Whether you’re a quilter, a classic car enthusiast or just want to relax and laugh this weekend, Salem has plenty going on. Here’s your guide to events in Salem for Friday, Feb. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 18.
Hot rods and motorcycles
An invitational bike show, track racing and live music are part of a weekend-long celebration of motorcycles and classic cars at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. The Cherry City Classic runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. N.E. Single-day tickets start at $20. See a schedule here and buy advance tickets here.
Live music
High school students perform in the Salem-Keizer School District’s All-City Concert from 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday in the Rose Auditorium at South Salem High School, 700 Howard St. S.E. Free and open to the public. See a calendar of upcoming school music events here.
90s tribute band Schwing performs at the Yard Food Park, 4106 State St., from 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Grab food from one of the surrounding food carts and enjoy drinks at the indoor bar. “From grunge to pop, indie to Americana, punk to rap-rock, this band will transport you back to a time when alternative music ruled the airwaves,” the event says. All ages, no cover listed.
A Friday show at the Grand Theatre is for country music fans. The Grand Oregon Opry features Jake & The Hill People, Whip Wilson and Bailey Heide. The show is 8 p.m. at the theater, 191 High St. N.E. Tickets $10, all ages.
Basketball expo
The Salem Capitals kick off their third season of professional basketball with an expo game Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Salem Armory, 2310 17th St. N.E.
The game pits players against each other to determine roster spots. Students get in free with ID, as do younger kids who don’t have identification. Adults can buy tickets online for $6. Learn more or get tickets here.
Quality quilts
The Oregon Quilt Festival runs Thursday through Saturday in Columbia Hall at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, 2330 17th St. N.E. The festival will have more than 300 quilts on display and for purchase, along with vendors, classes and special events.
The festival runs Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission $12 or $30 for a weekend pass, plus $3 parking per vehicle. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Live theater
Willamette University’s production of “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” continues this weekend at the M. Lee Pelton theater on the Willamette campus, 900 State St.
“Each performance is different, an ever-changing menu of 30 short plays, all chosen at random by the audience,” a description says. The show “pits the artists against a 60-minute timer and the whims of the audience.” Shows are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. General admission $15, with discounts for students, seniors and season ticket holders. Learn more or buy tickets here. The show runs through Sunday, Feb. 25.
Keizer Homegrown Theatre’s production of “Boeing, Boeing” tells “the farcical tale of Bernard, an American living in Paris who is engaged to 3 women, all flight attendants on different airlines. Bernard has their schedules set so only 1 is with him at a time, until it all goes wrong,” according to a description. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 25. General admission $15, free for Oregon Trail cardholders and their dependants. The theater is at the Keizer Heritage Center, 980 Chemawa Rd N.E. Get tickets here.
Improv and comedy
Infinity Room has three shows this weekend. On Friday, catch the Electric Baguette All-Ages Improv for a unique show based on audience suggestions at 7:30 p.m.
At 9:30 p.m. Friday, Seattle comedian Vanessa Dawn takes the stage. Her “cleverly chill comedy sneaks up on you like an unmarked car at a DUI checkpoint,” according to an event description.
On Saturday night at 8 p.m., catch “A Drunken Night Out,” a nationally touring comedy show that incorporates audience suggestions.
“Comedian Ken Hamlett of Chicago hosts a lineup of comics from all over the country as they discuss their worst drunken nights out, do standup, and eventually end the night and perform a set…not so sober,” the event says.Tickets to shows range from $12-15 in advance, and $15-20 at the door. The venue is at 210 Liberty St. S.E. and has a kitchen and bar offering food and drinks during the show. Learn more or buy tickets here.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
