Broadway & big screen hit, live musical coming to Modesto. Juneteenth events, too
Get the Eat. Sip. Play. newsletter in your inbox
Available now: Sign up here for the best food, drink and entertainment coverage in Stanislaus County.
There are a lot of celebrations and entertainment popping up in the greater Modesto region in the coming days. Modesto Performing Arts joins a host of Graffiti Summer events with a live production of the musical “Grease.” Juneteenth celebrations and observances will be held in Modesto, Riverbank and Lathrop, along with a trip to the Allensworth Historical State Park (Scroll down to see the list of Juneteenth events). Here’s a look at just some of what’s planned June 14-20.
“Grease”
Modesto Performing Arts presents “Grease” at the Gallo Center for the Arts, just in time for Graffiti Summer. The production opens MPA’s 57th season. The musical is about love-struck teenagers unexpectedly reuniting at Rydell High after the summer of 1958. “Grease” has had two successful Broadway revivals and was made into a hit movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. MPA’s production is directed by Paul Tischer and music direction is by Marie Maxfield. Mic Thompson will return to his hometown of Modesto for choreography duties.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. June 14, 20-21; 2 p.m. June 15, 22
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $38-$58
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
MoBand
The Modesto Band of Stanislaus County, affectionately known as MoBand, performs its third concert of the season, moving to a special Wednesday date in observance of Thursday’s Juneteenth holiday. The “Through Time” show will feature classic tunes by Glenn Miller, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and rock legends of the 1970s.
WHEN: 8 p.m. June 18
WHERE: Mancini Bowl at Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
TICKETS: Free
ONLINE: www.moband.org
“Top Gun”
The Modesto Film Society will screen the classic hit “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis at the State Theatre. The 1986 action film is about a group of men in an elite training school for fighter pilots when tragedy strikes.
WHEN: 2 p.m. June 15
WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKET: $10
ONLINE: www.thestate.org
Car show
The June tradition in Modesto continues with the Back to Graffiti Car Show at the Fruit Yard Amphitheatre. Modesto F-100 Elite presents the event, which also includes a raffle, vendors, music, awards and more.
WHEN: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14
WHERE: The Fruit Yard, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-577-3093
Singalong
While Modesto Performing Arts offers “Grease” in a live production, you also can see the film itself at the State Theatre’s “Grease” Singalong screening. It’s also part of Modesto’s Graffiti Summer celebrations.
WHEN: 2 p.m. June 14
WHERE: The State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKETS: $6
ONLINE: thestate.org
Block party
The Carnegie Arts Center offers its annual block party in downtown Turlock. This community event for all ages moves from outside the arts center to a Turlock park this year. Creative activities, live music and more will be offered.
WHEN: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 14
WHERE: Central Park, downtown Turlock
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: carnegieartsturlock.org
Hot air balloon fest
The annual Ceres Skies The Limit Hot Air Balloon festival returns. Weather permitting, the schedule has balloons lifting off beginning at 6 a.m. Tethered rides will be offered to the public for $10. There will be food trucks, vendors, live music and activities for children.
WHEN: 5 a.m.-noon June 14
WHERE: River Bluff Regional Park, 3761 Hatch Road, Ceres
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-538-5628
Lumber Jubilee
The annual Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee celebrates the logging industry with two days of vendors, a carnival, parade, music, logging contests and more. The events end with a tug-of-war at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
WHEN: June 20-22; See website for times
WHERE: West Side Memorial Park, Tuolumne
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: motherlodetimbersports.org/tuolumne-lumber-jubilee.
Arts gala
The Stanislaus Arts Council presents its Celebration of the Arts Gala. The council will honor several people for their contributions to the region’s arts community. There will be art, performances and visuals. This year’s theme is “Kaleidoscope of Community.”
WHEN: 5-9 p.m. June 14
WHERE: Modesto Silos, 320 Madonia Ave, Modesto
TICKETS: Start at $150
ONLINE: www.stanislausarts.org/event-checkout/p/events-cota2025
Juneteenth observances
Modesto Juneteenth
The King-Kennedy Memorial Center Board of Directors will celebrate Juneteenth during a “We Shall Rise” festival. The event at Graceada Park includes live entertainment with Valley Rhythm Section, food vendors, games and more.
WHEN: 1-6 p.m. June 14
WHERE: Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-568-3643
Slavery Remembrance Day
Silver Square Lodge #66/Creators Club of Modesto offers a “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated Train Ride Back In Time” to Allensworth Historical State Park. The train departs from the Modesto Amtrak station at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy food, vendors and live music, along with a guided town tour that highlights significant aspects of Black history. Calling ahead for reservations is recommended.
WHEN: June 14, see above for times
WHERE: See above
TICKETS: $27 round trip
CALL: 209-595-6966
Freedom Trail Walk-A-thon
Silver Square Lodge will hold a second Juneteenth observance, “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated” with a walk, luncheon, dinner and program. The walk from 9-11 a.m. will be along the Helen White Trail in Modesto, meeting at Martin Luther King Drive and California Avenue. After the walk will be several events at Modesto Centre Plaza’s Arbor Theater, 1000 L St. A lunch will be offered noon-1 p.m. From 1-5 p.m., a youth symposium and rally will take place, featuring a tribute to Col. Allen Allensworth and Prince Hall through films, lectures, music and dancing. After the youth event, participants will receive certificates for free backpacks. A dinner and program will be held 5-6 p.m., followed by a concert featuring Darnell Robinson from 7-11 p.m.
WHEN: June 19, see above for times
WHERE: See above
TICKETS: For post-walk activities, donation is $75
CALL: 209-595-6966
Riverbank Juneteenth
“A Day of Family Fun: Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom” marks another community holiday event. The day will feature activities for children, food, bands, DJs, vendors, gospel singers, cultural performances, educational exhibits, a Black business expo and community resource information.
WHEN: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 19
WHERE: Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St.
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-568-3643
Lathrop Juneteenth
The Lathrop Juneteenth Heritage Committee presents its third annual event with vendors, food trucks, live music, spoken word and games for kids. Reserve free admission online, below.
WHEN: 4:30-8:30 p.m. June 19
WHERE: Lathrop Generations Center, 450 Spartan Way
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.lathropjuneteenth.us
