Wondering about MoBand? It promises to heat things up this year in Modesto
Classic rock will kick off what’s been deemed a “Hot, Hot, Hot!” season for MoBand.
The Modesto Band of Stanislaus County, known in the community as MoBand, starts its six-concert season June 9 at Mancini Bowl in Modesto’s Graceada Park.
“I think this is going to be a really exciting season,” band Director George Gardner said. “I’ve got ... some really good songs lined up for the concerts this year.”
The opening concert will feature rock ’n’ roll to coincide with Modesto’s Graffiti Summer celebration. The music of Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers and The Beach Boys will highlight the program, according to a press release.
The season runs every Thursday through July 14. Concerts begin at 8 p.m. and are free.
Traditionally, people hold their spots on the lawn by putting down blankets early in the day. Many audience members take along picnic dinners to enjoy during the shows. There also is some bleacher seating at the bowl.
This season’s theme is “Hot, Hot, Hot!” The rest of the concerts planned are:
June 16: Latin Fire; featuring the music of Carlos Santana, along with other Latin favorites
June 23: Country Pop; country favorites and pop music hits
June 30: America, the Beautiful; a Fourth of July celebration with patriotic music
July 7: American Songbook selections
July 14: Hot Hits; highlighting music from the season
Also this year is a July 21 fundraising show featuring the band Triple D. Dubbed “The 7th Concert,” it’s planned to raise money to support MoBand and its programs, according to the news release. Donations will be accepted.
MoBand, which turned 100 in 2019, is open to all high school, college and adult musicians who want to play. There are no auditions. Rehearsals are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m., beginning June 6.
For more on MoBand, see www.moband.org.
The annual concerts were canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and a shortened four-concert season was held in 2021.
While MoBand had slightly fewer musicians participate last year, Gardner said, “audience numbers were pretty comparable (to normal seasons), particularly as the season went on as people got the word that we were performing.”
As for this year, he’s ready to get back on stage.
“I’m excited. The band, I know, is going to be excited about playing and I’m really excited about the music” Gardner said. “(We’re) ready to kick off six full concerts this season and get back into our 100-year-old routine.”
