A Note from the Instigator....
Hello, friends! While you are out enjoying all this weekend has to offer—from comedy to theater to art—I want to share a little reminder: vibrant communities don’t just happen. They’re built. Built by artists, volunteers, venues... and you. When you support arts and culture in Salem, you’re investing in the heart of our city, in what makes us a community. If something connects for you, laugh out loud, clap a little louder, or tell a friend. Small acts of support make a big impact. Wishing you a weekend full of play!
— Carlee, The Instigator
Vicki Woods
Pentacle Theatre's The Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie opens Friday at Pentacle Theatre. Scroll down for details. Photo by Vicki Woods.
Thursday Highlights
Visit Hallie Ford Museum of Art for Living Studios’ All Abilities Workshop, 12 to 3 p.m. May 8. This free art-making event happens on the 2nd Thursday of every month. It is free and open to anyone who wishes to participate and learn more about Living Studios.
World Beat Gallery hosts an Opening reception for its latest exhibit, “Turtle Island,” which is an exploration of the original inhabitants of the area, 5 to 7 p.m. May 8 at 390 Liberty St SE
Salem Clinic Medical Foundation presents a free event with Shawn Achor, the NY Times bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential. Shawn’s TED talk, The Happy Secret to Better Work, has over 25 million views, 7 p.m. May 8 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. Click here for free tickets.
Salem Poetry Project presents Juan Cervantes Morales — Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Juan is the author of two poetry books: Voices of Freedom and Endless Word. He has been a member of the Silverton Poetry Association (2010-2018) and co-founder of Spiral Publishing. The Salem Poetry Project starts with a featured reader at 7 p.m. followed by the Infamous Open Mic: 3 poems or five minutes, whichever is first, and takes place at Bush Barn Annex, 600 Mission St SE.
Musical Theatre Karaoke: A Community Theatre Fundraiser — Sing songs, cheer people on and enjoy some food and drink while supporting an upcoming production of Waiting for Waiting for Godot, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St S. All ages welcome until 10 p.m. Click here for tickets.
Heather Keizur Quartet: The Songs of Frank Sinatra, avec les chansons Francaises — Heather will be mixing these Sinatra classics with the beautiful French language, which she fell in love with while being raised in Canada. Featuring Steve Christofferson on keys, melodica & vocals, Dennis Caiazza on bass and Todd Strait on drums. 7 p.m. May 8 at Christo’s. Click here for tickets.
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!
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Celebrate Mom
Honor mothers with a delightful day of celebration featuring Rosé, charcuterie, dessert, a Tea Party-themed photo op and more, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Kuenzi Family Vineyard, 7919 Spring Valley Rd NW. $20-$25. Click here to reserve your time slot.
Treat Mom to a special meal at Venti's Cafe on Mother's Day. On May 11, brunch available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chef Armando has a beautiful breakfast menu that includes French toast and wild-caught salmon Benedict.
Mother Earth Fair — Spend Mother's Day at the Mother Earth Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Sunday, May 11 at Painter's Hall at Pringle Creek Community Center. Free entry. Music & Food. Plant Sale. Fun for Kids.
Bring Mom to the Pops! — An exciting show bursting with a variety of music from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific”, to Strauss’s “Emperor Waltzes”, to an orchestral version of Roberta Flack’s gorgeous “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and more. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11 at the East Salem Community Center. Click here for tickets.
Oregon Ballet Theatre's OBT2
Oregon Ballet Theatre’s OBT2 Spring Tour — Join Oregon Ballet Theatre’s second company, OBT2, on a stop during their 2025 Spring Tour! OBT2 serves as a cultural ambassador of the performing arts throughout the Pacific Northwest. This year’s tour features work by Ben Stevenson O.B.E., Artistic Director, Dani Rowe, and OBT2 Director, Dominic Walsh. 4 p.m. Sunday, May 11 at Elsinore Theatre. Click here for tickets.
Mom Jokes: An All-Moms Comedy Show — Dads aren't the only ones with jokes! Give mom the gift of dinner and a show for Mother's Day. Mom Jokes features an all-star lineup of hilarious moms including Hannah SK, Eleanore Ryan, Havana, Angie Bloomfield, Lacie Wood, and more. Hosted by beloved token dad Tony Meyer, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Infinity Room. Cost: $15 in advance; $20 at the door. All ages welcome, but the material will not be clean. Click here for tickets.
Mother's Day is Viognier all day at Trinity Vineyards, 1031 Wahl Lane S. With live music by Greg Nestler, 2 to 4 p.m.
Salem Cinema Before Sunrise
On Stage
Friday is opening night for 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 9-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-31, and 2 p.m. May 11, 18, and 24-25, at Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW. Click here for tickets.
KMUZ Theatre Talk Episode 25-0502 features The Glass Menagerie director Jeff Sanders and actors Christopher Schoaps and Quaye Dydasco talking about the “memory play” that catapulted Williams from obscurity to playwriting fame. Listen to the May 2 show here. 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 mobile app and wherever you get your podcasts.
Dance
Kick up your heels at the Second Friday Ceili. Ceili of the Valley Society welcomes musicians Na Rosai and caller Sam Keator for this no-experience, no partner needed event. Even if you are not a dancer, you can do it. But really, the music alone is worth it! Doors open at 7 p.m., followed by a short dance lesson and live music from 8 to 11. All dances are taught before the live music begins. The motto of every dance is to have fun, so wear comfortable shoes, bring some water and try out something new. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday at VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. Cost: $10; $5 student, $30 family
Watch
Lacy Productions presents Truth, Beauty, Freedom, & Love: A Burlesque Tribute to Moulin Rouge! — Join a Bohemian revolution celebrating the Baz Luhrmann movie and Broadway production "Moulin Rouge" with a parody twist on this tale. A magnificent, opulent, tremendous, stupendous, gargantuan bedazzlement, a sensual ravishment of burlesque, drag, draglesque, aerial, and cabaret. Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and above all things, Love. 8 p.m. May 9 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. $30 to $50 for this 21 and older show. Click here for tickets.
Laugh
Tommy Ryman, a semifinalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing, is an acclaimed comedian. His oddly-adorable stand-up landed him No. 1 on iTunes comedy charts for his album Party Troll. Named Best of the Midwest at Gilda's Laugh Fest, Tommy grew up in Minnesota jamming on clarinet for his new-age mom and kale-chip-making dad. He performs at top clubs, colleges, and festivals across the nation including the Great American Comedy Festival. Tommy was invited to be on Nickelodeon's NickMom Night Out and has two full comedy specials on Dry Bar Comedy. Tommy's act can be described as absurdist and clever masked behind an endearing, innocent demeanor. 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Infinity Room. Click here for tickets.
Game On
Support local sports...
The Salem Capitals basketball team will play two local games this weekend. VS Seattle Superhawks, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9 and VS Vancouver Volcanoes, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at The Salem Armory, 2310 17th St NE. Learn more and get tickets at SalemCapitalsBasketball.com
Cherry City Roller Derby presents Blossoms v Rose City Doubleheader, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE. Tickets start at $12 in advance. Click here for tickets.
An Evening of Elegance
An evening of elegance, the Mrs Oregon America and Miss Oregon for America Strong Pageant is a community celebration and preliminary competition to determine the state delegates who will be representing Oregon at the Mrs. America and Miss Oregon for America Strong Pageant weeklong event in Las Vegas, NV, in August 2025. 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Elsinore Theatre. Click here for tickets.
Take a Walk
Salem Parks Foundation welcomes you to Take a Walk in the Park, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Start at the Riverfront Park Pavilion or Wallace Marine Park at the west side of the Union Street RR bridge. Take a 2-mile walk and stop at 4 stations to get a completely stamped passport to enter the drawing and collect your cookie at the end. Completed passports will be entered into a drawing for great prizes. This event is free but donations are gratefully accepted. This year's walk is to support the Eco-Earth Restoration.
Swap
South Central Association of Neighbors and Highland Neighbors are co-hosting a Spring Into Summer Kids Clothing Swap 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 10 at Center 50+. Drop clothes off at the Center starting May 2. The organizers are in need of volunteers to help with the event. Are you available to help before, during or after the event? Contact highland@salemneighbors.org to participate.
On the Big Screen
Salem Cinema presents the Coen Brothers classic Raising Arizona — An ex-con and an ex-cop meet, marry and long for a child of their own. When it is discovered that Hi is unable to have children, they decide to snatch a baby. They try to keep their crime a secret, while friends, co-workers and a bounty hunter look to use the child for their own purposes. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 10 (and 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13) at Salem Cinema. All seats $10. Click here for tickets.
Salem Cinema presents a 20th Anniversary screening of Kung Fu Hustle — When the hapless Sing and his dim-witted pal Bone try to scam the residents of Pig Sty Alley into thinking they're members of the dreaded Axe Gang, the real gangsters descend on this Shanghai slum to restore their fearsome reputation. What gang leader Brother Sum doesn't know is that three legendary retired kung fu masters live anonymously in this decrepit neighborhood and don't take kindly to interlopers. 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10 (and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14) at Salem Cinema. All Seats $10. Click here for tickets.
Salem Cinema presents National Theatre Live: The Importance Of Being Earnest — Max Webster (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi) directs a joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; Doctor Who) is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) and Hugh Skinner (W1A; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) in this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance. 12 p.m. Sun, May 11, at Salem Cinema. Click here for tickets.
Salem Cinema presents Richard Linklater's Trilogy starting with Before Sunrise (1995) 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11. On his way to Vienna, American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meets Celine (Julie Delpy), a student returning to Paris. After long conversations forge a surprising connection between them, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train with him in Vienna. Since his flight to the U.S. departs the next morning and he has no money for lodging, they wander the city together, taking in the experiences of Vienna and each other. As the night progresses, their bond makes separating in the morning a difficult choice. All seats $10. Click here for tickets. (See the next two installments, Before Sunset on May 18 and Before Midnight on May 25)
This weekend at Salem Cinema...
Salem Cinema May 9
MUSIC
- Live Music: Randy Nicholson — country, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Ankeny Vineyard. $5
- Nashville Unplugged Presents: William Michael Morgan Featuring Joey James — Take in a night of music with William Michael Morgan and his signature smooth vocals and traditional country sound. Kicking off the night is rising country star Joey James, whose electrifying energy and heartfelt lyrics set the perfect tone for an evening of great music and good times. 8 p.m. May 10 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Click here for tickets.
- Nathan Olsen & Jamila Maries — unique blend of soulful melodies and harmonies, 7 p.m. Sat, May 10 at West Hills Vineyards, 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW
- Live music featuring Superchurch (Salem based crispy riffs and salty grooves), Barnaby Jones (Portland based Rock/Metal), Showtigers (Salem based high energy Alt Rock). 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Infinity Room. $10 in advance; $13 at the door.
- Justin Franke — 2 to 4 p.m. May 10 at Trinity Vineyards
- Greg Nestler — 2 to 4 p.m. May 11 at Trinity Vineyards
Salem Cinema Kung Fu Hustle
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 80/90s themed! — 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.
Salem Cinema Raising Arizona
Plus Explore Art
Salem on the Edge
On exhibit at Salem on the Edge
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.
