Alex and Andrew Hussey with To the Ceiling Entertainment

In downtown Salem, where the past meets the present, Salem natives Alex and Andrew Hussey are scripting a new chapter in Salem’s cultural narrative. As co-owners of To The Ceiling Entertainment and the event managers for Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, the Hussey brothers are key players in the expansion of live entertainment in Salem, Oregon with hopes to reshape the local scene.

The seeds for To The Ceiling Entertainment were sown during Alex’s eight-year tenure as Technical Director at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. When the owners of the Theatre approached him in the fall of 2023 offering him the opportunity to do a show, Alex jumped at the chance. “I did one show by myself and quickly realized I needed to handle everything that comes with putting a show together,” Alex recalls. Alex asked his brother, Andrew, to join him. Andrew not only has a deep passion for performance, but also has experience in booking live events. After doing a couple of shows there together for the owners, they were asked if they would like to lease the Salem’s Historic Grand and start their own company. Beginning in September of 2023, the Hussey brothers started transitioning from employees to leaseholders, officially launching their own venture in March of 2024.

A Fresh Approach to Entertainment

Just one month into their official launch, To The Ceiling Entertainment has begun to curate a diverse calendar of events. Their vision extends beyond traditional theater, encompassing music groups, comedy, and showcases of local, regional and national talent. “We started booking the year out last September,” Alex explains. Their goal is ambitious yet straightforward—transform Salem’s Historic Grand into a cultural hub where the community can gather, celebrate, and enjoy a variety of performances.

The response from the Salem community has been overwhelmingly positive, though not without challenges. “This first year is going to be a lot of trial and error,” Alex admits. Understanding what resonates with the community is crucial, and the brothers are committed to tailoring their offerings to meet local tastes. This adaptability is key to their early successes and ongoing strategy for growth.

Their programming strategy is aiming to fill Thursday through Saturday with diverse events, supplemented by occasional Wednesday shows. “Right now the main focus is getting Thursday through Saturday to have something on the books and currently we’ve just started looking at the fall,” says Alex. They are not sure what the summer for Salem will look like yet for booking live indoor events because of the nice weather and people wanting to be outdoors or on vacations. Alex mentioned, “We’re trying to see what the plan is going to be for summer. So far we’ve got a little bit kind of peppered throughout July and August.”

Salem’s Historic Grand seats 400 people for a seated show and can accommodate up to 500 people comfortably when the first 3 rows of seating are removed to allow for a standing room style of show. This provides a versatile space for both seated and standing-room events. With ticket prices starting as low as $20 depending on the show, the venue is accessible while ensuring quality entertainment.

Promotion is an ongoing effort, with a strong emphasis on social media to engage potential attendees. The Hussey brothers also value face-to-face interaction, participating in local events to spread the word about upcoming shows. “We have an email list that grows every time someone buys a ticket,” Alex notes, highlighting the importance of personalized communication to keep the community informed and involved.

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Looking to the future, Alex and Andrew Hussey are optimistic about their venture’s role in Salem’s cultural landscape. They see To The Ceiling Entertainment not just as a business, but as a cornerstone of community engagement and enjoyment. Their commitment is to offer something for everyone—families, music lovers, and comedy enthusiasts alike—making the Salem Historic Grand a center point for entertainment in Salem.

For those interested in upcoming events or ticket information, visit To The Ceiling Entertainment’s website or the Salem Historic Grand’s website.

As the Hussey brothers like to say, “It’s time to take Salem’s Entertainment to the ceiling!”

Pam Fahndrich is co-publisher of WhirLocal Salem. She is also a volunteer Salem Chamber Ambassador, and is currently serving as the President of Salem Business Builders, Inc. Pam loves shining the spotlight on local businesses and non-profits and sharing positive stories that uplift the local community.