The Playlist — Things to do May 22-26, 2025

by ,

A Note from the Instigator....

Quick note — time is fleeting — magazine out the first week of June — enjoy the weekend! 

— Carlee, The Instigator

The Mighty Wurlitzer will accompany a screening of the silent film WINGS 2 p.m. May 25 at the Elsinore Theatre. Scroll down for details.

Thursday Highlights

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.

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

This weekly newsletter is free...because we want you to get out and play!

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

Laugh

MonsterBox Comedy presents Subhah Agarwal — Take in a night of laughs with standup comedian, writer and LA-based actor Subhah, plus Emma Jonas, Danny Meyerend, Katie Nguyen, and Phil Schallberger. Hosted by Adam Pasi and Iman. With music by DJ Klyph and DJ Ambush, the dynamic, hip-hop DJing duo of No Requests, 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, at Infinity Room. $15 advance/$18 at the door. All ages show but material will not be clean.

A Spring Soiree

Soak in the season at the Spring Soirée where you can savor culinary creations by Chef Ryan Rick paired with estate-grown wines made by Drew Voit while enjoying live music, 6 p.m. May 23 at Ankeny Vineyard, 2565 Riverside Dr S. Tickets start at $83. Click here for tickets. 

Something to Wine About

Memorial Weekend is an occasion for many of the Willamette Valley vineyards. Here are a few of the highlights —

It’s the Grand Opening for Kuenzi Family Vineyard where you can celebrate with discounts, yard games, a photobooth, raffle and more. The vineyard is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Monday (closed Sunday) at Kuenzi Family Vineyard, 7919 Spring Valley Rd NW. kuenzifamilyvineyard.com

Celebrate Oregon wine during "May-Mosa" Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. May 25 at Hudak House, 5737 Orchard Heights Road NW, where there will be live music, tasty bites, and two different hand-picked craft mimosa flights. The flights will pair with their Estate-grown bubbles. This experience allows you to create your own cocktails with friends while enjoying the beautiful scenery and sunshine. 

Vitae Springs Vineyard is hosting an Open House 12 to 6 p.m. May 25 featuring all current releasing open for tasting, cheese pairings & housemade snacks, music by Garreson (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) guided vineyard tours, lawn games and more. $25 per person.

Bubble Mania

See the Amazing Bubble Man, who has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles, 2 p.m. May 24 in the Auditorium at Chemeketa Community College. $12 to $18. Click here for tickets.

Get Bookish

Immerse yourself in the world of literature, art and culture at this bilingual book fair that features authors, musical performance, book signing, presentations, award ceremonies, a kids’ zone, and more, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24, at Oregon State Fair. Admission is free; Parking is $5 per vehicle. Click here for tickets and more info.

Yoga + Wine

This 60-minute, all levels, yoga class takes place on the lawn where there are sweeping views. After class, stay for a glass of wine, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 25 at Coria Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE. Suggested donation of $5-$10 per yogi. Click here to register. Please bring your own yoga mat. 

On the Big Screen

Elsinore Theatre presents Silent Film Sunday featuring Wings starring Clara Bow about two young men — one rich, one middle class — who become fighter pilots in WWI, and are in love with the same woman. The film features live organ accompaniment by Rick Parks on the Mighty Wurlitzer, 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25 at Elsinore Theatre. $5. Click here for tickets.

Salem Cinema completed Richard Linklater's Trilogy with Before Midnight (2013) 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25. Building on the first two installments in Richard Linklater's well-crafted Before trilogy, Before Midnight offers intelligent, powerfully acted perspectives on love, marriage, and long-term commitment. On the last night of their idyllic Greek vacation, longtime lovers Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) reminisce about their lives together and what different choices might have brought. Honest and refreshing with wonderful lead performances, Before Midnight is an intimate and charming comedy drama. All seats $10. Click here for tickets.

And On Monday…

Yoga + Wine — Take in a 60-minute, all-levels yoga class with mountain views, then stay after class for a post-class beverage. Food will not be available for purchase, so feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy after class, 6 p.m. Monday, May 26 at Cubanisimo, 1754 Best Road NW. Suggested donation is $5-10 per yogi. Click here to register.

Experience a night of powerful roots reggae as legendary trio Israel Vibration joins forces with the iconic Roots Radics band for an unforgettable live performance. Opening the night is Duane Stephenson, a rising star in the reggae world whose smooth vocals and heartfelt songwriting bridge roots tradition with a modern edge, 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 26 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $40. Click here for tickets.

Memorial Day Música: Karyn Ann — soul/Americana singer/songwriter, 3 to 5 p.m. May 26, at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE

On Stage

Pentacle Theatre presents Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie — Amanda Wingfield, a faded remnant of Southern gentility, now lives in a dingy St. Louis apartment with her son, Tom, and her daughter, Laura, who has a physical handicap and debilitating shyness. The father has left home: Tom supports his mother and sister with a shoe-factory job he finds unbearable. When Amanda convinces Tom to bring home from his workplace a “gentleman caller” for Laura, the illusions that Tom, Amanda, and Laura have created in order to make life bearable collapse about them. Directed by Jeff Sanders. See the show 7:30 p.m. May 15-17, 22-24, 29-31, and 2 p.m. May 18, and 24-25, at Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW. Click here for tickets.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

MUSIC

Poor Man's Whiskey — rowdy, foot-stomping show with spontaneous stage antics aka a ”High-Octane Hootenanny,” 8 p.m. May 23, at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. $20 in advance; $25 day of show. Click here for tickets.

Ben Naught — country, 5 to 7 p.m. May 24 at West Hills Vineyards, 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW 

Live Music: Sig Paulson — 6 to 8 p.m. May 24, at Stomp by Croft Vineyards, 5475 River Road S. Call or text 503-364-3085 to RSVP. 

LABANSKY with Eichsteadt — a night of powerful rock ‘n’ roll with NorthWest guitar legend Jeff LaBansky known for his signature Flying-V and unmistakable sound, 7 p.m. May 24, at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. $20 in advance; $25 day of show. Click here for tickets.

Live music featuring Wild Ire (Salem-based Prog/Pop/Rock), The Ferenjis (Salem-based jam funk rock, reuniting for one night only!), and Sadgasm (Salem-based emo/alternative) — 7 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Infinity Room $10 in advance; $15 at the door. All ages. 

Saturday Musica: Garrett Fleming — an eclectic mix of hit songs from all decades and genres, 3 to 5 p.m. May May 24, at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE

Greg Nestler Trio — singer/songwriter, 5:30 p.m. May 24 at Ankeny Vineyard 2565 Riverside Dr. S. $5 

Rebecca Hardiman Quartet — jazz, 3 p.m. May 25 at Ankeny Vineyard 2565 Riverside Dr. S.

Sunday Musica: Jesse Meade — singer/songwriter, 3 to 5 p.m. May 25, at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE

Garrett Fleming Band — 3 to 5 p.m. May 25 at Trinity Vineyards

Tyler Stenson — unique brand of elegant folk music is the fitting result of his upbringing - wildly creative but wrangled by his meticulous attention to detail and desire to design things differently, 1 to 3 p.m. May 25 at Chemeketa Cellars. This event is free and open to all ages.

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 —and it's Superheros and Villians night — 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

See work by Jesus Escobar at The Best Goose Bar and the Salem Public Library.

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.