The InstigatorWelcome 2022 with something new! Check out what’s happening this month in Salem —
January 2
Hear Christmas Music from St. Paul’s Trinity Choir Sextet 4 p.m. Jan 2, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The 2021-22 Evensong Concert Series continues to feature Solos and Ensemble: Megan Miller, Madison Hall, Leah Brakebill, Nicholas Ertsgaard, David Nelson, Barry Nelson. The singers will offer the Oregon premiere of “Ring Out Wild Bells” by Kenneth Dejong. This New Year’s piece will be accompanied by handbells, glockenspiel and piano. The text is from Alfred Lord Tennyson. The concert will be in person at St. Paul’s with facemasks and proof of full vaccination required. It can also be viewed via livestream at stpaulsoregon.org.
January 4 through April 23
Hallie Ford Museum of Art presents Depth Of Field: Selections From The Bill Rhoades Collection Of Northwest Photography. The exhibition presents a range of Northwest photographs donated by collector Bill Rhoades over the past few years, and includes works by Robert Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Jim Lommasson, Mary Randlett, and Terry Toedtemeier, among others. Hallie Ford Museum of Art is located at 700 State Street. For more information, call 503-370-6855 or click here.
January 5
Get your laugh on at Infinity Room’s weekly comedy open mic. Recurring every Wednesday at 8 p.m., comics take to the stage to work out new material. Doors open at 7 p.m. No cover, but two item minimum for audience and comics. All ages are allowed until 9, but the material will not necessarily be clean. To sign up to perform, email comedy@irsalem.com. Sets are 5 minutes. No hate speech or harassment will be tolerated. NOTE: Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test within 48 hours required on entry. A picture of your vaccination card is acceptable. Masks must be worn at all times in the venue when not actively eating or drinking, even if you are seated at a table.
January 5 through 29
Salem on the Edge presents featured artist Monte Shelton. “In my work, I think about the 4 elements, Earth, Fire, Water, and Air and how to represent them in this time of environmental transition and climate change. On a personal micro scale to recognize the changes impacting me, my neighborhood and region. How do I juxtapose and represent these events and experiences in my art, balanced with intention, the presence of beauty and at its best to convey a sense of awe for the natural world.” The gallery is located at 156 Liberty St. NE. For more information, visit https://salemontheedge.com/
January 6
Infinity Room’s Music and Poetry Open Mic takes place 8 to 10 p.m. January 6. Hosted by Brina Lorentz. Signup to take the stage by joining this Facebook group. Recurring on the first Thursday of the month. RSVP to this free event here. NOTE: Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test within 48 hours required on entry. A picture of your vaccination card is acceptable. Masks must be worn at all times in the venue when not actively eating or drinking, even if you are seated at a table. Thank you for helping to keep our staff and community safe.
January 7
The Salem Art Walk isn’t letting a little cold weather stop it! From 5 to 7 p.m. Friday throughout downtown Salem, gather your friends and enjoy local art & happenings for Downtown Salem’s First Friday Art Walk. Learn more here.
Check out Truth or Dare Live! at Infinity Room. It’s a comedy party game show where comedians reveal shocking truths and perform saucy dares. Hosted by Salem’s own Emma Jonas and features six comedians from around the Pacific Northwest. Doors open at 8 p.m., show at 9, January 7. Tickets are $15 in advance/ $20 at the door for this 21+ show. NOTE: Covid policy in place. Get your tickets here.
January 7 through 9
Mid-Valley Home Show returns to bring three days of all things home related to the Jackman Long Building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Check it out 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan 7; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan 8; and/or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan 9. Parking and admission are free. Learn more here.
January 8
Participate in Crosswalk Salem, an annual walk raising money for Victims of Violent Crimes in Marion 10 a.m. January 8. The walk is approximately 1.5 miles over relatively flat ground, beginning and ending at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. Event registration is $20 for adults and $15 for students, children 12 and younger are free. Beanie included with registration. Info: 503-409-2200.
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE, presents Mad Violet with Lojia 9 p.m. January 8. Mad Violet is a fly by the seat of your pants rock trio and Lojia is Salem’s premier progressive heavy metal. NOTE: Covid policy in place. Get your tickets here.
January 13
Experience Ace Stardust with Grimiss 8:30 p.m. January 13 at Infinity Room. Ace Stardust hails from Albany bringing straight rock ‘n’ roll with no chaser. Grimiss is a Portland rock duo that promises to melt your heart as well as your face. Powerful vocals from Tristina Bumgarner pair with elaborate arrangements created by Ryan Tippmann controlling multiple instruments create a huge sound from this duo. NOTE: Covid policy in place. Get your tickets here.
January 14 to February 26
ART | POETRY — The Salem Art Association (SAA), in collaboration with the Mid-Valley Poetry Society (MVPS), worked with seven pairs/groups of poets, visual artists and musicians to create collaborative works in residencies at the SAA Annex and other locations, shared their process with the public during their residency, and is brought together to share the work created in this exhibition.
Artwork by John Collins — John Collins is one of Oregon’s most imaginative and original artists working today! As a newborn baby, his small inked feet created a monoprint on his birth certificate and Collins has not stopped making art, or “seeing things differently”, since then. Completing his MFA at the California Institute of Art’s, Collins left the Los Angeles art scene to return to semi-rural Southern Oregon. Over the years his unique artwork, blending a range of art media and influences, has been exhibited in Oregon, Washington and California.
There will be an Opening Night Reception for both exhibitions Friday 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. January 14, 2022, at Salem Art Association. For more information, visit http://salemart.org/ (Reception Postponed)
January 15
Whose Live Anyway? is 90-minute escapade of improvised comedy and song based on audience suggestions featuring Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray are sure to leave you laughing as they invest witty scenes right before your eyes. And who knows, you may even end up on stage with them. The show takes place 7:30 p.m. January 15 at the Elsinore Theatre. Get tickets at elsinoretheatre.com
Spend an evening with DOUBLEPLUSGOOD and Erin Westfall 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan 15 at Infinity Room. DoublePlusGood is the long-running romantic pop project of Portlander Erik Carlson. Often known for his shimmering layers of production, Carlson has created a sound that beautifully combines melancholy crooner with dream pop textures. Backed by a four-piece band, audiences are transported to a 1960s era romance film where the protagonist can’t get enough jukebox slow jams. Erin Westfall is one of Salem’s own favorite alt-pop artists beautifully blending soaring melodies and soulful vocals with a refined sense of craft and style. NOTE: Covid policy in place. Get your tickets here.
January 19
Robert Meade will perform live music 6 p.m. January 19 at B2 Taphouse & Brewery, 1170 Boone Rd SE.
January 20
Take part in Phish Karaoke 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan 20 at Venti’s Cafe + Basement Bar. The evening features live acoustic Phish karaoke with Rob Sipsky. Know the lyrics to Cavern? Fluff’s Travels? Want to impress everyone with your version of Farmhouse? Come be the star! You sing while Rob plays. Sign-ups for songs start at 6:30 p.m. for this free, all-ages event.
Infinity Room presents comedian Travis Nelson, featuring Chase Mayers, 7 p.m. January 20. Travis Nelson’s act intertwines real experiences with absurd and imaginative meanderings, he invites the audience to escape into the sometimes dark but always lighthearted playground of his psyche. Chase Mayers has toured the country performing everywhere from bowling alleys to college campuses to thousand-seat theaters in over 30 states. Doors at 6:30 p.m. for this 18+ event. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door. NOTE: Covid policy in place. Purchase tickets here.
January 21
Check out Bad Girls Comedy! 9 p.m. January 21 at Infinity Room. Jane Malone’s guaranteed knockout show features some of the top comics in the Pacific Northwest. Wear your poncho ’cause it’s gonna get raunchy at this 21 and older event. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cost is $15 in advance/$20 at the door. NOTE: Covid policy in place. Get your tickets here.
Silverhill will perform live music 9 p.m. January 21 at The Triangle. Take in an evening of rock ‘n roll, blues, alt, funk and more.
January 21-22
First Taste Oregon has been postponed until April.
January 22
Rich Swanger and the Little Known Band is releasing a new album with a night of live music. The all-ages Record Release Show will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, January 22, at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE #150. Rich is a talented singer/songwriter with roots in folk, gospel and country-blues music. After starting a solo project, Seahorse, in the late 2000’s, he stepped from behind the moniker, connected with some of the inspiring musicians he had met over the years, and launched Rich Swanger & The Little Known Band, which transformed his quiet, folky originals into mystic Americana. The show also includes the Salem debut of Evan Thomas Way and The Phasers. Evan served as the primary singer/songwriter for Portland-via-Los Angeles folk-rock band The Parson Red Heads for 15 years. This is his 10 years in-the-making solo project. Tickets are $12 in advance. NOTE: Covid policy in place. Get your tickets here.
January 22 through March 26
Hallie Ford Museum of Art presents Arvie Smith: Scarecrow. Arvie Smith (American, born 1938) is a nationally recognized Portland, Oregon African American painter and professor emeritus from the Pacific Northwest College of Art who explores issues of race, identity, and systemic racism in his work. Hallie Ford Museum of Art is located at 700 State Street. For more information, call 503-370-6855 or click here.
January 23
Salem Symphonic Winds presents Concertango has been postponed until May 22, 2022.
January 26
The World Beat Gallery will feature Impressions of China January 26 through April 20, 2022. The exhibit will explore the culture of China through its music, clothing, traditions and more — from the Lunar New Year to life in China today. And this colorful and eye-catching display will include a multimedia element, too. The gallery will show a variety of specially made videos that explore China and Chinese culture. There will also be a number of events in conjunction with the exhibit, which we will share as soon as we know more about. The World Beat Gallery is a cultural exhibition space run by the Salem Multicultural Institute. It aims to keep the cultural conversation moving forward year-round. Exhibits are curated by community members to help reflect and share their culture. Explore the gallery at 390 Liberty St. SE. Info: 503-581-2004, salemmulticultural.org.
January 28
In a program of enchanting stories, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade showcases the power of the orchestra, weaving a famous Middle Eastern yarn with gorgeous and colorful melodies. Similarly, Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice tells a tale of sorcery and mayhem with brilliantly evocative music. 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 28 in Smith Auditorium at Willamette University. Get tickets at orsymphony.org
Varsity Vocals: International Competition of High School A Cappella has been canceled.
January 29
Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) has been canceled.
January 30
Wrap your weekend with Sunday Happy Hour Trivia 3 to 6 p.m. at Venti’s Cafe + Taphouse. Hosted by Ronan Baker in the heated outdoor patio, this all-ages welcome trivia includes a special happy hour menu. This month’s featured topic is Star Wars and TV Theme Songs.
Last Updated: Jan 20, 2022
