Events this week in Salem include the annual Xicha Fest, an Indigenous musical concert and the Salem Art Walk.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, Sept. 5 through Wednesday, Sept. 11. Browse all of Salem Reporter’s events coverage here.
*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Boot Scoot & Brew
Friday, Sept. 6: There will be hours of dancing along to country music at Boot Scoot & Brew, a fundraiser for Salem’s Center 50+. Along with music from national and local artists, like Jerry Kilgore and Rock ‘n’ Roll Cowboys, there will be plenty of options for food and drinks, including food carts and a beer and wine garden. The festivities start at 3:30 p.m. and take place at Salem’s Riverfront Park Amphitheater, 200 Water St. S.E. Pre-sale tickets are $10, at the gate $15.
Xicha Fest
Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7: For beer, lowriders and cumbia, the 7th Annual Xicha Fest at Xicha Brewing at 2195 Hyacinth Street N.E. is the place to be the first weekend in September. Sip some of Xicha’s brews and listen to cumbia music with Portland’s DJ Sonido Dead Steady on Friday starting at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, catch the 2nd annual Lowrider Car Show from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. which includes music, elotes, and local artisanal vendors. After the car show, listen to Latin music with Pachanga for a night of dancing starting at 7 p.m. General admission for the event is free and can be reserved online.
f/STOP Fitzgerald’s 15th anniversary
*Saturday, Sept. 7: Salem’s “smallest pub” celebrates 15 years in business with an anniversary party featuring a raffle, an Open Mic and Slangers’ burgers. The pub’s Mug Club will be open for new members and renewal memberships – membership costs $75 for the next year. New members can order their personalized mug at the anniversary event. The “extravaganza” starts at 4 p.m. at 335 Grove St. N.E. Information about the event can be found online.
Salem Art Walk
*Friday, Sept. 6: The monthly Salem Art Walk will bring love music and pop-up shows to the heart of downtown. Galleries will also be debuting their new shows, and there will be opening receptions with artists at the Salem Art Association, Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery/Artists in Action and Salem on the Edge. See a schedule and more information in our gallery roundup.
Live music, comedy, improv and other entertainment
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150
Friday, Sept. 6: Infinity Room presents music from Birth of Happiness, DTW and Gabriel Cox. Doors at 7:30 p.m. for an 8:30 p.m. show. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door. 21+ after 10 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 7: Catch the musical comedy of George Rigden at Infinity Room. He’s a headliner from the UK who has been performing professionally for over a decade in Europe, including five full runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Show features Evan Vest of Humboldt, California, and Heather Goldberg of Portland. Show at 7 p.m., tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway St. N.E.
Saturday, Sept. 7: A special live event, “Deconstructing The Dark Side of the Moon,” will explore the iconic Pink Floyd album track-by-track starting at 7:30 p.m. Scott Freiman, a composer, will share an analysis of the songs live at the event. Tickets $22 in advance and $25 the day of the show.
Sunday, Sept. 8-Tuesday, Sept. 10: Screenings of “A Woman Under the Influence,” will celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary at Salem Cinema. The Sunday and Tuesday showtimes are 6 p.m., and Monday’s show is at noon. Tickets $9.
Wednesday, Sept. 11: “Freakscene: The story of Dinosaur Jr.,” a documentary about the influential east coast band, will show at 7 p.m. Tickets $11.
Other venues
Thursday, Sept. 5 – Saturday, Sept. 14: “Clue,” a play based on the 1985 murder mystery comedy movie and beloved board game, will show at the Pentacle Theatre. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets start at $25, and are half off for students and Oregon Trail Card holders. The theater is located at 324 52nd Ave. N.W.
Thursday, Sept. 5: Jan Michael Looking Wolf and his band, Native Rose, will present a musical concert on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Unity of Salem, 1777 Fabry Rd. S.E. The band will share an uplifting cultural music fusion, blending Native American flutes, guitars, vocals, ballads, indigenous chants, and tribal percussion in an inspirational message of humans’ connection with each other and our planet. Looking Wolf, a Kalapuya Tribal Elder with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, is also an educator and author. Tickets are $20 per person, and may be purchased at the door or online at www.unityofsalem.com.
Thursday, Sept. 5: Southside Speakeasy hosts its regular drag bingo night in partnership with the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Willamette Empire, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community in the Willamette Valley. Drag bingo night participation will support the HIV Alliance, The Trevor Project and Marion County Food Share. The event, featuring “Star Empress” Kristal De’Cantor, kicks off at 7 p.m. at 3529 Fairview Industrial Dr. S.E.
Classes and workshops
*Thursday, Sept. 5: Author Kathy Sharp will discuss her book “Aging into Poverty: The Looming Crisis for American Women” at the Salem Public Library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday. The free event will take place in the Anderson A and B rooms and is first-come, first-seated. More information is available on the library’s website.
*Tuesday, Sept. 10: Interested in genealogy? Volunteers from the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society will be teaching the basic steps to start building a family tree at the Salem Public Library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and includes instruction on how to search for family information online and at the library. It will be first-come, first-seated. More information is available online.
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.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
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Madeleine Moore is working as a reporter at Salem Reporter through the University of Oregon’s Charles Snowden internship program. She came to Salem after graduating from the University of Oregon in June 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
