Along with the warm weather, Salem is full of stuff to do over the next week, with Make Music Day, a performance by Tibetan monks, and junior roller derby playoffs, and cat adoptions at a cidery.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, June 20, to Thursday, June 27. Browse all of Salem Reporter’s events coverage here.
Tibetan monk ceremony
A group of Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastic University will present the “Ceremony of Light” at Unity of Salem Church, 1777 Fabry Road S.E. on Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show can be purchased either online or at the door for $20 per person.
The performance is part of the group’s “Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour,” where they will share Buddhist culture, beliefs, practices and paths to inner peace and compassion.
“We are very excited that the monks of Gaden Shartse will be joining us for this special evening,” said Reverend Victoria Etchemendy, the minister for Unity Salem in a statement. “We look forward to learning about their culture and supporting their work toward world peace, harmony and tolerance.”
Live music, comedy, improv and local performances
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE #150
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 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: 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.
The Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
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, will you be treated to all the best Queen hits and occasional deep cuts! Show at 8 p.m., tickets start at $57.
Citywide
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.
The Grand Theatre, 191 High St. N.E.
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.
Live theater, dance and cinema
Willamette University, 900 State St
June 20-23 and June 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.
Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway Street N.E.
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.
Markets and shopping
June 21-22: The largest antique and old iron swap is meeting in Salem for the 44th Annual Swap Meet at Powerland. The event takes place on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake Rd. Admission costs $8 per person on Friday. On Saturday the event is free to everyone, and on both days, kids enter for free.
Many of the museums located on the property will be open and selling items as part of the event. The Willow Creek Railroad and trolley will be operating on Saturday.
June 23: Market for the Strange returns to the Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial Street S.E., with a strange tea party themed event. The weirdness commences at 11 a.m. and goes until 6 p.m. and costs $5 to get in. Children under 12 get in for free but must be accompanied by an adult. Identification is required to enter certain vendor areas designated for 18 years or older.
Health fair
June 22: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Mano a Mano Family Center will hold a community health fair at Salem First Free Methodist Church at 4455 Silverton Road N.E., in partnership with Oregon Health & Science University. The free event will offer participants cancer screenings, blood glucose screenings, vision screenings, dental screenings, and other community resources. Services are available on a first come, first served basis.
Composting
June 22: Oregon State University Extension Service’s Marion County Master Gardeners will put on a free composting demonstration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marion Demonstration Garden at 3180 Center Street N.E., where participants can learn about traditional composting.
The event is free and part of the demonstration will show how to compost kitchen scraps and yard waste. There will also be the opportunity to enter into a raffle to win a book or a worm composting kit. Prior registration is required to participate and more information about the event is available online.
Cat adoption
June 22: La Familia Hard Cider will be hosting a cat adoption event on June 22 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m at the cidery at 231 Court Street N.E. The event will include three wonderful things: cats, cider, and tacos.Those interested in adopting a cat, or maybe two, are encouraged to begin the process by filling out an adoption questionnaire which can be found on the Friends of Felines’ website.
Junior roller derby playoffs
June 22-23: The Junior Roller Derby Association and the Cherry Blossoms Junior Roller Derby will hold the Open Division Playoffs at 1335 Madison Street N.E. starting Saturday, June 22 at 8 a.m. and going through June 23 at 8 p.m. Participating leagues include the Cherry City Roller Derby, 509 Junior Roller Derby, Pixies Roller Derby, Spokane Roller Derby, and Tomorrowland Junior Roller Derby.
Ongoing farmers markets
Every 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 all 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 and cultural exhibits are on display this month here.
Coming up
Browse our full listing of June Salem events.
Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790.
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Joe Siess is a reporter for Salem Reporter. Joe joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and primarily covers city and county government but loves surprises. Joe previously reported for the Redmond Spokesman, the Bulletin in Bend, Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born in Independence, MO, where the Oregon Trail officially starts, and grew up in the Kansas City area.
