By Chris Murphy
There is so much love for the performing arts heating up this year. The stages of the Gallo Center, Prospect, State, Turlock, West Side, Denair Theatres are all going strong this season.
Let’s check out the Gallo stages as they get off to a fast start with Vicky Lawrence and MAMA, a TWO woman show on the 1st. The 10 Tenors bring their operatic crossover hits to Modesto Feb 4, (note, Gallo Center CEO, Chad Hilligus is an alum) with hits from Bocelli to Rod Stewart. The hits of Creedence come to life with Revisiting Creedence on Feb 6. Joss Stone delivers her soul sound singing her hits Feb 17 at 7:30pm
Get ready for some great standards with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Great American Crooners on Feb 7 with the hits of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more. The amazing guitarist Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra deliver their world sound on Feb 20th.
Also enjoy: Legends of Country on Feb 21, the DooWop Project: Echos of the Street on Feb 22, BYU Dance on Feb 25 and Drumline Live on Feb 26 and wrapping up the month with the Count Basie Orchestra on Feb 28. Coming March 1, the great Chris Isaak.
For kids, Peppa Pig comes to the stage with an introduction to orchestra with My First Concert on February 20 at 6:30 pm
Gallo Center Tix and info at www.galloarts.org<www.galloarts.org/>
Keep your eyes peeled for special added shows and become a “Friend of the Center.
The Modesto Symphony shines this month with two-time Grammy winning violinist Anne Akiko Meyers performing Marquez’s Fandango and get swept away with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Feb 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm The same weekend the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra presents their spring concert Feb 14 at 2 pm.
www.galloart.org
Sankofa Theatre presents the dynamic traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Judson returns to his small Georgia town hoping to save Big Bethel church. February 13 7 pm Feb 14 & 15 2 pm www.galloarts.org<www.galloarts.org/>
The State is bringing the comedy and the shows the laughs begin on Feb 13 with Zach Rushing “Redneck Tour”. Billy Nation presents Billy Joel on Feb 14 and then the Intermission presents Fat Tuesday with Tye Bauer on the 17th. Modesto Rotary brings the clean comedy on Feb 19 and the 3rd Annual Gospel Jam happens on Feb 21. Forejour brings the music of Foreigner and Journey to the stage on Feb 28. WOW. Get info and tix at www.thestate.org
Our friends at the West Side keep the tributes coming with Zeppelin Live on Feb 7 and The Gen X’ers playing all the MTV hits on February 21st. Both shows are at 8 pm and tix can be found at www.westsidetheatre.org
The Prospect Theatre, fresh off their amazing Red run, deliver a special Valentines Radio retro show, the Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer on Feb 14. The Artists Lab presents The Django Jazz Duets on Feb Modesto’s MoFolk presents the Listening Room with the original songwriting of Eric Fry and Elise & Steve on Feb 22. FREE.
Check out the Johnny Cash Birthday concert on Feb and read the story of Prospect Improv group on Page 18. Tix and event info at www.prospecttheatreproject.org
Goodnight Moon
This is the coolest collab this month when Opera Modesto teams up with the Great Valley Planetarium. Goodnight Moon, a very special presentation with an unforgettable immersive musical experience. Goodnight Moon features soprano Emily Gallagher and pianist Andrew Pham deliver a thoughtfully curated program of classical and musical theater selections that explore how composers capture the emotions evoked by gazing at the night sky through their music and storytelling. This unique concert uses full-dome projection technology to create a unique experience perfect for classical music lovers and curious newcomers alike. This is based on the children’s book we all know. It’s suitable for all ages, but the dome experience may be a lot for the littles.
February 12 7 pm
MJC West Campus Great Valley Museum & Planetarium
www.operamodesto.org<www.operamodesto.org/>
Students $20 Adults $30 VIP $60 including pre-concert wines and bites and post reception.
