By Chris Murphy
Well now, it is the holidays so you better just get your calendar out and cross off all of the days as there is something to do every day. Get your chores, shopping and work done because it is going to be an amazing month. There are so many things do to, we can only get a few here, but check out our AMAZING event calendar at www.modestoview.com<www.modestoview.com>
Rat Pack Christmas
Don’t miss this fun FREE afternoon of Rat Pack holiday favorites presented by the one and only Sinatra “Matt” Henderson and his pack including David and Dave Halverson, Anne and Katie Cline and other surprises. This event is at 2 pm, and is one of the great season openers. Take the day off, get a State cocktail and some popcorn and enjoy this fun time at the State Theatre.
December 7. 2 pm. Event is FREE but reserve your tix at www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org>
Thomas Downey Theatre
Don’t miss their Holiday Spectacular, a musical celebrating the joys of the season through an original drama, featuring dance and music favorites from the holiday season. And yes, even snow, for a holiday show to remember and bring your family and friends to enjoy!
December 8th at 7pm
December 9th at 2pm & 7pm
Tickets sold at the door: General Admission – $10/ Seniors & Students – $8
Nutcracker
This is Modesto’s Hall of Fame Holiday event for the whole family. The adventures of Clara and her Nutcracker take her on a musical and magical mystery tour where they meet the Sugar Plum fairy and more. This is a youth oriented presentation. December 8, 9, 10, 16, 7. www.galloarts.org<www.galloarts.org> for tix and showtimes.
Prospect Theatre Project
Want to experience a real radio show, like the old days. Don’t miss the Radio Cavalcade presentation of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, an anecdotal reminiscence of a Christmas from the viewpoint of a young boy, portraying a nostalgic and simpler time. It is one of Thomas’s most popular works. Also on the bill is “The Gift of the Magi”, an OHenry classic short story of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. It’s a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving. PTP’s Radio Cavalcade series are one night only, staged readings of classic radio plays complete with live music and sound effects. This event is fun for the whole family. December 16. www.prospecttheatreproject.org<www.prospecttheatreproject.org>
Gallo Center for the Arts
There is so much happening starting the 1st & 2nd with MSO Holiday Pops, followed up on the 3rd with Holiday with the Celts. Opus Handbells are the 8th. December 19 gets it going. One of our faves is the Chris Isaak Almost Christmas Show on December 19. His music is great, he and his band are funny and their spin on Christmas crooning will be amazing. Then on the 20th Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro performs, then right into the legendary Johnny Mathis for some all-time favorites on the 21st Nochebuena takes the stage on the 22nd and then Dave Koz brings it all home on the 23rd. WOW, what a week. www.galloarts.org<www.galloarts.org>
MJC Presents A Streetcar Named Desire
Stellllllaaaa!! Don’t miss this classic Tennessee Williams play on the MJC Stage. The exploits of former southern belle Blanch, and her sister Stella and brother in law Stanley. It’s a classic. Note 14 and older only due to mature content. December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10. www.mjc.edu/schools/aph/<www.mjc.edu/schools/aph/>
These are just a few highlights and more are being added daily.
Please check 24/7 www.modestoview.com<www.modestoview.com> for updates and additions.
To get your event listed, please email events@modestoview.com<mailto:events@modestoview.com>