Events in Salem this week include chances to meet cuddly kittens or hissing snakes, live music and local history lessons.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, Aug. 15, to Wednesday, Aug. 21. Browse all of Salem Reporter’s events coverage here.
Meet and greet with a rattlesnake
*Aug. 15: Salem’s “Reptile Man,” Richard Ritchey, will be back at the Salem Public Library Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a free show for elementary school aged children. The event will involve learning about live reptiles including a king cobra, a rattlesnake, and a giant python. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show and seating is first-come, first-seated. The library is located at 585 Liberty St. S.E.
Lessons on local history
Aug. 16: Families can learn about Salem’s Indigenous residents, the history of the Oregon Territory and more in a series of weekly summer classes offered on Fridays at the Willamette Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 per person. More information and a full schedule is here.
Camp at a winery
Aug. 17-18: Stomp By Croft Vineyards is hosting Stomp The Night Fest, with a bike ride, food, drinks, camping and yoga. There will be live music from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday by Daylight Bedtime Band, Sam Girl Band and The Lucky Pluckers. Entry and the bike rides are free, camping overnight is $25 and morning yoga on Sunday is $10. The winery is at 5475 River Rd. S. See the website for tickets and more information.
Drinks and kittens
Aug. 15: Santiam Brewing will have beer, snacks and kittens from Meow Village to cuddle. The event helps socialize foster kittens, and $1 from every pint sold goes to Meow Village. All ages are welcome. The event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 2544 19th St. S.E.
Aug. 17: Just Us Girls Coffee & Wine Bar is hosting Meow Village kittens on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome, and the bar is at 2195 Hyacinth St. N.E.
Live music, comedy, improv and local performances
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150
Aug 15: RiRi Calienté hosts Drag Time at Infinity Room. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 16+ show, younger guests permitted with a parent or guardian.
Aug. 16: Christiana Zollner, Friendmaker, Maia Van Dyke and Rett Weissenfels perform at Infinity Room Show at 8 p.m. Tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Aug. 17: The New Mistakes, Animals With Clothes On, and Boundless Joy perform at Infinity Room. Show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Grand Theatre, 187 High St. N.E.
Aug. 16: At the Grand Theatre, David K sings and performs as Roy Orbison with a setlist of the musician’s songs from the 1950s and 60s. Tickets for the show range from $25 to $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Aug. 17: David K has a second show at the Grand Theatre, this time as singer Buddy Holly. The show revisits Buddy Holly’s career of “sweet ballads” and “rockin’ hits.” Starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets sell for $25 to $35.
Other venues
*Aug. 16: A free concert in Riverfront Park begins at 6 p.m. at the Gerry Frank Amphitheater. The RiverCity Royals, Rondalla Sentimiento Latino and Boundless Joy will play. The concert is put on by the city of Salem, Grand Theatre and RiverCity Rockstar Academy, and the park is at 200 Water St. N.E.
Aug. 16: Los Angeles hip-hop artist Casey Veggies will perform at Side Hustle Bar in downtown Salem. The 21+ show starts at 10 p.m., and tickets are $15. The bar is at 145 Liberty St. N.E.
Aug. 16: Rich McCloud and Sneaky Special headline a show featuring Afrobeat and hip-hop performers at The BAD Space next to Santiam Brewing. An amazing lineup of performers will take the stage and keep you vibing to their infectious beats. This event celebrates diversity, unity, and the power of music to transcend boundaries. Santiam Brewing is at 2544 19th St. S.E. Doors at 7 p.m., show runs 8-11 p.m. Tickets $17.85 with fees.
Live theater and cinema
Aug. 20, 27: Catch the musical “Oliver” under the stars in Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E. Chemeketa Community College puts on the play Tuesday evenings starting at 8 p.m. at the Gerry Frank Amphitheater. Audiences can bring blankets, low-profile chairs and picnic meals to watch the show. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for students and seniors.
Aug. 18: Salem Cinema will support Pentacle Theatre’s production of “Clue” by showing the movie ahead of opening night. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The movie theater is at 1127 Broadway St. N.E.
Aug. 19: Salem Cinema will screen “Majority Rules,” a discussion about ranked choice voting and election reform, and a discussion with director AJ Schnack. The film focuses on Alaska’s effort to implement the method, which will be on the Oregon ballot in November. Tickets are $11, and the theater is at 1127 Broadway St. N.E.
Markets and shopping
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. at the Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Hub at 4000 Lancaster Drive N.E.
The Thursday West Salem Farmers Market runs from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at 1260 Edgewater St. N.W.
The Saturday Market is 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 and museum exhibitions
See what Salem museums and art galleries are showing this month:
Up next
See what’s happening later this month:
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
