Saturday, November 5
Vince Neil
Spirit Mountain Casino, 27100 Salmon River Highway (HWY 22)
8 p.m., $15 (and up), 16 and older with adult or 21+
Reality television star, race car driver and figure skater Vince Neil will perform at Spirit Mountain Casino on Saturday, November 5. Unfortunately, Neil won’t be acting, racing or figure skating, but instead will be singing to promote his first solo album in 15 years – Tatoos & Tequila, which features a handful of covers and some songs that apparently accompany his “tell all” book (I haven’t read it, so I’m not sure if that means one is supposed to listen to the album while reading the book for the ultimate Neil experience). Yes, I know that Neil is the frontman of legendary 80s heavy metal band Motley Crue, but all that other stuff I mentioned has happened since then. But hey, his new album peaked at No. 14 on the U.S. rock charts, so a lot of people that still buy compact discs still care about Vince. To purchase tickets, go to SpiritMountain.com.
Wednesday, November 9
Hari Karaoke
Roxxy Northwest, 1230 State St.
8 p.m., free, 21+
If you are a Karaoke freak and not a “Juhachiban,” than you probably get pretty excited when you hear the words “live band karaoke” (it’s so good, it’s pretty much not karaoke!). Well, Roxxy Northwest has brought live band karaoke back to Salem, with local act The Flextones picking up the band duties. Roxxy Northwest plans to have “Hari Karaoke” (the venue’s name for it) every-other Wednesday going forward. When Roxxy Northwest was preparing to open (way back in August) the owners mentioned that this event is for top-notch Karaoke stars who can hit the notes and remember the lyrics.
Friday, November 11
Bonneville Power, Office Diving
Roxxy Northwest, 1230 State St.
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Like many other party holidays, Halloween creates a hangover of live shows. As many venue talent buyers can tell you, the nights following those holidays are the hardest to fill. But things generally pick up after a weekend or so, as is the case this year in Salem. Newer Oregon rock band Bonneville Power – which features frontwoman Lexxi Vexx (known as Rooster Clementine in this band) – will join Salem stalwarts Sam McBride, Doug Hoffman and Ty Patterson of Office Diving for a good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll show. Consider this your “hair of the dog.”
Friday, November 11
Left Coast Country
Boon’s Treasury, 888 Liberty St.
9 p.m., free, 21+
If I am listening to countrified music, I prefer 50s and 60s cowboy crooners or bluegrass. Portland five-piece string band “Left Coast Country” incorporates both of those things for a knee-slappin’ good ol’ time. The act plays traditional songs as well as originals, and though they don’t really offer anything new, their music is fun, sharp, exciting and fun (did I say fun?). You’ll pay for the band with the price of McMenamins beer, but it is technically a “free” show too (as is the case all of the time at Boon’s Treasury).
Saturday, November 12
WeOutHere.net Emcee Open Mic
Ike Box, 299 Cottage St. NE
7 p.m., free, all-ages
Jake Espinoza (also known as The Kid Espi) and his online magazine WeOutHere.net are hosting an emcee open mic at Ike Box on Saturday, November 12. Espinoza says that he hopes local emcees will come out and perform the new material they’ve been working on. “A lot of under-21 performers in the area don’t have the chance to get in front of a live crowd very often,” Espinoza added. “Hopefully this will give them an opportunity for some experience working with a live crowd and exposure.” Espinoza knows what he’s doing, so if you’re a young, aspiring emcee, I suggest you get your buddy to cover your shift so you can show off your stuff.
Saturday, November 12
Jon Fro and The Soul, Mitch Anderson, Tonya Gilmore, Mitch Meyers
Triangle Inn, 3215 Liberty Rd. S
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Local musician and organizer Jon Fro has put together a special show in which all of the acts on the bill will use an acoustic piano. I’m assuming that “and The Soul” is referencing the new piano (and keyboard) dimension in Jon Fro’s act. Fro will team up with local singer/songwriters Mitch Anderson, Tonya Gilmore and Mitch Meyers. Take note of Gilmore, who is quickly becoming one of the most respected vocalists in the area.
