New Arts Season

As we close out the busy summer season, it has been a good time for live performances locally. Fruit Yard had record crowds, ModStock was a big success and now we are on the verge of the season openings for the 22-23 performing seasons. Now is the time to check the schedules, purchase your early tickets or buy season subscriptions. Right off the bat, the 26th Picnic at the Pops is back at the Gallo Winery Grounds. This is the biggest lawn party of the year featuring the music of Elton John, backed up with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. Bring your picnic baskets or pre-order food. Wine can be purchased on site as a benefit for the Modesto Symphony so don’t sneak wine in. Michael Cavanaugh performs as Elton John and Ryan Murray Conducts. Just wait for Pinball Wizard!

September 10 – 7:30 pm Tix $12 - $75 www.modestosymphony.org/

The 15th Gallo Center Season kicks off with a Gala September 24 with Berna-

dette Peters with a special VIP experience available. It is crazy that it has been 15 years since the Gallo opened. Expect to see some great shows starting this month with the Broadway show Cats. This season will showcase live music, key Broadway performances as well as some great local programming with the Gallo Repertory Theatre. I’m looking forward Postmodern Jukebox, Pink Martini, Belinda Carlisle and the Book of Mormon. You need to check out the list and see what’s coming. The legendary Judy Collins “Judy Blue Eyes” will grace the stage on September 30. Do not miss the Gallo Rep production of To Kill a Mockingbird opening on September 30. Heads up, there will be a good solid holiday season of performances this season. There is something for everyone. www. galloarts.org

Prospect Theatre Project season subscriptions are now available. This is a gem of live innovative theatre in a great intimate theatre, complete with a full bar. This is a great scene and it is something you should be a part of. The first show is The Children September 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, October 1, 2, the story of two retired nuclear scientists residing in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles. Together they are going to live forever on yogurt and yoga, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request. http://prospect.vbotickets.com/event/the_ children/74391

The State has ramped up their live music offerings this season. Check out the first ever Latino Talent competition on Friday, Sept. 16. Saturday, September 17, the Ceres Rotary is presenting a performance by Francesca Bavaro. Francesca is a Modesto native that went on to be a contestant of American Idol! You can get tickets to these exciting performances at www.thestate.org Modesto Unplugged presents its first major listening-room concert with Iona Fyfe. They have partnered with the The State Theatre for an intimate evening of song in its 25-seat side theater The Jewel on September 12 at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 7:00, $25 general admission, cash at the door. Seats are still open as of press time. Reservations can be

made at 209-543-5306

Join Opera Modesto at our Three Mezzos Concert September 18th at 2:00 pm featuring Linda Baird, Anakira Gabriella-Graça and Alexandra Jerenic who have been featured in Carmerm Magic Flute and more. This festive performance, held at the Mistlin Art Gallery in Modesto, will feature classical and popular songs, duets and trios with lively introductions from the performers in an intimate setting among beautiful artwork.

Tick info at www.operamodesto.org

Turlock Community Theatre

It’s a fresh season in Turlock with a great line up that kicks off with Killer Queen on September 30th featuring Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury. Also coming this season are the Bacon Brothers (yes, with Kevin Bacon), Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt, and the guitar shredmaster Steve Vai. The Price is Right Live will be back along with Sara Evans and the Fab Four. It’s going to be a great season and you can get season tickets and purchase your favorites now. This is a great historic and beautiful theatre. If you haven’t seen a show there, you really need to check it out.

There is so much more happening as we get into the season. Stay tuned to our AMAZING event calendar for the most up to date info. It’s the best calendar in our regions. Bookmark www.modestoview.com If you are a school drama teacher, please send us your performance information to events@modestoview.com so we can help you spread the word

The Jewel Of The Isle

by Aaron Rowan

The listening room is the most satisfying sort of venue where I’ve presented music over this past decade. Modesto offers few such spaces, but this month I’m trying out a new one, which looks like it could be quite the experiment. Modesto Unplugged has partnered up with The State Theatre for an intimate evening of song in its 25-seat side theatre The Jewel. On September 12, acclaimed folk singer Iona Fyfe and her trio bring their program of traditional and pop songs all the way from the eastern coast of Scotland. Iona is regarded as one of Scotland’s finest singers, rooted deeply in the vocal traditions from the northeast of the country. Last year she became the first singer to win Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Get to know Iona and the music she loves so much on Monday 9/12 at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 7:00, $25 general admission, cash at the door. Seats are still open as of press time. Reservations can be made at 209-5435306 or modestounplugged@yahoo.com. Francesca Bavaro returns for a hometown concert this month. You might remember her as a champion of the Valley Talent Project, or from American Idol, or perhaps from that time she belted out Neil Young’s ‘Harvest Moon’ at a showcase I once hosted, which is still one of the most memorable moments from any of my events. She’s gone on to sing with Postmodern Jukebox across the US and Europe; now she’s coming to headline a benefit concert also featuring comedian/ventriloquist Karl Herlinger. Saturday 9/17, 7:30 pm at State Theatre, tickets $25-$45. How many more stunning voices can fit into downtown Modesto in the span of one week? At least three, it turns out, when Opera Modesto presents their ‘Three Mezzos’ matinee at the Mistlin Gallery. We’ll hear from Anakira Gabriella-Graca, Alexandra Jerinic, and Linda Baird at this cabaret with wine & snacks. Sunday 9/18 at 2 PM, $50 VIP table seating, $30 general, $20 student. More at www.operamodesto.org. The most exciting new act I met during my recent cross-country tour-managing travels is Nashville singer-songwriter & cellist Sarah Clanton. Her live set of cello-driven songs is refreshing, empowering, authentic, whimsical and witty; and her engaging performances invite audiences to join her in an escape from the ordinary. Sarah’s innovative sound is an eclectic blend with flashes of the classically-trained pop sensibility of Norah Jones and the sultry jazzitude of Amy Winehouse. I am honored to say that I get to introduce her to Modesto’s music appreciators on Friday 9/23 at The Dragonfly Art For Life, 1210 J St. Cello-brate with Sarah from 7:30-9:00 pm, $10 cover. And keep checking the MU website for more songwriter showcase Fridays coming to the gallery this fall. Intimate performances. Infinite playlist. MODESTO UNPLUGGED.

www.modestounplugged.com.