Halloween may be over, but Salem isn’t taking a hiatus from having a good time. Theater performances, vendor markets and cultural celebrations are just a few of the events on tap for this weekend.
This is your guide to events for Thursday, Nov. 2, through Sunday, Nov. 5.
Catch a live show
The Elsinore Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 2, will host an evening of storytelling by punk rock titan Henry Rollins as part of his tour, “Good to See You.”
Rollins is a singer, poet, monologist and publisher best known for being the lead vocalist of the Los Angeles band Black Flag, which “made him one of the most recognizable faces in the 1980s punk scene,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
“Henry will faithfully recount the events of his life in the brief pre-COVID period since the last tour and when things got even stranger over the last several months. It’s been an interesting time to say the least and he’s got some great stories to tell,” an event listing said.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. The theater is located at 170 High St. S.E.
Tickets are $35-$45. There are also limited VIP tickets for $165, which include a reserved seat in the first 10 rows, a meet-and-greet, a photograph with Rollins, an intimate post-show Q&A and an autographed laminate.
Also this weekend, North Salem High School Theatre will perform its rendition of the classic musical “Chicago.”
“In roaring twenties Chicago, aspiring night club performer Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap… until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another ‘Merry Murderess,’ Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the ‘American Dream’: fame, fortune, and acquittal,” according to an event listing.
Most language and sexual references have been removed from the performance, but the show is recommended for ages 13 and older.
This weekend’s performances are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for adults. They can be bought online.
Grammy-winning vocal band Roomful of Teeth is set to perform this weekend as part of Chemeketa Community College’s Acclaimed Artist Series.
The band is “dedicated to reimagining the expressive potential of the human voice,” an event listing said. “By engaging collaboratively with artists, thinkers, and community leaders from around the world, the group seeks to uplift and amplify voices old and new while creating and performing meaningful and adventurous music.”
The show takes place Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Chemeketa’s College Theatre Auditorium, 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E., Building 6. Tickets are $15-30 and can be bought online.
Xicha Brewing North is also hosting Latino Comedy Night on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m.
The show is intended for people 18 and older. The brewpub is located at 2195 Hyacinth St. N.E. #162.
Celebrate Día de Muertos
El Ranchero Market on Thursday is hosting After Hours: Noche de Muertos, or “night of the dead.”
Expect a live DJ as well as a special food and drink menu. Those who wear a costume will get to participate in a raffle.
The event is scheduled for 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
You can also celebrate Día de Muertos at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 4. The holiday honors ancestors and relatives who have died.
The free event scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. will include music and traditional dances, activities, a community altar and raffles.
The school is located at 2440 Lancaster Dr. N.E.
Quilts for show and sale
You can help a Salem nonprofit by buying a quilt at this weekend’s Quiltopia Quilt Show at the Mill.
The annual event is themed “Sew Happy Together” and is a fundraiser for Helping Hands Resources.
“This year’s show features our special guest artist, Erica Jackman of Kitchen Table Quilting as well as quilts for show and sale, a plethora of vendors, our raffle Quilt & self-care kit raffle plus the Re-Stash Boutique and demonstrations as well as quilt-related activities in the community,” an event listing said.
The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. S.E.
Tickets are $7 and can be bought in person at the show. More information is available online.
Buy early Christmas gifts, artisan products and fresh produce
The Fussy Duck, 3170 Commercial St. S.E., will feature gifts and home goods from 200 local small businesses at its 13th Annual Christmas Open House.
“A great opportunity to shop for gifts while browsing Christmas decorations, handmade goods, vintage items, antiques, home decor, candles and more,” an event listing said.
The open house is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Every Saturday through mid-March, Wavra Farms in southeast Salem will also host its Indoor Winter Market with over 30 rotating vendors.
“Our greenhouses transform into an Indoor Farmer’s Marketplace. Vendors have been invited to sell what they make, grow, or raise,” an event listing said.
The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The West Salem Artisan Market is also back this Saturday, intended to “support and empower emerging artists focusing on people from historically marginalized communities,” according to an event listing.
The market hosts rotating vendors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of each month at At The Corner Art Gallery & Community Creative Space, 1105 Edgewater St. S.W.
Home brewing
Ever wanted to brew your own beer?
Watch a brew demo while sipping coffee and snacking on donut holes on Saturday, Nov. 4, in celebration of National Learn to Home Brew Day.
The event starts at 11 a.m. at Salem Brew Supply, 2951 22nd St. S.E.
Roller skating
Traveling Wheelz is hosting two open skate events for all ages.
Those who attend are encouraged to dress as their favorite character. People can bring their own skates or rent them for $5 from Traveling Wheelz.
Tickets are $10. Register online for the first session, 4-6:30 p.m., or the second session, 7:30-10 p.m..
They will be held at the Madhouse, 1335 Madison St. N.E. Find more information online.
For the kids
An early literacy program, Discovery Kids Preschool Adventures, takes place on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. S.E.
“Children ages 3-5 and their grown-ups are invited to share a story and art or science fun,” an event listing said.
Sign-ups are recommended and can be done online.
Cultural events
The Career Technical Education Center will host its annual American Indian Alaska Native Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 5-8 p.m.
The event will feature Sten Joddi, a hip-hop artist and actor known for his role on the Indigenous series Reservation Dogs, as well as acclaimed Native author James Bird, who will host a writing workshop for students starting at 3:30 p.m., according to an event listing.
CTEC is located at 3501 Portland Rd. N.E. You can RSVP online.
The nonprofit Indo U.S. Friendship Organization, better known as INDUS, will host its Hindu festival of lights on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Salem’s Diwali celebration will be a family event with Indian dance, music and food.
The event is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Blanchet Catholic School, 4373 Market St. N.E. Tickets are available online for $25, or $15 for kids ages 5-12 and adults over 60.
CORRECTION: Diwali was originally misspelled in the headline of this story. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error. The story has also been updated to remove a reference to the Monthly Lego Party for Kids, which has been moved to Nov. 18.
Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.
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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
