contemporary, and abstract art from local and internationally-recognized artists, 305 Court St NE | stefaniartgallery.com

Local artist Jesus Escobar has work on display at Best Goose Bar and the Salem Public Library.

  • 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)
  • See Curious Untamed Blooms by Dayna Collins, a vibrant floral series in oil and cold wax, and a delightful collection of birds and mixed media work by Lisa Laser, at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE | salemontheedge.com
  • Persistent Voices | Six Artists Perspectives is a powerful exhibition of six artists who center their art practice on the complexity of being human, especially the social, political and personal experiences and ramifications of living as a female in our time, at Salem Art Association, 600 Mission St SE | salemart.org
  • Special feature of the work of co-op members Dee Hendrix, mixed media painting, and Jean Lea, acrylic and watercolor, 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 May.

Got an event? Submit it here.