It’s Virtually Graffiti Summer!
By Chris Murphy @modestochris
So much has changed in the last few months and things continue to change daily. There were some really big plans that have been cancelled due to the pandemic, but there are some smaller events that still may happen. We will do our best to keep our eyes and ears out for car shows or other Graffiti Summer activities that may happen as we learn about them. There are a couple of events that you need to know about and some good local history you need to learn about so you can be in the groove next year.
Make sure you check out our calendar at www.modestoview.com as we add new happenings and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @modestoview to be in the know on all things Graffiti Summer.
Historic Cruise Route
You can dive down deep into our Graffiti history and culture by taking a walk down 10th and 11th Streets, the original cruise route. Yes friends, these are the exact streets that inspired American Graffiti and downtown Modesto is were everyone hung out. You can learn how the cruise began as “dragging 10th” and later evolved to a loop, then to McHenry Village and later out to Mervyns and Gemco (you remember those don’t you?). You can learn about the car clubs, the custom car designers, the music and bands of the time, the radio stations and so much more. Each Cruise Route signpost has a QR code that leads to a interview with one of the Legends of the Cruise. Check it out in person and take your family. The self guided tour starts in 10th St Plaza and walk east. Learn more at www.modestocruiseroute.com and scan the QR code to get a greeting from George Lucas.
Let’s Rock and Roll!
Are you ready for the Graffiti classic rock? We are talking the way back the Womp bom a lu bop and the Rockin Around the Clock. Make sure you tune in as ModestoView’s Chris Murphy will be guest DJ for a all classic Graffiti Weekend. You will hear some dedications, some classic Modesto stories and you will be the best soundtrack of your whole summer on the 92.3 FM and 920 AM. Let the hits roll and let’s get on one soundtrack for the weekend.
Curbside Customs
This year we are taking the cruise all over the city. Since we can’t go to the Graffiti Summer Car Shows, we thought we would take the car show across the city. Classic car owners have their cars all shined up, the tires have been Armorall’d and the gas tanks are filled and ready to go. We will be looking across Modesto for our curbside classics. If you have a classic car, get out and drive it all weekend long to show it off and we will be looking for you. Take a few laps of McHenry and downtown and park where people can see you. If you stay home, park your car out front so people cruising by can check it out.
Let’s keep the Graffiti Summer spirit alive and let’s do #curbsideclassics
Virtual Cruise – June 12 6:30 pm
We are sad that the downtown cruise will not happen this year, but you can enjoy a new film produced by Mick Rubalcava that celebrates the many years of cruising downtown, with cool photos, great video of the cruises past and a special custom soundtrack with new original music by Darin Morris and other great surprises. You won’t want to miss this special live video presentation on @modestonews and simulcast on @modestoview for your Graffiti Summer enjoyment
Rockabilly Royalty!
No Graffiti Summer or Rockabilly music collection would be compete without the new Roddy Jackson CD. Roddy is Rockabilly and Modesto music history royalty inducted into the MAMA Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kent Whitt and the Downbeats and also took home the Best Rockabilly award. His songs have even been recorded by Paul McCartney! This is a collection of 11 tracks the he wrote in the 50’s and he only recently got to record them. They have been recorded exactly as they would have been with the help of some great musicians in Germany. Consider features a new song “I’ll Find a New Love” that was written by one of the musicians Axel Praefke. Consider purchasing this CD immediately and it will get you up swingin’ and rockin’. Thanks Roddy Jackson!
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American Graffiti Interactive
The State Theatre is hosting a great educational series about one of our favorite movies, American Graffiti. They are going to host a symposium about the movie and Chris Murphy will be moderate a Q&A with local authors, teachers and American Graffiti experts Ken White and Wes Page. This is how it works: you log on at www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org> and register for the film. You will get a overview about the film and then a link to watch the film. On Thursday June 11, we will jump on a video conference and discuss the film with our panel. It will be a fun way to learn about the movie and hear some of the back stories. You never know, there may be more guests on the panel.
Learn more at www.thestate.org
