The InstigatorHi Hi July! Here’s a look ahead of what’s happening this month …
Looking for live music? Check out this Press Play story about the “Sounds of Summer” (There’s lots happening in July)
Every Tuesday
Tour the Elsinore — After more than a year shuttered, the Elsinore is back! Explore behind-the-scenes at the Elsinore Theatre. Hear about her history, her artwork, her creation and her current events in this guided tour, which concludes with a performance on the Mighty Wurlitzer – the largest theatre organ in the pacific northwest. Cost is $10. Call 503-375-3574 to reserve your spot and pay at the door when you arrive.
Through July 25
Catch the Salem Sketchers Show at the Art Department Concrete Gallery. The Salem Sketchers are a group of artists who meet monthly to draw and support one another in various places in the city. Artists vary in skill, style, and medium but share a love of making art. On display through July 25.
Through July 31
Salem On the Edge Art Gallery features a Group Show with 11 guest artists (Jon Colburn, Matt Eichstaedt, Katie Jean Gilmour, Samuel Hoskins, Benjamin Mah, Michael Martin, Ruth Orschel, Karina Riebel, Monte Shelton and Emily Sweet) showing alongside its primary artists who are: Seth Allen, David George Andersen, Joshua Blue, Stephanie Brockway, Elizabeth Bauman, Dayna Collins, Bonnie Hull, Aron Michael Johnston, Katia Kyte, Rebecca Mannheimer, Susan Napack, Sarah Sedwick, Nora Sherwood, Christopher St. John, Melanie Weston, Matthew Shoki Tanabe. Learn more at salemontheedge.com
July 2
The First Friday Art Walk takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 2, the monthly event encourages people to go downtown and visit a handful of local businesses to view art, shop, snack and more. There is also an opportunity for those who participate to win a raffle by completing a passport. Click here to learn more.
July 3
Salem Poetry Project hosts Poetry on the Lawn 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 3 at Our Saviors Luthern Church, 1770 Baxter Road SE (where there is a stage for outdoor events such as this). Everyone is invited. Bring a chair, sunscreen and water. The day begins with a Poetry Workshop with Jim Merrill at 10 a.m. followed by readers Vere McCarthy (11 a.m.), Arturo Sarmiento (11:30 a.m.) Lunch and open mic (12 p.m.), David Jeffers (1 p.m.), Doug Stone (1:30 p.m.), Merry Clarkster (2 p.m.), Carol Hottle and Amalie Hill (2:30 p.m.), Clem Starck (3 p.m.) and Marc Janssen (3:30 p.m.). For more information click here.
Salem Art Association hosts a Community Art Exhibition Opening for Respect Existence or Expect Resistance 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 3, at the Bush Barn Art Center. Respect Existence or Expect Resistance is an art exhibition honoring Black, Indigenous, and artists of Color (BIPoC) in Oregon organized by Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS) in partnership with SAA. The purpose of this exhibition is to give community members the opportunity to showcase what empowerment means to them through their artwork. The artwork exhibited will portray the meaning of self-love, self-care, healing, spirituality, community organizing, resistance, survival and more. Youth organizers from LUS will also be making their own personal contributions to the exhibition, including through murals in the Annex. The month-long exhibition will consist of an open house with an artists’ panel, an open mic event with live art, and a social justice panel.
Beginning July 6
Salem Public Library reopens July 6 at its temporary Broadway location at 1400 Broadway St NE. Services will include browsing, limited public computer and printing, holds pickup, and library cards. Open hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
July 8 through 11
In partnership with Enlightened Theatrics, The Broadway Dreams Summer Intensive returns July 8 through 11. Students will train in voice, acting and dancing with Spencer Liff of So You Think You Can Dance plus Ryann Redmond and Noah Ricketts of Disney’s Frozen: The Musical. The program wraps with two performances on Sunday, July 11. Learn more about all programs and opportunities at enlightenedtheatrics.org.
July 9 through 11
Marion County Fair at the Oregon State Fairgrounds returns July 9 through 11. Welcoming back an in-person event, you will find entertainment galore ranging from live music and comedy to dog demos and puzzlemania. Plus it wouldn’t be the county fair without the 4H-FFA Barns, strolling entertainment and the funtastic carnival. Buy tickets in advance for a discount. Learn more at https://marioncountyfair.net/
July 10
Put on your dancing shoes (or just listen to the live music) at the July Ceili Mor 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10, under the covered area at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School. No partner or experience is needed for this social dance hosted by the Ceili of the Society and featuring live music by Preston Howard Wilde and Conor O’Bryan and dances called by Elisa Chandler. Everyone is welcome! Bring a chair and water! Facilities will be available. Cost is $10. Learn more at ceiliofthevalley.org
July 10 and 24
Visit Gaiety Hollow, the historic home, garden, and studio of the landscape designers Lord & Schryver at 545 Mission St. SE, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 10 or 24 for a self-guided garden tour. Learn more at www.lordschryver.org
July 15 through 18
Theatre 33’s virtual-hybrid summer season continues July 15 through 18 with Unbuttoning Virginia by Nora Douglass.
Unbuttoning Virginia is a comedy about dying. A woman near the end of her life finds her voice and takes on the machinations of an absurd and indifferent medical bureaucracy with the help of an imaginary friend. But while Virginia readies herself to permanently exit, she discovers her estranged children have other ideas and finds she must weigh her own wishes against those who love her and whom she loves. Teetering between comic satire and family drama, the play is a journey of discovery, reconnection and reconciliation for a woman who thought her life was over.
To watch the performances, register to attend (here). You must RSVP before the broadcast day. You will receive a viewing link and information prior to the show. Admission is by donation to accommodate youth and lower-income patrons. The recommendation is $10 per show. Learn more about Theatre 33 in our Press Play Salem feature story.
July 16 & 17
Mission Street Parks Conservancy is hosting a Benefit Plant Sale and Fair 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17 at Bush’s Pasture Park near the parking lot behind Bush House (off High Street). The sale features local expert growers with a wide selection of wonderful plants suitable for the Willamette Valley; expert talks on using fresh herbs in the kitchen, drying flowers and other plants, and herb gardening and build-your-own succulent planter with plants, soil, and containers for purchase. Plus on Saturday, a children’s art and planting event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more here.
July 16 through 25
July 17
Rust-O-Rama returns to the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 17. Organized by Cherry City Bombers Car Club, this show features hot rods, rat rods, customs and more, plus a swap meet and live music. Cost is $5 per walk-in (young kids are free) and $20 per car (comes with 2 adult passes, additional adults in the car are $5 each) Entry only at the Yellow gate on Silverton Road. Cars can start coming in at 8 a.m.; general public admission starts at 9 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Explore the Fordyce Farm Artisan’s Festival featuring artists, crafters, trades-folk, and musicians from Salem and surrounding areas with everything from paintings and planters to quilts, blankets, antiques and more. There will also be live metalworking forge demonstrations, plus live music from 10 to 11 a.m. from Silverwind String Quartet and 1 to 2:30 p.m. with Jazz Ensemble. Traveling Taphouse will be serving 12 to 4 p.m. and food will be available for purchase. The festival takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 17 at 7023 Sunnyview Road NE.
Rock out at MIG Fest a punk and ska show featuring live music by The Bandulus (PDX), Jeshua Marshall (of Larry and His Flask) (Bend), Fake News (PDX) and Hot Sheets (Salem) 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 17 at Minto Island Growers. Food and drink available for purchase. Tickets are $20 and available here.
Celebrate Your Inner Child at Gilbert House for Grown-Ups 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 17 where you can unwind and have some Gilbert House fun with the added benefit of adult beverages. Enjoy indoor and outdoor entertainment, free eats and beer/wine/cider available for purchase at 116 Marion St NE. Cost is $15. Get your ticket here.
July 18
Day four of the Kickin Cancer Festival takes place in Salem. Take the Hill is an Evening of Music and Food at Hidden Lake Ranch, 9663 Jackson Hill Rd SE. Free to the public (with food available for purchase.) Kicking-Cancer.org is a local nonprofit with a mission to empower individuals to take control of their own bodies. In an effort to gain social support, reduce your stress through fun activities, get better rest after the activities, do some movement and eat REAL food the KickinCancer festival was organized. There are 4 days and several ways to get involved. Learn more at www.kicking-cancer.org/events/kickincancer-festival/
July 24
We Three “Breakout of the Pandemic” — After more than 14 months of lockdown, McMinnville pop trio We Three will take to the Elsinore Theatre stage for their first new concert since the beginning of the pandemic. New songs, a state-of-the-art light show, and all the old favorites all will be released with an energy not seen for months. Catch the show at 8 p.m. July 24 at the Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. Doors open at 7 p.m. Click here for tickets.
PLUS…
HALLIE FORD MUSEUM OF ART
Hallie Ford Museum is the only liberal arts college art museum in the Northwest. Timed entry tickets are available and encouraged as the museum is limited to 45 visitors at a time. Reserve your ticket here. Walk-in entry may be accommodated based on availability and capacity.
Current exhibits include:
- Dale Chihuly: Cylinders, Macchia, and Venetians from the George R. Stroemple Collection (through Aug 28)
- Gold of the Caliphs: Medieval Islamic Coins from the Gary Leiser Collection of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art (through August 14)
- Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts Biennial: Part II (through August 14)
- In Dialogue: Diego Rivera (through March 31, 2022)
The museum is open 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Check the website here for the most current updates.
SALEM ART ASSOCIATION
After being closed since early 2020, Salem Art Association at Bush Barn Art Center at 600 Mission St. SE, is slowly reopening. Visit the center 12 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in July. SAA anticipates slowly increasing hours as the months progress. Check the SAA website for updates to the schedule. Visitors are requested to wear masks and maintain social distancing when enjoying the art in the galleries. There is no charge to visit, but donations are always accepted. For more information, call 503-581‑2228 or visit salemart.org.
July 1 through 31
Salem Salon “Better Together” — The Salem Salon returns! This non-juried, community art exhibition that includes artists from Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties is one of SAA’s most popular exhibitions, and this year it includes a special ‘Youth Art’ section to encourage artists between the ages of 15 and 20. Virtual awards and tour 12 p.m. Saturday, July 17 on the SAA website.
Respect Existence or Expect Resistance is an art exhibition honoring Black, Indigenous, and artists of Color (BIPoC) in Oregon organized by Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS) in partnership with SAA. The purpose of this exhibition is to give community members the opportunity to showcase what empowerment means to them through their artwork. The artwork exhibited will portray the meaning of self-love, self-care, healing, spirituality, community organizing, resistance, survival and more. Youth organizers from LUS will also be making their own personal contributions to the exhibition, including through murals in the Annex. The month-long exhibition will consist of an open house with an artists’ panel, an open mic event with live art, and a social justice panel.
About LUS: Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS) is a youth-of-color led Salem-based organization working towards the educational, cultural and political development of youth. LUS supports the empowerment of youth through leadership development and grassroots organizing while fighting against institutional oppression.
July 1 through 15
Artist in Residence | Katie Gilmour: This Changes Everything (This Changes Nothing) — Juggling three different processes (collage, watercolor drawings, and cut-wood pieces that she calls her “Wall Drawings,” Katie plays around with silhouetting, patterning, geometric design qualities and symmetry. Watch her exploration of art unfold at The Annex.
July 16 through 25
Virtual Salem Art Fair & Festival — In the interest of keeping artists and community members safe, and because of the anticipated continued restrictions on large festival gatherings due to Covid-19, the 72nd annual Salem Art Fair & Festival returns as a virtual event with opportunities for online shopping of local and national artists, entertainment, demonstrations, and more. Keep an eye on the SAA website for updates.
