What to do in Salem from April 3-9: Comic art expo, Qingming, planetarium show

Each week, Salem Reporter highlights a selection of 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, April 3, to Wednesday, April 9. 

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

Comic art expo

Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 6: The Mid-Valley Comic Art Expo returns to the Jackman Long building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds and Expo Center. Enjoy comics vendors, cosplay contests, pop culture trivia, panels and more. A full schedule is online here. The floor opens at 10 a.m. both days and closes at 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door for Saturday, and $10 in advance or $15 at the door for Sunday. Children 12 and under free with paying adult. Active military or veterans free with ID. Parking $5.

Celebrate Qingming

*Saturday, April 5: An annual Chinese festival honoring ancestors returns to Salem’s Pioneer Cemetery from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The program includes music played on traditional Chinese instruments by several Willamette University students, and a proclamation from Mayor Julie Hoy. Russ Low, an author whose ancestor Hop Lee was a fixture of the Salem and Keizer communities prior to his death in 1925, will also speak.

Rummage sale for pets

*Friday, April 4-Saturday, April 5: A rummage sale held at the Scottish Rite Center will benefit three local animal rescue nonprofits. Sales benefit Little Critters Rescue, Prevent a Little and Operation DOG. The center is at 4090 Commercial St. S.E. and the sale runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

New planetarium show

Friday, April 4: Chemeketa Community College will debut its spring planetarium show, “Two Small Pieces of Glass.” The show runs weekly on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. through June 6. The planetarium is located on the college’s Salem campus, 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E., in building 2, room 171, close to the blue parking lot.

“This full dome presentation follows two teenage students who learn from an astronomer how telescopes work during a star party. It also examines how these optical instruments have improved in the last 400 years and what great discoveries were made with them since the time of Galileo,” an event description says.

The show costs $5, or $4 for Chemeketa students. Cash or check only; there is no ATM on site. Tickets sold at the door 15 minutes prior to showtime.

Philharmonia presents Ravel concerto

Saturday, April 5, and Sunday April 6: Salem Philharmonia Orchestra presents “150 Years of Ravel,” featuring four classical works. The performance includes composer Maurice Ravel’s Concerto for Left Hand in D Minor, featuring guest pianist Thomas Otten. Performances at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave N.E. Tickets $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and college students, and free for youth 17 and under.

Live shows

Saturday, April 5: Infinity Room hosts live music featuring Giantess (Salem/Eugene-based space party rock), The New Mistakes (Salem/Corvallis-based prog rock), Stormy Outside (Salem-based alt/hip-hop), Truu Story (Salem-based hip-hop), and DJ Byro (Salem). Doors at 7:30 pm. for an 8 p.m. show. 21+ only. Tickets $11.74 with fees online in advance, $13 at the door. The venue is at 210 Liberty St. S.E.

Sunday, April 6: Radness Ensues, 3837 River Rd N. in Keizer, hosts an all-ages live show at 6 p.m. Performers include hardcore band Suffer, Bodyxcam and Temporal. Cover is $10. Venue is sober.

Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.

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