Movie theaters, galleries can open. What are the plans for Modesto region venues?
While California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave the green light last week to a Friday, June 12, reopening of movie theaters, museums and galleries, not all in the Modesto region will open right away.
Most major movie theater chains appear to be looking at a July reopening date.
According to Saul Trujillo, general manager at Brenden Theatres in Modesto, the downtown theater will open in July, although a date has not been set.
“We are working on training and social distancing measures in order to provide a safe environment for both our customers and staff,” Trujillo said in an email.
Similarly, a story in the New York Times said that AMC and Regal theater chains are eyeing July opening dates. Regal has theaters in Turlock and Modesto; AMC has a theater in Manteca.
While no one could be reached at the Galaxy Theatre in Riverbank, its website indicates its next movie will be July 1 with the film “Unhinged.”
State looks to open this week
The State Theatre did not open Friday, but Executive Director Kirstie Boyett said the historic downtown Modesto venue plans to do so this Friday, June 19.
While they still are deciding what to screen on opening day, they have put plans in place to keep the 550-seat theater safe for patrons, she said.
Only 100 people will be allowed in, with social distancing in place. Patrons must wear masks when they enter, but can remove them once they are ushered to their seats, Boyett said.
They’re taking other measures, including installing an air scrubber and upgrading to COVID-19 rated air filters and installing plexiglass at the concession areas. Patrons will enter in one door to the theater and go out the other, and there will be hand sanitizer throughout, she said.
They’ll have one screening on June 19 at 1 p.m., then will expand the following week with screenings at 4 and 7 p.m.
The venue’s smaller Jewel Theatre will not open, Boyett said.
Galleries, museums also can open
As for galleries and museums in the Modesto region, few were opened Friday, but several are preparing to do so soon.
Linda Knoll, education coordinator at the Mistlin Gallery in downtown Modesto, said they will reopen on July 2 with the show “Women in America: A 100 Year Celebration of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment.”
There also are summer camps for kids scheduled in July, one at the gallery with a limited number of youths and others set to be held online, she said.
The Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock reopened its gift shop and lobby gallery, with works by local photographers on display, earlier this month when retail shops were allowed to open. But the main gallery will wait until July with the “Carnegie Art Showcase” exhibit, according to Director Lisa McDermott.
One gallery that did open in Modesto on Friday was downtown’s Chartreuse Muse. Gallery manager Jennifer Price said that while they unlocked their doors, they are planning a big reopening on Monday, June 15, with the exhibit “The Big Bright Show,” featuring large, colorful paintings.
“We wanted something big and bright and optimistic for the summer,” she said.
Also beginning next week the gallery will start classes for children and adults, in person and online. In-person classes will be limited to six students, Price said.
According to Peer Recovery Art Project’s John Black, the gallery that previously closed its J Street location in Modesto is currently moving into a space at 950 10th St. and will be ready to open in July.
No date has been set for the reopening of the McHenry Mansion or McHenry Museum, according to Thomas Reeves, community and media relations officer for the city of Modesto.
Reeves said Thursday that city staff is working on plans to reopen the venues.
