Summer is in full swing in Salem. It’s World Beat weekend, the local roller derby season is coming to a close and a renowned magician-ventriloquist-comedian is coming to the Grand.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, June 27, to Wednesday, July 3. Browse all of Salem Reporter’s events coverage here.
Event descriptions come from posts and listings by organizers.
World Beat Festival
The World Beat Festival comes to Riverfront Park this week, bringing a focus on Ukrainian culture along with dancers, vendors and activities from all over the world. Dragon boat races will run in the Willamette River adjacent to the park.
On Friday, June 28, from 5-10 p.m., several Ukrainian performers and fire dancers will fill the amphitheater stage. The beer and wine garden will be open 5-9 p.m.
The full festival runs Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It opens with the children’s parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, where children representing cultures from around the world walk from the pavilion to the amphitheater. Saturday night closes with a parade of lights at 9:45 p.m., followed by a fire dancing performance.
Tickets are $10 per day or $15 for a three-day pass. Children under 14, SNAP card holders and veterans get in free.
See the full schedule here and read our coverage below.
Uncensored roller derby
Cherry City Roller Derby closes their season Saturday, June 29, with the fan favorite 18+ uncensored adult roller derby bout, featuring outrageous costumes and hard hits. Beer and food available for purchase. Play begins at 7 p.m. at the Madhouse, 1335 Madison St. N.E. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door. No cameras allowed — what happens at the Madhouse stays at the Madhouse.
Race to Save the Harvest
Salem Harvest is hosting a family-friendly fun run Saturday, June 29, at Minto Brown Island Park, 2200 Minto Island Rd. S.E. The run includes 5K and 3K options and begins at 9:30 a.m. near parking lot 3. The run is a fundraiser benefiting the harvest nonprofit, which collects and distributes food from local farms that would otherwise go to waste. Registration is $30 for adults and $17 for kids. Learn more and sign up online here.
Live music, comedy, improv and local performances
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE #150
June 27: “Truth in Comedy” — Three people will tell a very personal story from their life, their truth, where they will be very open, honest, and vulnerable. Afterward, a comic will perform a set inspired by the story. At the end of the night, a visual artist will present a triptych they created inspired by the stories as well. Show at 8 p.m., tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
June 28: Live music at Infinity Room featuring Static Ultra (pop punk from Salem), This Lovely Decay (punk/grunge from Lincoln City) and Lunker (punk/grunge from Lincoln City). Show at 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
June 29: “Hear You Loud and Queer: An LGBTQIA+ Comedy Show” starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
The Grand Theatre, 191 High St. N.E.
June 27: “Turnstiles: An Epic Billy Joel Singalong” will be at the Grand Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 online or $20 day of.
June 28: “Dueling Hobbits, Dueling Pianos” takes the stage Saturday. The Dueling Hobbits will play from their catalog of over 1,000 songs from numerous decades and genres. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, all-ages, tickets $25.
June 29: Magician, comedian and ventriloquist Andy Gross performs at the Grand Theatre. 8 p.m. show, tickets start at $30.
The Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
June 28: Randy Rogers Band performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Elsinore Theatre. Tickets start at $29.50.
June 29: China Forbes, the glamorous voice of Portland’s own world-famous “little orchestra” Pink Martini, is celebrating the release of her brand-new solo album “The Road” with a solo concert at the Elsinore Theatre. Show at 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $39.
Blast Off Vintage, 860 High St. N.E.
June 27: Catch an all-ages punk show at 7 p.m. featuring Andromeda, Bazooka Sharkz and Get Dead. Tickets $15 at the door and can be purchased at the store in advance. More information here.
Other venues
June 29: Jon Deshler’s Tune Tours Trio will perform at EZ Orchards, 5504 Hazelgreen Rd N.E. Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. The strawberry shortcake stand will be open and serving up fresh bounty from local fields. Free.
Live theater and cinema
June 27-30: “Grow Learn Play” by Sara Jean Accuardi, part of Theatre 33’s summer festival, will be on stage at the M. Lee Pelton Playhouse at Willamette University, 900 State St. It won’t stop snowing, it’s getting late, Gloria’s parents still haven’t come to pick her up and these daycare employees just want to get home. A play about the importance, and the limits, of sharing and caring. Shows at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are free with a $15 suggested donation.
June 27-29: Pentacle Theatre’s production of “Boy Gets Girl” runs until Saturday, June 29 at the theater, 324 52nd Ave N.W. It follows a successful New York reporter’s fight to protect herself from a dangerous stalker. Tickets start at $27, and shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
June 27: Salem Cinema hosts a screening of Ukranian film “Bucha,” an intense drama based on the rescue of local residents in Ukrainian cities during the early months of the Russian invasion in 2022. The show is at 6:30 p.m., and screenwriter and producer Oleksandr Shchur will have a Q&A following the screening. Tickets are $27.50 in advance or $37.75 the day of the show and help support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The theater is located at 1127 Broadway St. N.E.
June 29, 30: Theatre 33’s pop-up reading of “Red Line” by Barbara Hume runs at 2 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Capitol Toyota pavilion, 783 Auto Group Ave. N.E. Both historic and topical, Red Line takes place from 1938 to 1948 in St. Louis and depicts the impact of segregation on two young men, one white and one Black, who share backyards in a segregated neighborhood. Their friendship crosses many boundaries testing their friendship and the status quo of racism in their community.
Ongoing farmers markets
Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the Salem Public Market at 1240 Rural Avenue S.E.
Salem Community Markets will bring local produce, food and products to various places throughout the city all week.
The Wednesday Chemeketa Market runs from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and is held at the Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Hub at 4000 Lancaster Drive N.E.
The Thursday West Salem Farmers Market will be from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at 1260 Edgewater St. N.W.
The Saturday Market will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 865 Marion St. N.E.
The Monday Hospital Market will be 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Salem Hospital’s campus, 875 Oak St., between building A & C.
Art and cultural exhibits
See what’s on display at local galleries and museums this month.
Coming up
Next Thursday is Salem’s 4th of July celebration at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Get the details below.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
