Press Play Salem 13 | Spring 2022

ISSUE 13  SPRING 2022

Celebrate

Spring in Salem

Infinity Room

A Taste That's Outerspace

Kittens & Beer

Get your snuggles and suds in

Sustainable Salem

Steps towards an eco-life

Let's Get Fresh

Salads beyond basic

Plus, Things To Do

in March, April & May

arts + entertainment + culture

ISSUE 13 SPRING 2022

THE SETLIST....

5 | TURNTABLE // Feature

Infinity Room: A Taste That's Outerspace Salem's vegan kitchen is an entertainment hub offering a nostalic mood through taste, sight and sound.

Play

March...............................................................15 April..................................................................17 May...................................................................19 Hey, Green Thumb...................................... 10 The Mighty Wurlitzer..................................26 What's the Craic (Irish events).................27 Historic Photo Contest...............................28 Music........................................................... 7, 18

Picture Disc

Salem Art Scene..........................................29 Level 2 Gallery...............................................14

20 | A-SIDE

Creating a Sustainable Salem

Front Row

Want to improve your environmental impact and help create a more sustainable Salem? We've got a guide to help you...

Fast Forward

Scenes on Salem Stages...........................35 Three Events.................................................37 The Festivals are Coming...........................18

STOP

Take a Hike with Dino Venti......................36

11 | TURNTABLE // Taste

Let's Get Fresh

Mixtape

#PressPlaySalem.........................................38

Salem restaurateurs are amping up the offerings for how you get your greens in ways that are anything but basic.

22 | B-SIDE

9 | TURNTABLE // Bite

What to do About E-Waste Refined Rarebit Old cell phones, cameras, batteries, cables... find out what to do about e-waste

Epilogue Kitchen's Biscuits and Gravy is beyond the expected

16 | PLAY

24 | RECORD

Kittens & Beer

Kristin Kuhns

Snuggles and suds abound at this Willamette Humane Society event that aims to help socialize kittens

Salem-raised artist Kristin Kuhns is driven to create “by a vision that invigorates a state of hopeful creativity.”

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 3

EDITOR'S NOTE

Carlee Wright Tracy Torres Erin Zysett Ben Mah

| | | |

Publisher/Editor Assist Ed/Writer Copy Editor Photographer

Contributors: Robert Cates Downard, Anne Lapour, Ben Mah, Aoife Murphy, Matt Torres Like many, I equate spring with green — the color and the cause. I also see it as a time of new beginnings, as the season changes and mother nature wakes from her winter slumber. The world around us opens (in more ways than one) and we look to re-engage with our community. With this edition of Press Play Salem, we are embracing all that and then some.

We’re thinking about how we can contribute to a sustainable Salem. Hopefully our decision tree on the subject (page 20) helps you. (Or at least entertains you a smidge.) We are reconsidering what to do with our old electronics (page 22) and looking forward to exploring what’s new, like Level 2 Gallery at Salem Convention Center (page 14). We’re diving into vegan food (page 5). We’re surveying the menu for salad (page 11). We’re getting ready to help socialize some wee furry friends (page 16) — it is almost kitten season after all. We’re channeling all the goodness of Spring into this first issue of 2022!

You may notice some changes with the magazine, including new voices (wave!) and expanded food coverage…because who doesn’t like to eat?! We’re thrilled to be growing. With more ideas that can fit on a page, we’re also excited to continue building the bridge between our print and digital offerings as we keep you engaged and connected on all levels while supporting the people, businesses, nonprofits, events and activities that make Salem, Salem.

Carlee Wright Instigator... and Publisher/Editor This edition of Press Play Salem is dedicated to Gerry Frank. Rest in Peace.

Hey, Let's lay!

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4 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of Press Play Salem.

The views and opinions expressed in these articles and ads are not necessarily those of Press Play Salem or its contributors, employees, staff or management.

Please Note: While we make every effort to ensure accuracy with calendar and event listings, dates and details are subject to change without notice.

Follow Press Play Salem

Facebook.com/PressPlaySalem Instagram: @PressPlaySalem Twitter: @PressPlaySalem Pinterest.com/pressplaysalem Website: www.pressplaysalem.com

Contact Press Play Salem email: hello@pressplaysalem.com phone: 971-808-2868

On the cover...

We're celebrating Spring in Salem with Ashley Contreras — Board Member (of The Moxie Initiative), Seller (of Real Estate), Friend (of the Instigator) — who wears "PVC: Pick Very Carefully," an art-dress made from upcycled gift cards. Approximately 300 gift cards were cut into ~2,000 guitar picks and hand sewn on a thrift store dress. See the dress in person (minus Ashley) during April at Salem on the Edge. Photo by Ben Mah.

Printed in Salem

TURNTABLE

INFINITY ROOM

A TASTE THAT'S OUTERSPACE

Summer and Stan Keightly want you to have a good meal and a good time. From the performers on their stage to the customers at their tables, the goal is a “delicious and substantial” meal, regardless of your diet.

“I wanted to create a place where everybody could come together and eat,” Summer said. “I know not everyone is vegan, but almost everyone can eat vegan food.”

The result is a menu thoughtfully considered, right down to the aquafaba used to create the perfect froth on the “Ginfinity Fizz” cocktail.

The recently reopened Infinity Room is a partnership of two Salem places and four Salemites. Summer and Stan’s venue The Space merged with Capitol City Theater in 2019. Summer is the cook, and runs what is now the only 100% vegan kitchen and bar in town. Stan Keightly and Christopher Pelka provide the sound engineering for all the performers, and Emma Jones teaches improv and runs the comedy and booking end of the business.

Though the Infinity Room may be newer to Salem’s downtown, Summer and Stan have been feeding and entertaining Salem for more than a decade. They provided food for Level B Theater Pub during its operation, and opened The Space (with fellow Salemite Doug Hoffman) in West Salem in 2016, where they combined vegan food and live performance. In 2019, an opportunity arose to merge with Capitol City Theater, and it was the perfect time to make a change. The plan was to spend a month or so renovating their new space, then quickly reopen. COVID, as we all know, had other plans. That onemonth renovation turned into a two-year project. “When we say every room in this building has been renovated by us, it’s true,” Summer said.

Story by Anne Lapour Photos by Ben Mah spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 5

TURNTABLE The result is a sleek, polished space that manages to remain quirky and playful. Local artwork pops against the pitch-black walls, and design details like the quartz bar-top

A self-trained cook, Summer learned her craft out of necessity. When Summer and Stan discovered their oldest child had a dairy allergy, they had to pivot quickly.

The Infinity Room makes inclusion its mission. In addition to the lineup of comedians and musicians, there’s a weekend “drag brunch,” and of course open mic

keep it modern. The black backdrop allows the stage to shine, quite literally. Stan, an expert sound engineer, designed the unique wall to frame performers on all sides.

Composed of a highly effective acoustic diffusion pattern, it doubles as a striking lighting element.

Summer’s delight in their renovated digs shines through in the food as well. She now has the space to create nearly everything on the menu in-house, from scratch. This includes sauces, soups, sourdough starter… even the fruit-infused vodka in the bar.

Summer is especially keen on making their breads, something she lacked the space to do previously. And if you’re glutensensitive, Summer has that covered too.

On a trip to Europe, she discovered that the wheat overseas didn’t wreak havoc on her digestion. So she found a local solution, and now purchases her flour from a source that imports Italian wheat.

She created and curated dairy-free recipes at a time when vegan ingredients weren’t nearly as plentiful. Store offerings back then were largely limited to tofu and soy milk, so Summer created her own brand of delicious, homey, vegan food. She wrote and published the results in 2003’s, The Glad Cow Cookbook, which has had a huge influence on the Infinity Room’s menu.“I still use a lot of those tricks I taught myself to solve problems of lack of opportunity,” Summer said.

Summer says her menu will continue to evolve with the seasons. “It’s always going to change because I get bored really easily… and I really like using local things, so as we have more produce (that’s not just kale) then I’ll start doing more things.” But the attention and care she gives to those with allergies or food sensitivities will remain constant, as she’s planning to provide a binder for customers outlining any allergens on the menu.

nights where the Salem community gets a chance to show off. The food itself is key to it all. “I feel strongly that we, as humans, usually connect over a table full of food…

And if you leave people out of the ability to partake in the food part of that, they’re not going to hang out at the table as much. They lose connection and they lose feeling a part of things,” Summer said. Suffice to say, you won’t leave hungry.

6 | www.pressplaysalem.com | winter spring 2022 2021/22

Infinity Room 210 Liberty St SE, Suite 150 971-599-1871 infinityroomsalem.com

MUSIC

TASTY THOUGHTS Though it’s open-mic night when I visit, I’m here for the food, and I’ve come hungry. I am also not vegan. But when our team dives into Summer’s menu, I’m treated to the same childlike joy I feel when I’m presented with a great burger and fries. Our order includes the Infinity Burger, made with a chickpea patty, served with tots and house-made vegan dipping sauce. The bun is soft, the burger is flavorful and satisfying, and the tots—sprinkled with Summer’s signature “space dust” seasoning—are downright addictive. But the table favorite could be the nachos, a tower of house-made tortilla chips, “cheezish” sauce, beans and veg.

I’m a tad obsessed with that cheezish sauce, and Summer tells me her secrets, which involve oats and roasted red pepper. This is the kind of innovation that embodies Summer’s cooking ethos: food that tastes familiar, gives all the cozy happy feels, but leaves nobody out. So it’s fitting that when I ask Summer about her food inspiration, she references the Little House on the Prairie books, where people gathered around tables of fresh biscuits, homemade bread, and presumably a fair bit of meat. It’s that mood and nostalgia she wants to evoke, rather than the exact menu: “That’s my kind of food; if you went to your grandma’s house in the 60’s or 70’s, what would she just have laying around?” — Anne Lapour

On Stage at Infinity Room Here's a highlight of what's coming...

SLAY 'EM A Comedy Showcase of Salem's Local Killers

Comedy | 6 p.m. March 19 Showtigers with Sunwell Rock ‘n’ roll | 7 p.m. March 26 Amy Miller and special guests Comedy | 9 p.m. April 1 Physical Wash with Major Hex and Wintermind Industrial | 8:30 p.m. April 2 The Ferenjis — Album Release with Erin Westfall Neo-Soul | 7 p.m. April 9 Ken Hamlett: A Drunken Night Out Comedy | 9 p.m. April 15 Glacier Veins with Sadgasm Dream/Emo Punk | 7 p.m. April 16 Mx. Dahlia Belle, Scott II and more Comedy | 8 p.m. April 22 The Wild Jumps with Age of Discord and Gung Ho Rats Punk | 8 p.m. April 30 Note: Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test within 48 hours required on entry. spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 7

THIS ISSUE ON

PressPlaySalem.com

@pressplaysalem

WEB EXCLUSIVES

A Taste That's Outerspace Read about Infinity Room, Salem's vegan kitchen (page 5) then visit our website for more food photos. 

Do you want to know a secret? The photo on the cover was one of the last images we took during our photoshoot.

We had a completely different concept in mind, but the kismet snap truly captured our spring edition in one image.

 Hear the Mighty Wurlitzer Read about the Wurlitzer at the Elsinore (page 26) then hear it come to life online.  Got kittens?

Watch for photos from Kittens & Beer (page 16) coming soon.

#PressPlaySalem

Share your Salem moments with us by tagging your photos with #PressPlaySalem on social media.

We want to know what Salem looks like to you! (You may even get featured in an upcoming issue.)

Don't forget to check our website for the complete monthly calendar of events. It's an extensive (and growing) listing of what's happening each month in Salem.

The Playlist

Released weekly and delivered directly to your inbox, The Playlist focuses on what’s happening in Salem for the coming weekend. From theater and live music to local hot spots and touring events, it aims to help people get out, explore, learn, experience…and play!

Sign up at: pressplaysalem.com/the-playlist

8 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

BEHIND THE SCENES MONTHLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Submit Your Events

Send us your events. Community calendar listings are free (and we often pull from our calendar for feature stories.) To be considered for inclusion, email event title, 2-3 sentence summary, date, time, location, cost and where to contact for more information to hello@ pressplaysalem.com.

TURNTABLE / BITE

I feel I have a pretty good handle on biscuits and gravy — the understated, deceptively simple dish known across most of the country (I say most because I suppose there are pockets of the US that aren’t down with the B and G, but who wants to go to such places?). Having grown up in the midwest, where it can be found on every small-town diner menu, I’m confident I know what makes a good plate of biscuits and gravy.

However, none of that matters when it comes to Epilogue Kitchen’s take on this breakfast staple.

My knowledge fails me as I read “vegetarian” and “rarebit” in the menu description.

Vegetarian runs counter to my belief that sausage is essential, and rarebit is...well, I’m not sure. But I’m open minded. I like new things. So when four square-shaped halves of biscuits, evenly covered with a light brown gravy, flecked with chives and topped with scrapple and a fried egg* arrives at my table, my first reaction is to follow the Jedi Master’s saying and unlearn what I have learned. I am rewarded with a bite that obliterates everything I’ve been led to believe biscuits and gravy should be. The yolk runs from the pierced egg, coating the scrapple and mixing with the gravy being delivered to my mouth on a piece of a fluffy, flaky biscuit.

It’s savory, tangy and rich. The crispness of the scrapple compliments the smooth gravy which compliments the perfectly baked biscuit. This is breakfast. This is transcendent. This is the best thing I have eaten all week. 130 High St SE. — Ben Mah *On the menu the egg and scrapple are optional, but I often subscribe to the theory of “going for the gusto,” especially when brunch is concerned.

Take Note

Epilogue chef and owner Jonathan Jones is a semifinalist in the 2022 James Beard Awards for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA). Winners will be announced at an award ceremony on June 13 in Chicago.

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 9

PLAY

HEY, GREEN THUMB...

Check out these three events for gardening ideas and inspiration...

The Deepwood Plant Sale takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19, at Deepwood Museum & Gardens, 1116 Mission St SE. Shop for hard-to-find native and companion plants, yard decor, pottery and more and support a good cause while you are at it. A portion of all proceeds benefit Deepwood’s preservation and programs. Free admission to the sale. Keep an eye on deepwoodmuseum.org for details.

Take a free self-guided tour during Gaiety Hollow Open Gardens (shown above) beginning in April. The property was the home, garden and office of Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver, the first all-female landscape architecture firm in the Pacific Northwest, and is a lovely example of their style of landscaping. The 2022 schedule is April 2 and 23, May 7 and 21, June 11 and 25, July 9 and 25, August 6 and 20, and September 10 and 24. Some dates will include background music provided by local musicians, and others works by local artists.Gaiety Hollow is located at 545 Mission St SE, across from Bush’s Pasture Park. Watch lordschryver.org for more information.

Explore the Mid-Valley Yard, Garden & Home Show March 18 through 20 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Whether looking to find a vendor or learn about do-it-yourself options, this event boasts hundreds of new and innovative products and services for your home and garden. See the latest in outdoor living, gardening trends, design ideas, tools for the yard and garden and more.

Get all the details at homebuildersassociation.org/yard-garden/ — Carlee Wright

10 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

Let's Get Fresh Wholesome.

Healthy.

Robust.

Salad.

Salem restaurateurs are amping up the offerings for how you get your greens in ways that are anything but basic. Here are a few highlights about the salads we’re eating lately…

Story by the PressPlay TastingTeam Photos by Carlee Wright

TURNTABLE | TASTE

Basil & Board

From the traditional Farmhouse (cucumber, cherry tomato, red onion, house croutons) or Caesar; to the loaded Picasso’s Last Meal (grilled chicken, smoked bacon, avocado, cherry tomato, red onion, honey mustard), Basil & Board does not disappoint. However, if you are looking for the best of both worlds, go for the Tortellini salad. It’s a delectable combination of fresh tortellini, grilled chicken, capers and shaved parmesan atop a bed of generously dressed arugula. The lemon vinaigrette is refreshing and brings a balance to the dish. Despite being pasta, it’s a light, yet filling, meal.

Epilogue Kitchen

The Roots and Trees Salad brings together seared sweet potatoes, fresh apples and toasted nuts in a tasty combination served over a generous bed of arugula dressed with apple cider vinaigrette. Texture enhances the flavor of this salad as crispy edged sweet potato melds with the snap of fresh apples and the crunch of toasted hazelnuts and walnuts. The tang of the vinaigrette brings it all together in this unique and flavorful salad offering. Bonus: it’s vegan.

Epilogue Kitchen & Cocktails 130 High St SE epiloguekitchen.com

Basil & Board 500 Liberty St SE basilandboard.com

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 11

TURNTABLE | TASTE

Ritter's

Taproot Lounge

If seafood isn’t your jam, Ritter’s salad bar is the way to go. It allows you to build your own salad from a choice of two greens and six additional toppings. These accent toppings include, but are not limited to: fresh veggies,roasted veggies, grains,beans, cheese and other protein options.

Taproot Lounge & Cafe

Ritter’s Crab & Oregon Shrimp Salad is served with a hearty portion of organic mixed greens tossed in their own roasted shallot and sherry vinaigrette. Although on the acidic side, it blends well with the other ingredients, which include: avocado, grape tomatoes and cucumber. The seafood mix is delightful — absent traditional dill — with just the right touch of lemon and mayo to make the shrimp shine. Pro tip: get the dressing on the side.

Ritter’s Housemade Foods 102 Liberty St NE #100 ritterseatery.com

12 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

Taproot combines unique flavors and ingredients to create something different than your standard salad. We opted for the Rainbow Carrot Salad which featured a bed of mixed greens, including spinach, topped with maple syrup-glazed rainbow carrots, golden raisins, dried cranberries, fried beet strips and goat cheese. The savory goat cheese complements the flavor and texture of the carrots, which balanced the leafy greens. It’s a unique dish all around.

356 State St taprootloungeandcafe.com

TURNTABLE | TASTE

Venti's

Looking for a ray of sunshine? Try the Good Earth Salad. Not only is it a visual delight, but it will satisfy your tastebuds, too. It’s one of the newest on the Venti’s menu and delivers a delicious and unique combination of ingredients, including: roasted corn, garbanzo beans, shredded carrot, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion, avocado, gorgonzola cheese and hemp seeds atop a bed of arugula. A green chili vinaigrette is served on the side. Pro Tip: The vinaigrette packs a punch so if you aren’t into spicy, we suggest going with the mango balsamic oil and vinegar.

Wild Pear

Wild Pear has a lovely variety of salads on their menu — like something-foreveryone-even-the-people-who-don’tlike-salad variety — but, we would be remiss if we did not mention their namesake, which features: sliced pear, candied pecans and blue cheese crumbles on a bed of mixed greens,topped with roasted pear vinaigrette.

This salad is the perfect combo - the pears give it crunch and the blue cheese is a savory bite that balances out the sweetness of the candied pecans.

325 Court ST NE

Of course, if you can’t make up your mind on just one, they’ve got you covered. Try the Salad Sampler and make an entree of three of their classics.

Venti’s South Cafe & Taphouse

Wild Pear

2840 Commercial St SE ventiscafe.com

372 State St wildpearcatering.com

Venti’s Cafe & Basement Bar

Wine · Spirits · Culinary · Music

FIRST

TASTE Salem’s Premier Wine & Spirit Event

April 15-16, 2022

Get your tickets NOW www.FirstTasteOregon.com spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 13

Art Makes Life Better!

PICTURE DISC

STEP UP

156 Liberty St NE | www.salemontheedge.com Jump into the Weekend with

TO LEVEL 2

Level 2 Gallery is open for viewing in the Salem Convention Center

Your Guide to what's happening in Salem

Sign up for The Playlist pressplaysalem.com/the-playlist 14 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

Step up to Salem’s newest art-viewing opportunity. Level 2 Gallery, located on — as you might imagine — the upper level of the Salem Convention Center (SCC), aims to highlight Oregon artists.

Level 2’s first exhibition features a collection of mixed media work created by Salem artist Kristin Kuhns, which are on display through May 31, 2022. (Read more in the Press Play Salem "Record" column on page 24).

Curated by the Oregon Artists Series Foundation (OASF), Level 2 will feature changing exhibitions of work by established and emerging artists of the region. The gallery builds upon OASF’s growing partnership with SCC, which includes facilitating art in and around the center including the sculpture south of the building.

OASF was created in 2008 to promote art in public spaces in Salem. In addition to the opening of Level 2 Gallery, OASF is building a new partnership with the Salem Library Foundation to bring more art to the Salem Public Library beginning in 2022.

“The Oregon Artists Series Foundation has worked with the Convention Center to make art a valuable part of our visitor experience since we opened. The new Level 2 Gallery will be a wonderful addition to our facility moving forward,” said Chrissie Bertsch, General Manager. “We love being able to showcase artists of our region in our large space that has so many different users.”

Level 2 Gallery is open to the public during regular business hours Monday through Friday, as well as special events or by appointment by calling 503-589-1700.

Learn more at oregonartistsseries.com.

FIND MORE ONLINE Watch for play previews at PressPlaySalem.com

March Forward

PLAY Highlights of what's happening in music, arts and more

Celebrate 10 years of the Acoustic Showcase with some of the area’s best songwriters. The free show features Danny Shaw, Matthew Price, Ben Thede, Ashley Lute, Abbey Pope, Hannah Wood, Jon Fro and Cory Wilson.

7:30 p.m. | March 19 | The Triangle

Experience the real life Pitch Perfect with Varsity Vocals, the International Competition of A Cappella, which showcases the art of students singing unaccompanied by instruments.

The high school program takes place Friday, followed by collegiate on Saturday. The top placing groups will move on to compete in the finals in New York City.

March 26 & 27 | Elsinore Theatre | elsinoretheatre.com The arrival of spring welcomes the return of the Salem Saturday Market. Shop for everything from fresh produce to artisan products from more than 150 rotating vendors. New this year, the market will close at 2 p.m.

Every Saturday, March through October | 865 Marion St NE | salemcommunitymarkets.com For more events...see the monthly calendar at PressPlaySalem.com spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 15

Kittens & Beer PLAY

Get your suds and snuggles in at

Organized by the Willamette Humane Society (WHS), Kittens & Beer aims to help the shelter’s kittens get human interaction so they may grow to be healthy, friendly and well-socialized adults. It is not an adoption event, so there is no risk of taking home a kitten (although we can’t guarantee you won’t want to). Kitten cuddling shifts are available every 15 minutes. While you wait, take advantage of Santiam Brewing’s food and drink options, which include a delicious variety of British pub fare, craft beer, cider and more. Santiam will donate $1 for every pint sold. And minors are welcome.

This event is part of the Humane Society’s initiative to promote fostering.

“Foster volunteers serve as our second shelter,” said WHS Executive Director BJ Andersen. “They take in animals that are too young, too fragile, or too overwhelmed to stay in the main shelter. With a foster, these dogs and cats can rest, heal, and grow in a loving home environment until they’re ready to move on to the next phase of their lives.”

Foster volunteers are especially needed during the time called “kitten season,” which typically begins in the spring,

Fosters have access to WHS medical care and an experienced mentor team. These experts can answer questions and step in when needed. WHS also provides all food and supplies, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses for foster volunteers.

although adult cats and dogs need help and assistance all year through.

“Many people think they need to be experts in animal care in order to be a successful foster volunteer,” said Jaime Oakeson, WHS Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. “That’s just not true. Some dogs and cats need little more than a bit of patience to thrive. If you’re not comfortable providing intensive, around-the-clock medical care for a tiny kitten, we can still use your help. We appreciate those dedicated medical fosters too, of course. But anyone’s help is both needed and wanted.”

Got Kittens?

Share your photos with us on social media @PressPlaySalem — #PressPlaySalem

16 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

“We do our best to make things easy for people to join,” Jaime said. “And this is a great opportunity for anyone that wants to have a short-term commitment with a pet.

You get to cuddle and love a dog or a cat for a few weeks, and then you’re back to your normal life. If you travel a lot or you’re not in a space to adopt permanently, this could be a great option.”

“We are so thankful for our fosters,” said BJ. “Each volunteer that takes home a pet in need leaves space for another animal that needs help. It’s a critical part of the work we do in this community, and we just couldn’t do it without fosters.”

Interested in fostering? Sign up on the WHS website. Foster volunteers must be 18 or older, and agree to foster at least one animal in the coming year. Foster recruitment is open from now until April.

— Carlee Wright

Kittens & Beer 6 to 8 p.m. March 24, May 26 and June 23 Santiam Brewing, 2544 19th St. SE Learn more at whs4pets.org.

April Activities

PLAY Highlights of what's happening in music, arts and more

Master hypnotist Asad Mecci and improv comedian Colin Mochrie unite to present HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis, bringing together two art forms that mystify and entertain creating a totally unique comedy experience. April 28 | Elsinore Theatre | elsinoretheatre.com

Grammy Award-winning songwriter, musician, actor and best-selling author Rick Springfield is coming to Salem for a special intimate “Stripped Down” solo performance with storytelling.

April 5 | Elsinore Theatre | elsinoretheatre.com It’s a joyous return to song for Festival Chorale Oregon. The 80-voice choir will perform Schubert's Mass No. 6 “the triumph and swansong of [Schubert’s] career.” Founding artistic director Solveig Holmquist conducts the 80-voice choir and symphonic orchestra. Guest soloists are Amber Traver, soprano; Hannah Penn, contralto; Les Green, tenor; Nicolai Strommer, bass/baritone; with Bryan Gonzales, tenor. April 10 | Elsinore Theatre | elsinoretheatre.com

For more events...see the monthly calendar at PressPlaySalem.com spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 17

MUSIC

FAST FORWARD SAVE THESE DATES

THE

Festivals

ARE COMING

Summer is just around the corner and with it brings festivals galore. Mark these on your calendar (and watch for more details in the Summer issue of Press Play Salem).

New Music from Hot Sheets Salem all-girl punk band Hot Sheets brings raw, authentic energy to their newly released album Want Me, which dropped in early March.

Born from Make Music Day in 2016, the punk trio features Karen “Dropkick” Holman on guitar and vocals, Jessica “The Claw” Amos on bass and vocals and Jamie “Bangz” Sloan on drums.

“We started writing the music over two years ago,” said Karen.

The album, which was recorded with Jason Carter at Wavelength Studio, is a follow-up to the trio’s 2018 EP. “The first was our beginner album; this is our evolved album,” said Karen.

“We’ve been together longer — we’ve evolved as musicians. This is now more representative of who we are today.”

Want Me is available now on a variety of digital platforms. Learn more at facebook.com/hotsheetsband 18 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

CHERRY CITY VEGFEST aims to connect the community to resources for plantbased eating and living a vegan lifestyle through a one-day event featuring food vendors, free samples, guest speakers, activities for kids and more. June 18 at Pringle Park Community Hall, 606 Church St SE. cherrycityvegfest.org WORLD BEAT FESTIVAL, organized

by Salem Multicultural Institute, will return to downtown Salem to fill the park with international music, dance, ethnic foods and crafts as it celebrates people and traditions of more than 70 cultures and nations. This year’s theme is “Let’s Dance.” June 24 through 26 at Riverfront Park, 200 Water St NE. salemmulticultural.org MARION COUNTY FAIR celebrates county and community with live music, food, animals, carnival rides, contests galore and more. July 8 through 10 at Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. marioncountyfair.net SALEM ART FAIR & FESTIVAL is a celebration of creativity produced by the Salem Art Association. Explore the art, crafts and creative creations of local and national artists. See performing arts, listen to live music, learn from demonstrations and more. July 15 through 17 at Bush’s Pasture Park, 600 Mission St SE. salemart.org

MIG FEST combines punk and ska music with local, organically grown food.

July 16 at Minto Island Growers, 3394 Brown Island Rd S. migfestsalem.com ENGLEWOOD FOREST FESTIVAL is a gathering of art, environment and community nestled in seven wooded acres near downtown Salem that aims to celebrate, educate and support, especially that of the Northeast neighborhood. Shop vendors and artisans, see demonstrations, listen to live music and more. August 13 at Englewood Park, 1260 19th St NE. englewoodforestfestival.org OREGON STATE FAIR highlights animals, attractions, arts & crafts and more statewide. It also includes spirited competitions and live entertainment for the whole family. August 26 through September 5 at Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. oregonstatefair.org

SOUND OFF

We want to hear from you!

What's your favorite Salem festival?

Shoot us an email and let us know.

FIND MORE ONLINE Visit PressPlaySalem.com for more must-save dates

Play for May

PLAY Highlights of what's happening in music, arts and more

Laugh out loud with comedian Ed Hill.

Named "Comic to Watch" by Reader's Digest Magazine, this Canadian funny man has performed for "Laughs" on FOX, TED talks and XM Radio. His tweets have been featured on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon", Buzzfeed, and The Huffington Post. Note: Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within 48 hours required. May 14 | Infinity Room | showpass.com/ed-hill-ir/

KRISTIN KUHNS Delgani IV: Dance of Joy features Elena Ruehr’s vibrant third quartet, which boasts an eclectic array of influences, from Hildegard von Bingen to African dance rhythms. Celebrated quartets

by Haydn and Brahms open and close the program, concluding Delgani String Quartets’s season with joy in a postpandemic world. May 21 | Unitarian Universalist Congregation | delgani.org

Spring in wine country comes alive at the Willamette Valley Wine Festival. This familyfriendly event celebrates one of Oregon’s most notable bounties — wine. Plus, it coincides with the Willamette Valley Marathon and Half-Marathon, a big city-run with wildscenic beauty. May 29 | Riverfront Park | willamettevalleywinefest.com

Woven Journals February 8 – May 31, 2022

LEVEL 2 GALLERY Inside Salem Convention Center 200 Commercial Street SE Hours: Mon– Fri 10am–5pm

oregonar tistsseries.com For more events...see the monthly calendar at PressPlaySalem.com spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 19

A-SIDE

Creating a

SUSTAINABLE SALEM Try a shampoo bar Why? Bars save water and cut down on plastic usage.

YES

Peace City Soaps makes both shampoo and conditioner bars. Find them online at peacecitysoaps.com/shampoosand-conditioners

Nice, you’re saving money (and the planet) but you still need to bathe, so check out these local soap makers (in addition to Peace City above).

Slab Handcrafted Soap — slabsoap.com Wildcraft Herbarium — wildcraftherbarium.com (Remember, this is just a sampling.

The Saturday Market is a great place to find more makers)

YES

START HERE

Want to do something to improve your environmental impact and help create a more sustainable Salem?

NO YES Try again.

Hungry?

NO

Make it meatless (It doesn't matter if it's Monday or not.)

Why? Replacing meat with plant-based options can offer health benefits for you and the planet. It can improve heart health and help cut down on production of greenhouse gasses.

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YES

Have Hair?

NO

Pick something plant-based

YES Is it Monday?

YES

NO

Want to cook?

YES

Need Supplies?

NO

Try a meal with a meat-alternative at a local restaurant. Here are some of our favorites —  Cauliflower Po Boy at Noble Wave  Colorado Jackfruit at Venti’s Cafes  Anything...everything at Infinity Room  Pumpkin Curry at Epilogue Kitchen  Cauliflower Tacos at Archive Coffee & Bar  Jackfruit Tinga Empanadas at Xichi Brewing Do you have a favorite plant-based dish from a Salem restaurant? We want to hear about it — #PressPlaySalem

YES NO

Happy Snackin'

A-SIDE Is something broken?

YES

NO

YAY!

Fix it Why? Fixing items, from holes in clothing to small electronics, saves the resources that are used in new manufacturing, plus keeps items out of the landfill.

The Repair Fair & Share, organized by Marion County Environmental Services, promotes the mentality of repairing rather than replacing. Learn more at facebook. com/RepairFairSalem/

Go for the refurbished Check out the Garten GEAR Store, 3334 Industrial Way NE, for refurbished electronics at a discount.

It’s open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fridays.

Electronics?

Clothing?

Get thrifty Why? According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Make Every Thread Count public awareness campaign, Americans throw away over 32 billion pounds of textiles a year. Shopping second hand helps keep textile waste from the landfill, plus you can find some cool, unique items.

Two of our favorite shops are Blast Off Vintage, 860 High St NE, and Across The Street Vintage & Resale, 1109 Edgewater St, but there are a handful of second hand stores, thrift shops and consignment boutiques in Salem. Visit our website for a listing.

Need new — to you — (insert name of item here)?

Household supplies?

Maybe it’s a good time to clean something. Need supplies?

NO

Happy Cleanin'

YES

Shop from local farmers  Saturday Market is open for business  Get organic produce (and tea) from Minto Island Growers, 3394 Brown Island Rd S. mintogrowers.com  Fordyce Farm, 7023 Sunnyview Rd fordycefarm.com. This family-owned berry farm has you-pick options, plus seasonal events.  Find fruit, veggies, plants, flowers and more at Aspinwall's Nursery & Produce, 5152 Salem Dallas Hwy NW. aspinwallsproduce.com  Get honey straight from the source at Flying Bee Ranch, 5180 Lardon Rd NE. flyingbeeranch.net (They even offer free tastings!)

Ditch disposables Eco Millennials is your lifestyle partner for a sustainable home from kitchen essentials to personal care products. ecomillennials.com Do good, twice, and shop with a cause in mind. Proceeds from the Salem Cloth Project’s ecoshop supports the nonprofit’s mission of providing free cloth diapers and other resources to families in need. Get paper(less) towels, cloth napkins, dish soap bars, and more. salemclothproject.org

FIND MORE ONLINE — Watch PressPlaySalem.com for more eco-stories

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 21

B-SIDE

WHAT TO DO ABOUT

By Robert Cates Downard Technology moves pretty fast. We probably all have a box collecting dust somewhere full of old cell phones, cameras, batteries, cables and other electronic waste. Maybe it’s something bigger like an old computer, printer or TV. At some point we will finally realize that it is time to throw it away to make better use of our space.

But where should it go? First of all, we cannot throw it in with our curbside trash and recycling.

Everything that uses electricity is made of a mixture of plastics, metals, glass and harmful chemicals that need to be disposed of properly. In Marion County (and most of the country), e-waste is unable to be properly processed at our local facilities when we throw it away with the rest of our garbage.

What if my toys and tools still work? If the tech we want to get rid of or replace has some life left in it or is only slightly damaged, we should consider selling it to someone on our local marketplace of choice.

This is the most eco friendly route and will net us the most income from its sale. No middlemen to deal with and the carbon footprint is much smaller when we physically hand off our old phone to someone else while they hand us some cash. If we do not have time for that or cannot find a buyer, the store with the new shiny hotness might be able to give us store credit so they can flip it for us.

How about the gadgets and gizmos that no one wants to buy? Odds are no one wants our old mp3 player that stopped working in 2008. However the aluminum, nickel, copper, tin, gold, glass, and plastic it was made with still has a long life left to live. So what we need to do is recycle it. While we cannot throw it in our trash or recycling bin at home or work, there are places like Garten Services who will gladly help us out. They are a local, sustainable, e-waste recycler who provides jobs for disabled adults and will responsibly strip down that old technology and make sure it never ends up in a landfill.

People in the USA throw away about 45 pounds of e-waste a year. Doing so safely and responsibly is the best thing we can do with our old tech.

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FIND MORE ONLINE For more information about recycling your e-waste in Salem, check out — Marion County Environmental Services co.marion.or.us/PW/ES/disposal/ programs/recycling Garten Services, Inc. garten.org/electronics-recycling

TIPS BEFORE YOU TOSS Remove and separate batteries.

They pose a fire hazard and should be placed in a separate container or plastic bag for processing. Do not puncture or apply too much pressure to an old battery as it might create an unscheduled pyrotechnic show in our home.

Erase personal and private data.

If we are dealing with confidential information or are contractually obligated to remove data, we may consider something more secure than just simply erasing what’s in the trash. Garten Services can provide industry leading data destruction at a per pound rate if need be.

Avoid breaking things more.

Even if our devices are already broken, the rest of it could still be reused for parts in a future repair for someone else. Garten Services may also be able to recuperate some of their costs by refurbishing and reselling things that still work. Plus there are many other hazards inside our devices we do not want to hurt ourselves with. We can let the trained professionals take care of things for us.

Wrap biohazards in a trash bag.

Sometimes we leave our junk outside or in our garage allowing nature to take over. Dead bugs, excess debris and excrement are no stranger to an e-waste recycler. Make their lives a little easier by making sure it does not contaminate everything else in their pile. Use a large garbage bag and seal it off from the rest of the junk.

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 23

RECORD

Kristin Kuhns: Hopeful Creativity

Salem-raised artist Kristin Kuhns is driven to create “by a vision that invigorates a state of hopeful creativity.”

“That's everything in my life; the state of hopeful creativity,” she said.

Working in two- and three-dimensional mixed media, from painting and drawings to clay and sculpture, Kristin explores the world around us.

Since 2005, her focus has been on issues of land use and how we interact with land.

“We've consumed land, used land, taken comfort in land. We've shown hubris and humility. I've tried to engage in a dialogue on those topics,” she said.

“Prior to 2020, my work had focused on some large commision projects so I had not been working small in some time. Then the isolation of the pandemic came, which fed into my natural tendencies towards introspection.”

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The result of that introspection can be seen in her exhibition, Woven Journals, which is currently on display at Level 2 Gallery at Salem Convention Center.

Woven Journals is a collection of mixed media studio work inspired by the regular walks Kristin and her family take through Minto Brown Park. Using photos captured while outdoors, combined with materials from her studio space topped with pencil notes and sewing machine stitches, familiar elements merge with a subtext of living during a global pandemic.

“This sense of familiar yet unfamiliar became central to this series,” said Kristin.

“My mom, 98, lives alone and is a weaver.

During the pandemic, I found myself helping her to set up her loom, tying on new warp to the existing. The theme of weaving as a construction method and as a way of co-mingling more than one concept came

If Minto Brown Park did not exist, my relationship to here would be quite different, terribly lacking. Many years of running, biking, walking, drawing, painting, taking dogs who are gone now and children who have grown — we have a long relationship, the park and I.

Above: Woven Journals at Level 2 Gallery Right: 1st floor Children's Area Entrance at the Salem Public Library

into focus. Weaving together coexisting yet strongly contrasting settings, thoughts, feelings or elements made sense as a manner of solving or tending to the ‘problem’ at hand.”

In addition to her work on exhibit at Level 2 Gallery, you will find Kristin’s creativity front and center at the Salem Public Library as the forest-like entryway leading to the children’s area.

Soon, it will also be on display in the Library's Art Hall on the first floor. Like Level 2, this gallery is also under the purview of the Oregon Artist Series Foundation.

Additionally, a prolific artist, Kristin’s work is held in numerous major collections, including at Salem Hospital and Salem Convention Center.

FIND MORE ONLINE Learn more about Kristin Kuhns at kristinkuhnsstudio.com

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 25

PLAY

Hear the Mighty Wurlitzer at the Elsinore Theatre Taking a page from its history, the Elsinore is bringing the 1927 silent film College, starring Buster Keaton, back to the big screen. But don’t worry, you won’t be sitting in silence. The movie will be accompanied by Rick Parks on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.

Said to be the largest Wurlitzer in the Pacific Northwest, the historic instrument features more than 1,800 pipes. With its 183 keys, it's no wonder it can create the sounds of an entire orchestra. So even if

you aren’t interested in the movie, which is about a bookish college student who tries to become an athlete to reconcile with his girlfriend, you can take in an hour-long organ concert. That alone is a pretty monumental experience.

The show takes place 7 p.m. April 6, at the Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. Tickets are $10 each. Two kids (12 and younger) admitted free with each paid ticket. Info: 503-375-3574, elsinoretheatre.com.

25406

Huggins.com

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PLAY

What's the craic? /krak/ noun: IRISH —enjoyable social activity; a good time

Kick up your heels and celebrate your Irish side at these events — Kick up your heels every week with the Céili of the Valley Society’s Celtic Dance Class. Taught by Elisa Chandler, all dances are walked, called and are for all ages and capabilities. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. No experience or partner needed. It's great exercise for your body and brain. Class takes place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays at the VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. Cost is $5, but the first one is free for new dancers. Note: Proof of full vaccination from Covid-19 required or a negative Covid test within 72 hours before class. Learn more at ceiliofthevalley.org.

FIND MORE ONLINE Visit PressPlaySalem.com for more St. Patrick's Day events

Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums will play for the St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl on March 17, at Half Penny Public House, 3743 Commercial St SE. The band will play twice: 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve our community by providing entertainment through Scottish music, develop the musical abilities of its members and enjoy the friendship shared because of their love of pipe and drum music.

Find out more at wvpnd.band.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Potatoe Famine. The local Irish punk/folk band will play an all-ages welcome show at 7 p.m.

Thursday March 17, at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance, $12 at the door. Purchase online at showpass.com/potatoe-famine.

Note: Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test within 48 hours required on entry.

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 27

PLAY

Historic Photo Contest

Start snapping. The Historic Photo Contest sponsored by The Historic Landmarks Commission is underway.

The commission is looking for photos highlighting Salem's historic buildings, neighborhoods and places that matter to Salem residents. The contest, which honors Historic Preservation Month in May, is open to amateur and professional photographers of all ages.

Categories include:  Best historic interior  Best historic exterior  Best historic landscape/sStreetscape/ feature (e.g. bridge, tree, etc.)  Best selfie with a historic feature or building  Best pet portrait with a historic feature or building Submit your photos at https://bit.ly/ hlcphoto2022 or on Instagram with the hashtag #salemHLC2022 by April 12.

Photo release required. Entrants can submit one photo in each of the following categories. Photos must be taken in Salem, Oregon. Prizes will be awarded.

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SALEM'S ART SCENE

GRETCHEN SCHUETTE ART GALLERY See fine art on display in the Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery at Chemeketa Community College where they host a variety of exhibitions by diverse regional and national artists each year. The gallery is located in building 3 on the college campus at 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE. It is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Info: 503-399-2533.

PICTURE DISC Explore art in Salem at these exhibits.

March 30 through April 29 Galactic Ping-Pong — Interdisciplinary Artist Kathryn Cellerini Moore is mounting a technology-intensive exhibition that includes installations in two spaces: Chemeketa’s Gretchen Schuette Gallery and the Media Production Studio. "This immersive, multimedia experience is like a science-art walk," said self-professed nerd and space-maker Kathryn.

Kathryn has been working with materials from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), an international consortium of scientists dedicated to creating and updating a detailed map of the universe, primarily Assistant Professor and Astrophysicist Sarah Tuttle at the University of Washington, to create her site-specific installation using a collection of SDSS astronomical observation plates.

Themes running through both of the exhibits in the show include astronomy, the blurring of microscopic and cosmic scales, and providing a slightly otherworldly

See Galactic Ping-Pong, a technologyintensive art exhibition by Kathryn Cellerini Moore, at Chemeketa's Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery from March 30 through April 29

experience for introspection. Kathryn hopes the viewer will question the scale of the things they encounter. Her microscope videography footage, which will be projected onto the plates, are abstracted visages of everyday substances that inspire curiosity.

And the overarching question —as we create technologies that help us see amazing things and help us humans understand where we fit within large ecosystems, how do we harness that enthusiasm and wonder and become the stewards our planet needs us to be? (Watch for a reception at the end of April) spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 29

PICTURE DISC

HALLIE FORD The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is Oregon's third-largest art museum. It features works by Pacific Northwest and Native American artists, a diverse collection of traditional European, American and Asian art, as well as antique artifacts. The museum is located at 700 State St and is open 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Proof of vaccination required for entry. Info: 503370-6855, willamette.edu/arts/hfma

Arvie Smith, "Blondie," 2015, oil on canvas, 48 x 48 in., Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Willamette University, Salem, OR, Maribeth Collins Art Acquisition Fund, 2017.016

Through March 26 Arvie Smith: Scarecrow — Arvie Smith (American, born 1938) is a nationally recognized Portland, Oregon African American painter and professor emeritus from the Pacific Northwest College of Art who explores issues of race, identity, and systemic racism in his work. Organized by director John Olbrantz, the exhibition features 26 paintings that span a 25 year period on loan from public and private collections throughout the United States, including the Portland Art Museum and the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, among others.

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PICTURE DISC

LEVEL 2 GALLERY

Through April 23 Depth of Field: Selections from the Bill Rhoades Collection of Northwest Photography — For the past 24 years, collector Bill Rhoades of Madras, Oregon, has donated hundreds of examples of Northwest art to the Hallie Ford Museum, including paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, Native American art, and most recently, photography. Organized by curator Jonathan Bucci, this exhibition presents a range of Northwest photographs donated by Rhoades over the past few years, including works by Robert Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Jim Lommasson, Mary Randlett, Terry Toedtemeier and more.

April 16 through May 14 Senior Studio Art Majors 2022: murmuration — Each spring, the museum highlights the work of senior art studio majors at Willamette University. The exhibition represents the culmination of their four years at Willamette and features work in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

Chelsea Couch: boots, bullets, britches, & bologna — Each spring, the museum pairs its annual senior studio art majors’ exhibition with a small solo exhibition of recent work by one of the faculty members in the art department. This year, the exhibition will focus on recent work by visiting Assistant Professor of Art Chelsea Couch, who teaches sculpture, video art, performance art, and time-based media.

Chelsea Couch received an MFA in Studio Art from University of Oregon and a BFA in Painting & Drawing from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Level 2 Gallery at the Salem Convention Center is curated by the Oregon Artists Series Foundation. Located on the second floor of the center, it features changing exhibits of work by established and emerging artists of the region. The Gallery is accessible Monday through Friday during regular business hours, during special events or by appointment by calling 503-589-1700. Info: oregonartistsseries.com

Through May 31 April Waters, "Ice-Time, Iceberg by Litchfield Island, Antarctica," 2020, oil on canvas, 72 x 108 in.

May 7 through August 13 April Waters: Water-Ice-Sky, Antarctica — In 2018, Salem artist April Waters — known for her works that focus on water and contemporary women leaders — turned her attention to Antarctica. As a grantee of the National Science Foundation Antarctic Artists and Writers Program, April traveled to Palmer Station to observe, study, photograph, and sketch the ocean, icebergs, and Maar Glacier.

After witnessing firsthand the beauty and harsh realities of a landscape facing monumental change, coupled with profound implications for the entire globe, April returned to her studio to transform her sketches, photographs and experiences into paintings of the earth’s southernmost continent.

The exhibition features a range of Antarctica paintings created over the past three years as well as text panels and ephemera that describe her journey and the science being conducted at Palmer Station, and includes a full-color brochure with an essay by art writer Bob Hicks.

Woven Journals — See a collection of mixed media studio work created since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic by West Salem artist Kristin Kuhns. While staying close to home, she and her family took comfort in their regular walks through Minto Brown Park, a familiar place of respite and for exercise in Kuhns' life for years. The works in this exhibit chronicle familiar elements from Minto Brown with a subtext of living during a global pandemic. The pieces weave contrasting images of comfort and disturbance, and written notes and thoughts are journaled within the woven patterns.

Kristin Kuhns, "Distorted Peripheral," 2022, mixed media

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 31

PICTURE DISC

SALEM ART ASSOCIATION The Salem Art Association aims to engage the community in the appreciation of the arts through art exhibitions, education and the preservation and interpretation of our shared cultural heritage. Visit the Bush Barn Art Center & Annex at 600 Mission St. SE. Check website for hours. Free. Info: 503581‑2228, salemart.org

Through March 26 Young Artists’ Showcase — Artwork by hundreds of students.

Rivers Series #2 | Sara Swanberg — When Sara began white water rafting, she developed a great love of rivers - the experience of flows at various levels, the feel of the easy and graceful turns and thrill of the deadly drops of rapids. Soon after working with Oregon sculptor Roy Setziol, she became mesmerized by the grains of various wood types which often mirrored the wild and graceful flows of river water. Her sculptures are the result of a love of rivers, white water rafting, clay and wood grain.

Through April 23 Traces — As mark makers of varying sorts, the Band of Artists Collective use the indications of their existence as persons in their artwork. An interest in superimposing experience, idea, image and color onto canvas, paper, wood and fabric is the shared language of any group of artists, this group included. This exhibit features the work of Elizabeth Bauman, Dayna Collins, Nancy Eng, Lucy Hewitt, Bonnie Hull, Susan Napack, Jessica Ramey, Katy Vigeland and Kay Worthington.

I Love Color — Brighten your day with a colorful selection of artwork from the SAA Permanent Collection.

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PICTURE DISC May 6 through 30 Eugene artists Rebecca Mannheimer and Sarah Sedwick will share the featured artist wall. Rebecca Mannheimer is an abstract artist. The content in most of her work is about narrative, which comes from personal history that she explores in her work. ​Sarah Sedwick is an oil painter. Her work focuses mainly on still life and portraiture, painting from direct observation.

Christopher St. John, “Warm”, Watercolor and ink on paper, 6” x 7”

SALEM ON THE EDGE From fine art, up and coming artists, graffiti muralists and more, Salem on the Edge features work by PNW artists in a variety of media both for purchase and in rotating exhibits. Stop in and visit at 156 Liberty St. NE. Info: salemontheedge.com

Through March 26 Featured artist Stephanie Brockway is a creator of carved wood curiosities. She was featured on OPB’s Oregon Art Beat in 2018. Her exhibit Urban Folk Art features interactive found objects using reclaimed wood and paintings with a twist.

April 1 through 23 Featured artist Christopher St. John’s exhibit Kinship is his fascination with cross species kinship with the life around us and using art to explore and engage in that connection. Each of the animals in this exhibition represents an imagined intersection between animal and human species. Would it surprise us to learn that animals regard us as their kin?

Guest artist Carlee Wright presents The Circus of Upcycled Fashion.

GALLERY 444 Located within Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery at 444 Ferry St. SE, Gallery 444 hosts monthly exhibits highlighting artists from in and around Salem. Info: 503-5814642, elsinoregallery.com

March 5 through 26 Prelude To Spring-Floral Art Show — A juried showing of floral works by local and nationally-known artists.

April 2 through 29 Spring Fling Art Show — Featuring the work of Artists in Action that engages the concept of either spring or fling in any sense of the word - or both. Reception: 3 to 5 p.m. April 2

May 7 through 28 High Desert Art League — See the world of this collective of 13 Bend, Oregon-area artists who paint and sculpt in a variety of media. Reception: 3 to 6 p.m. May 7

FIND MORE ONLINE

For more arts events, check the Press Play Salem online calendar.

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 33

Coming Next Issue...

SUMMERTIME IS BURGERTIME We'll be tasting our way through Salem's burger scene.

LET'S MAKE MUSIC Make Music Salem is June 21. Watch Press Play Salem for highlights.

WELCOME FESTIVAL SEASON We're welcoming the return of the World Beat Festival, Salem Art Fair, Englewood Forest Festival and more!

 We'll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Salem Civic Center, which was dedicated on August 18, 1972.

#PRESSPLAYSALEM Share your Salem moments with us by tagging your photos on Instagram #PressPlaySalem (You may get featured in the mag or on our website.)

Available in June Support the arts in Salem ADVERTISE WITH US! Press Play Salem is a community-driven, communitysponsored resource. As such, we rely on the support of our advertisers and of those who believe Salem needs and deserves a high-quality media outlet focused on arts + entertainment + culture. Your investment in advertising with us is an investment in our local community. For advertising information, please email ads@pressplaysalem.com.

34 | www.pressplaysalem.com | spring 2022

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DIGITAL

EDITION

Access the digital, interactive, downloadable version of the magazine online at PressPlaySalem.com

FRONT ROW

THE SCENE ON STAGE

Explore theater in Salem with these shows

PENTACLE THEATRE

WILLAMETTE U. THEATRE

Twelfth Night Shakespeare’s classic story of love, lust, mistaken identity, gender exploration and la dolce vita. When Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of a city called Illyria, and believes their brother Sebastian is lost at sea, Viola sets out to make a life for themselves in this new land. Presenting as a young man, Viola takes the name Cesario. Viola/Cesario takes a job at the court of Duke Orsino, and quickly finds themself in the middle of a love triangle between the Duke and the Lady Olivia. Viola/Cesario meets an array of exciting and exuberant characters as the plot twists and turns. With immersive video and soundscape design, Twelfth Night is sure to entertain. Directed by Isaac Joyce-Shaw.

April 23 to May 8 at Pentacle Theatre | 503485-4300, pentacletheatre.org

Wayfinding A fantastical, poignant comedy about Jane, an emotionally-numbed new widow, and Harrison, an inattentive, self-sabotaging fiancé. In seeking escape, these two strangers collide – both literally and figuratively – tangling their life lines and setting them on a time-bending journey involving an intercontinental plane crash, a magical forest, and a choice that leads them both to an unexpected destination. By Whitney Rowland.

Directed by Lava Alapai.

This show is a stage-to-film production featuring made-for-film staging — think Great Performances or Hamilton with views of all the action and closed captions.

Through March 27 | wutheatre.com

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare An enduring comedy about masquerade and identity that finds twins Viola and Sebastian shipwrecked and separated. Their journeys home leads them through the land of Illyria, where romance springs at many angles – even impossible triangles. Directed by Susan Coromel. April 6 to 23 at M. Lee Pelton Theatre at Willamette University | 503-370-6221, willamette.edu/arts/theatre/index.html

ENLIGHTENED THEATRICS Rainbow Fish Enlightened Theatrics continues its focus on education with Rainbow Fish, a story about the value of friendship and the joy of sharing featuring a cast of elementary and middle school students. May 13 to 15 at Salem's Grand Theatre | enlightenedtheatrics.org

spring 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 35

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Venti’s Cafe has been a Salem staple for more than 20 years. The name is synonymous with fantastic food and beer, but there is more to this local restaurant's namesake than keeping us well fed and with brew in hand. A Salem resident for the past 26 years, Dino Venti founded Venti’s Restaurants, Inc., and opened Venti’s Bento in what was then known as the Reed Opera House Mall in 1996. Since then, Venti’s has expanded to its current downtown location and opened a second shop in South Salem. Dino joined in partnership with his nephew, Conrad Venti, who became a part owner in the business three years ago. Additionally, Dino is a quarter owner of the downtown pizzeria and wine café, Basil & Board.

We know Dino the restaurateur, but what about Dino the outdoorsman? With a passion for mountain biking and trails, he is a founding board member and current trail manager for The Black Rock Mountain Bike Association; a founder for the Resilient Headwaters, a group of recreational trail advocates working with multiple groups attempting to enhance recreation through trail proliferation, both dirt and waterways, throughout the Santiam Canyon; and on the Resource Advisory Council for BLM land in western Oregon. Rounding off his support of local recreation, he is an executive board member for Travel Salem. Dino is a busy man!

Yet it doesn’t stop there. Dino is all about taking care of Salem as a whole. In addition to his extensive outdoor service, Venti’s is a community partner with Hazel Patton, Ron Steiner and Emil Graziani, fundraising for micro shelters with Church at the Park for the unsheltered in Salem.

I am exhausted just writing about all that Dino does to help make Salem a better place for all either through food, fun, or serving others. Let’s stop and take a trek through the trails of Dino Venti’s thoughts.

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Story by Tracy Torres | Photo by Ben Mah

Take a Hike with Dino Venti What do you like most about Salem?

The people — they have always been warm and welcoming.

What is your favorite thing to do in Salem?

Walk my dogs at Minto, rain or shine.

If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chips What is your favorite childhood memory?

I always loved Christmas because I come from a large family (I'm the youngest of 11) and it was always exciting to see the tree all full of decorations and presents. I remember the anticipation that Santa would bring something fun... and not socks.

What is your worst habit?

I have a weakness for chips. I can polish off a bag in one sitting.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to play any musical instrument like my dad and a better voice because I love to sing but I don't think singing loves me.

What topic could you spend hours talking about?

All the topics. I love to talk. I'm a recreation trail advocate. That topic is at the top of my list.

If you could go back in history, which famous person would you most like to hang out with?

Stephen Hawking What do you do to try to make the world a better place?

I try to live my life with tolerance, compassion and empathy.

Early morning or late night?

Early morning Mountains or ocean?

Mountains and ocean, in Oregon we can get them both at the same time!

Chunky or creamy peanut butter?

Chunky

From the 2021 Lord & Schryver Conservancy Neighborhood Garden Tour

Make Music Day

Make Music Day is an international celebration of sound that takes place every year on the Summer Solstice. With events happening around the globe, Salem is just one of 700 plus cities that take to the streets to sing, play and celebrate. Register to participate as a band or venue.

June 21, 2022 | makemusicsalem.org

Neighborhood Garden Tour

The 3rd annual Lord & Schryver Conservancy Neighborhood Garden Tour will feature 12 unique residential gardens within walking distance of each other in Salem's beautiful and historic Fairmount Hills neighborhood. Tickets go on sale in late April.

June 4 and 5, 2022 | lordschryver.org

Terra Nova

Pentacle Theatre presents Terra Nova by Ted Tally.

In the winter of 1911-12, five Englishmen and five Norwegians raced each other to the bottom of the Earth. Only the Norwegians returned. Terra Nova is the story of Captain Scott’s expedition to the South Pole, as recounted in a mixture of fantasy and realism which underlines both the human and the epic qualities of the adventure. Directed by Scott Ramp.

July 8 to 30, 2022 | pentacletheatre.org winter spring 2021/22 2022 | www.pressplaysalem.com | 37

MIXTAPE Mixtape, a montage of Salem by Salem for Salem, is a series of images discovered when searching #PressPlaySalem on Instagram. (Submit your photos!)

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