Editor’s note: In response to reader feedback, Salem Reporter is debuting a monthly events roundup listing live performances and entertainment for June 2024. Have an event you’d like included? Contact Managing Editor Rachel Alexander at [email protected].
June means Make Music Day, Salem’s World Beat Festival and plenty more to do around town. Here’s your guide to Salem events and live entertainment for June 2024.
Festivals, fairs and community events
June 8
Capital Pride returns for a parade and party to celebrate Salem’s LGBTQ+ community. From 11 a.m. to noon, a parade will march down State Street, starting at Northeast Cottage Street.
The block party runs from 12-5 p.m. on State Street between Northeast Liberty and Commercial streets. It features music, outdoor games, face painting, chair massages, a free clothes closet and arts and crafts. Free.
June 15
The “Cruisin’ for Salem Firefighters” car show will feature a variety of makes and models, plus Salem Fire Department Vehicles, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Cozzie’s NY Deli and the Salem Fire Foundation and will have food for purchase, a variety of vendors, raffle prizes and a chance to vote for your favorite car. The event will be at the deli, 3723 Fairview Industrial Dr. S.E. For more information or to register a car, see the event webpage.
June 19
A community history walk through downtown Salem will share the history of Black Salemites who lived through emancipation in celebration of Juneteenth. The walk will be hosted by the Willamette Heritage Center in partnership with Oregon Black Pioneers and Just Walk Salem Keizer. It will follow the footsteps of Rev. Daniel Jones, who was born in 1830, and his family who founded a church in Salem.
The 2.4 mile free history walk will start and end at the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. S.E. There are options to start at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. The center recommends registering to secure a first-come, first-served spot. There will also be free maps available to pick up at the center or download online for self-guided tours.
The Salem-Keizer NAACP is planning a Juneteenth block party on Northeast Cottage Street, just north of the Micah building at 680 State St. according to spokeswoman Melanie Zermer. She said they are still determining a timeframe, but the event will likely have food, music and speeches.
June 20
The Gilbert House Children’s Museum is hosting a summer block party from 6-8 p.m. with live music, activities and a wood tile craft to paint which will be displayed by the museum for five years. Admission comes with entry to the museum and a slice of pizza, and is $5 per person for members and $19 per person for non-members. Tickets are available online.
June 22
The Salem Leadership Foundation’s west Salem team is hosting a free Super Saturday event with over 20 vendor and resource tables featuring fun activities. The event is from 10 a.m. to noon, and there will be free hot dogs, cotton candy, face painting, music, games and more. There will also be Kona Ice from 11 a.m. to noon. It will be in the Kingwood Bible Church parking lot, 1125 Elm St. N.W.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Marion County Master Gardeners will do a free lesson on composting, including traditional composting, the bokashi method which ferments meat and dairy scraps and vermicomposting using worms and microorganisms. There’s also a chance to win a free book or worm composting kit. It will be at the Marion Demonstration Garden, 3180 Center St. N.E. Register online.
June 28-30
The World Beat Festival returns to Riverfront Park with a focus on Ukraine. The weekend features performances, art activities, vendors and food from around the world. See a schedule and more information on the event website. Tickets are $10 per person per day or $15 for the weekend.
Comedy, improv and local performances
June 6
Justin Willman visits Salem on his Illusionati Tour, an interactive evening of magic, comedy and mind-control. The show is at 7 p.m. at the Elsinore Theatre. Tickets start at $35.
June 7
Pentacle’s production of “Boy Gets Girl” opens on Friday, June 7, and runs until Saturday, June 29. It follows a successful New York reporter’s fight to protect herself from a dangerous stalker. Tickets start at $27, and shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
June 8
“Myles’ Modern Life: All 90’s Stand-up Comedy” is at 7 p.m. at Infinity Room. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
“Rock of Ages” screens at the Grand Theatre with a live shadow-casted presentation by Denton Delinquents. Much like Rocky Horror, we play the movie on the screen and perform along with it; with props, costuming and make up! As ALWAYS, audience participation is strongly encouraged – bring your friends, dress up in your best 80’s attire, or as your favorite character and sing along with all your favorite songs! Show at 8 p.m., tickets $7.
June 20
Infinity Room presents “Drag Time with Riri Caliente” at 7 p.m. A night of dazzling drag entertainment paired with exquisite food and signature cocktails. Tickets $12.
June 23
Comedian and musician Adam Newman takes the stage at Infinity Room for a 7 p.m. show. Tickets $15.
June 27
Catch “Truth in Comedy” at Infinity Room. Three individuals will tell a very personal story from their life, their truth, where they will be very open, honest, and vulnerable. Afterward, a comic will perform a set inspired by the story. At the end of the night, a visual artist will present a triptych they created inspired by the stories as well. Show at 8 p.m., tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
June 28
“Dueling Hobbits, Dueling Pianos” at the Grand Theatre. The Dueling Hobbits will play from their catalog of over 1,000 songs from numerous decades and genres. 8 p.m. show, all-ages, tickets $25.
June 29
“Hear You Loud and Queer: An LGBTQIA+ Comedy Show” is at Infinity Room at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Cherry City Roller Derby closes their season with an 18+ uncensored adult roller derby bout, featuring outrageous costumes and hard hits. Play begins at 7 p.m. at the Madhouse, 1335 Madison St. N.E. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
Magician, comedian and ventriloquist Andy Gross performs at the Grand Theatre. 8 p.m. show, tickets start at $30.
Live music
June 1
Salem rock band Flares celebrates their first EP release at Infinity Room. The show is at 7:30 p.m. and features. Wild Ire, Hard Neutral and Stevie’s Breakfast. Tickets are $12 in advance.
June 6
Rock It Boy Entertainment Of America presents “American Rock Legends” featuring: Night Moves – The Ultimate Tribute To Bob Seger and Centerfield – The Essential Tribute to CCR And John Fogerty. Show at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Theatre, tickets $49.50.
June 7
Hit Machine performs at the Grand Theatre at 8 p.m. Created by Bart Hafeman, the energy projected from this 7 piece band is highly contagious to say the least. The band plays hits from all eras as it’s not uncommon to here Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees), Kiss (Prince), Dynamite (Taio Cruz), You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC) all in the same set. All-ages, tickets $29.50.
June 14
Infinity Room presents live music featuring The Promise Drive (Georgia based Pop-punk/Emo), Sunwell (Salem based Power Progressive) and Sadgasm (Salem based Emo Alternative). Show at 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
June 15
Infinity Room presents live music featuring Alamance (metal from Salem), Vice of Us (Rock from Medford), and Spirits (Post Hardcore from Portland). The show is a fundraiser for the family of Justin Haeckler, a local musician who died in December. Show at 8:30 p.m., tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
June 15, 16
Salem Philharmonia Orchestra presents “A Fantastic Father’s Day” concerts Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Directed by the orchestra’s artistic director, Jonathan DeBruyn, the concert features two compositions by his father, composer Randall DeBruyn. Maestro DeBruyn’s pre-concert talks begin 45 minutes before each concert. East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave. N.E. Tickets $20, $18 for students and seniors, free for youth 17 and under.
June 20
Tribute band Epic Queen performs at the Elsinore Theatre. With an incredible portrayal of one of the greatest singers/frontmen in rock n roll history (Freddie Mercury), the sonic accuracy of the studio recordings and the energy of a real Queen concert, you will you be treated to all the best Queen hits and occasional deep cuts! Show at 8 p.m., tickets start at $57.
June 21
Make Music Day brings musicians to locations around Salem for free performances all day. View a schedule of venues and musicians on the event website.
June 22
Infinity Room presents live music featuring Within Caskets (Death Metal from Salem), Four Dead Seasons (Metalcore from Portland), and End of Conflict (Metal/Punk from Salem. Show at 7 p.m., tickets $12 in advance
June 27
“Turnstiles: An Epic Billy Joel Singalong” will be at the Grand Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 online or $20 day of.
June 28
Randy Rogers Band performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Elsinore Theatre. Tickets start at $29.50.
Live music at Infinity Room featuring Static Ultra (Pop Punk from Salem), This Lovely Decay (Punk/Grunge from Lincoln City) and Lunker (Punk/Grunge from Lincoln City). Show at 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
June 29
China Forbes, the glamorous voice of Portland’s own world-famous “little orchestra” Pink Martini, is celebrating the release of her brand-new solo album “The Road” with a solo concert at the Elsinore Theatre. Show at 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $39.
Live theater, dance and cinema
June 1, 2
Theatre 33, a new play production company housed at Willamette University, has two productions running 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.
June 8, 9
Students of Salem’s American Ballet Academy perform “Snow White” at the Elsinore Theatre. Show at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $18.
June 9, 10
Salem Cinema screens “The Motive and the Cue” as part of its National Theater Live series, presenting filmed productions of British plays. Screens at 12 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. Tickets are $15.
June 14
Salem Aerial Dance Company presents “Nightfall,” a performance by the youth company. The show is at 7:30 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College theater auditorium in building 6 of the Salem campus. Tickets are $22 general admission and $10 for children.
June 14-16
The Belly Dancer USA competition takes the stage at the Grand Theatre. Tickets for spectators range from $15 for a single competition to $60 for a weekend pass. View the full schedule here.
June 14-30
The Keizer Homegrown Theatre is showing “Lifespan of a Fact,” starting June 14 with shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June 30. It follows a fact checker for a prominent but sinking New York Magazine, who comes head-to-head with a writer over an essay that could save the magazine from collapse. Tickets are $15, or free for Oregon Trail Card holders and their dependents.
June 15-16
The Premiere Academy of Performing Arts presents its spring dance recital with shows at 5 p.m. at the Elsinore Theatre. Tickets start at $18.
June 16
The Premiere Academy of Performing Arts presents “La Sylphide.” The ballet follows Scottish farmer James, who is enchanted by a Sylph—a beautiful, mystical being, a spirit of the air invisible to all but him. When she appears at his wedding and snatches the ring from his hand, James turns his back on a future of domestic bliss to follow the creature into the woods. Show at 3 p.m. at the Elsinore Theatre. Tickets start at $18.
June 20-23 and 27-30
“Grow Learn Play” by Sara Jean Accuardi, part of Theatre 33’s summer festival, will be on stage at the M. Lee Pelton Playhouse at Willamette University. It won’t stop snowing, it’s getting late, Gloria’s parents still haven’t come to pick her up and these daycare employees just want to get home. A play about the importance, and the limits, of sharing and caring. Shows at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are free with a $15 suggested donation.
June 27
Salem Cinema hosts a screening of Ukranian film “Bucha,” an intense drama based on the rescue of local residents in Ukrainian cities during the early months of the Russian invasion in 2022. The show is at 6:30 p.m., and screenwriter and producer Oleksandr Shchur will have a Q&A following the screening. Tickets are $27.50 in advance or $37.75 day of and help support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
June 29, 30
A pop-up reading of “Red Line” by Barbara Hume runs at 2 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Capitol Toyota pavilion, 783 Auto Group Ave. N.E. Both historic and topical, Red Line takes place from 1938 to 1948 in St. Louis and depicts the impact of segregation on two young men, one white and one Black, who share backyards in a segregated neighborhood. Their friendship crosses many boundaries testing their friendship and the status quo of racism in their community.
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.
