Have an event you’d like included in our monthly calendar? Please send it to Managing Editor Rachel Alexander, [email protected] for consideration. Include the date, time, location, a brief description, cost, information about tickets if applicable and a contact email or phone number. Salem Reporter will publish a separate listing of trick-or-treating and other Halloween events later this month. Halloween-themed events are marked with a emoji. Events with a star (*) are free, though they may include items for sale or ticketed components. Listings come from descriptions by organizers. Haunted houses, spooky sights Sept. 27-Nov. 2 Time to get freaked out at Mill Creek Correctional Facility this Halloween season. The old prison has been transformed into the Mill Creek Haunted Prison by Salem’s Tormented Illusion. The haunted house includes ghost tours and guided tours which can be booked separately from the haunted prison. The haunted prison haunted house experience costs $30 per person, the ghost tours $20 and less scary guided tours cost $15. There is also a less scary haunted prison experience for children which costs $15 per person. More info and tickets can be found online.  Oct. 4-Nov. 2 The Nightmare Factory returns to provide hair-raising frights at the Oregon School for the Deaf, 999 Locust St. N.E. Open 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as on Tuesday, Oct. 30, and Halloween. Tickets start at $20 per person and can be bought online or at the event. Oct. 5 – Nov. 2 Take in an interactive horror experience with “Ghosts of the Grand” at the Grand Theater. Explore the haunted corridors of a 124-year-old theater, from the eerie balcony to the mysterious ballroom, and venture into hidden spaces like the basement, tunnels and a secret speakeasy. Each event starts at 6 p.m., and tickets start at $22. Kari Morgan, 17, plays her part as an evil clown in the Nightmare Factory at the Oregon School for the Deaf on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to the Salem Reporter) Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Brave the haunted corn maze at Fordyce Farms on Friday and Saturday nights in October. Runs from 7-9:30 p.m. Admission $16. Not recommended for young children. May be canceled in case of heavy rain; check the farm website or Facebook page for latest information. Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 Celebrate Halloween at Powerland Heritage Park with “Saving Neverland: A Pirate Adventure.” The family-friendly, non-scary adventure includes a hunt for skeletons wreaking havoc at the park and other kids’ activities. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. Tickets $18 for adults and $14 for kids. Festivals, fairs and community events  Oct. 10-13 *The Westminster Festival of Fine Art brings 70 local artists to Westminster Presbyterian Church, with featured artist Jesus Escobar, a Salem painter who fuses modern art, cubism, abstract, and non-representational art. People can browse the gallery and explore painting, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics and glass pieces. Opening reception Thursday, 7-9 p.m. Open gallery Friday through Sunday. See more on the event website. The Westminster Festival of Fine Art is held annually at Westminster Presbyterian Church in south Salem (Courtesy/Westminster Festival of Fine Art) Oct. 12 *The Out of Darkness suicide prevention walk begin at 3 p.m. at Riverfront Park’s Gerry Frank Amphitheater. The event is intended to raise awareness of suicide and raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Registration is free and can be done online before the event or starting at 1 p.m. the day of. Attendees are encouraged to set fundraising goals and form teams. Comedy, improv and other entertainment Oct. 4 The Dope Show is a stand-up comedy show where comedians perform, then get super high, and then attempt to perform again! Catch it at the Bad Space at Santiam Brewing from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $28.52 with fees. Oct. 5 Comedian Derek Sheen showcases his dark sense of humor by delivering a “hilariously tragic” theatrical performance at Infinity Room. Originally from Seattle, Derek’s show “MotherL*ver” recounts his relationship with his mother and the grief and trauma woven throughout it. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Oct. 11 The Grand Theater on Friday will host Foolish Mortals: A Haunted Mansion Burlesque Cabaret. A thwarted brides seek revenge, couples dance for all eternity, paintings change before your eyes, heads foretell your future, and grim-grinning ghosts fly overhead in search of one last mortal to join their cabaret troupe. The show is 21+. Tickets start at $35. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Contact the venue for disability requests. Infinity Room presents Mx. Dahlia Belle and her wide set of comedy skills, in the “best sort of mess” comedy show. Other performers include Daisy Clare, Eliza Butler and Quinne Salameh. Show starts at 9:30 p.m., and tickets are $15, $20 at the door.  Oct. 17 RiRi Caliente returns to Infinity Room with another night of drag entertainment followed by karaoke. “Drag Time!” performances start at 8 p.m. and the lineup will include Mulan Rouge, Miss Jaxon and Starr. Following performances, karaoke with RiRi Caliente starts at 10 p.m. and goes until Infinity Room closes. “Drag Time!” tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door. Karaoke is free.  RiRi Caliente on stage at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Oct. 18-20 The Northwest Pony of the Americas and Open Show is coming to the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info can be found online.  Oct. 18 British actor David Payne will appear on stage as Sir Winston Churchill on Friday at the Elsinore at 7:30 p.m.. The show, titled Churchill, takes place just after President John F. Kennedy awarded Churchill with U.S. citizenship. Catch the often funny, sometimes touching and always engaging one-man-show. Tickets are $55 in advance and $60 day of. Oct. 19 John Dela Cruz, well-known on social media and for his popular comedy podcast I Beg Your Pardon, will perform as Nurse John on Saturday at the Elsinore. His comedy “is like talking to your work bestie; you trauma dump, cry, scream, and laugh together through all the high and the lows of working in the service industry.” The show is 18+. Tickets start at $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Oct. 25  *Time to get chilly and frilly at the Salem Public Library with HallowQueen Drag Show from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday in the Loucks Auditorium. The free event features local drag queens Flawless Shade, Ry Bred and Ed Du Bull. The event is only for adults and seating is first-come, first-seated.  The Elsinore on Friday will host a modernized version of the comedy Men Are From Mars – Women Are From Venus LIVE! When Mars and Venus collide, the adventures are earth-shatteringly hysterical. It’s a great recipe for a date night out: a little storytelling blended with some comedy and a dash of sage wisdom from the book. The show is for adults. Tickets are $55 in advance and $60 on show day. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26-27 Jiu-jitsu practitioners and spectators can see the 2024 Oregon Open Jiu Jitsu Championship at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 18th annual championship includes divisions for ages 5 and up, 30 and up and 40 and up. Registration can be done online here. Parking is $5 per vehicle, and more information about the event is available online.  Oct. 26 Comedian Nick Swardson will perform on Saturday at the Elsinore as he tackles the hard issues of diarrhea, edibles and Norm MacDonald.Swardson is a well-known standup comedian, actor, writer and producer. Tickets start at $39.50. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Cherry City Roller Derby presents a doubleheader Monster Mash-up bout at the Madhouse. Family-friendly, costumes encouraged, and food and drink available for purchase. Doors at 3:30, juniors bout at 4:30 p.m., adult bout at 7 p.m. Tickets $14.64 in advance, $33.85 for a family package. Kids 5 and under free. Oct. 27 Paranormal investigator Amy Bruni will take the Elsinore stage with her show “Walking with Ghosts: Real Life Hauntings with Amy Bruni” telling hair-raising tales from her countless hours hunting ghosts at America’s most haunted locations. By the end of the night, you will question everything you thought you knew about the spirit world, and life after death.” Tickets start at $35. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 On Wednesday, Greg and Dana Newkirk, of the shows Kindred Spirits and Hellier, will bring their interactive presentation Haunted Objects Live! to the Elsinore. The Newkirks will take you on a journey through history, folklore, and true-life accounts of encounters with objects that seem to possess a life of their own. Those who attend can also help the Newkirks create a new haunted artifact, live and in person without lifting a finger. Tickets start at $29. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Haunted figures were on display at Willamette Heritage Center’s drive-thru trick-or-treat event on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Live theater, dance and cinema Oct. 1 The film “Exhibition On Screen: Frida Kahlo” explores the artist’s life and work. It will play at Salem Cinema at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show. Oct. 7 “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” is a classic horror film set in an old Hollywood mansion which descends into madness. It will play at Salem Cinema at 6 p.m. Tickets are $9.Oct. 8Salem Cinema will show “House of Wax,” a classic horror film set in a wax museum. The show starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $9. Oct. 9 The World Ballet Company will perform the famed Swan Lake on Wednesday at the Elsinore. The production will include hand-painted sets and over 150 costumes that bring fresh representation to this timeless classic. Tickets start at $39. Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 Salem Cinema will show “Music for Mushrooms” followed by a Q&A with Angela Allbee, the manager of the psilocybin services section at the Oregon Health Authority. The film explores the intersection of music and psychedelics. The screening starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $11.Oct. 11, 12 “Silents Synced: Nosferatu + Radiohead” soundtracks the silent film to the band’s music at Salem Cinema. Friday and Saturday’s shows start at 8 p.m., and tickets are $11. Oct. 11 – Nov. 2 “Footloose,” a musical based on the beloved 80s movie, will be performed at the Pentacle Theatre. The play follows a teen who pushes back on his small town’s ban on dancing. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets start at $22. Oct. 12“Little Shop of Horrors” directed by Frank Oz will play at Salem Cinema at noon. Tickets are $9. The Denton Delinquents Shadow Cast will perform the classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Saturday at the Grand Theater. As the movie plays, the actors will perform and the audience can participate by yelling call back lines, throwing props at specific times or dancing with the Time Warp. Baggies of props will be sold at the show, and an emcee will provide hints about the film. All ages are allowed, but organizers noted that the movie is rated R and the show “can get a little wild.” Tickets are $8. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Oct. 13 A screening of “Ghost” starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore will play at Salem Cinema. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and ticket sales will benefit the Willamette Art Center. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show.Oct. 13, 14A screening of London’s National Theatre Live performance of “Frankenstein” will show at Salem Cinema at noon on Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. The 2011 play stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show. Oct. 15 “The Body Snatcher” will play at Salem Cinema. The 1945 film is a fictional depiction of famous serial killers in Scotland. The show is at 6 p.m. Tickets are $9. Oct. 17, 20 Salem Cinema will have two showings of “Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party,” a documentary showing newly recovered reels of the singer in the early 80s. The film will play at 7 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show.  Oct. 18, 19 The Premiere Academy of Performing Arts presents its Halloween Dance Concert at Chemeketa Community College. Shows at 7 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday. The first half of the show consists of short Halloween themed dances performed by a variety of levels and age groups. The second half, “Stranded” is an original story that is sure to give you goosebumps and take you on an eerie journey. Tickets $18.46. The iconic indie horror film “The Babadook” is turning 10 this year. Salem Cinema will have 8 p.m. showings on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $11.Oct. 19 “Gremlins” will play at Salem Cinema at noon. The classic horror film stars a cute creature which should not be fed after midnight. Tickets are $9. Oct. 21 “Dial M for Murder,” a sophisticated and sinister Alfred Hitchcock thriller, will play at Salem Cinema at 6 p.m. Tickets are $9. Oct. 22 Salem’s home-grown hit horror film “Cocaine Crabs from Outer Space” will show at Salem Cinema. As the title suggests, it follows a group of extraterrestrial crabs wreaking havoc. The show starts at 7 p.m. and Salem filmmaker Chuck Magee will be there. Tickets are $9 in advance and $11 the day of the show. Chuck Magee, left, and Kat Andrews in the “Cocaine Snorting Crabs From Outer Space” trailer (Courtesy/ Wounded Rat Productions). Oct. 24, 26 Salem Cinema will show a Tears For Fears concert film recorded in 2023, featuring their hits and new music from their recent album “The Tipping Point.” The Thursday show is at 7 p.m. and the Saturday show is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 day-of. Oct. 24-Nov. 3 “Evil Dead: The Musical” combines classic horror films for one of the craziest, funniest, and bloodiest theatrical experiences of all time. The Mid-Valley Theatre Network production runs at Chemeketa Community College, with shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22.69 for the “safe zone” and $38.58 for the “splash zone.” On Oct. 2, the Infinity Room hosts a fundraiser for the musical along with a night of karaoke and costumes. Tickets for the fundraiser cost $12.  Oct. 26-28 Salem Cinema will have four showings of “Young Frankenstein,” the beloved spoof starring Gene WIlder. The show will be at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Tickets are $9.Oct. 26 “The Witches,” starring Angelica Huston and Jim Henson’s puppets, will play at Salem Cinema at noon. Tickets are $9.Oct. 28 Salem Cinema will play “House on Haunted Hill,” a classic horror movie starring Vincent Price. The show starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $9.  Oct. 29  The work of filmmaker Warren Miller, who died in 2018, will be on display at the Elsinore on Tuesday for his show titled 75. With original segments and unique collaborations, this year’s film will set the tone for the next 75 years of ski and snowboard filmmaking. Tickets are $23, or $20 each for groups of 10 or more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is at 7 p.m. Find more information about the show on Miller’s website. The original “Nightmare on Elm Street” will play at Salem Cinema at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9. Oct. 30 Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” starring Shelley Duvall and Jack Nicholson, will play at Salem Cinema at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9.  Oct. 31 The influential slasher film “Halloween” will play at Salem Cinema at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9. Live music and nightlife Oct. 3 Portland rock band the Weather Machine will perform on Thursday at Salem’s Historic Grand Theater. Tickets are $15 online, $20 day of for general admission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 Portland-based Garcia Birthday Band has been performing the Grateful Dead’s hits for over two decades. The tribute band takes the stage at the Grand Theater on Friday. Tickets are $20 online and $25 on the day of the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Get ready for some Mexican regional music at the Oregon Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center. Starting at 8 p.m., California-based music group Eslabon Armado links up with Mexican singer Luis R Conriquez for the “Asi Lo Quiso Dios” tour. The concert will be held at the pavilion at the state fairgrounds and parking is $10 per vehicle. General admission tickets for the concert cost $90 and VIP tickets cost $150. Tickets can be purchased online.  *Willamette University’s jazz ensembles will perform a free concert in the Hudson Concert Hall at 7 p.m. All are welcome.  Oct. 5 *Willamette University’s choir, band and orchestra will perform a free concert at Hudson Concert Halle starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Nine high school bands will show off their formations in the annual Pacific Coast Invitational marching band competition at Sprague High School. Begins at 11 a.m., with finals at 4:30 p.m. All-day wristbands are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $5 for children 11 and under. More information is available at https://spragueband.org/pci/. Members of the Sprague High School marching band show their musical ability at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Salem is getting a taste of the Bee Gees when tribute band Stayin’ Alive hits the Elsinore Theatre on Saturday. The show will be packed with big-screen video clips and photos, bringing the largest and most definitive production of its kind. Tickets start at $29.50 and can be bought online. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 A combination of Salem and Portland rock bands takes to the Infinity Room’s stage. Years for Months, a group of guys including an Infinity Room owner, a KMUZ radio show host and childhood friends, leads the night, followed by Sapphic band Girl Fiend from Portland. RLLRBLL, an indie rock artist, will also perform. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., doors at 7p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door.  Oct. 11 Rend Collective, a Christian folk band from the coast of Northern Ireland, brings The Feel-Good Folk Show to the Elsinore Theatre on Friday. Rend Collective wants to be known as a celebration band, worshiping for God’s Glory and fame. Since the release of their first album, Organic Family Hymnal, the group’s authentic and energetic style of worship has attracted an international audience. Tickets start at $28. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.. Oct. 12 Oakland band Free Salamander Exhibit comes to Salem at the Infinity Room, along with rock band Uz Jsme Doma. Free Salamander Exhibit is currently on tour in the western U.S. and Uz Jsme Doma is a band from the Czech Republic. The show starts with Free Salamander Exhibit at 9 p.m., and tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.  Oct. 15 Home Free, a country a cappella group, is stopping at the Elsinore during its Crazy(er) Life Tour. The evening mixes upbeat, Nashville-dipped pop hits, country and western standards, incredible harmony, and quick witted humor. Tickets start at $29.50. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 Project Chamber Music’s “Song & Dance” performance will feature “Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major” and Brahms’ “Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor.” The project brings world-class musicians to mentor Willamette Valley players. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. at Willamette University’s Hudson Concert Hall. Tickets are $30, or free for Willamette University students. They can be purchased by cash or check only at the door. Proceeds will go to needs-based scholarships for children’s music lessons. At Infinity Room, a night of hip-hop and rap features artists around Oregon, including N0Alarm, TRIPT and A.GUZZY.XI from Salem, Ryanmadeit from Astoria, Dj H-Ram from Corvallis. The concert kicks off at 7 p.m., with the door opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door.  Oct. 25 The Sinaloan music groups Banda MS, Los 2 De La S, and Plan de Escape will perform on Friday at the pavilion at Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center starting at 8 p.m. General admission for the show costs $60 and parking costs $10. More information about the concert is available online.  The Oregon Symphony debuts its Salem season with a performance of “Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” and other works. Show at 7:30 p.m. in Willamette University’s Smith Auditorium. Tickets begin at $37. Oct. 26 Come to the Reed Opera House for Salem’s Masquerade Ball, a night of mystery and enchantment at the most anticipated event of the year. Put on your most glamorous masquerade mask and dance the night away. 6-10 p.m., with band starting at 7. Tickets $41.32 with fees. Stop by Infinity Room for a night of stoner rock and doom metal with Robots of the Ancient World, a Portland-based “heavy psych” band. Following Robots of the Ancient World, are pop and rock special guests Wild Ire and Young Hunter. Show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.  Check out the best drinks downtown Salem has to offer with the Halloween Bar Crawl, running from 4-10 p.m. Tickets start at $12.78 per person for groups of four or more, or $18.41 solo. Prices rise Sept. 28. Oct. 27 Join Salem Symphonic Winds for their 50th anniversary season featuring cello soloist Joseph Harchanko performing “Angelo del Cielo” by Giacomo Puccini and “Casanova,” a cello concerto by Johan de Meij. Show at 3 p.m. at South Salem High School’s Rose Auditorium. Tickets $22.30 for adults, 6.52 for youth 18 and under. Classes, workshops and lectures Oct. 5 Taste test and vote for a winner between harvest soups, chilis and chowders, then learn a line dance to “Footloose” at the Pentacle Theatre. The event will be from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, see the theater’s Facebook post. Oct. 16 Salem’s 35th Peace Lecture brings Roxy Manning, a clinical psychologist, author, and peacemaker, to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. Her free talk is on “Strengthening Democracy Through Nonviolent Dialogue.” Markets, shopping and fall festivals Oct. 5 *LifeSource Market is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a fall food festival. It includes 20% off all regular-price items all day, and from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., a barbeque, free samples, prizes, and live music. Oct. 13 Market for the Strange returns to the Salem Convention Center for a horror-themed celebration of local 70 local vendors and creators. Admission $5, tickets online. Leah Markman holds a handmade leather teacup and saucer holder at the Market for the Strange held at the Salem Convention Center on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Oct. 17-18 Pick up some books at the Fall Book Sale at the Salem Public Library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Thursday and Friday. The sale goes from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The book sale includes CDs, and DVDs and there will be a speciality book sale and silent auction running for the duration of the sale. Proceeds from the sale benefit programs and special projects at the library. More information can be found online.  Oct 18-19 It’s time for the Great Junk Hunt at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center. Sale runs Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $20 depending on entrance time. Parking costs $5 per vehicle. More info on the market can be on the Great Junk Hunt website.   Oct. 23-27 A five day long children’s consignment event,  Baby’s Bottom Dollar Sale is coming to Columbia Hall at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center. Shopping is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Parking for the event costs $5. More info on the sale can be found online. STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected]. A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. The post Events calendar: what to do in Salem for October 2024 appeared first on Salem Reporter.