September is the month for big festivals in Salem. As organizers are moving large gatherings away from increasingly hot summer months, the beginning of fall also means it’s time for Salem Art Fair, Pride in the Park, Viva Salem and more.
Smaller things to do are plentiful as well, from a production of “Clue” to a rodeo, cabaret and plenty of comedy shows. Descriptions come from information shared by organizers.
*Starred events are free to attend, though they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Festivals, fairs and community events
Sept. 1-2
The Oregon State Fair concludes its run Labor Day at the state fairgrounds.
Fair entrance tickets can be purchased online or at the gate and are $12 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, $3 for seniors and free for children 5 and under.
Upcoming events include the motorsports spectacular Sunday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m., the demolition derby Monday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. Both are at the pavilion. Admission is included in fair entrance, though guaranteed admission and early access can be purchased for $10.
“The Voice” winner Huntley will perform a concert at 4 p.m. Monday. A limited number of free seats are available first-come, first-served, and presale tickets are $20.
Sept. 6
Prepare your cowboy boots for hours of dancing along to country music at Boot Scoot & Brew, a fundraiser for Salem’s Center 50+. Along with music from national and local artists, like Jerry Kilgore and Rock ‘n’ Roll Cowboys, there will be plenty of options for food and drinks, including food carts and a beer and wine garden. The throwdown starts at 3:30 p.m. and takes place at Salem’s Riverfront Park Amphitheater, 200 Water St. S.E. Pre-sale tickets are $10, at the gate $15.
Sept. 6-7
If you like beer, lowriders and cumbia, the 7th Annual Xicha Fest at Xicha Brewing at 2195 Hyacinth Street N.E. is where you want to be the first weekend in September. Sip some of Xicha’s brews and listen to cumbia music with Portland’s DJ Sonido Dead Steady on Friday starting at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, catch the 2nd annual Lowrider Car Show from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. which includes music, elotes, and local artisanal vendors. After the car show, listen to Latin music with Pachanga for a night of dancing starting at 7 p.m. General admission for the event is free and can be reserved online.
Sept. 13-15
Salem Art Fair & Festival will fill Bush’s Pasture Park for the first time in September. The event features hundreds of artists from across the U.S., as well as live music and entertainment.
The Salem Art Association moved the event from its traditional July weekend last year, acknowledging that hotter summers and a desire to preserve the roots of native oak trees in the park made July weather impractical.
Advance tickets are $11.68 for adults, $9.60 for seniors 55+ and veterans, $6.49 for teens and free for children 12 and under. Admission free for Oregon Trail Card holders or Oregon Health Plan members.
*Sept. 14
Punx in the Park pairs a youth resource fair with a free concert lineup. Bands this year include 1876, Keddies Resort and The Disorderlies. There will be 50 resource booths, food and free clothes. The festival goes from 12-6 p.m. at Marion Square Skate Park. See more on their Facebook page.
*Sept. 21
Pride in the Park returns to Riverfront Park. It’s Salem’s largest festival supporting the LGBTQ+ community and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will include more than 200 booths with items from vendors, resources and services, as well as food trucks and activities.
*Sept. 28
Viva Salem, the city of Salem’s second annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, takes place in Riverfront Park from 12-6 p.m. Performers include Grupo Mparable, A Cara o Cruz Band, dancers from Casa de la Cultura Tlanese and a charreria performance from the Comunidad Y Herencia Cultural. Free and open to all ages, with family activities, vendors, and food and drink available for purchase.
*Sept. 29
Jam in the ear plugs and turn up the bass because the loudest car stereos around will be showcased at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center for the 2024 IASCA West Coast Satellite World Finals SPL on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes finalists from the West Coast, and the public is invited to enter their own car stereos for a secondary competition after the main event. Admission is free and parking costs $5 per vehicle. To register to compete in the stereo competition please visit the IASCA website.
Comedy, improv and other entertainment
Sept. 7
Catch the musical comedy of George Rigden at Infinity Room. He’s a headliner from the UK who has been performing professionally for over a decade in Europe, including five full runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Show features Evan Vest of Humboldt, California, and Heather Goldberg of Portland. Show at 7 p.m., tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Sept. 10
“Unhinged” moms take to the Grand Theatre’s stage to laugh about midlife crises, motherhood and online dating. The stand up comedy show features four women rifling through “things that irritate us,” and welcome neighborhood groups, book clubs, groups of girlfriends. Yes, men are welcome to the show, too. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost between $20 and $28.
Sept. 13
Infinity Room hosts two improv shows. At 7 p.m., it’s all-ages improv with Electric Baguette. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. At 9:30 p.m., there’s a special Friday the 13th improv show where we invite comedians to share stories of their unluckiest moments and spin them into comedy gold. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door. 21+ show.
Sept. 14
Cherry City Roller Derby opens its season with a doubleheader roller derby bout at the Madhouse. Juniors play at 4 p.m. and adults at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12 presale or $15 at the door, and $30 for a family pass allowing two adults and all children in the household.
A night of “decadence, bawdiness, and damsels (not) in distress,” features Kat Robichaud and her original songs, dance and circus. The Misfit Cabaret includes a variety of performances, from burlesque to drag, and comedy to romance. For the 21+ crowd, the show kicks off at 8.pm. at the Grand Theatre. General admission tickets are $35, VIP tickets are $75.
Sept. 19
RiRi Calienté hosts “Drag Time,” an evening of dazzling drag entertainment at Infinity Room. Show at 8 p.m., tickets $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
Sept. 20
“Diary of an Ex Ho,” a comedy show based on the popular podcast, comes to Infinity Room at 6 p.m. Get ready to have your funny bone tickled as our talented comedians share their hilarious stories and experiences about sex and relationships. Tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Sept. 21
Magic and marijuana come together in “Smokus Pocus,” the comedy show designed to “enthrall both the stoned and the sober.” The 420 magic show is traveling across North America after a residency in Las Vegas, Nevada and will make a stop at the Grand Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets cost between $30 and $115. 21+ show.
Infinity Room hosts “Piano Queen” for two shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Drag artists Saint Syndrome and Nicole Onoscopi bring you live vocals and piano, mixed with comedy and storytelling. Tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Sept. 21-22
Put on your boots and hats and head on down to the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center for the 2024 Northwest Professional Rodeo Association finals on Friday starting at 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1-7 p.m. The finals will involve the top 12 cowboys and cowgirls in 11 events including bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping, steer wrestling, wild cow milking, barrel racing, novice saddle bronc, and novice bareback.
Parking for the event costs $10 per vehicle. Tickets range from $16 to $28 depending on the time of day and can be purchased online.
Sept. 23
Renowned author Fran Lebowitz brings her insight and cultural satire to the Grand Theatre for an evening. The writer worked for Andy Warhol early in her career and produced many essays and interviews on current events over the years. The evening with Fran Lebowitz begins at 7 p.m. Tickets, which range from $29 to $49, are almost sold out.
Sept. 26
Comedian Jamie Shriner is what would happen if Bo Burnham and Jenna Marbles were cryogenically frozen together in a pair of cat lady glasses. She performs at 8 p.m. at Infinity Room. A former theater kid, current queer, deaf, & mentally ill gig-worker, Jamie uses humorous original songs to discuss her hearing loss and mental illness, as well as her struggles with body image, womanhood, and being queer in conservative Indiana where she grew up. Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Sept. 27
Comedian AJ Wilkerson brings his “Get in the Van” comedy tour to the Grand Theatre at 8 p.m. From Florida, AJ Wilkerson produced a YouTube special, “Captain Autism,” with producer Kevin Smith. The 21+ show costs $25 ahead of time, $30 the day of. Tickets online.
Sept 27 & 28
“Leave Your Troubles at The Door” is a stand-up comedy showcase hosted by Chris Hudson at Infinity Room at 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Audience members write their problems down on pieces of paper, put them in a box before the show and then many of the best & up-and-coming comedians from the Pacific Northwest and beyond take on those issues with their on-the-spot jokes. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Live theater, dance and cinema
Sept. 3
“Titan: The Empire of Color” will play at Salem Cinema at 6 p.m. The film shares the career of the iconic renaissance artist Tiziano Vecellio. Tickets $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show.
Sept. 5-14
“Clue,” based on the 1985 murder mystery comedy movie and beloved board game, will show at the Pentacle Theatre this month. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $25, and are half off for students and Oregon Trail Card holders.
Sept. 7
A special live event, “Deconstructing The Dark Side of the Moon,” will explore the iconic Pink Floyd album track-by-track starting at 7:30 p.m. Scott Freiman, a composer, will share an analysis of the songs live at the event. Tickets $22 in advance and $25 the day of the show.
Sept. 8-10
Screenings of “A Woman Under the Influence,” will celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary at Salem Cinema. The Sunday and Tuesday showtimes are 6 p.m., and Monday’s show is at noon. Tickets $9.
Sept. 11
“Freakscene: The story of Dinosaur Jr.,” a documentary about the influential east coast band, will show at Salem Cinema at 7 p.m. Tickets $11.
Sept. 12 & 13
For two nights, Film to Table at the Grand Theater presents “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” on screen and delicious food at the table. People can choose between a full dining or snacking experience to follow along with the food in the movie, or can opt out of food and have a typical movie viewing. Tickets range from $15 to $60. Thursday and Friday tickets are available online.
Sept. 15 & 16
Screenings of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman performance of “Fleabag” at the National Theatre will be shown at Salem Cinema. The Sunday show is at noon, and the Monday show is at 6 p.m. Tickets $15.
Sept. 20
*Come to the main library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a cross-cultural dance celebration featuring Indian and Latin American style dance performances and music. The array of Indian dance styles will be performed by Nupuram Dance Academy, and the Latin American dance and music is courtesy of the Enlace Cross-Cultural Community Development Project. The event is free and first-come, first-seated. More information is available online.
Sept. 21
Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” will show at Salem Cinema in honor of Batman day. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets $9.
Sept. 22
In support of Pentacle Theatre’s production, Salem Cinema will show the movie “Footloose” at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show.
Sept. 25 & 29
Matthew Bourne’s dance adaptation of “Edward Scissorhands” will play at Salem Cinema, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show.
Sept. 26 & 28
“Paul McCartney and Wings: One Hand Clapping,” a David Litchfield film about how the band found its signature sound, will play at Salem Cinema. The Thursday show will be at 7:30 p.m., and the Saturday show will be at 6 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show.
Live music and nightlife
Sept. 5
Jan Michael Looking Wolf and his band, Native Rose, will present a musical concert on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Unity of Salem, 1777 Fabry Rd. S.E. The band will share an uplifting cultural music fusion, blending Native American flutes, guitars, vocals, ballads, indigenous chants, and tribal percussion in an inspirational message of humans’ connection with each other and our planet. Looking Wolf, a Kalapuya Tribal Elder with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, is also an educator and author. Tickets are $20 per person, and may be purchased at the door or online at www.unityofsalem.com.
Sept. 6
Infinity Room presents music from Birth of Happiness, DTW and Gabriel Cox. Doors at 7:30 p.m. for an 8:30 p.m. show. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door. 21+ after 10 p.m.
Sept. 7
The Earth, Wind & Fire cover band Kalimba makes an appearance at the Elsinore Theatre to relive the band’s musical history. Kalimba pays homage to the band’s late founder Maurice White with exciting stage and light production. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
Rhythm & Flow Presents: Night Show, Salem’s premier hip-hop and rap showcase, at Infinity Room. All-ages until 10 p.m. Lineup to be announced. Tickets $20.
Sept. 14
Join the Little River Band, the world’s best singing band according to Eagles band member Glenn Frey, for a night of music and nostalgia. Little River Band’s Wayne Nelson has been a band member for over 40 years and has worked on 24 of the band’s albums and CDs. The band will bring their usual harmonies and classic songs for fans to enjoy. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost between $39 and $75, and cost $5 more the day of.
Sept. 18
Dive into the songs of legendary singer Prince with the band touring and paying tribute to the passed artist. “Prince Again: A Tribute to Prince” honors the singer by playing the hits like “Raspberry Beret,” “1999” and “Kiss.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $32.50 to $52.50
Sept. 20
Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman brings his award-winning songs to the Elsinore Theatre at 7 p.m. The singer has sold over 17 million albums and has toured around the world. He is the most decorated singer in Christian music history. Tickets cost between $63 and 103, and VIP tickets are available.
Grammy-winning group Rebirth Brass Band brings its blend of funk, jazz and R&B to the Grand Theatre. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Rebirth Brass Band has performed alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2 and Green Day. The show starts at 8 p.m. and pre-sale tickets are $25, $30 day of.
Sept. 21
Rock out with 1980s English band the Cult and revisit their UK hits as they stop by as part of their worldwide tour. The Cult revived their music in recent years after taking breaks from the band in the 80s and 90s. At 7:30 p.m., the Cult will take the stage at Elsinore Theatre. Tickets start at $45.
Sept. 22
Irish and Scottish group Celtic Thunder visit the Elsinore Theatre to perform their medley of traditional and modern Celtic songs that reflect their shared heritage. The group began in 2008 with male singers from Ireland and Scotland backed by a Celtic band. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets begin at $44.
Sept. 24
Ben Folds brings his pop music tour to Salem with special guest Lindsey Kraft, an actress and singer who’ll perform a one-woman show and theatrical songs. Ben Folds is a respected composer and author who’s worked with fellow solo artists as well as orchestras. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $49 to $99.
Sept. 26
Sing along to pop star Taylor Swift’s hits and deep cuts, joined by the Low Bar Chorale, a Portland band dedicated to singing classics from the seventies to the present. Songs from throughout Taylor Swift’s career will play – the deep cut songs and her best known hits. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $15, day of are $20.
Delgani String Quartet performs “A World of Music” in concert with Eugene Ballet and didgeridoo master Stephen Kent. The program of works from every continent features music by Dvořák, Osvaldo Golijov, Jessie Montgomery, Zhou Long, Wynton Marsalis, Peter Sculthorpe, and Gabriela Lena Frank. Show at 7:30 p.m. at the Chemeketa Community College theater auditorium in building 6 on the Salem campus. Tickets $30 general admission, $10 for students and free for age 12 and under.
Classes, workshops and lectures
Sept. 5
*Author Kathy Sharp will discuss her book “Aging into Poverty: The Looming Crisis for American Women” at the Salem Public Library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday. The free event will take place in the Anderson A and B rooms and is first-come, first-seated. More information is available on the library’s website.
Sept. 10
*Interested in genealogy? Volunteers from the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society will be teaching the basic steps to start building a family tree at the Salem Public LIbrary at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.. The event is free and includes instruction on how to search for family information online and at the library. The event is free and is first-come, first-seated. More information is available online.
Sept. 14
*The Salem Public Library is hosting a zine workshop for those interested in learning how to publish their own zine, a noncommercial homemade or online publication typically devoted to art or a specific and uncommon subject. The workshop is led by Victoria Timm and Rain Holland of the Cherry City Zine Collective and takes place at the main library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Registration is encouraged for the free event, but drop-ins are welcome. More information is available online.
Sept. 27
*Teens in middle and high school interested in science, technology, engineering, art and math are invited on Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to create a light-up twirlycopter using circuit tape among other activities. Materials are provided and no sign-up is necessary. The event will be held at the main library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. More information is available online.
Sept. 28
*Aspiring novel writers are invited to the main library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a fiction writing workshop led by fiction book coach Erin Radniecki. The free workshop focuses on developing a story idea for a fiction book and advanced registration is required. Registration opens at 1 p.m. on Sept. 7. More information is available online.
Criminologist and renowned serial killer expert Dr. Scott Brown delves into the psychological profiles of prolific murderers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer. Dr. Brown also explains why people find the investigation into serial killers intriguing and fascinating. There will be a Q&A session at the end of his talk. His presentation starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost between $35 and $75.
Sept. 28-29
The Keizer Art Association is holding an intensive two-day class on watercolor over colored pencil. It will be at the Keizer Art Association Studio, 980 Chemawa Rd. N.E. in Keizer. The workshop goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. It costs $160 for members and $180 for non-members. Register online.
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