Salem Philharmonia Orchestra

The Playlist — Things to do Nov 20-23, 2025

by ,

A Note from the Instigator....

Hello, Friends! Cozy season is here, and with it comes markets, concerts, and more. Whether you’re ready to bundle up for a choir performance, shop local makers, or sip something warm while taking a stroll, this week brings plenty of ways to connect with creativity and community. Stay cozy and see you out there!

— Carlee, The Instigator

Pentacle Theatre's production of In-Laws, Outlaws, and Other People (Who Should Be Shot) opens Friday. Scroll down for details. Photo by Vicki Woods.

Check out our Press Play feature story here.

THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Eat, drink and shop at West Hills Vineyards’ Holiday House featuring a variety of local vendors, plus wine, of course! 3 to 8 p.m. Nov 20 at 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW.

Nouveau Release Party — Celebrate the French tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau with Chemeketa Cellars and local wineries pouring fresh Nouveau and Gamay varietals, plus a special French import. Enjoy food pairings, live jazz, and a lively evening of wine and community. 6 p.m. Nov 20 at Northwest Wine Studies Center. Tickets are $25 adult; $15 younger than 21/non-drinking. Click here for tickets.

Machado Mijiga's Between Two Todds is a meeting of musical minds, with a catchy title. Todd Sickafoose is a Tony and Grammy award-winning composer, producer, arranger, orchestrator, bandleader, and double bassist. Todd Marston is a Berklee-educated composer, music wellness educator, and pianist. Machado Mijiga is an eclectic musical polymath and drummer, who also takes credit for the cheeky band name. 7 p.m. Nov 20 at Christo’s. Click here for tickets.

Spirit Night: Wild Turkey — Sip your way through a guided Wild Turkey tasting flight with industry expert Douglas Derrick. Kick things off with a specialty cocktail, then settle in for a paired dinner that highlights the whiskey’s bold flavors. Guests must be 21+. 6 p.m. Nov 20 at The Cozy Taberna. Tickets required, $165. Click here for tickets.

Take in an evening of Traditional Irish Music, 7 to 9 p.m. November 20 at Venti's Cafe and Beer Vault. (PS: Players welcome)

⭐ FEATURED PICKS

Be there for Opening Night

Pentacle Theatre wraps its 2025 season with In-Laws, Outlaws & Other People (That Should Be Shot), a fast-paced holiday comedy where a Christmas Eve dinner derails thanks to two would-be robbers and a steady stream of unexpected guests. Directed by Karen McCarty, the show blends chaos, heart, and the kind of relatable family mayhem that feels right at home this time of year. 7:30 p.m. Nov 21-22 and 2 p.m. Nov 23 (with shows into December) at Pentacle Theatre. Click here for tickets. Read our Press Play feature story here.

Learn About Local Wine

Guest Speaker Series: Willamette Wine History — Learn about the roots of Oregon wine as Rich Schmidt, Director of Archives and Resource Sharing at the Oregon Wine History Archive, shares insights into the history of the Willamette Valley AVA and the Salem area. 6 to 8 p.m. Nov 22 at Studio Vino. studiovinohub.org $45 (reservations required by Nov 20). Pay here and RSVP here.

LAST CHANCE — Evil Dead: The Musical

Salem's production of Evil Dead the Musical wraps this weekend. Catch the blood-soaked mix of horror, comedy, and camp featuring demons, catchy songs, and over-the-top effects before it disappears. Equal parts parody and party, it’s a wild ride for anyone who isn’t afraid of a little blood. Nov 20-23 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets $26.50; $41.50 splatter zone. Ages 16+. Get your tickets here.

COMMUNITY

Laugh

Leslie Jones: LIVE! — Emmy-nominated comedian and SNL alum Leslie Jones brings her explosive, no-filter stand-up back to the stage for one night only. Known for her powerhouse presence, sharp wit, and viral commentary, Jones has appeared in Our Flag Means Death, Coming 2 America, and as a guest host of The Daily Show. She also co-hosts the hit podcast The FCKRY, where she tackles life’s chaos with her signature bold humor. 7:30 p.m. Nov 21 at Elsinore Theatre. Click here for tickets.

Laugh

Road To Ron Comedy Competition: Preliminary Show 1 — The journey to the big stage begins! 10 comedians are going head-to-head for a shot at the finals. Only 5 will advance, and it’s your votes that decide who moves on. Featuring: Kyle Adams, Kayla Evans, Jen Jay, Josh Larsen, David Lopez, Tim Messenger, Tony Meyer, Jessa Michelle, Donna, Moran, Zane Thomas. 7 p.m. November 23, in Grand Theatre Ballroom. Click here for tickets. (Show 2 takes place Nov 30)

Laugh Some More

1 Star Revue: An Improv Show Inspired By The Internet's Worst Reviews — Improv scenes inspired by the internet’s weirdest and wildest reviews! From furious foodies to outraged hotel guests, nothing is safe from the one-star treatment. Watch as Tony Meyer and some of Salem’s finest improvisers take the internet’s most unhinged complaints and transform them into hilarious, unexpected comedy gold. It’s part improv, part internet archaeology — and all five-star fun. 8 p.m. November 21 in the Grand Theatre Ballroom. Click here for tickets. 

Taste

Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) hosts Pop Up & Pitch featuring a selection of regional food and beverage makers, 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov 21 at the Grand Hotel in downtown Salem.

Sip & Shop

Willamette Local Food Connection hosts a special Sip & Shop 3 to 6 p.m. Nov 22 at Manna Bakery. Find complimentary small bites, local produce, Oregon olive oil, herb bundles and more, plus a handful of local food vendors for all your yummy needs. 

Trot

Start the season with Turkey Trot 1K/5K/10K Fun Run/Walk, a festive run or walk along the waterfront, with costumes encouraged and strollers and leashed dogs welcome. T-shirts available on site for $15 while supplies last. 9:30 a.m. Nov 22 at Riverfront Park Pavilion. $5–$15.

Shop

Shop local and cultural at the World Beat Holiday Market, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov 22 at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE

The Outer Realms: Myth Market is an afternoon of art, music, storytelling and more, 1 to 7 p.m. Nov 22 in the Grand Theatre Brick Room. 

Dance

Rave River Dancing with Angels — Dance for a purpose at a fundraiser for Salem Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the foster care community. This event will feature music from multiple DJs all night long, 9 p.m. Nov. 22, at The Bad Space, 2572 19th St SE. Click here for tickets. (Age 21 and older)

Dance Some More

Queer Salsa and Bachata! Every Sunday, join in for an inclusive and beginner-friendly evening of Latin dance, 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 23, at Fork Forty Food Hall, 440 State St. $5 cover fee, basic salsa and bachata lesson included!

Paint & Sip

Painting a Winter Snow Scene – Settle in for an afternoon of creativity at this seasonal Paint & Sip workshop, where you'll learn simple techniques for capturing winter light, snow, and shadow. No experience is needed. Participants will work from provided images and receive step-by-step guidance using acrylics on canvas. All materials are included, and the Chemeketa Cellars tasting room is open for wine, beer, cider, and light bites throughout the afternoon. 1 p.m. Nov 22 at Chemeketa Cellars Tasting Room, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW. $45. Click here for tickets.

Savor

Feast the night away with a Pop-Up Paella dinner prepared by Chef Reyes. Enjoy the rich flavors of freshly made seafood and chicken paella, paired with a colorful fruit and pastry table for a sweet finish. 5 to 7 p.m. Nov 21 at Coria Estate, 8252 Redstone Ave SE. Click here for tickets

For the Kids

The Amazing Bubble Man — Louis Pearl, aka the Bubble Man, has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed 14 years of sell-out success. 2 p.m. Nov 22 at Chemeketa Community College Auditorium, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Building 6. Buy Tickets​

Magic of Lights

Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience, is bigger and brighter than ever with more than a mile of spectacular light displays that bring to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters. Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas! Pile everyone into the car and experience more at the same low price! One carload, one price for the entire family. Open nightly through Jan 3 at Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, 2330 17th St NE. Click here for tickets.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

MUSIC

A Family Concert 

Salem Philharmonia hosts its annual Family Concert, a lively, family-friendly program conducted by SPO Artistic Director Jonathan DeBruyn, featuring a mix of shorter classical to modern compositions that showcase the orchestra's different instrumental sections. SPO musicians will host an instrument “petting zoo”, beginning at 1 p.m. in the lobby for youngsters to see up close and try out orchestral instruments. 2 p.m. Nov 22–23 at East Salem Community Center. Tickets are $25 adults; $20 students/seniors and free for children. Click here for tickets.

A Choral Celebration

A Celebration of Choral Masterpieces — Festival Chorale Oregon brings four centuries of choral brilliance to life in a program that blends Baroque drama with contemporary elegance. The afternoon features Schütz’s Christmas Story, Jacob’s luminous The New-Born King, and So Gracious Is the Time, a modern Shakespeare setting with harp. It’s a stirring start to the holiday season. 4 p.m. Nov 23 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. Click here for tickets. 

Holiday Road Tour

Straight No Chaser: Holiday Road Tour — Forget the khakis-and-blazers stereotype. Straight No Chaser has become a global a cappella powerhouse, known for sharp harmonies, sly humor, and performances that feel as lively as a full band. With 2 RIAA Gold albums, more than 1.5 million concert tickets sold, and over 2 million albums purchased worldwide, their blend of pure vocal talent and playful charm has earned them a devoted following. Experience nine voices, no instruments, and a whole lot of holiday spirit when they return to Salem. 8 p.m. Nov 22 at Elsinore Theatre. Click here for tickets. 

Lisa Landucci

Italian-American singer-songwriter Lisa Landucci, bridging her Oregon roots and life in Italy, delivers alt-Americana songs that move between vulnerability and strength, living boldly between two worlds. An intimate show with cozy table seating, limited to 100 guests. 8 p.m. November 22 in Grand Theatre Ballroom. Click here for tickets.

Saturday Música: The Ghost Tiger

Brothers Dave and Ben Wentz are both songwriters and musicians who have been playing together since they were kids. Ben Wentz plays piano, guitar, and the drums while Dave plays guitar. The Ghost Tiger Show is a mix of genres, including rock, jazz, and acoustic songs with thoughtful lyrics. 3 to 5 p.m. Nov 22 at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE.

Dirty Cello Duo

Fresh off their tour to Portugal and Northern Ireland, San Francisco-based band, Dirty Cello will present their exciting blend of blues, rock and Americana that has been described by Oakland Magazine as, “...funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic, and textured, and only occasionally classical.” Band leader and cellist Rebecca Roudman is also a member of classical orchestras, but with the Dirty Cello band she lets her hair down and uses her classical training to push the cello to its limits - more Jimi Hendrix than Yo -Yo Ma. 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 22, at Shades of Brew, 2027 25th St S

🎨 ON EXHIBIT

The Space Between Earth and Sky by Christina Stefani

Explore art from prints to paintings...

  • At Hallie Ford Museum of Art, see Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art
  • At Stefani Art Gallery, see Restoration – New Paintings by Christina Stefani
  • At Artists in Action Gallery, November brings a dual celebration: guest artist James Southworth’s vibrant pastels and AiA’s inaugural Fiber Arts Show. Southworth’s expressive works, inspired by Oregon and abroad, capture color and texture with award-winning finesse. Meanwhile, the fiber exhibition showcases the breadth of textile artistry, from traditional techniques to wearable fashion, marking an exciting new chapter for AiA and the region’s fiber arts community.
  • At Salem Art Association, see High Fiber Diet | A Sense of Place, Shine On | Jo Hamilton, plus shop Small Wonders and the Holiday Show.
  • At World Beat Gallery, a new exhibit about Dolls of the World is now open.
  • At Roy John Jewelry, 315 Court Street NE, see Inner Spirits, featuring work by Susan Appleby.

Got an event? Submit it here.