Salem’s downtown alleys will get monikers during naming process. (Anna Smith/Salem Reporter) Back alleys traditionally evoke thoughts of exposed brick, dumpsters and smoke breaks. A place where you shouldn’t walk alone at night. But in Salem, alleys are increasingly becoming a cool place to hang out and the Salem Main[Read More…]

Old chairs will soon be housed in the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health’s basement. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) Inside the nearly century-old cottage, two dusty chairs wait at the top of the staircase. The armrests are weathered, strips of light brown are revealed under the dark stain. A[Read More…]

CherryFest NW takes place July 4-7. (Courtesy of CherryFest) Wednesday On Wednesday, Riverfront park will host Budweiser’s “King of Country Concert” featuring award-winning country music singer Tracy Lawrence, Jackson Michelson, Britnee Kellogg, and 45 Away. The concert will benefit Folds of Honor, a group that provides educational scholarships to the children[Read More…]

Fireworks on sale at the discount fireworks stand at Commercial Street SE and Bush Street SE in Salem on June 26, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Enjoy food, drinks, live music and an intimate firework display at the Oregon Garden Wednesday night. The show allows guests to get up close to the[Read More…]

On Thursday, fireworks in Riverfront Park are expected to be set off in quick succession. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Visitors to Riverfront Park on the evening of the Fourth of July should expect a great show with lots of fireworks busting in quick succession.  Heather Gobet, owner of Western Display Fireworks,[Read More…]

The Klezmonauts performed at the World Beat Festival Saturday. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) Visitors to Saturday’s World Beat Festival in downtown Salem were transported across the globe. African drumming filled the amphitheater at Riverside Park, while cooks made lumpia, a dish from the Philippines, and vendors sold bonsai trees, an[Read More…]

Nupurum Folk Dance showcased dances from the different states of India in brightly colored saris. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) The World Beat Festival is an annual event put on by the Salem Multicultural Institute in Riverfront Park that showcases different cultures from around the globe. On Saturday, event goers watched[Read More…]

The World Beat Festival features Indian folk dancing throughout the weekend. (Courtesy/Edgar Peteros) Thousands of people are expected to turn out for this year’s World Beat Festival to enjoy music, food and dancing from around the globe.  Organizers recommend coming to the event hungry, as more than a dozen vendors[Read More…]

The World Beat Festival features Indian folk dancing throughout the weekend. (Courtesy/Edgar Peteros) Friday Food, dancing, music and crafts from different cultures will fill Riverfront Park this weekend for the annual World Beat Festival. Founder Kathleen Fish said the event is meant to be joyful and hopeful. “Everybody should be[Read More…]

Caleb Monismith performs in the Reed Alley during Make Music Day Salem (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) Musicians could be heard around every corner downtown on Friday. Make Music Day Salem is an annual event in which performers take to the street with their instruments. Kids play corn hole while the[Read More…]