Event highlights from Feb. 6-12: Puppy Bowl, art walk, needle felting class

Each week on Wednesday, Salem Reporter highlights a few upcoming local events.

For a more complete list, browse our events calendar here. You can submit an upcoming event here.

Here’s a roundup for the week from Thursday, Feb. 6, to Wednesday, Feb. 12.

*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.

Films on homelessness

*Thursday, Feb. 6: A documentary about the increasing crisis of senior homelessness in Portland is playing at Chemeketa Community College. The film, “No Place To Grow Old,” highlights the experiences and challenges seniors face while going through housing insecurity and promotes a call to action for solutions. 

The screening is part of a partnership between Chemeketa and local housing organizations like Church at the Park and United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. There will be two screenings, one at 12 p.m. and one at 6 p.m. There will be snacks available when doors open at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. There will also be a community discussion following the film. Admission is free. The film will play at the college’s auditorium, 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E., Building 6. 

Wednesday, Feb. 12: “Barriers to Bridges: A Discussion About Salem’s Unhoused” brings together local leaders to discuss Salem’s housing crisis and possible solutions. The documentary, produced by What’s Happening Salem, features Vanessa Nordyke, a Salem city councilor; Danielle Bethell, a Marion County commissioner; Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency; and DJ Vincent, director of Church at the Park. 

The documentary will show at the Grand Theatre, 187 High St. N.E., at 6 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m. The event will include a discussion panel with leaders featured in the film. Tickets are $25 and available online.

Felting class

Thursday, Feb. 6: Learn or practice basic needle felting in a class led by Audrey Comerford from Wee Woolies Fiber Arts. The class, which will be from 6-8 p.m., will teach how to make basic shapes with felt, including hearts. All supplies for the lesson are supplied by Wee Woolies Fiber Arts and participants get to keep their finished products and tools. 

Pre-registration is required before the class and costs $55. The class will take place at CreativiTEE, located at 110 Commercial St. N.E. 

First Friday Art Walk

*Friday, Feb. 7: Join the Salem Main Street Association for another First Friday Art Walk. Starting at 5 p.m., enjoy an evening meeting and learning about local artists and businesses. One of the artists, who is featured at Willamette University’s Hallie Ford Museum of Art, is Brenda Mallory who has a display of sculptures that explore Cherokee history and the idea of change.

The art walk is a free event from 5-8 p.m. More information is available on Facebook and people should meet at Ritter’s Eatery, 102 Liberty St. N.E.

Dentist comedy

Saturday, Feb. 8: Two dentists turned comedians will perform a night of dentistry-related humor at Infinity Room. The show “Oral Fixation” will see Dr. Brady Smith and Dr. Bert Walpack untangle bureaucratic fiascos in the dentistry world and turn medical mishaps into laughable stories. Tickets are available for the 9:30 p.m. show, but the 7 p.m. show is sold out. Doors at 9 p.m. and tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Infinity Room is located at 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150. 

Puppy Bowl

*Sunday, Feb. 9: Support adoptable puppies before watching the Super Bowl by attending a Puppy Bowl at Ratchet Brewery organized by 4 All MuttKind, a local foster-based animal rescue. Starting at 2 p.m. a handful of adoptable puppies will compete in a mini football game. 4 All MuttKind is requesting donations of bottles and cans at the event. Following the Puppy Bowl, stick around to watch the Super Bowl and enjoy beer and tacos. 

The event is taking place at Ratchet Brewery, located at 2475 25th St. S.E. The event is free to attend and is from 2-6 p.m. Information is available on Facebook. 

Pre-Valentine’s Day event

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Northern Lights Theatre Pub is hosting its annual Valentine’s Day event, which includes a movie and a four-course dinner. This year, the movie is “Wicked,” and the night’s menu offers an appetizer and salad and multiple dinner and dessert options. Everyone is welcome to attend, as a single person or in a couple. 

The event has three seatings at  6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $60 per person and are available online. Northern Lights Theatre Pub is located at 3893 Commercial St. S.E.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed Ratchet Brewery’s address. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.

Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].

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