Bright Lights Over Modesto
By Middagh Goodwin
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you went shopping for gifts on Friday or Saturday, I hope you shopped locally and shopped small. It is more important than ever to support our locally owned businesses, including breweries, restaurants, bars, and cafes (especially those that support local music).
It wouldn’t be December in Modesto without Rockin’ Holidays in the 10th Street Plaza. Come out and enjoy the twinkling lights, Santa, the elves, the snow, the pixel light Christmas Tree, and Music Thurs-Sat from December 6th until the 21st. The Tree Lighting is on Saturday, the 6th, after the Elves Just Wanna Have Fun Celebration of Lights Parade. The tree will be lit, and the party will keep going, with DJ M-80 spinning 80s records and DJ dB and Hz spinning disco, funk, and soul. On the 11th, don’t miss Winter Animals with the Christmas Brass Ensembles. On the 12th, we will have David Dow and Friends playing a mix of blues, rock, jazz, and more for your enjoyment. Feliz Navidad, we have a crowd favorite wherever they perform; the David Perez Band will perform on the 13th with a mix of Latin and holiday hits. On the 19th, Melynda Rodriguez will be playing Holiday classics starting at 6 pm, and will be joined by an all-star group to finish out the evening. On the 20th, it is back to the Eighties with Hit Replay on the 20th. All the hits of my teenage years, mixed in with some holiday tunes (maybe even “Holiday” by Madonna). Closing out the season will be Denise Choate Jazz & Latin Band, playing jazz, Latin, and holiday tunes.
Please support our local bands. This holiday season, pick up some CDs, T-shirts, stickers, buttons, or patches and give them away as gifts. Share the gift of music and support your favorite bands at the same time. The Flowers will have their brand new LP at Prospect Theatre on the 5th. The Bracers have their new EP available on both tape and 7″ vinyl, as well as some really cool pint glasses. Horizon Point has its CD available, too. Buy gift certificates to local venues like The State, Gallo Center, and Prospect Theater. Also, gift certificates from venues that support live music like Queen Bean, Perusasion, 18Seventy, Twin Rivers, P. Wexford’s, and Rivets are always great gifts.
Happy Holidays, and I look forward to a brighter New Year.
