MAMAView: Music is the Heart of the Plaza
By Midagh Goodwin
Music returns to the 10th Street Plaza on May 2nd, the 2nd First Friday of 2025. NAACP presents Nat Bolden and the State of Mind Blues Band. Nat Bolden has been singing the blues and bringing the party for over 60 years, and we can’t think of a better way to kick off the Music in the Plaza season. May 9th, don’t miss The Good Ones; this female-fronted Alternative Rock powerhouse is a crowd-pleaser. On May 16th, we invite you to dance to the hits of the eighties with Neon Radio. On May 23rd, enjoy a night of Ska and Rocksteady with Modesto’s only Ska band, The Bracers. Ending the first month and performing for the first time at Music in the Plaza is The Denise Choate Jazz Ensemble, bringing a night of jazz, blues, and R&B.
On June 6th, it’s Graffiti Night, and a specially curated First Friday will be in the 10th Street Plaza. Check out the vendors before or after the parade. Triple D with the Sensations will be performing. Their set last year at the 25th Annual American Graffiti Festival was a highlight of the weekend. The Red Pony Band will bring a set of pop, country, rock, and soul hits and their original tunes with Americana/Folk instrumentation and tons of vocal harmonies. On June 20th, the first day of Summer, Valley Heat will join us with their mix of blues, rock, and alternative. On June 27th, we are happy to welcome the R&B Project to Music in the Plaza, a powerhouse R&B and Blues band known for high-energy performances and audience engagement.
There are a few special dates in the Plaza you will want to make sure you do not miss. First, there is May 4th, aka May the Fourth Be With You, aka Star Wars Day, which is happening on Sunday, May 4th, from 4 to 9 p.m., with music performed by the hornified Emo-Pop Punk band Horizon Point.
On Wednesday, June 4th, as part of Legends of the Cruise, Third Party will bring the hits of the ’50s—’80s to the Plaza as we induct this year’s Walk of Fame.
That takes us through the first two months of Music in the Plaza. The rest of the season will be announced on our Facebook page @10thStreetMusic and in the ModestoView.
Music in the Plaza is free and fun for the entire family. Come out early and get a spot at Fuzio’s or T-Cups, or bring your lawn chairs and set up in front of the stage. The music starts at 7 pm and goes until 9 pm.
Please keep us in the mix for all your local upcoming shows by emailing events@modestoview.com
