Entertainment

6 Things To Do This Week


Guitarist Robben Ford plays blues, jazz and rock.
Guitarist Robben Ford plays blues, jazz and rock. Robben Ford

MoBand & Night at the Bowl

The beloved summer ritual of music and mirth known as MoBand returns. The concert in the park series featuring the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County opens Thursday, June 4, for its six-week run. But before the free alfresco listening and dining experience returns, supporters are invited to the fifth annual Night at the Bowl fundraiser Tuesday, June 2, to support MoBand and Modesto’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department.

WHEN: Night at the Bowl 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2; MoBand 8-9:45 p.m. Thursday, June 4

WHERE: Mancini Bowl, Graceada Park, 401 Needham Ave., Modesto

TICKETS: Night at the Bowl $35, MoBand free

CALL: (209) 571-5582

ONLINE: www.moband.org

State’s 80th Birthday

Downtown Modesto’s State Theatre is throwing itself an 80th birthday with a show by Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. The event will include cigarette girls roaming the theater and vintage newsreels to get guests – who are encouraged to dress in period costume – into the 1934 state of mind. Bay Area-based singer Smith and her band are known for their swinging blues and jazz performances.

WHEN: 7 p.m. door, 8 p.m. show Saturday, May 30

WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto

TICKETS: $20

CALL: (209) 527-4697

ONLINE: www.thestate.org

Patterson Apricot Fiesta

Slice into the fun at the 45th annual Patterson Apricot Fiesta this weekend. The festival includes food and vendor booths, children’s activities, live entertainment, exhibitions, contests and more. There will be a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at dusk Saturday, May 30.

WHEN: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 29; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30; and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31

WHERE: Downtown Patterson

TICKETS: Free

CALL: (209) 892-3118

ONLINE: www.apricotfiesta.com

Pick & Gather Festival

The 11th annual Pick and Gather Festival offers a weekend full of outdoor fun. The festivities include organic berry- and fruit-picking, arts and crafts, river activities and three stages of music. Live entertainment includes local blues, folk, acoustic and other performers as well as a Native American village with dancers, drummers and storytellers.

WHEN: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, May 30; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 31

WHERE: Riverdance Farms, 12230 Livingston Cressey Road, Livingston

TICKETS: $10 general, $5 seniors/kids Saturday, $5 general Sunday, $2 seniors/kids (overnight camping $15)

CALL: (209) 761-0081

ONLINE: www.riverdancefarms.com

Robben Ford

Five-time Grammy nominee Robben Ford returns to Modesto’s State Theatre. Known for his blues, jazz and rock guitar skills, Ford recently released the 11-track album “Into the Sun.” Musician magazine named him one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century.”

WHEN: Doors open 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. Friday, May 29

WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto

TICKETS: $24-$38

ONLINE: www.thestate.org

CALL: (209) 527-4697

‘Unnecessary Farce’

Sierra Repertory Theatre opens the door on the comedy “Unnecessary Farce” this weekend. The farce about small-town crooks and the cops trying to capture them takes place in a motel. Cast includes veteran Hollywood voice actor Pat Pinney, whose credits include “Spongebob SquarePants,” “Robot Chicken” and Harry in “Harry and the Hendersons.”

WHEN: Opens 7 p.m. Friday, May 29; runs 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through June 28

WHERE: Sierra Repertory Theatre, East Sonora Theatre, 13891 Mono Way, Sonora

TICKETS: $28-$35

CALL: (209) 532-3120

ONLINE: www.sierrarep.org

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "6 Things To Do This Week."

Related Stories from Modesto Bee
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER