Things to do in March 2024

Here’s a look at what’s happening this March in Salem. 

March 1-23

Pentacle Theatre presents The Prom — Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever. Click here to read our Press Play feature story.
When: 7:30 p.m. March 1-2, 7-9, 13-16, 21-23 and 2 p.m. March 3, 10, 17 and 23. The March 13 show will benefit Children’s Educational Theatre
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW
Click here for tickets.

March 1

CreativiTee & Rofe Designs is celebrating five years and have an evening (5 to 8 p.m.) of fun in store for you including: 1859 Cider Co. (as kept alive by Divine Distillers) offering samples of cider, small treats made by Manna Bakery (sure to go quick, but they are just around the corner if you want more) and samples of For Bitter For Worse non-alcoholic cocktails, a Portland-based distillery. Plus, add a design to their CommuniTEE t-shirt and enter your name in their raffle bucket for your chance to win a variety of sweet CreativiTee merch. Additionally, as part of the Art Walk (see next entry), guest artist Angela of Encanto Creations will be in the shop.

The First Friday Art Walk aims to promote local businesses, emerging artists and engagement with our downtown community. Taking place from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, it is a free, leisurely opportunity to explore the heart of Salem and discover new shops, artwork, crafters and more. Each month includes a variety of different businesses offering specials, art to view, activities and more. Reinforcing the encouragement of participation, there is also a raffle. To take part, pick up a passport from any of the participating businesses and collect stamps from a number of locations. Then turn in your completed passport to enter a raffle to win a prize (usually a basket overflowing with items from all the participating businesses). Find all the details at facebook.com/SalemArtWalk. Sign up to The Playlist for a highlight of what’s happening for the Art Walk.

Brian Culbertson: The Trilogy Tour — Over the course of crafting a 25-album catalog and architecting nearly 40 Billboard No. 1 singles as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Brian Culbertson has charted his own unique course in music. Label him jazz and he makes a funk record. Call him an R&B artist and he drops an acoustic jazz trio collection. Brand him pop and he creates a 32-minute New Age opus. And you’d be hard-pressed to name another instrumentalist of his ilk who can mount an elaborately designed concert production that will keep him on the road for three consecutive months, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Elsinore Theatre. Cost: $39.50 to $69.50. Click here for tickets.

Jeremiah Coughlan is a comedian. A comedian who physically resembles what would happen if Chris Farley ate Bob Ross. His stage presence embodies some of the same traits. He is an imperfect mix of chaos and control. In what can seem paradoxical, Jeremiah carries a calm and contented demeanor into his high energy and surprisingly athletic stage performances. Although he still hasn’t figured out how to complete a painting in 30-minutes, 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Infinity Room. Cost is $15 in advance; $20 at the door for this 21 and older show. Click here for tickets.

March 2

All-Abilities Art Workshop with Living Studios — Make art, meet artists and learn more about Living Studios, an arts program that supports members of Salem’s neurodivergent community through two essential platforms: a facilitated studio space and social advocacy projects, each enabling and inspiring creative and innovative community outcomes. Facilitated by Jill R Baker, Living Studios artist-in-residence and art faculty at Linn-Benton Community College, and Salem-based artist, Paul Meuse, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in the Maribeth Collins lobby at Hallie Ford Museum of Art. Free.

Learn to paint with Western Rose Studios at Watercolors Made Easy. No experience is needed for this class, where you will learn to paint a watercolor rose. A line drawing of the rose and bud will be already on the watercolor paper and students only need to paint with watercolors. Instructor Elizabeth will demonstrate different watercolor painting techniques. All supplies provided.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2
Where: Chemeketa Cellars Tasting Room, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW
Cost: $45. Click here for tickets.

Adam Tiller is a standup comedian, podcaster, and writer based out of Everett, WA. Adam is the host of the “FADAM & FRIENDS” Podcast and Co-Creator of the Comic “The Adventures of Beefcake & Butterball.” Adam is a 2022 Semifinalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition, features regularly across the country for Comedians Dave Landau, Dan Soder, Big Jay Oakerson, and Brendan Schaub and is a paid regular at all the comedy clubs in the PNW, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at Infinity Room. Cost is $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Click here for tickets.

Improv After Dark — An adults-only improv show where anything goes! Infinity Room’s crack team of improvisers create scenes off the top of their heads inspired by audience suggestions and stories, online dating profiles, Craigslist posts and more, 9:30 p.m. at Infinity Room. Cost is $15 in advance; $20 at the door for this 21 and older show. Click here for tickets.

JFK covers all your rock favorites and more, 8 p.m. March 2 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $25. All ages. Click here for tickets. 

March 2, 9  & 16

Explore Hallie Ford Museum of Art with a free docent-guided Gallery Talk focusing on the Singular Visions exhibition, 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 12, 19 (guided by Jonathan Bucci) (and April 2, 9 and 16.)

March 2-3

18th Annual Salem Roadster Show is happening 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2 ant 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Admission is $15; Free for age 15 and younger. $5 parking. Learn more here.

Willamette Master Chorus presents Mass of the Children by John Rutter. The Willamette Master Chorus Youth Honor Choir will join the WMC along with the orchestra and soloists. Additional music will be offered to celebrate the children in our lives. Featuring soloists Catherine van der Salm, Soprano and Simon Staples, Baritone.
When: 3 p.m. March 2 and 3
Where: Hudson Hall at Willamette University
Cost: $27. Click here for tickets.

Salem Philharmonia Orchestra presents “Sounds of Nature,” directed by SPO Artistic Director, Jonathan DeBruyn, and featuring guest violin soloist, Anthea Kreston. The concerts begin with Johannes Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn, followed by Camille Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, both featuring Ms. Kreston. The concert finale is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony No. 6. Maestro DeBruyn’s preconcert talks begin 45 minutes before each concert.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3
Where: East Salem Community Center, 1850 45 Ave NE
Cost: $20 adult; $18 students 18-64 and seniors 65+); free for children/youth through age 17. Click here for tickets.

March 3

RiverCity Rock Star Academy’s Preview Show highlights all the school’s programs, 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the RiverCity Garage Stage. Free. All ages.

March 4

Join Cherry City Roller Derby. Thinking about trying roller derby? Want to meet new people and learn a new skill? Are you a skater or official transferring from another league? Are you a parent looking for a fun, active, and welcoming sport for your child ages 7 or older? If you answered yes to any of these questions and would like more information about joining roller derby, attend a free recruitment night to get your questions answered. Membership applications can be completed in advance or after the informational meeting.
When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 4 (recurring May 6 and July 1)
Where: The Mad House
Click here for more info.

March 6

You can be the star at Live Band Karaoke 7 to 10 p.m. March 6 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $10. All ages. Click here for tickets. Want to sign? Sign up here. Suggest a song for the band to play or choose from the song list here

March 7

Hear Broadway Our Way: A Musical Revue with Lindy & Greg Pendzick, 8 to 9:30 p.m. March 7 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $25. All ages. Click here for tickets.

March 8-10

Check out the Silver Falls Kennel Club All Breed Show to see all kinds of different breeds up close. From hunting to companionship, these dogs were developed for specific purposes. All the while you’ll be impressed with how much time and care goes into preparation for these dogs, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 8 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Click here for more info.

March 8

Get out and dance at the Céilí of the Valley Society’s Second Friday Céilí, featuring live music by Bob Soper, Channing Dodson, Elizabeth Nicholson & Zac Léger and dances called by Mary Lowes. No experience or partner is needed. There is a free dance lesson at 7:15 included with admission and live music from 8 to 11 p.m. If you can count to three and seven and move from place-to-place, this is for you. It’s a fun form of exercise. Bring water. Don’t like to dance? The music alone is worth every penny (and more!) PLUS, there will also be a raffle and silent auction to help support this local nonprofit cultural organization.
When: 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 8
Where: VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE
Cost:  $10; $5 student, $30 family. Click here for more info.

Oregon Symphony in Salem presents Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony and Violinist James Ehnes — Saint-Saëns unleashes the grandeur of the pipe organ in a symphony that embraces serenity and scales heights of euphoria. And Brahms’ Violin Concerto — from its pastoral opening to its boisterous finale — is flush with striking lyricism, making it the perfect vehicle for violinist James Ehnes’ “velvety sound and sensitivity” (New York Times), 7:30 p.m. March 8 at Smith Auditorium, Willamette University, 270 Winter St SE. Click here for tickets.

Experience Dueling Hobbits: An Evening of Dueling Pianos, 8 to 10 p.m. March 8 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $25. All ages. Click here for tickets.

March 9

It’s Open Barn at Briarwood Acres where you can meet and greet with alpacas and llamas plus special this month, make bird nesting balls, which you can take home, hang in your yard and watch birds use to make their spring nest with. Kits are available to purchase and make at home. Visit and feed the llamas and alpacas, shop in the farm store for a wide variety of alpaca clothing and gifts, and relax with a cup of hot cocoa at this family-friendly event. No pets, please.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Briarwood Acres, 4150 Briarwood St. NW
Cost: Free to attend event. Nesting ball kits are $15; alpaca/llama feed $5 first cup, $2.50 for additional cups. Donations welcomed to support animal care and future events.

Dry Bar Comedy LIVE returns to offer a night of clean “Comedy for Everyone,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Elsinore Theatre. Cost: $25 to $40. Click here for tickets.

Rock out with Nevermind [Nirvana Tribute] & Plush [Stone Temple Pilots], 8 to 10 p.m. March 9 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $30 Advance / $35 Day of Show. All ages. Click here for tickets.  

Live music featuring Mbrascatu (Folk Fusion from Portland), Scott Ryan Ingersoll (singer/songwriter from Spokane, WA ), and So Hum (singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from Eugene), 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at Infinity Room. Cost is $12 in advance; $15 at the door for this 21 and older show. Click here for tickets.

Cheer on the home team at the Tea Party Takedown: Junior Roller Derby Exhibition Bout. Dive down the rabbit hole for an Alice in Wonderland-themed junior roller derby bout like no other where the audience can alter gameplay. Dress in your Wonderland best for the costume contest.
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE
Cost: $10 entry (Children 5 & under free) Click here for tickets.

Grace Goudy Distinguished Artist Series presents Jeffrey Kahane & Gabriel Kahane — In their first joint recital in a decade, father and son Jeffrey and Gabriel Kahane trace their musical roots through a song-obsessed program spanning five centuries. This evening will include solo piano works by J.S. Bach, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Duke Ellington, among others, as well as songs by Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Tracy Chapman, Connie Converse, Jerome Kern, and Gabriel Kahane. The performance will culminate in the Oregon premiere of “Final Privacy Song”, a sprawling meditation on a climate crisis and surveillance, composed by the younger Kahane on a text by acclaimed poet Matthew Zapruder.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Hudson Concert Hall at Willamette University
Cost: $25. Click here for tickets.

Take in Tunes in the Tasting Room with Zach Abbe, 2 to 5 p.m. March 9 at Zenith Vineyard, 5657 Zena Road NW.

March 9-10

MeWe FAIR + Moth and Flame — connect with 50 readers, healers and vendors plus 25 talks at this metaphysics and wellness fair and gem show.
When: March 9 and 10
Where: Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, 2330 17th St NE
Cost: $5 each day. Kids 13 and younger are free. Free parking. Click here to learn more.

March 10

Camerata Musica hosts a Scholarship Benefit Concert featuring Cherry City Quartet, Dan Rouslin and Anita King, Georgienne Young and more, 2:30 p.m. March 10 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 5090 Center St NE.

The Bike Peddler, 174 Commercial St NE, is hosting a Suspension Clinic, 4:30 to 6 p.m. March 10. The shop’s expert mechanics will walk attendees through the basics of mountain bike suspension systems, clearly and expertly explaining how they work and how to adjust them. This free class is open to all and perfect both for beginners and for folks with intermediate knowledge of bike mechanics. Plus, Origin Story Coffee will be selling coffee drinks during the event. Questions? Call the shop at (503) 399-7741

Step back in time with Confluence LGBT Chorus to the funky soul sounds of Motown! Tap your feet and jive along with music from legendary greats such as The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson Five, and more.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8
Where: First Congregational UCC, 700 Marion St. NE
Cost: $20. Free for children 12 and younger. No one turned away due to lack of funds.
Click here for tickets.

Xicha Brewing hosts Brindar [breen-dahr] Food + Beer Pairing — it’s final for the season — with a focus on and celebrating the cuisines from Brazil. Head brewer Charlie Van Meter has collaborated with Chef Ricardo Antunez to creatively pair each dish to a complementing beer brewed in-house.
When: 6 p.m. March 10
Where: Xicha North Salem, 2195 Hyacinth St NE #162
Cost: $65  includes 5-course meal and 5 beer pairings. Tickets are limited, reserve your seats now here.
Must be 21 or over to attend.

March 13

Epilogue Birthday (sort of) Dinner — Epilogue Kitchen & Cocktails is five and celebrating the milestone with Illahe Vineyards,6 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at 508 State St. Cost: $130 per person. Click here for tickets

March 14

Todd Royce — Fans of the popular Kill Tony podcast may recognize Todd Royce as the 4th comic ever to be given a Golden Ticket by host Tony Hinchcliffe, 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14 at Infinity Room. Cost is $15 in advance; $20 at the door for this 18 and older show. Get tickets here.

Winemaker’s Dinner — The Cozy Taberna and Zenith Vineyard will present a six-course meal that has been thoughtfully paired with complementary wines, enhancing the flavors and creating a truly unforgettable dining experience, 5 p.m. March 14, at The Cozy Taberna. Cost: $165. Age 21 and older. Note: for guests with mobility issues, this event is being held on the restaurant’s lower lounge and is only accessible by stairs. Click here for more info and reservations.

March 15

She’s Speaking LIVE: A Concert Celebrating Women Songwriters — Eight phenomenal Oregon women songwriters take the stage for a night of songs by women, about women, for everyone. Backed by a killer band, they’ll share their artistry and voices, paying tribute to some of their musical heroes. This inspiring collaboration will touch your heart, lift your spirits, and get your toes tapping. Featuring Arietta Ward, Kristen Grainger, Naomi LaViolette, Liz Chibucos, Lisa Mann, Bre Gregg, LaRhonda Steele and Beth Wood, 8 p.m. March 15 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Click here for tickets.

Celebrate Rhythm & Flow’s First Anniversary with a live show featuring Seattle’s own iLL Chris, 9 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE #150. TIckets are $12 to $20 for this 18 and older event. Click here for tickets.

March 16

Dress in green and join the Ceili of the Valley Society’s St. Patrick’s Walk-About in downtown Salem. Led by Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums, we gather in front of the Riverfront Carousel at 11:30 and begin walking around the park and into the downtown at noon. The walk lasts about an hour. The walk-about ends back at the Carousel for a photo. Everyone is welcome!

A Very Beethoven Afternoon — Hear a program of chamber music by Ludwig Van Beethoven including the Piano Trio Opus 1, No. 1 performed by Anita King, piano, Dan Rouslin, violin and Georgienne Young, cello. Plus, The Deepwood String Quartet with members Julie Rundquist and Laura Owens playing violin, Cathy Heithaus, viola and Georgienne Young, cello will perform the String Quartet Opus 18, No. 2.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, 5090 Center St NE
Cost: Donations will be accepted at the door.

Bo Johnson Comedy Night — Seattle comedian Bo Johnson can be found headlining clubs, breweries, and appropriately sized theaters across the United States and Canada. His stand-up has been featured on Netflix is a Joke Radio, season two of Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City on Comedy Central, Don’t Tell Comedy Secret Sets, & LOL Live! at the prestigious Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal. He was a finalist in the 39th annual Seattle International Comedy Competition and is a regular at festivals including Bumbershoot, SF Sketchfest, the Double Down Comedy Experience sponsored by Zappos, Life is Beautiful in Las Vegas, Rifflandia in Victoria BC, Prizefest, and Big Pine Comedy Festival in Phoenix. The show features Neeraj Srinivasan.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: Chemeketa Community College Theatre Auditorium, Building 6, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE
Cost: $10 to $20. Click here for tickets.

Take in an intimate musical journey with singer/songwriter Freddy Trujillo, a singer/songwriter/bassist who hails from Simi Valley, CA. He grew up in a highly musical family. Fred Sr. sang and played guitar in various groups, including The Beethovens, an all-Chicano beat combo who gigged all over the southland during the great garage-rock boom of the mid-1960s. Sister A’me Loraine scored two top ten dance hits in the early 90s. Freddy himself played with Pat Smear (Nirvana, Germs) and many other local L.A. acts during the explosion of punk/alternative music that hit L.A. in the 80s and 90s, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at the historic Bush House Museum. Very limited capacity. Free. Click here for tickets.

Equinox in the Eola-Amity Hills — After a decade-long hiatus, this distinguished wine and food event is set to make a spectacular comeback to bring you an evening of exceptional wines, fine local cuisine, and an immersive celebration of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. This exclusive gathering promises an intimate experience where you’ll engage with winemakers, winery owners, vineyard stewards, and fellow enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in a vibrant ode to our region’s rich terroir and the artistry of its winemakers. Over thirty exceptional wineries and local restaurants will make this an unforgettable evening of great wines and fine local cuisine.
When: 7 to 10 p.m. March 16
Where: Zenith Vineyard, 5657 Zena Rd NW
Cost: $125.00 Early Entrance (6 PM), $75.00 Regular Admission (7 PM). Click here for tickets.​

The third Saturday of March is Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol. Celebrate Spring, the blossoming cherry trees in the Capitol Mall and the impact of the Japanese culture on our state. We will be celebrating on the Capitol Mall with booths, activities and performances from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Ty Curtis with special guests The Eric Lovre Band, 8 p.m. March 16 at The Bad Space. $10 in advance; $16 at the door. 21 and older. Click here for tickets.

March 17

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most sought-after big band in the world today for both concert and dance engagements. Still considered the greatest band of all time, its unique sound is loved by almost anybody who cares for dance music, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17 at Elsinore Theatre. Cost: $39 to $69. Click here for tickets.

Potatoe Famine with special guests The Seditionists, 7 p.m. March 17 at The Dehn, 157 Commercial St SE. Free

Fête des Femmes — Willamette’s Music program presents its third annual International Women’s Month concert. Performing music from across the centuries and the globe, classical pieces to modern musicals, we celebrate the unique voices that have paved the path for future women artists. Special features this year include Irish female composers – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17
Where: Hudson Hall, Rogers Music Center at Willamette University
Cost: $9 to $15. Click here for tickets.

Hear the Salem Pops Orchestra for Welcome Spring and the Wearing of the Green, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17 at the East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave NE. Cost: $10 to $20. Click here for tickets.

March 18

Food Preservation: Intro to Pressure Canning — Master the art of safe canning with the OSU Extension Master Food Preservers during this hands-on workshop on processing low-acid foods, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. p.m. March 18 at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE. Cost is $60. Phone: (503) 585-7012

March 19 

Listen to the University Chamber Orchestra and Friends with Dr. Qinqing Qian, Director, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 in Hudson Concert Hall. Free performance. All are welcome.

March 21

Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2024 features eight new short films that showcase the inspiring journeys of remarkable women who have fearlessly pursued adventure in various fields, 7:30 p.m. March 21 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $7. Click here for tickets.

March 22

Stars Of The Voice — Experience an intimate and one-night-only performance from the stars of Season 24 of “The Voice” including Oregon’s own Jacquie Roar and two other top 9 contestants: Bias and Nini Iris, 8 p.m. March 22 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $75. Click here for tickets.

March 22-24

Find it all at the Yard, Garden & Home Show — from new and innovative products and services to the latest in outdoor living, gardening trends, design ideas, rolls and more, March 22 to March 24 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Click here for more info.

March 23

Have a Fairytale Brunch at the Carousel with The Frog Princess herself! She will entertain guests, guide the kids through a craft and carousel rides! A brunch buffet will be served. Two sessions: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. Cost $35 per person. Children ages 2 and younger are free (if sitting on adults lap). Children must have an adult accompany them and that adult must have a paid admission. Click here to purchase tickets.

Jo Dodge’s 2024 Spring Acting Workshop begins March 23. Join skilled director and actress Jo Dodge in a fun, hands-on 11-week theater workshop exploring the human spirit. Students participate in improvisation and scene work in a safe, supportive, and non-competitive environment. The focus is on individual self-development. This workshop is for all skill levels, from beginners to the most experienced. You must be 18 years of age to attend the classes. Find greater confidence in yourself on and off the stage! The course runs every Saturday for 11 weeks from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning March 23, at Pentacle’s downtown rehearsal space, 197 Liberty St SE. $105. Register here.

Led Zepagain is the longest-standing tribute to “the world’s greatest band,” replicating the ultimate Led Zeppelin experience. Jimmy Page says, “It’s as close as you’ll ever get to the real deal”. From the high-energy electric classics to the beautiful acoustic works, you will be mesmerized as Led Zepagain resurrects Page’s soaring guitar leads, Jones’ brilliant keyboard passages, Bonham’s trademark pounding rhythms and the signature Robert Plant vocals, 7:30 p.m. March 23, at Elsinore Theatre. Cost: $32.50, $42.50 and $52.50. Click here for tickets.

Mary Flower with The BBQ Boys —  Enjoy an evening with award-winning picker and songwriter Mary Flower, accompanied by the 4-piece jazz, blues and jug band, The BBQ Boys, 8 p.m. March 23 at Salem’s Historic Grand. $25. Click here for tickets.

Build a Bar with Chomp Chocolate during this special Easter version of their popular event. Bonus: they have upgrades to jumbo-sized bars and upgraded equipment to insert toppings inside the bar…so you can have up to 9 toppings.
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23
Where: Chomp! Chocolate Factory. 2195 Hyacinth ST NE #134
Cost: $20 a bar. Buy a ticket for every bar your group will make. The price includes bar and wrapper.
Preregistration required. Click here to register.

Live music featuring Alamance (Metalcore from Eugene, OR), What Haunts You (Post Hardcore from Portland, OR), and Humaneyes (Alternative Rock from Portland, OR), 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE #150. Doors open at 7 p.m. $12 in advance; $15 at the door. Get tickets here.

Reggae Spring Festival, March 23, at The Yard Food Park, 4106 State St

March 24

Delgani String Quartet presents String Circle featuring composer and violist Kenji Bunch on his own string quintet: a love letter to American fiddle, folk, and popular music. The program opens with a joyous late quartet by Haydn, and Bunch returns to the stage in the second half for Brahms’s first Viola Quintet, one of the composer’s most richly beautiful works for strings, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Tickets are $30 adult; $5 students and free for children 12 and younger. Click here to purchase.

Salem Symphonic Winds presents The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam — Take a musical journey to the Middle East featuring the world premiere of a band arrangement of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Alan Hovhaness in a concert that will celebrate the cultures and histories of several regions of the Middle East. The program will also include works by Verdi, Massenet, Korngold, Giroux, Jarre, Reed, and de Meij, showcasing the diversity and richness of the musical traditions of the region.
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24
Where: Rose Auditorium, South Salem High School, 700 Howard St
Cost: $5 to $25. Click here for tickets.

Take in a one-night-only screening of Monument, followed by Q&A with filmmaker Michael Turner. Filmmaker Michael Turner brings us on a deeply personal journey as he documents his first visit to a memorial dedicated to his family members who perished at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The memorial was created by his grandmother, a Hungarian Jew, in memory of her beloved parents and sister, as a powerful reminder of the enduring and heartbreaking legacy of the Holocaust. MONUMENT seamlessly weaves together an intimate family story with ongoing discussions examining memory preservation through monuments and memorials, as well as the dissemination of history in public spaces. As Michael and his camera travel from Budapest into the Hungarian countryside, retracing his grandmother’s roots and the Jewish community’s tenuous existence, they reveal a Jewish population living in a delicate balance between hiding and survival. Through visits to basement archives and makeshift synagogues, we’re introduced to Hungarians from diverse faiths and backgrounds who are dedicated to safeguarding this cultural memory. The result is a profoundly moving and poetic account of a familial bond and shared commitment to preserving their collective memory.
When: 6 p.m. Sunday, March 24
Where: Salem Cinema.
Cost: $11 in advance; $14 day of show. Click here for tickets.

March 25

March 29

Soul of Wit Productions presents a night of comedy with Phillip Kopczynski and Carl Lee, 7:30 p.m. March 29 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $20 to $45. Click here for tickets. Show is all ages but not clean. VIP available.

March 30

Traveling Wheelz and Cherry City Roller Derby host two All ages Open Skate events.
When: 3 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 30
Where: The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE
Early ticket here. Late tickets here.

Jun Lida: Evergreen Tour — Trumpeter, composer, educator, and recording artist Jun Iida (Joon Ee-da) has quickly established himself

as a highly sought-after musician. A recording and performing artist, Iida has performed extensively throughout the U.S. at notable jazz clubs, theaters, and festivals with his sextet and as a sideman.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where Christo’s Pizzeria & Lounge, 1108 Broadway St NE
Cost: $20. Click here for tickets.

Women of the Blues — Award-winning performers and bands Joanne Broh Band featuring Garry Meziere plus Northwest Women Rhythm & Blues, 7 p.m. March 30 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. $20. Click here for tickets. 

Dylan Santiago will play soulful tunes 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Coria Estates.

Easter is happening 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at Salem Center where families can get their photo taken and take part in an egg hunt, too.

Fridays

Discover Chemeketa’s Planetarium — Although Oregon may not be in the path of the next “great American eclipse,” occurring on April 8, that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the night sky and you can do so through the Chemeketa Community College Planetarium Star show. The planetarium show, “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed,” will take you on a journey through the historical and cultural view of eclipses, the geometry that permits them to occur and safety hints on how to see the rare event. An introduction to the night sky over Salem highlighting activities for of season is included.
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 1, 8, 15
Where: Chemeketa Planetarium, Building 2, Room 171 at Chemeketa Community College. Park in the blue parking lot.
Cost: $5 adult; $4 students. Tickets are available for purchase at the door 15 minutes before showtime. Cash only. Click here for information.

PS —
We’re working on a new calendar to better serve our community, but it takes time and money. Want to help? Click here. Every bit is appreciated!