Unplugged View: Bizetennial
by Aaron Rowan“All music is folk music. I ain’t never heard no horse sing a song.” – Louis Armstrong.
Opera Modesto is preparing to stage the world’s most beloved opera work, Georges Bizet’s CARMEN, first performed in 1875. As part of the festivities leading to the big production at the Gallo Center next month, they’ve partnered with a few regional cultural groups and the Downtown Modesto Partnership for a night full of opera selections, traditional folk dances, and real live horses. The entertainment stage at DoMo First Friday street faire on 4/5 will feature Ballet Tradiciones Folklorico, Azorean dressage/bullfighting horses and riders, a squad of Azorean Forcados (Suicide Squad), a Spanish classical guitarist, Azorean folkloric and luso dancing, and a few other fun performances. The faire stretches across two blocks filled with food, craft vendors, family activities and more from 6-10 PM. The bullfighters and their steeds will be back when CARMEN hits the stage on May 3 & 5, alongside a cast featuring top Brazilian baritone Johnny Franca, local opera stars Liisa Davila and Christopher Bengochea, and mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz in the title role. Get your tickets starting at $20 at www.galloarts.org.
Moon & Sixpence Music And Art House hosts a station of the annual Stanislaus Open Studio Tour on April 6 & 7. From 11am-5pm, works by Jim Christiansen and Anne Whitman will be on display, while a crop of local players share short sets throughout both days. Everything from fiddle tunes to bluesy Americana to jazz to electronic music will be showcased. Confirmed performers include Courtney Burroughs, The Darcys, Grace Carrillo, Liz Krulder, Sylvia Walkey, Vanessa Valencia, and Zoe Rose. Mapbooks to the entire countywide tour (fifty artists spread across 29 locations) are available for $10 at Mistlin Gallery, Chartreuse Muse, and Carnegie Art Center in Turlock.
A different fresh flavor of acoustic music is served each week at the Friday Night Folk Flight, the new series presented by Modesto Unplugged and The Dragonfly Art For Life. Music runs 7:30-9:00 for a $10 admission. April’s features are Valley Talent Project ‘Best Original Composition’ prize winners Us4Love (4/5); PNW Americana duo The W Lovers (4/12); Australian country music star Grayson (4/19); and folk harp player & guitarist Kristin Rebecca (4/26.) An extra charge of $25 buys you a sip & paint session while these acclaimed artists serenade you. Read more about what this newly opened art gallery has to offer at www.thedragonflyartforlife.com. Intimate performances. Infinite playlist. MODESTO UNPLUGGED. www.modestounplugged.com.
