Salem events over the next week include multiple illusionists on downtown stages, an album release party for homegrown rock band Flares, and several new plays.
Here’s your guide to what’s happening around town from Thursday, May 30, to Thursday, June 6.
Superhero run
CASA of Marion County’s Superhero Run will bring colorful costumes to Riverfront Park on Sunday, June 2. A superhero costume contest begins at 11 a.m., and runs begin at 11:30 a.m. Runners can register for $45 to run a 10K or 5K, or a free one-mile fun run. Proceeds support CASA, which provides trained volunteer advocates for children in foster care.
Theater, music and live entertainment
Willamette University, 900 State St.
Theatre 33, a new play production company housed at Willamette University, has two productions running this weekend in the M. Lee Pelton Playhouse.
“Ape” by Dano Madden — a play about a middle-aged man struggling to become a parent who finds himself haunted by the spirit of his dead mother — has shows Thursday, May 30, through Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. A matinee Sunday, June 2, is at 2 p.m. Tickets are free with a suggested $15 donation per person.
“Group: or Marlene is Dead” by Sofia Molimbi follows the lives of five parents and two professors who are all desperate to salvage their rocky home lives. Professor Marlene’s parenting class becomes an incubator that either kills you or saves you. A pop-up reading of the show is scheduled Saturday, June 1, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, June 2, at 7 p.m. Tickets are free with a suggested $10 donation per person.
The Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
Theater students from the Delphian School in Sheridan present “Inherit the Wind,” a fictionalized version of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial. The show is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 31. Tickets start at $20.
Justin Willman visits Salem on his Illusionati Tour, an interactive evening of magic, comedy and mind-control. The show is Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
The Grand Theatre, 191 High St. N.E.
Master illusionist Jackson Rayne takes the stage Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m. for his “No Limits. Magic Beyond Possibility” show. Tickets for the all-ages show are $25, or $40 for a VIP ticket that includes a backstage meet-and-greet and learning a card trick from Rayne.
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150
“Yee Ha! Ha! A Texas Transplants Comedy Show” is Thursday, May 30, at 8 p.m. “These cowpokes-turned-coffee snobs spin sidesplitting yarns from their wild adventures trading in rodeos for raincoats and ten-gallon hats for beanies,” the show description says. Tickets are $12 in advance.
“Optimism! A Stand Up Comedy Game Show” is Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m. It’s “a fun interactive stand up show that allows selected audience members to participate in mini games with comedians.” The show is hosted by Jaren George and Justin Alexander and features Maria Bruggere (Netflix is a Joke), Kyle Adams, Tina Hogstrom and Milo Loza. Tickets are $15 in advance.
Salem rock band Flares celebrates their first EP release Saturday June 1, at a 7:30 p.m. show featuring Wild Ire, Hard Neutral and Stevie’s Breakfast. The band members met while working at the RiverCity Rockstar Academy. “Our EP captures the essence of our journey and the vibrant music scene here in Salem,” lead guitarist Rio Solano said. Tickets are $12 in advance.
Other venues
Three student vocal ensembles will perform with Céilí of the Valley Friday, May 31, for the annual community Music in the Park event. The concert runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Faye Wright Elementary School, 4060 Lone Oak Rd S.E. It features choirs from Wright, Judson Middle School and McKay High School’s award-winning a cappella ensemble.
The Latter-Day Skanks, Triple Lutz and Moondogs will play a show Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. at Blast-Off Vintage, 860 High St. N.E. All-ages, $10 at the door.
Chemeketa Community College hosts a drag show on the eve of Pride Month, Friday, May 31, featuring Caliente XL Productions. The show is at 5 p.m. in the college’s theater auditorium in building 6 on the Salem campus, 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E. Tickets are $5. Attendees should bring tip money in smaller bills.
Sports
The Capital Pioneers, Salem’s semi-pro women’s tackle football team, plays home games Saturday, June 1, 8 and 15 at McNary High School, 595 Chemawa Rd. N. Keizer. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the gate and free for kids 12 and under. More information about the team is on their website.
Classes, workshops and talks
Learn about Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gordon House, the only Oregon structure by the famous architect, in a lecture Thursday, May 30, at Salem Public Library. Portland architect Bruce Brown will speak about Frank Lloyd Wright, his Usonian design theory, and its application in the Gordon House. The talk is at 2 p.m. in the Anderson Room at the library, 585 Liberty St. S.E. Free, seating is first-come, first-served.
Hear from a panel of Salem residents over 100 during Elderfest 2024, held Thursday, May 30, at the Salem Public Library’s Loucks Auditorium, 585 Liberty St. S.E. The event is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and also features a performance by the “Just for Fun Singers” and light refreshments. It’s free and open to people of all ages.
Make your own Ukrainian-style embroidery at a class Saturday, June 1, starting at 2 p.m. at the Salem Multicultural Institute’s World Beat Gallery, 390 Liberty St. S.E. Participants will learn about the history of the craft and embroider a bookmark to take home. Advance registration required, $15 per person.
Shopping and markets
On Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the Salem Public Market at 1240 Rural Avenue S.E.
Salem Community Markets will bring local produce, food and products to various places throughout the city this week.
The Wednesday Chemeketa Market runs from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and is held at the Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Hub at 4000 Lancaster Drive N.E.
The Thursday West Salem Farmers Market will be from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at 1260 Edgewater St. N.W.
The Saturday Market will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 865 Marion St. N.E.
The Monday Hospital Market will be 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Salem Hospital’s campus, 875 Oak St., between building A & C.
Art shows
See what art exhibits are on display this month here:
Upcoming events
Catch our list of Salem’s major summer events and festivals 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.
