The InstigatorFrom the page to the stage (which you can watch from home), connect with your community (at a distance) this February in Salem, Oregon.
Through February
It’s Black History Month — Black Lives Matter! Learn about Oregon’s Black History. (Here are a couple of resources to help: Oregon Black Pioneers and Stories from the Peculiar Paradise: Prominent Black Men in Oregon History). Check out An Antiracist’s Non-Comprehensive Guide to Smashing White Supremacy, Enacting Local Change, and Celebrating Black Culture from Epilogue Kitchen & Cocktails. Connect with our local NAACP. (And save the date March 9 when Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers speaks on Black Exclusion in Early Oregon: Some common questions answered and why it matters today for Willamette Heritage Center’s Zooming Back to History series.)
Hallie Ford Museum of Art Goes Virtual! — Facing the ongoing reality of remaining closed to the public, Hallie Ford Museum of Art is taking its offerings virtual in an effort to remain accessible to the public during these challenging times. Continuing into March, the museum is featuring weekly virtual highlights from the current Forgotten Stories: Northwest Public Art of the 1930s. Take A Virtual 360° tour of the exhibition, and stay tuned for upcoming lectures exploring various aspects of the 1930s as well as a self-guided film series featuring 4 films from the 1930s.
Something’s Brewing — a World Beat Gallery exhibit exploring tea and coffee customs from around the world organized Salem Multicultural Institute (SMI) in partnership with Friends of Deepwood (Deepwood Museum & Gardens) allows visitors to enjoy items from the museum’s collection while their facility remains closed. The Gallery, located in Pringle Park Plaza at 390 Liberty St SE (across from Marco Polo restaurant), is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, as well as Saturdays by appointment. Learn more in our Press Play story here.
February 1-27
Salem Reads hosts community-engaging events all month long. Learn more in our Press Play feature story here.
February 1
Lord & Schryver Conservancy is offering a series of informational webinars led by experts in horticulture and historic gardens. The next one is Death Valley – 100 Year Superbloom with Mark Akimoff 10 a.m. Monday, February 1. Mark, the Garden Manager and Curator at the conservancy, will share the spectacular display of wildflowers in California’s Death Valley, brought on by record rainfall and ideal temperatures in a one-hour seminar. To add your name to the Zoom invitation list, contact Pam at pam@lordschryver.org or 971-600-6987.
February 3-25
View the work of local professional artists inspired by reading the Salem Reads selection Walking with Peety on display at Elsinore Fine Art Gallery, 444 Ferry St. SE. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Groups of 10 or less are welcome with masks.
February 3-26
Experience Erotica – An Exhibition to Arouse on display February 3 through 26 at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE in downtown Salem. It will also be accessible via virtual touring. Learn more here.
February 4
As part of Salem Reads, Walking with Peety author Eric O’Grey will speak about his memoir, the story of finding health and love with a shelter dog 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 4 on Zoom. Sign up to receive Zoom access information on the day of the event at salemlibrary.org.
February 5
Salem City Club presents The Power of the People – Animal Bond at 12 p.m. Friday, February 5. In partnership with Salem Reads, speaker BJ Andersen, Executive Director of the Willamette Humane Society, will speak about the power of the people-animal bond including the challenges and rewards of working in animal welfare, successfully matching companion animals with people and the positive impacts of pets on people in our community. Following the presentation will be a Q&A period. Free for Salem City Club members; $5 for non-members. Register here.
Support local with the First Friday Art Walk 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 5. Click here to learn more.
February 9
Willamette Heritage Center’s online history speaker series “Zooming Back to History” kicks off a second season on February 9 with Ellen Eisenberg, Willamette University presenting When History Collides with the Present: Tales from the 21st Century Classroom. Global pandemic, economic crisis, rising extremism, protest in the streets, insurrection, contested elections, racialized violence, impeachment. In this talk, I’ll reflect on the ways in which the history I teach has collided with our present moment. Ellen will talk for approximately 30 minutes, followed by a live Q&A session. The talk begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 9 on Zoom. Cost is $10. Click here to learn more about future events in the series and here to sign up.
February 10
As part of Salem Reads, take part in a Practicing Mindfulness Workshop 7 to 8:30 p.m. February 10. Mindfulness is a practice of paying attention, on purpose, to the present moment non-judgmentally. Learning and refreshing the practice of mindfulness may enrich your sense of wellbeing, your relationships, and your appreciation of daily life and help you cope with stressors. Workshop is free, but space is limited. Learn more and sign up at salemlibrary.org
February 13 & 20
Get your giggles on at Laughing is for Lovers, a socially distant, stand up comedy event at The Yard Food Park 8:30 to 10 p.m. February 13 and 20. February 13 is hosted by Leroy Firwood and features Ty Boice, Amber Gill and Tory Ward. with headliner Matthew Jameson. February 20 is hosted by Ty Boice, features Cameron McCormick and Brent Lowery and headliner Carl Lee. Mask required for entrance. RSVP required as only 45 spots are available. Show is free, but tips graciously accepted for the comics. Click here to learn more.
February 13-14
Visit Coria Estates on Valentine’s Day Weekend for a chocolate and wine pairing. Sip through the Coria Estates Pinot noir flight featuring their 2017 Estate Pinot noir, 2016 Mary Sharon, 2015 “115” and 2015 “Pom” while nibbling decadent truffles blended with local Oregon Pinot noir from Eugene’s Euphoria Chocolate Company. Cost is $30/couple for Pinot noir flight and a box of 4 truffles. Truffle boxes sold separately for $10/box. Click here to make reservations.
Opening just in time to celebrate your Valentine. Make a reservation for chocolate and wine at Trinity Vineyards. With every bottle or glass purchase, you will receive a chocolate truffle infused with their 2016 Pinot noir, while supplies last. There is a covered and heated outdoor seating area with COVID-19 precautions in place. Tasting room hours will be 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Click here to make a reservation.
February 14
Celebrate Oregon’s 162nd Birthday and Anniversary of Statehood with a free online event organized by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation 10 a.m. Sunday, February 14. Learn some fun historical facts, activities, videos and sing “Happy Birthday” to our great state. Click here for more information.
Catch Reel Love with True North Duo, a virtual concert benefiting Salem Cinema 7 p.m. Sunday, February 14. True North Duo is the folk-bluegrass combo of award-winning singer/songwriter Kristen Grainger joined by multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Dan Wetzel. Cost is $15 per person. Tickets are available beginning Feb. 1 at salemcinema.com. Learn more about True North in our Press Play feature story here.
Dust off your dictionary and visit with the cast of Pentacle Theatre‘s 2012 production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee live on Zoom 8 p.m. Sunday, February 14. Spelling Bee is a hilarious musical theater gem with great opportunities for actors with strong improv skills. The original cast (minus one) is coming together – virtually – to reminisce about the show’s most memorable moments. This free event will close with a timely and topical spelling bee led by cast member Tom Hewitt. Click here to register.
February 15
Enter the Furry Best Friends Photo Contest organized by Salem Reads. Salem-area pet owners are invited to submit up to two photos (per household) of the pets that share their homes. We will be awarding prizes in the following categories: Pets in Clothes; Pets in Nature; Pets and their People; Pets at Home; Pets with their Animal Friends. Deadline to enter Feb. 15, Voting starts Feb. 19, Awards Feb. 27. Visit salemlibrary.org for more information and a link to the online entry form.
February 16
Increase your creativity, reduce your stress, and find a new creative outlet to add to your life experience with the Zentangles Workshop for Beginners 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 16. Learn more about this Salem Reads event and sign up at salemlibrary.org
February 18
Dog Trivia Night. Join Salem-based, nationally acclaimed author Kelly Williams Brown for a night of pub-style trivia all inspired by Eric O’Grey’s relationship with the prince of pets 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 18. Dogs, dogs, and more dogs will inspire the questions and the prizes for this night of trivia fun. Learn more and sign up at salemlibrary.org
February 19
Salem City Club presents “Fresh Perspectives on a Very Different Legislative Session: Senator Deb Patterson and Representative Raquel Moore-Green Share Their Views” 12 p.m. Friday, February 19. Learn more and register here.
February 19-21
Enlightened Theatrics presents Les Misérables in a socially-distanced production for high school students, 7 p.m. February 19-20 and 2 p.m. February 20-21. Les Misérables is the world’s longest-running musical — a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time. Learn more here.
February 19-21, 26-28
The Verona Studio is offering an eclectic collection of powerful single-person performances to stream in the comfort of your own home for 2021. The next production will feature A Night of Don Nigro Plays. Performance dates are 7 p.m. February 19-21 and 26-28. Tickets are $15 each and available here. For more information, call 805-657-7538 or visit www.theveronastudio.com
February 27-28
The Severin Sisters will accompany The Willamette Master Chorus for their Winter Concerts on Feb. 27 and 28, bringing you a celebration of music that “touches and moves the soul.” Dr. Paul Klemme, WMC Artistic Director/Conductor, has chosen old-time hymns like “I’ll Fly Away” and “Unclouded Day” along with traditional settings of “Auld Lang Syne” and “Down to the River to Pray.” The Severin Sisters specialize in bluegrass music and will offer virtuoso instrumental pieces along with the northwest premiere performance of “Micah 6:8” by Minnesota composer Carol Barnett.
The free concerts will be available on the Willamette Master Chorus YouTube channel at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 27, and Sunday, February 28. Subscribe to the WMC YouTube channel to receive notifications about these concerts and other works available by Willamette Master Chorus. Following the concert dates, audience members can return to view the concert on the Willamette Master Chorus YouTube page at any time in the future. For more information, visit willamettemasterchorus.org.
Carlee Wright
