Calendar of events across the Modesto, Mother Lode regions

Central West Ballet presents its annual Christmas tradition. 7 p.m. Dec. 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 16. $20-$55.

Ten choirs performing holiday favorites. 7:30 p.m. $8-$15.

Twenty-five dancers and musicians from Ballet Folklórico de Sacramento will take you on a whirlwind journey through the regions of Mexico to celebrate holiday. 2 p.m. Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. $15-$30.

With guests David Benoit, Rick Braun and Peter White and Selina Albright. 7:30 p.m. Sold out.

Concert of original and traditional acoustic music drawn from the multi-platinum selling Winter Solstice series as well as their many solo releases. 7:30 p.m. $29-$49.

Annual Christmas Rocks! Tour. 7:30 p.m. Sold out.

Funstrummers. 10:45 a.m.-noon Mondays. Modesto Senior Center, Bodem and Scenic. Free for seniors. 209-505-3216. www.Funstrummers.com.

Funstrummers. Songbooks provided. 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Trinity Telle Classrooms, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto. Donation. 209-505-3216. www.Funstrummers.com.

Men’s barbershop-style a cappella chorus rehearsals. 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Mancini Hall, 718 Tuolumne Blvd., Modesto. 209-524-6139.

Dec. 17, Creole Jazz Kings. 1 p.m. featured band. Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 1612 Sisk Road, Modesto. $8-$12. modestojazz.com

Brief ukulele lessons and tips. Other acoustic instruments welcome. 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays. Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. Free. 209-634-3311 or 209-667-2272.

Dec. 26, Columbia Jazz Reunion Concert; Jan. 26, Columbia Big Band; Feb. 2-3, Big Band Jazz Festival; March 2-3, Vocal Jazz Festival; March 13, Bria Skonberg Quartet; April 15, Latin Jazz Big Band season finale. Concerts at Columbia College Dogwood Theater, 11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora except Jan. 26 at Sonora High School. Season tickets $100. 209-559-0565.

Community Christmas, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Gallo Center, I Street, Modesto. 9:15 a.m.-noon Fridays at Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave., Modesto. $25. 209-505-3216; www.Funstrummers.com

Mariposa Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert featuring British composer Sir Edward Elgar’s landmark “Variations on an Original Theme – Enigma.” will be celebrated on Saturday, December 16 at 7 p.m. Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa County High School. $5-$10. http://tinyurl.com/TicketMSO

Modesto Symphony Orchestra annual concert of traditional hymns and carols. 8 p.m. St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, $10-$55. www.galloarts.org.

Sing your favorite carols and Christmas songs with Annette Hutton on piano; refreshments. 6 p.m. Hutton’s Hamlet Performing Arts Center, 132 West G Street, Oakdale. Free. 209-848-1216.

Under the Artistic Direction of Richard J. Colla, this ensemble of 15 musicians plays on over 60 handbells and chimes. 7:30 p.m., Church of the Cross, 3936 Dale Road, Modesto. $5-$15. ww.opushandbell.org.

Six-time Grammy-nominated folk musician in benefit for Modesto Peace/Life Center. 7 p.m., Modesto Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland. $10-23 advance, $26 door, 209-523-1438, http://mccutcheonmodesto2018.eventbrite.com

From Woody Allen, the lives of four characters intertwine amid the hustle and bustle of the Coney Island amusement park in the 1950s. $8.

Strut Performing Arts presents holiday program. 7 p.m. Dec. 15-16, 2 p.m. Dec. 17. $25.

Theater shows series of holiday films; “A Christmas Story,” “White Christmas,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Love, Actually,” “Home Alone” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” $5-$8.

Sierra Repertory Theatre brings back its popular family musical. Two showbiz buddies put on a show to save a rustic Vermont inn and find their perfect mates in the bargain. Fallon House Theatre, 11175 Washington St., Columbia. $20-$37.

Center Stage Conservatory presents the story of Jacob Marley’s heroic behind-the-scenes efforts to save old Scrooge’s soul. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m Sundays. Moon & Sixpence Music & Art House, 500 Ninth St., Modesto. $10-$15. centerstagemodesto.com.

Sierra Repertory Theatre presents contemporary musical that explores cynicism and belief and the true meaning of Christmas. 2 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, Saturdays-Sunday and 7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. East Sonora Theatre, 13891 Mono Way. $20-$37. www.sierrarep.org

Denair Gaslight Theatre. 7 p.m. Denair Gaslight Theatre, 3908 Gratton Road. $8-$10. 209-664-9514. www.denairgaslight.com/2017AChristmasStory

Wednesdays-Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 167 S. Washington St. Sonora.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 920 16th St., Modesto.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 940 11th St., Modesto.

Through January, art Show featuring Chella, Carol David, Barbara Gill, Janet Hardie, Betty Jean Reynolds, and Henrietta Sparkman. Artist reception Dec. 21 during Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. 1224 K St., Modesto.

Through Dec. 24, “Home for the Holidays” member show and sale. Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. Jan. 2-26, “Abstracts, Figurative & Impressions,” by Jim Christiansen. Gallery hours: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; Noon-4 p.m. Saturday. 1015 J St. Modesto. Free. ccaagallery.org

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 918 10th St., Modesto.

www.thechartreusemuse.com.

Through Dec. 15, Sherman Hay: A Retrospective Art Exhibition. 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 1150 9th St., Modesto. modestoartwalk.com.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. modestoartwalk.com.

Gustine Museum Historical Society presents “Woodcraft by John Galante.” Gallery hours: 1-4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday. 397 Fourth St. www.gustinehistoricalsociety.org.

Ongoing, Mary A. Scheinuck, Waldemar “Walt” Scheinuck and other California artists. Gallery hours: Open by appointment. 18091 Hart Lane, Manteca.

Exhibits of a county recorder’s office, a general store and a re-created blacksmith shop. Gallery hours: noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. 1402 I St., Modesto. Free.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 1222 J St., Modesto. www.peerrecoveryartproject.org.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 1030 J. St., Modesto. www.preservationcoffee.com.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 1001 10th St., Modesteo. modestoartwalk.com.

Ongoing artists exhibit. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 1031 W. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto.

Through Dec. 31, “For the Love of Trains” with reception 3-7 p.m. Dec. 9. 140 South Washington St., Sonora. www.sonorajoes.com

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 1418 J St., Modesto.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 1313 J St., Modesto.

Dec. 21, Third Thursday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. 927 11th St., Modesto.

Ongoing, 10 local artists. Exhibit hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 4459 Spyres Way, Suite A, Modesto.

Folk dancing lessons, beginners welcome. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays. $5. 209-480-0387.

Community-based ukulele strum and singalong. Open to all ages and skill levels, as well as other acoustic instruments. 10:30 a.m. Free.

www.turlockukejamz.org.

Works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists who represent the diverse traditions of their country. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays. $5, free for age 12 and under.

Local artists influenced by Asia. Lobby Gallery.

Enjoy warm cocoa, cookies and popcorn while watching 1966 classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” 7-8:30 p.m. Free.

Local crafters, artists and other vendors are having a “pop-up” show and sale.” 6:30-8:30 p.m.

16929 Chicken Ranch Road, Jamestown. 209-984-4806. www.chickenranchcasino.com.

1200 Athens Ave., Lincoln. www.thundervalleycasino.com.

12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson.

www.jacksoncasino.com.

1 Red Hawk Parkway, Placerville. www.redhawkcasino.com.

14455 Highway 16, Brooks. www.cachecreek.com.

Dec. 15, Petty Theft; Dec. 16, The Wiz Kid; Dec. 21, Thunder Cover; Dec. 22, Clean Slate; Dec. 23, Pulse DJ and Drummer; Dec. 28 Harvest Gold; Dec. 29, Left of Centre; Dec. 20, Valley Cats; Dec. 31, Gotcha Covered and Rock Monsterz. 19400 Tuolumne Road N., Tuolumne.

711 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3199. 7-11 a.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 2801 W. Hatch Road, Modesto. $8. 209-537-3360.

Friday night dinner by VFW Post 3199. 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall-Modesto, 2801 W. Hatch Road. $6-$10. 209-537-3360.

Presented by Northern Mariposa County History Center. 8-11 a.m. second Sundays. Coulterville School House, Broadway and Cemetery. $5 adults; $3 children.

Hosted by Ripon VFW Post 1051. 5:30-7 p.m. Fridays. Veterans of Foreign Wars, 12455 W. Ripon Road, Ripon. Small donation required. 209-599-6815.

Hosted by VFW 1051 of Ripon. Chicken strips, burgers, fish or shrimp with fries. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. 12455 W. Ripon Road, Ripon. Small donation required. 209-599-6815.

VFW Auxiliary weekly hamburger nights. 5-8 p.m. Fridays. Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1405 E. Linwood Ave., Turlock. $2-$6.50. 209-668-9710.

Livingston VFW monthly hamburger night. 5-7 p.m. last Thursdays. Livingston Veterans Memorial Hall, 1605 Seventh St. $2-$4.50. 209-394-2059. www.vfwlivingston.com.

Year-round. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays. 16th Street and Canal, Merced. 209-389-4175.

Hosted by Fraternal Order of Eagles. 8-11 a.m. first Sundays. Eagles Hall, 126 Camellia Way, Modesto. $6. 209-577-2298.

Salad bar, no-host bar. Hosted by the Fraternal Order of Eagles. 5 p.m. social; 7 p.m. dinner first Fridays. Eagles Hall, 126 Camellia Way, Modesto. $12. 209-577-2298.

8 a.m.-noon first Sundays. IOOF Hall, Main Street, Knights Ferry. $5.

Monthly luncheon. 11:15 a.m. third Wednesdays. Denair Community Center, 3850 N. Gratton Road. 209-632-0011.

www.sirinc.org.

8-11 a.m. second Sundays. Odd Fellows Hall, 30018 Yosemite Blvd., La Grange. $6. 209-853-2128

Social club for seniors age 65-plus. 8-8:30 a.m. Sundays. Dennys, 4324 Salida Blvd., Salida. 209-576-0279.

5 p.m. Thursdays. Main Street, Columbia State Historic Park. Free 209-499-8273.

Tours of the McHenry Mansion, Victorian home decorated for the holidays with docents in period dress available to answer questions and demonstrating some aspects of life during the 1880s. 5-8:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and Dec. 17. 906 15th St., Modesto. $5.

Presented every 30 minutes. 7-9 p.m. Free Methodist Church, 1520 Rose Ave., Modesto.

Santa will read stories to children. Boys and girls will then be able to create gingerbread houses using graham crackers and milk cartons. They will decorate a giant gingerbread boy with buttons and ribbons and other materials and their own gingerbread cookie while getting to drink hot chocolate. Free. Sonora Library, 480 Greenley Road. 209-533-5507.

CARP invites people to record their poetry, stories and music about California for inclusion on a CD, radio airplay and podcast. Participation is free, and low-income residents are given priority. Next recording session groups (limited to eight people) are: Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., Jan. 11, 18, 25 (need to attend all three) and Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., Feb. 1, 8, 15 (need to attend all three). 209-573-0533 or modestosound.org.

Excursion rides on Saturdays and Sundays. South Fifth Avenue at Reservoir Road, Jamestown. $15 adults; $10 6-17; free under 6 and members. 209-984-3953. www.railtown1897.org.

Sponsored by the Commemorative Air Force. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. second Saturdays. Modesto Airport, 700 Tioga Drive, Hangar 1, Modesto. 209-526-5868.

www.cafvalleysquadron.org.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. fourth Saturdays. Turlock Municipal Airport, 13602 Newport Road, Turlock. 209-620-6312.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater. $12 adults; $8 seniors; $5 youths 6-17; free age 5 and under. 209-723-2178.

6:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Perko’s Cafe, 2120 Patterson Road, Riverbank. 209-342-7358.

Meeting and lunch open to all women in the valley. First Tuesdays, noon-2:30 p.m. Oakdale Country Club, North Stearns Road, Oakdale. $16. 209-342-0281.

Variety of fitness classes including senior classes and beginning line dancing. No registration or membership required. Monday-Friday; call for times. Centenary Methodist Church, 1911 Toyon Ave., Modesto. Donation. 209-988-5655.

www.centenarychurch.net.

For speakers of all levels. 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Denny’s, 1525 McHenry Ave. Modesto.

7 p.m. fourth Tuesdays. Denny’s, 1525 McHenry Ave., Modesto.

7 p.m. third Fridays. Denny’s, 1525 McHenry Ave., Modesto.

Toastmasters club Daybreakers 1388. 6:15-7:20 a.m. second, third and fourth Wednesdays. Denny’s, 1525 McHenry Ave., Modesto. www.toastmasters.org.

Modesto Sound offers audio technician training classes for those 13 and older. Work with musicians; hands-on learning live sound, recording bands, producing, mastering, electronics. Call or email for times. Modesto Sound, 110 Santa Barbara Ave., Modesto. $200 (scholarships available). 209-573-0533. studio@modestosound.org. www.modestosound.org.

7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays. Samaritan Village, 7700 Fox Road, Hughson. 209-384-7128 or 209-631-9458.

The Healthy Aging Association offers group exercise classes for those 60 and older. Classes range from strength training, aerobics or tai chi. Call for information on class location and times. Healthy Aging Association, 121 Downey Ave., Suite 102, Modesto. Free. 209-523-2800.

Noon-1 p.m. second and fourth Mondays. Fuddruckers, 3848 McHenry Ave., Modesto. 209-390-6607.

Valley Super Singles weekly social time for singles age 50 and older. 5:30 p.m. first and third Fridays. Bel Piatto Restaurant, 1000 Kansas Ave., Modesto. 209-883-2685.

Third Sunday. 1 p.m. Stanislaus County Agricultural Center, 3800 Cornucopia Suite B, Modesto.

Presented by Oakdale Grange No. 435. Food and drink free. 7-9:30 p.m. second Fridays. Oakdale Grange Hall, Lambuth and F streets. $10. 209-556-8524 or 209-838-7421.

Lunch and speaker, open to women and men. Second Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Seasons, 945 McHenry Ave., Modesto. Lunch $16. 209-567-3399.

Sonora Writers Group. 10:30 a.m. second Saturdays. Call for location. 209-734-8097.

Society meets to instruct, inform and educate members in the techniques of research. 7 p.m. third Tuesdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church, Telle Center, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto. 209-526-5009.

Monthly meeting. 1:30 p.m. second Sundays. Seventh-day Adventist Church, Fellowship Hall, 16th and G streets, Modesto. Free. 209-522-0147.

Exercise to a Latin beat. Mondays and Thursdays, 9-10 a.m. Riverbank Community Center. For 18 and older $2 each session, payable to the instructor. 209-863-7150.

Dancing and socializing. Different themes monthly. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St. $4 members; $6 nonmembers; $12 annual membership. 209-521-7194.

7:30-10 p.m. Wednesdays. Turlock Senior Center, 1191 Cahill St.

Social time for singles age 50 and older. 5:30 p.m. first and third Fridays. Bel Piatto Restaurant, 1000 Kansas Ave., Modesto. 209-883-2685.

Dance on Tuesdays, second Fridays. First-time guests are free. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays; 7-10 p.m. second Fridays. Modesto Senior Center, 211 Bodem St. Day: $4 members, $6 nonmembers; night: $5 and $7. 209-534-7663.

Rock and country band. 1-4 p.m. second and fourth Sundays. Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane. $4. 209-825-0116.

Monthly dances. 7-10 p.m. second Saturdays. Odd Fellows Hall, 6941 Hughson Ave., Hughson. $5 members; $7 nonmembers. 209-614-8048.

7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Oakdale Grange Hall, Lambuth and F streets. $4. 209-526-4452.

Dance to Bonnie and the Boys Out Back Band. 10 a.m-1:30 p.m. Stanislaus Veterans Center Hall, Coffee Road and Sylvan Avenue. $5, supports the Veterans Foundation of Stanislaus County. 209-343-6292.

Square dance club workshop nights. 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays. American Legion Hall, 75 Bothun Road, Turlock. 209-402-4822. www.facebook.com/turlock.steppinpards.

Potluck meal with prizes. 6 p.m. second Fridays; 1 p.m. fourth Sundays. Hughson Senior Center, 2307 Fourth St. $2 door; $8 membership. 209-538-0362.

Workshop Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. Dances 7 p.m. Saturdays. Open to singles, couples and children ages 8 and up. 7 p.m. Oakdale Grange Hall, Lambuth and F streets. 209-556-8524 or 209-681-2699.

Argentine tango practice. Socialize and practice your tango. 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays. Urbano California Grill, 1016 H St., Modesto. Free. 209-522-1571. www.modestotango.com.

This story was originally published December 13, 2017 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Calendar of events across the Modesto, Mother Lode regions."