This week in Salem, catch the final shows in Willamette University’s run of “Urinetown: The Musical,” make a cutting board or play the ukulele at Center 50+ or lend a helping hand to beautify McKay Park.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, Nov. 14, to Wednesday, Nov. 20. 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.
McKay Park cleanup
Saturday, Nov. 16: Join volunteers and community members in an effort to clean up and beautify McKay Park, 2755 Hollywood Dr. N.E. The clean up is sponsored by the North Lancaster Neighborhood Association and is meant to make McKay Park “sparkle,” according to association chair Deanna Garcia. Those interested in helping keep McKay Park green are encouraged to show up at the park, rain or shine, starting at 10 a.m.
Read more about what Salem neighborhood’s are up to this month in Salem Reporter’s story on neighborhood news:
Live music, comedy, improv and other entertainment
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150
Thursday, Nov. 14: Stand-up comedy class students take the stage at 7 p.m. for a show of their new material. Tickets $8 in advance or $10 at the door.
Friday, Nov. 15: A lineup of comics who are also teachers will present comedy from the classroom in The Teacher Show. Shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Saturday, Nov. 16: Enjoy local live music featuring Showtigers (Salem-based alt rock), The Bone Rollers (Grants Pass-based flamboyant stoner psych/doom/post-punk), and Giantess (Salem/Eugene-based space pirate party rock). All-ages show at 7 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance or $13 at the door.
Grand Theatre, 187 High St. N.E.
Saturday, Nov. 16: Vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter Curtis Salgado will perform at 8 p.m. Salgado has been featured by NPR for his vocals and has been nominated for multiple blues music awards. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Monday, Nov. 18: Cellist, composer and singer Helen Gillet will perform a blend of jazz, pop and experimental music. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 online and $20 the day of the show.
Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
Thursday, Nov. 14: Comedian Matt Mathews will bring his “Boujee on a Budget” tour to Salem, which will explore his personal life and relationships, and will ask audience members to spill their deepest secrets. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. show. Tickets start at $29.50.
Sunday, Nov. 17: Grammy-nominated Christian musician Anne Wilson will perform, along with special guest Jordan Rowe as a stop on The REBEL Tour. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. show. Tickets start at $19.95.
Other venues
*Thursday, Nov. 14: Willamette University’s collective of singers and songwriters will perform its final fall concert of the year. The free concert will start at 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Rehearsal Hall at Willamette University, 900 State St.
*Friday, Nov. 15: Milwaukie musician Barry Brusseau is celebrating the release of his first new record in six years, “So Intense Is The World,” at RiverCity Rock Star Academy, 2769 19th St. S.E. The release party includes a free show for all ages of Brusseau’s acoustic music and a limited number of records for sale. The show starts at 7 p.m. Information is available on Facebook.
*Tuesday, Nov. 19: A jazz collective will take the stage at Willamette University’s Rogers Rehearsal Hall, 900 State St. Willamette’s septet will join the collective’s free performance, which starts at 7:30 p.m.
*Wednesday, Nov. 20: A free sonic arts performance fusing electronics and instruments will be held at Willamette University’s Rogers Rehearsal Hall, 900 State St., at 7:30 p.m.
Live theater and cinema
Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway St. N.E.
Sunday, Nov. 17: A screening of the 1984 film “Amadeus” will benefit Festival Chorale Oregon. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show.
Sunday, Nov. 17, and Wednesday, Nov. 20: “Kiss Me Kate: The Musical” filmed at the Barbican in London will play. The musical comedy features backstage shenanigans and Shakespearean sonnets. Sunday’s show is at noon, and Wednesday’s is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Other venues
Thursday, Nov. 14-17: “Urinetown: The Musical” is a satire taking place in a city with a terrible water shortage leading the government to ban private toilets, and the man who leads a revolution to restore access. Willamette University’s theater department will perform the musical at 7:30 p.m. at the M. Lee Pelton Theatre on campus, 900 State St. The show runs Wednesday-Saturday, with 2 p.m. showings Saturdays and on Sunday, Nov. 17. General admission tickets are $15, with discounts for seniors, students and groups.
Classes, workshops and lectures
Friday, Nov. 15, 22: Chemeketa Community College’s Planetarium hosts “The Sun, Our Living Star” Fridays at 7:30 p.m. All shows include a brief introduction that explores the night time sky over Salem during this season of the year. Tickets $5 for adults, $4 for children. Cash only, no ATM in the building. Chemeketa’s planetarium is located in Building 2, Room 171 on the Salem campus. Tickets sold starting 15 minutes before showtime, no late admissions. More information here.
Thursday, Nov. 14, 21 and Dec. 5, 12: Make a cutting board and small sofa table by taking Woodworking 101 with “Supervisor Joe” at Center 50+. The course includes an orientation day from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov, 8 to learn about the tools used in woodworking. The classes will be from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 21, and Dec. 5 and 12. To sign up for the course, register online. There is a $35 fee.
Wednesday, Nov. 20-Dec. 18: It’s time to bring some tropical island sound this holiday season. Center 50+ hosts holiday music ukulele lessons Wednesdays through Dec. 18. The first class session costs $48 for residents and $57 for non-Salem residents, and the second session cost $72 for residents and $84.40 for non-Salem residents. Intermediate note reader classes run from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and intermediate strummer classes run from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration for the class can be done at the Connection Center at Center 50+.
Markets and shopping
Saturday, Nov. 16: Start the holiday season shopping by looking through foods, clothing, jewelry and artwork from cultures around the world with Ukrainian, Mexican, African and Peruvian vendors and more. The World Beat Holiday Night Market and the Salem Multicultural Institute are hosting the event as an effort to support Salem’s cultural diversity. The market will have a cash raffle during the afternoon with a drawing at 8 p.m. The market is from 1-9 p.m. in the Spinning Room at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. S.E. There is a $5 entry fee. Information is available on Facebook.
Every Saturday from Oct. 12-March 15 is the Indoor Winter Market at Wavra Farms. The farm’s greenhouses host the weekly marketplace, which has over 40 rotating vendors. Wavra Farms is located at 7882 Jordan St. S.E. Salem Reporter reported on the market’s opening last year.
Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the Salem Public Market at 1240 Rural Avenue S.E.
Art and museum exhibitions
Check out what Salem art galleries and museums are showing in November here.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE.
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.
