The Playlist — Things to do Nov 6-9, 2025

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A Note from the Instigator....

Hello, Friends! On the First Friday of the month, art is always top of my mind, but you can also take in comedy, live music, theater, and more. Enjoy...

— Carlee, The Instigator

PS: Thank you for your support of Press Play Salem and for helping us keep our newsletter and magazine a free resource for the community. ♥️

Explore textile arts throughout Salem this month, starting with Quiltopia — Nov 7 & 8 at Willamette Heritage Center. (Scroll down for details) Photo credit Quiltopia Oregon.

THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Evil Dead: The Musical opens tonight at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets $26.50; $41.50 splatter zone. Ages 16+. Get your tickets here. (and scroll down for all the gory details)

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗭𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗮 — A self-taught singer and guitarist since the age of 12, Dante’s love for music is deeply intertwined with his passion for family and Oregon wine country. His soft, soulful style blends blues, country, jazz, and gospel into what he calls “music for the soul.” 6 to 8 p.m. November 6 at Chemeketa Cellars, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW. Note: The tasting room will be open from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring award-winning, student-crafted wines alongside beer, cider, non-alcoholic options, and light bites. Seating is limited indoors and available on a first-come basis.

Salem Poetry Project presents A Resurrection of Trees, featuring the poems of Ronald Montgomery, Robert Hill, Amalie Rush Hill, and Marc Janssen. This collection stands at a crossroads of art and activism, where language becomes a force for reckoning and a vessel for renewal. This evening will feature poems from this new book, 7 to 9 p.m. Nov 6 at Marco Polo Global Restaurant, 300 Liberty St SE. Note: November through February, the Salem Poetry Project will meet at Marco Polo Global Restaurant and the reading will be in the banquet room.

Delgani Quartet presents Love Abounds, a concert exploring the many facets of love—romantic, devotional, familial, and divine. Featuring a trio of vocalists from Portland’s Resonance Ensemble, the program spans centuries, beginning with the 12th-century music of Hildegard von Bingen, and continuing through Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Caroline Shaw, and David Lang. 7 p.m. Nov 6 in Cone Chapel (Waller Hall) at Willamette University. Click here for tickets.

⭐ FEATURED PICKS

Evil Dead: The Musical

Sam Raimi’s cult classic splatters onto the stage in a blood-soaked mix of horror, comedy, and camp. Demons, catchy songs, and over-the-top effects keep the action outrageous, with the infamous “Splatter Zone” guaranteeing fans go home covered in gore. Equal parts parody and party, it’s a wild ride for anyone who isn’t afraid of a little blood. 7:30 p.m. Nov 6–8 and 13–15, plus 2 p.m. Nov 9, 16 & 23 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets $26.50; $41.50 splatter zone. Ages 16+. Get your tickets here.

Quiltopia

Quiltopia weaves together quilts, creativity, and community support and the celebration of handmade quilts, fiber arts, and community spirit — all in support of Helping Hands Resources — returns Nov 7 & 8 at Willamette Heritage Center. The event shines a spotlight on the artistry of quilting, with traditional, modern, and contemporary works on display alongside artisan vendors, vintage linens, prize drawings, and the ever-popular Re-Stash Boutique. Learn more in our Press Play feature story here.

Salem Fiberarts Guild Annual Sale 

Shop a showcase of handmade textiles and crafts, from wearable art to unique holiday gifts. The event supports the guild’s mission of keeping fiber arts alive through community and craft. Find one-of-a-kind pieces and connect with local makers. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov 7–8 at in Dye House at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE.

A Fall Fundraising Concert

Deepwood Museum & Gardens is hosting a Fall Fundraising Concert featuring Constant Billy. Enjoy refreshments while you listen to the fun and lively performance of the musical duo, Constant Billy, in the splendor of the Queen Anne Victorian home! Constant Billy is primarily a vocal du featuring Emily Standish & Bill Galbraith. Emily plays Irish penny whistle, baroque recorder, and percussion, while Bill plays guitar, mandolin and Irish bouzouki. All proceeds go toward the care, preservation, and programs of the museum and gardens. 3 p.m. Sunday, November 9, at Deepwood. Admission is $20 per person. Click here for tickets.

All Weekend Long

Ride the Cyclone

Willamette Theatre presents Ride the Cyclone, a hilarious and outlandish musical about six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir who find themselves in limbo after a freak rollercoaster accident. A mechanical fortune teller offers them the chance to compete for the ultimate prize: a return to life. Funny, heartfelt, and thought-provoking, Ride the Cyclone explores what it means to truly live. See it on stage, 7:30 p.m. Oct 31, Nov 1, 5-8, 12-16, and 2 p.m. Nov 2, 8-9, 15-16 in the Peloton Playhouse at Willamette University Click here for tickets. (Watch for our Press Play story coming soon)

Veterans Concert

Willamette Master Chorus presents its 21st Annual Veterans Concert 'War-themed Broadway Musical Repertoire' with the WMC High School Honor Choir, 3 p.m. Nov 8 and 9 in Smith Auditorium at Willamette University. Click here for tickets.

Friday Happenings

Art Walk

First Friday of the month means it’s time for the Salem Art Walk. Explore downtown Salem from 5 to 8 p.m. to shop local, view art, meet the makers and more. Here are some of the highlights —

  • Be there for the opening of Restoration – New Paintings by Christina Stefani at Stefani Art Gallery, 305 Court St NE. There will also be wines by RH Estate Wine, treats by Truffle Shuffle, and small bites by Venti's Cafe.
  • Find Uji Cafe and Springtail Reworked popping up at Creativitee, 110 Commercial St NE.
  • The Elsinore Gallery features a ceramic-focused show, Thrown, that includes artists Ann Coskev-Wasserman, Barbara Burns, Sage Dunham, Greg Gregg, Marguerite Gregg, Kevin Herzberg, and Heather Skinner.
  • There will be a Poetry Reading (and open mic) featuring Marc Janssen, Juniper Moon, and friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Manna Bakery, 237 State St.
  • Check out the opening reception for Inner Spirits, work by Susan Appleby, at Roy John Designer Goldsmith, 315 Court St NE

See More Art

Celebrating the opening of two new exhibits at Salem Art Association this Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov 7 with introductions at 6, at Bush Barn Art Center & Annex, 600 Mission St SE. 

  • High Fiber Diet | A Sense of Place — Experience the artistry, texture, and storytelling in an exhibition featuring 17 fiber artists exploring how we connect to the places that shape our lives—real or imagined, past or present. The exhibit runs through Dec 21. 
  • Shine On | Jo Hamilton — "My large-scale handmade wall works are crocheted from yarn, knot by knot with a small hook. My technique integrates years of drawing and painting with a craft I learned from my Gran during my childhood in Scotland."

Skate

Traveling Wheelz is hosting First Friday learn to skate lesson from 7 to 8 p.m. followed by Punk Rock themed open skate 8 to 10 p.m. Nov 7 at The Mad House. Click here for more info.

Do Yoga

Power House Hot Yoga is hosting Beats & Bubbles, a high-energy, hot all-levels flow with a killer playlist and bubbly after class, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov 7 at 156 Front St NE #170.

This weekend at Salem Cinema...

Things to do on Saturday

Laugh

Take in a night of comedy with Nate Jackson: Big Dog Tour — One of the fastest-rising stars in comedy, with over 4 million TikTok followers and 600 million global views, Nate Jackson is known for his sharp crowd work and undeniable charisma.. He seamlessly flows between masterfully honed material and his unique style of hilarious crowd work—fearlessly diving into taboo topics and leaving no subject off-limits. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 8 at Elsinore Theatre. Click here for tickets.

Soup’s On

Hello, Crocktoberfest! Sample soups for a good cause — supporting the Pentacle Theatre — 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 8, in the Pentacle Theatre Lobby, 324 52nd Ave NW. Click here for tickets.

Run in your Bestest

The Fanciest 5K Ever is a recreational, fun, community race where runners fight human trafficking by running in formal wear. Dresses, tuxedos, bow ties, top hats, tiaras, all the glitz and glam… but on the run for a great cause. All of the money raised goes directly to Safety Compass, a local organization that provides free, confidential advocacy for sex-trafficking survivors in the mid-Willamette Valley region of OR. The run takes place on November 8 at West Coast Strength, 290 Moyer Lane NW. Check-in starts at 9, run at 10, and awards at 11. Click here to register.

Swap

The Capital City Comics, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Swap is happening 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov 8 at the Salem Convention Center. Shop table after table of vintage comic books, toys, games, science fiction films and novels, fantasy games and VHS, and a whole lot more. Buy, Sell, and Trade your old graphic novels, D&D modules, and *Star Trek:TNG DVD Boxed Sets, or add to the thousands upon thousands of vintage comics from private collectors, the northwest's best comic book retailers, and folks just like you. Plus, the 501st Cloud City Garrison will be in attendance and will have a booth set up for photos if you make a donation to one of their preferred charities. First Hour "Early-Bird": $5 || Noon to 4 p.m.: $3 || FREE entry for the Final Hour.

Get Crafty

Learn to needle felt a cacti planter made out of wool. Needle felting is fun and a great way to expand your fiber arts knowledge. This class will teach how to make basic shapes with needle felting and will enable you to create more complex pieces in the future. All supplies included. You will walk away with a finished potted cacti planter, felting knowledge and a felting block/needle for you to keep! 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov 8, at Ratchet Brewery, 2474 25th St SE. Click here to register. *Pre-registration is required, tickets must be purchased here in order to attend. 

Audition

Pentacle Theatre invites you to audition for You Can’t Take It With You — the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Directed by Scott Ramp, this timeless classic celebrates love, laughter, and the beauty of embracing life’s quirks. With 19 roles available (all genders and ages encouraged!), this is your chance to join a hilarious, heartfelt production that has delighted audiences for nearly 90 years. Auditions take place 1 to 5 p.m. Nov 8 in Pentacle’s downtown rehearsal studio, 197 Liberty St SE. Visit https://pentacletheatre.org/auditions for full details and to download your audition form in advance.

Listen to Live Music

Saturday Musica: Rudolf Korv — 3 to 5 p.m. Nov 8 at Coria Estates

Sunday Sunday

Tour

The standard Bush House Museum tour always runs out of time before it runs out of stories. So what’s the solution? An extended, 90-minute adventure through the house, of course. Peek into closets, share a few whispers, and maybe uncover a scandal or two. Ever wondered how that curious contraption works? Now’s your chance to find out. This is a special “But Wait! There’s More!” tour, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Nov 9, at Bush House Museum. Click here for tickets. Space limited.

Learn about Wine

Studio Vino is hosting a Willamette Wines class exploring the grapes mostly commonly grown around Salem. Taste, identify, and discuss the typical aromas and flavors of the most common varietals while learning regional facts and more, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov 9 at 142 High St SE. $30. Click here to sign up.

On the Big Screen

See Xanadu — A Salem Cinema Reel Change for our Community Benefit Screening supporting The Imperial Sovereign of the Willamette Valley which in turn benefits Center For Hope & Safety, Center Stage Theatrics, Capital Pride, HIV Alliance, and Viktoria's Angels, 6:30 p.m. Nov 9. Click here for tickets.

National Theatre Live Inter Alia — Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facie. Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright? Writer Suzie Miller, director Justin Martin, and composer Self Esteem, reunite following their global phenomenon Prima Facie, with this searing examination of modern motherhood and masculinity. 12 p.m. Sunday, Nov 9 at Salem Cinema. Click here for tickets.

Listen to Live Music

Camerata Musica presents Tomas Cotik Trio, 2:30 p.m., November 9 at The Unitarian Universalist Church. Click here to learn more.

Hello, Holidays!

The countdown is on, and holiday-preparing events are starting now…

  • Olivia’s is hosting its Holiday Open House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov 7 and 8 at 310 Court St NE
  • There is an End of Year Holiday Bazaar hosted by Shangri-La happening 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov 7 & 8 at 4080 Reed Road. 
  • The Arbour Annual Holiday Open House is happening 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov 7 at 367 State St.

🎨 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.

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