By Chris Murphy
The new seasons are out, the kids are back in school rehearsing for the fall drama shows and there is so much happening on the stages in our area. From the Sierra Rep to the West Side Theatre in Newman, there are so many presentations to enjoy. Live theatre and music is the best. Let’s check out what should be on your September list.
Picnic at Pops
Do you like MoBand? This is a gourmet concert in the park with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra on the grounds of the Gallo Winery. Picnic at the Pops is one of Modesto’s great fall traditions with 3000 of your best friends. Looks like the weather should be great this year and get your blankets and picnic baskets out and grab a great spot on the lawn and enjoy the Magic of MoTown backed up by the full Modesto Symphony. Dig the hits of Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Four Top, Stevie Wonder and more. There is room to dance, mingle and enjoy one of Modesto’s great social nights out.
VIP Preferred Seating – $ 80 / $25 youth General Seating $ 50 / $17 youth
Grounds open at. 5:00 and concert is at 7:30 pm
September 7 – Gallo Winery 600 Yosemite Blvs
Tix and info at www.modestosymphony.org
Sept 7
Gallo Season opener
Back in 2007, the Gallo Center for the Arts opened with an amazing performance by Tony Bennett. This season’s kick off will feature the award winning Michael Feinstein as he performs at a special gala opening night performance with the hits of Tony Bennett with the Carnegie Hall Big Band.
September 14 8 pm
There are Special Gala packages available.
September is off to the races with so many great shows kicking off with Sawyer Brown on the 7th, Rodrigo y Gabriella on the 15th, Steven Chapman on the 18th, Celtic Thunder on the 20th and comedian and podcaster Nikki Glaser with two nearly sold out shows on the the 21st followed by comedian Henry Cho on the 28th. September finishes out with the Family Fun Festival with 23 Skidoo & the Secret Agency on the 29th.
Opera Modesto, one of the Gallo Center’s resident companies will be presenting on of the greatest operas of all time, Mozarts’ The Marriage of Figaro. There will be two performances on Sept 20 @ 7 pm & 22nd at 2pm. Even if you have never been to an opera, this is one to attend as it is loaded with mistaken identities, disguises and great staging.
www.operamodesto.org
Prospect New Season
It’s an exciting new season for the Prospect, located right downtown on K Street. This is Modesto’s home of independent, locally produced and even locally written stage performances. Along with the Artists Lab, the Prospect is also home to the Radio Cavalcade that reproduces the traditional live radio shows. Season tickets are affordable and will go a long way to support the creative activities that inspire our audiences. Also look for a new music series from Zasu Pitts founder and CASA Exec Director Steve Ashman and the Vibes. ModestoView & MAMA will supporting this series.
The Thin Space opens on September 20.
In this production, we meet Hilda, whose childhood lessons in clairvoyance from her grandmother made her a believer in “the thin place” – the almost-imperceptible space between our world and the world beyond.
Meet the new Associate Artist Director!
Laura Dickinson-Turner joins Prospect Theater Project this season. Laura is an alumna of the Stan State Theatre Department and was a fixture in the Modesto-area arts scene before leaving in 2017 for Cal State Los Angeles, graduating in 2020 with her MFA in Television, Film, and Theatre/Acting Option. Laura’s passion for theatre is rooted in the transformative power of embodied storytelling and collaborative practice. She is thrilled with the season that she and Jack Souza have co-curated for 24-25 and is excited to be beginning this new chapter of her personal and professional life. And of course, she looks forward to seeing you at the theatre.
Sarah Aaronson, Executive Director
www.prospecttheatreproject.org
Coldplay by Candlelight
Spend an evening by candlelight and discover the music of Coldplay at The Century under presented by the Listeso String Quartet. Presented in the round at The Century on September 26 at 9 pm
feverup.com/m/151534
Hello Newman!
The West Side Theatre is on a roll this month!
Joni Morris as Patsy Cline – Sept 14
Missoula Children’s Theatre Sleeping Beauty – Sept 21
Rob Ely’s Tribute to Elvis – Sept 28
Blood Red Sky – U2 Tribute – Oct 5
Tix and info at www.westsidetheatre.org
Sierra Rep goes 60s!
One of the most innovative musicals ever will be on the Fallon House Stage this month. The counterculture production of Hair, with some of the greatest popular songs, will have over 20 presentations this month beginning Sept 5. This a fun day trip in Columbia and a wonderful show in a historic theatre.
www.sierrarep.org<www.sierrarep.org>
Red Tie Queens of Motown – Sept 14. Finale. 6 pm
The Red Tie Arts group is wrapping up their 2024 season with a great night at the Lucca Winery with the Queens of Motown. Every song is a hit and timeless and will get you up and dancing. The Red Tie shows are fundraiser for local music scholarships that keep our arts scene alive.
www.redtiearts.org
School Drama Directors -Send us your show information to events@modestoview.com
