Modesto’s Fruit Yard bringing in two hit-making rock bands. See who, when
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- Fruit Yard hosts two bands on Sept. 14 in Modesto
- Opera Modesto debuts Elixir of Love under new music director Caleb Glickman
- See what event tops reader poll on September festivals
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See results from our September festivals poll below.
Classic rock will fill the Fruit Yard Amphitheater, while Opera Modesto puts a twist to its upcoming production at the Gallo Center for the Arts. These are just two of the entertainment options planned in the Modesto region from Sept. 13-19.
Fruit Yard concert
A double bill of classic rock arrives at the Fruit Yard Amphitheater with a show featuring Three Dog Night and Little River Band. Three Dog Night is known for numerous hits including “Easy To Be Hard,” “Joy to the World,” “One,” “Old Fashioned Love Song,” “Black and White,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Pieces of April” and “Mama Told Me (Not to Come).” Little River Band is known for “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Lady,” “Lonesome Loser” and “Take It Easy On Me.” Joining the groups will be Lydia Pense & Cold Blood.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Sept. 14
WHERE: Fruit Yard Chicken Ranch Casino Resort Amphitheater, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto
TICKETS: $73-$161
ONLINE: www.thefruityardevents.com
“The Elixir of Love”
Opera Modesto presents a Western version of Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,“ set in the 1800s. The production at the Gallo Center follows a young man in love with an independent landowner. But she’s more interested in an arrogant sergeant, so he buys a “love potion“ from a traveling snake oil salesman in hopes of winning her heart.
The production will be the first with OM’s new music director, Caleb Yanez Glickman, who replaces longtime Townsend Opera/Opera Modesto director Ryan Murray. Glickman previously was Murray’s assistant director.
Opera Modesto also announced a newly created Director of Development position, filled by Emily Gallagher, who has been part if its Summer Opera Institute faculty for three years and has sung for the company.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19; 2 p.m. Sept. 21
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $45-$95
ONLINE: galloarts.org
La Santa Cecilia
Grammy Award-winning Mexican-American rock band La Santa Cecilia brings its music to the Gallo Center. The group’s Pan-American rhythms include cumbia, bossa-nova, rumba, bolero, tango, R&B, jazz and klezmer music. Named after the patron saint of music, La Santa Cecilia sings in Spanish and English about love, loss, and everyday struggles.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $45-$75
ONLINE: galloarts.org
“MoChiMagic”
The Modesto Children’s Museum’s (MoChiMu) second annual Imagination Celebration Gala will be themed “MoChiMagic” this year. It invites guests “into a dreamscape inspired by nature’s wonder and childlike creativity — a world where enchanted forests bloom indoors, imagination comes to life, and community support makes real magic happen,” a press release said. Proceeds benefit scholarships and initiatives.
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 19
WHERE: Modesto Children’s Museum, 928 11th St.
TICKETS: $125
ONLINE: www.modestochildrensmuseum.org
MAPS
Modesto Area Partners in Science will offer an evening all about bees with Elena Niño, professor of apiculture at UC Davis. Learn how to keep a hive healthy and what challenges bees face. Niño’s research covers a variety of topics, including the use of technologies to make beekeeping more efficient and sustainable.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19
WHERE: Sierra Hall, Room 132, Modesto Junior College West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.mjc.edu/sem/maps.html
Festival poll results; two of the events
In late August, we ran a story listing September’s many festivals and included a poll asking readers which of a selected eight they’d most like to attend. Most of the events still are upcoming, with one (Open Cockpit Day) having already been held.
Winning with 31 percent of the vote was the longstanding Greek Food Festival. The other votes went to: No. 2, Edible Extravaganza, 17 percent; No. 3, Castle Air Museum’s Open Cockpit Day, 10 percent; No. 4, Wild Planet Day, 10 percent; No. 5, Coyote Festival, 10 percent; No. 6, Gallo Center Family Fun Festival, 10 percent.
Rounding out poll at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively, were the Assyrian Festival, 7 percent, and Acorn Festival, 3 percent. Both are set for this weekend. Read on for more on those two events:
Assyrian Festival
Experience the culture of one of the region’s larger demographics at the Assyrian Festival in Turlock. There will be food, cultural exhibits, live music, Assyrian dance groups, a kids zone with carnival rides and more.
WHEN: Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 13-14
WHERE: Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.cvassyrianfestival.com
Acorn Festival
The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians holds its annual Acorn Festival celebration in Tuolumne. Expect traditional dancers, hand games tournament, vendors, Indian tacos and more. There will be shuttles from Black Oak Casino starting at 8 a.m. both days.
WHEN: Around 8 a.m. Sept. 13-14
WHERE: Tuolumne Rancheria, 19595 Mi-Wu St., Tuolumne
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-928-5300
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
