5 things to do in Salem this week: Alpaca show, free dragon boating, Booklover’s Burlesque Festival

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 of happenings for Wednesday, April 8, to Tuesday, April 14. 

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

Thursday, April 9: The fourth annual Booklover’s Burlesque Festival will kick off at the Grand Theatre. The festival series blends performance art with on-stage book readings. Performers, local authors or professional readers read a piece of fiction, poetry or other written work aloud, followed by a burlesque performance inspired by the piece. Opening night will be myth and legends themed, bringing fantasy, folklore, magic and gothic fiction to the stage. The show is for ages 18 and over. It runs from 7 – 10 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. The three other shows will happen around Portland through Sunday. Tickets are $33.50 for general admission or $53.50 for VIP tickets. The theater is at 191 High St. N.E.

*Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12: The Columbia Alpaca Breeders Association is bringing over 300 alpacas to the Oregon State Fairgrounds for an alpaca show. The show will include auctions, competitions and several vendors selling fiber works often made from alpaca or llama fur. The event is free for the public. It will open at 8 a.m. Friday, with a fleece judging competition starting at 8:20 a.m. and going until 1 p.m. At 1 p.m., there will be a silent auction and a competition judging appearance. A dinner and live auction will be from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. that day alongside a live auction. The competitions will continue over the weekend, followed by an award show 1:30 – 5 p.m. Saturday and all day Sunday. A full schedule can be found here. The fairgrounds are at 2330 17th St. N.E.

Friday, April 10: Willamette Heritage Center is stepping back to 1776 for its Echoes of ’76 spring gala. The evening will commemorate history with a John Adams reenactor and a flag ceremony by the Sons of the American Revolution. The gala will also include dinner and drinks, live music from the Heartbleeders and silent auction tables. It runs from 5:30 – 8 p.m. Tickets are $80 for museum members, $90 for general admission or $600 for a table of 8. Proceeds go toward supporting the historic preservation and education at the museum. The museum is at 1313 Mill St. S.E.

Saturday, April 11 – Sunday, April 12: The Salem Philharmonic will have two performances over the weekend with various ocean-themed works including “La Mer” by Claude Debussy and “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage” by Felix Mendelssohn. Saturday’s performance will be at 7 p.m. with a pre-concert talk starting at 6:15 p.m. Sunday’s performance will be at 2 p.m. with a talk at 1:15 p.m. The talks are informal, educational discussions about the music being played. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and free for youth ages 17 and under. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. The concerts will be at the East Salem Community Center at 1850 45th Ave. N.E.

Sunday, April 12: Peace Dragon Warriors Paddling Club is hosting a free two-hour dragon boating class. The class, called “Sunday Funday,” is open to anyone 14 and over, regardless of experience. The class “will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about the dragon boating sport,” according to organizers. It will be from 1 – 3 p.m. at Riverfront Park at 200 Water St. N.E. There will be another class Sunday, April 26, at the same time. The classes are registration only. Registration can be done online.

Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected].

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