JANUARY Highlights

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

January 12

MUSIC. Oregon Symphony in Salem presents a program celebrating the legacy of great pianist-composers. Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony unfurls a tapestry of heartfelt melodies and lush romanticism. And Conrad Tao showcases his “openhearted vision” (New York Times) as composer of the opening Over and soloist in Haydn’s final piano concerto. 7:30 p.m. Jan 12 in Smith Auditorium at Willamette University. $37$52. orsymphony.org

Opening January 12

ON STAGE. Pentacle Theatre presents Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs. Dreaming of baseball and girls, Eugene copes with the mundane existence of his family life in Brooklyn, his formidable mother, overworked father and worldly older brother. Add his aunt and her two young (but rapidly aging) daughters and you have a recipe for hilarity, served up Simon-style. (Concord Theatrical). Jan 12-Feb 4 at Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW. $20+ pentacletheatre.org

January 12-14

HOME. Meet with the experts. See exhibits showcasing the latest in home products and services. Discover what you need to refresh, enhance, remodel and build at the Mid-Valley Home Show Jan 12-14, in the Jackman-Long Building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. 503-399-1500, homebuildersassociation.org

January 24

ON STAGE. For the last 32 years, The Peking Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control. 7:30 p.m. Jan 24 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. $29+ elsinoretheatre.com

January 25

COMEDY. Named one of Rolling Stone’s Five Comics to Watch, Ryan Hamilton brings his one of a kind, clean, observational, sarcastic, self-deprecating humor to the stage. 7:30 p.m. Jan 25, at Elsinore Theatre. $39+ elsinoretheatre.com

January 26

MUSIC. After winning a Grammy for his soulful ballad “Walking in Memphis,” Marc Cohn solidified his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singer-songwriters, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man. 7:30 p.m. Jan 26, at Elsinore Theatre. $44+ elsinoretheatre.com

January 26 & 27

FOOD & DRINK. Sip and sample your way across the culinary delights of our state at First Taste Oregon. It’s not just about what you eat and drink (although there is definitely an opportunity for that) but First Taste also features entertainment, including two stages of music; art; vendors; and more. Individual tastes are sold separately by exhibitors and can be purchased directly at the event starting at $1 per taste. 4 to 9 p.m. Jan 26 and 12 to 9 p.m. Jan 27 in Jackman Long Building at Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. $9-$50. firsttasteoregon.com

January 29

MUSIC. Chemeketa Community College’s Acclaimed Artist Series presents The Baltimore Consort, which was founded to perform instrumental music of Shakespeare's time. Although later joined by a singer, the group's experience of rehearsing purely instrumentally forged its identity as an ensemble dedicated to exploiting the diverse sound colors offered by gut- and wire-strung, plucked and bowed strings, and transverse and end-blown flutes and recorders, capped reeds and percussion. 7:30 p.m. Jan 29 in Chemeketa Community College Theatre Auditorium, Building 6, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE. $15-$30. chemeketaconcerts. weebly.com