You know those nights you end up retelling for years?

This is going to be one of them.

With SO MUCH going on this weekend (see below) this will be the perfect way to cap it all off

This Sunday, May 31 at 7pm, Salem Cinema is hosting the premiere of DUST — a wildlife film shot in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert by Salem filmmaker Chris Fischer.

If that name doesn't ring a bell yet, it will. Chris has spent 25 years behind a camera, working close to lions in Africa, wolves and bison in Yellowstone, and a list of remote places most of us will never see. He's an international award-winning cinematographer. And he chose to premiere this one here. In Salem. At our local theater.

The film itself is 51 minutes of the kind of footage you usually only see on the big nature networks — a year inside Botswana's longest zebra migration, the elephants and hippos crowding a shrinking river, flamingos arriving by the tens of thousands when the desert briefly floods. Shot for a movie screen, not a phone.

But here's the part you'll be telling people about later:

Chris is making a major announcement after the screening. I'm not going to spoil it. I'll just say it's the kind of thing that — five, ten years from now — somebody in the audience Sunday night is going to lean over at dinner and say, "I was in the room when he announced that."

You can be one of those people. Or you can hear about it secondhand.

Sunday, May 31 · 7:00 PM · Salem Cinema

🎟️ Grab a ticket → salemcinema.com/movie/dust

See you Sunday.

— Jacob

Salem Burger Week is June 1–7. And if you eat out in this town even once a week, you're about to save real money — or eat way better for the same money you were going to spend anyway.

Here's the deal:

20+ Salem restaurants are putting their best burger on the menu for $10. Not their leftover burger. Not a stripped-down version. Their Burger Week burger — the one they're hoping wins. We're talking Bo & Vine's Mad Hawaiian, Black Sheep's peanut-butter-sriracha Atomic Wrangler, Roger That BBQ's jalapeño popper smash, Damascus Kitchen's shawarma burger, and a whole lot more.

What's in it for you:

🍔 Eat for cheap. $10 gets you a burger that would normally run you $15–18. Do the math on a week of lunches.

🗳️ Vote on Salem's Best Burger. You eat, you decide. Winner gets crowned June 8th — and bragging rights all year.

🎁 Win $50 a day. Post your burger on Instagram, tag @whatshappeningsalem, use #SalemBurgerWeek, and you're entered. We're drawing a winner every single day from June 1–7. That's seven $50 gift cards going home with seven Salem neighbors.

🗺️ Find your new favorite spot. Half the fun is walking into a place you've driven past for two years and finally going "why haven't I been eating here this whole time?"

This is the kind of week Salem doesn't usually do for itself. Twenty local kitchens, one citywide excuse to show up for them. Pick a couple spots, grab a friend, take the photo, cast the vote.

See every burger, every restaurant, every detail → whatshappeningsalem.com/salem-burger-week

June 1–7, 2026. Winner announced June 8. See you out there.

Kick off the week with trivia, drinks, laughs, and friendly competition at Ballroom Blitz Trivia Night. Bring a team or show up solo and battle for bragging rights.

Comics of all experience levels hit the mic every Wednesday night for stand-up, crowd work, experimentation, and unpredictable laughs at Bricked Up Comedy.

Enjoy a meaningful night of live music supporting Aphasia Relearned, featuring Bryan Hopkins and more while raising awareness for communication recovery and support services.

Salsa, bachata, cumbia, reggaeton, and nonstop dance floor energy take over the Grand Ballroom during this lively Latin Dance Night. No partner needed.

Bailey Heide and Kourtney Branchfield bring heartfelt country and Americana songwriting to the Historic Grand for an intimate night of live music and strong vocals.

Market for the Strange returns with queer creativity, spooky vibes, performances, art, fashion, handmade goods, and one beautifully weird night downtown.

Pink Floyd classics, soaring guitar solos, immersive visuals, and all the psychedelic energy you could want. In The Pink brings a live tribute experience packed with iconic songs like “Money,” “Time,” and “Wish You Were Here.”

Roll into a night of hip hop, skating, and good vibes at Cherry City Madhouse. Whether you are a longtime skater or just looking for a fun night out, this family friendly skate night is all about music, movement, and energy.

The Marion Berries return to the newly improved Chemeketa Baseball Field for another season packed with themed nights, community celebrations, and hometown baseball energy. Opening Night kicks things off with the first 1,000 fans receiving a free magnet schedule courtesy of Odd Moe’s Pizza.

Grab a hot dog, settle into the stands, and welcome summer back to the ballpark.

Upcoming Games & Promotions:

Fri, May 29 | 6:35PM
Opening Night
vs. Port Angeles Lefties
First 1,000 fans receive a free magnet schedule

Sat, May 30 | 6:35PM
Teacher Appreciation Night
vs. Port Angeles Lefties
Teachers receive free general admission tickets

Sun, May 31 | 5:05PM
Caregiver Appreciation Night
vs. Port Angeles Lefties

Tue, June 2 | 6:35PM
Faith, Family, and Community Night
vs. Bend Elks

Wed, June 3 | 6:35PM
LEGO Night
vs. Bend Elks

Tickets from $10 for all games

The Mavericks League is still going strong! Haven’t caught a game yet? There’s still time! Get out there and enjoy the sun, and a ball game (and maybe even a hot dog.)

Upcoming Games:

Fri, May 29 | 6PM
Senators vs. Campesinos
Roto-Rooter Park

Sat, May 30 | 6PM
Senators vs. Volcanoes
Spec Keene Stadium

Sun, May 31 | 5PM
Game 1: Senators vs. Mavericks
Game 2: Campesinos vs. Volcanoes
Roto-Rooter Park

Wed, June 3 | 6PM
Campesinos vs. Senators
Roto-Rooter Park

Roll into a night of hip hop, skating, and good vibes at Cherry City Madhouse. Whether you are a longtime skater or just looking for a fun night out, this family friendly skate night is all about music, movement, and energy.

Rave River returns for its final indoor EDM party of the season with lasers, vendors, flow artists, and bass-heavy dance music all night long. 

With multiple DJs & mixed genres a good time is essentially guaranteed. Bring your friends (or meet some new friends) and take over the dance floor.

Salem Center’s first-ever Night Market brings together food vendors, live music, handmade goods, desserts, and local artists for a fun downtown evening filled with date-night energy.

Catch the Champions League Final with fellow soccer fans while enjoying brunch specials and drinks at Xicha Norte. Wear your club colors and settle in for one of the biggest matches of the year.

Bingo turns into full-on chaos at Bingo Loco with DJs, dance-offs, confetti blasts, comedy hosts, and ridiculous prizes in one of Salem’s wildest party nights.

This women-focused event blends beginner-friendly boxing, yoga, tacos, drinks, music, and community into one high-energy and supportive night out.

Throw it back with an 80s and 90s dance party featuring retro hits, music videos, costume contests, and nonstop nostalgia from DJ42.

Reality TV drama takes over Mykie’s with themed cocktails, food specials, merch, and giant screens showing every chaotic moment of Love Island.

One of Salem’s favorite summer concert traditions returns with live music, outdoor vibes, and an easygoing evening featuring the Feel Good YaYas. Food and drinks from Lively at the Mill will also be available.

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Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie