This Motown great will bring legendary hits to Modesto. See who, when, where
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Motown legend Smokey Robinson is next up in this season’s concert series at the Fruit Yard Amphitheater. Also set for Modesto is the big Graffiti Summer blowout festival. These are just two of the many entertainment options set in the region for June 7-13.
Smokey Robinson
Motown legend Smokey Robinson brings his tour to the Fruit Yard Amphitheater. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of his solo album “A Quiet Storm.” Robinson fronted the group Smokey Robinson & The Miracles in the 1960s and 1970s and had numerous hits including “Tears of a Clown,” “Tracks of My Tears,” “Shop Around,” “Ooh Baby Baby,” “I Second that Emotion,” “Just to See Her” and more.
WHEN: 8 p.m. June 13
WHERE: The Fruit Yard Chicken Ranch Casino Resort Amphitheater, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto
TICKETS: $73.50-$155
ONLINE: www.thefruityardevents.com
Festival and car show
The two-day North Modesto Kiwanis American Graffiti Festival & Car show is the biggest celebration of the city’s Graffiti Summer. The event includes live music, nearly 20 food stands and about 50 other vendors. There will be hundreds of classic cars on display. “American Graffiti” actress Mackenzie Phillips will be at the festival. On Sunday, Cars and Coffee Modesto joins the show, with modern muscle and exotic cars. Live entertainment includes Journey Revisited, a Journey tribute band, on Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Seve Botello will be mingling as Elvis between 2 and 4 p.m. both days.
WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 8
WHERE: Modesto Junior College West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave.
ADMISSION: $10, free for age 12 and under
ONLINE: www.americangraffitifestival.com
Blippi
YouTube favorite Blippi brings the “Blippi: Join The Band Tour!” to the Gallo Center. The new live show will find Blippi joined on stage by Meekah, singers, dancers and live musicians “to explore what makes music, including sounds, rhythms and instruments, through all your favorite Blippi hits,” according to the center’s website. The web-based troupe gears its learning message to preschoolers.
WHEN: 2 p.m. June 8
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $47-$77
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
“Prairie” cast reunion
Actors who appeared in “Little House on the Prairie” will be at Columbia State Historic Park for a cast reunion. The three-day event offers fans a chance to celebrate the television series, meet cast members, take photos and collect autographs, according to a press release. Scenes for some of the show’s episodes were shot in Columbia. Among those set to appear are Rachel Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) and Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle). Several other actors are expected, according to the press release, which noted that cast appearances are subject to change.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, with meet-and-greets starting at 11 a.m.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7, with meet-and-greets at 10 a.m.; and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 8, with meet-and-greets at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Columbia State Historic Park
TICKETS: $29-$149, free under age 5
ONLINE: www.littlehousegoldcountry.com.
MoBand
The Modesto Band of Stanislaus County, affectionately known as MoBand, performs its second concert of the season “Around the World,” with music from John Philip Sousa’s “Hands Across the Sea” to “Malagueña,” Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2 to The Rolling Stones.
WHEN: 8 p.m. June 12
WHERE: Mancini Bowl at Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
TICKETS: Free
ONLINE: www.moband.org
Summer Table Viewing
The Modesto Garden Club will hold its Summer Table Viewing at Del Rio Country Club. The public can view 30 tables, uniquely staged by club members with summer finery for the season, including flowers, stemware, dishes and decorations.
WHEN: 1-7 p.m. June 11
WHERE: Del Rio Country Club, 801 Stewart Road, Modesto
TICKETS: $10 at the door
EMAIL: email@ModestoGardenClub.org
Dairy fest
This year’s Hilmar Dairy & Farm Festival is getting ready for the annual celebration. The event has Little Milkman and Milkmaid contests, food and craft vendors. There will be fireworks at dusk.
WHEN: 5-10 p.m. June 7
WHERE: Hilmar High football field, 7807 N. Lander Ave.
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: hilmarchamber.com
