Entertainment

Latest concert set for Modesto’s Fruit Yard Amphitheater. See who and when

Gusty Souza, left, and Daniel Gilman from Stanislaus Audubon Society look at birds during the 2023 Modesto RecFest.
Gusty Souza, left, and Daniel Gilman from Stanislaus Audubon Society look at birds during the 2023 Modesto RecFest. aalfaro@modbee.com

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The Fruit Yard Amphitheater’s 2026 season continues with a concert by country music star Scotty McCreery. Central West Ballet presents “Cinderella” at the Gallo Center for the Arts, where the Modesto Symphony Orchestra will offer a 95th anniversary performance. There are plenty of festivals and other entertainment events coming up in the Modesto region from May 2-8.

Scotty McCreery performs in 2011 in Garner, North Carolina.
Scotty McCreery performs in 2011 in Garner, North Carolina. ETHAN HYMAN ehyman@newsobserver.com

Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery will play the Fruit Yard Amphitheater, with Jackson Dean and John Morgan also on the bill. McCreery, 32, won “American Idol” in 2011, launching him into country music stardom at age 17. Among his hits are “Damn Strait,” “This Is It,” “You Time,” “In Between” and “Five More Minutes.”

WHEN: 7 p.m. May 8

WHERE: The Fruit Yard Chicken Ranch Casino Resort Amphitheater, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto

TICKETS: $59.10-$96.10

ONLINE: www.thefruityardevents.com

“Cinderella”

Central West Ballet presents the classic fairytale “Cinderella” at the Gallo Center. “With her broom and kitchen companions of mice, birds and cats, the girl full of cinders meets her Fairy Godmother and transforms into the ball’s most beautiful and mysterious guest,” according to the center’s website. There will be a boutique in the lobby and fairytale parties on stage after each matinee where audience members can meet the characters.

WHEN: 2 p.m. May 2-3; 7 p.m. May 2

WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto

TICKETS: $51-$79

ONLINE: www.galloarts.org

“The Da Vinci Code”

The Gallo Center Repertory Company will perform “The Da Vinci Code” at the venue. The play, based on Dan Brown’s bestselling book, follows Professor Robert Langdon, who becomes the center of a murder investigation. “When cryptologist Sophie Neveu arrives at the scene, she alerts Robert that not only is he being asked to solve the crime, he is also the prime suspect. Soon they are in a race against time to clear Robert’s name and decipher a labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever,” the center’s website says.

WHEN: 2 p.m. May 2-3, May 9-10; 7 p.m. May 7-8

WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto

TICKETS: $31-$51

ONLINE: www.galloarts.org

Calidanza Dance Company will play at the Gallo Center in Modesto.
Calidanza Dance Company will play at the Gallo Center in Modesto. Submitted by Gallo Center for the Arts

Calidanza Dance Company

Calidanza Dance Company presents “¡Festejos!,” a celebration of Mexican heritage. The Cinco de Mayo show will be at the Gallo Center. Calidanza brings vibrant costumes, rhythmic footwork and the music of Mexico to its performances.

WHEN: 7 p.m. May 5

WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto

TICKETS: $45-$65

ONLINE: www.galloarts.org

Modesto Symphony Orchestra

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s final classics concert of the season features “Carmina Burana.” The program will celebrate the MSO’s 95th season, the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra’s 45th season and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus’ 25th season. The presentation will combine brass, harmonies and voices.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. May 8-9

WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto

TICKETS: $26-$100

ONLINE: www.galloarts.org

Modesto RecFest

The all-ages Modesto RecFest is a celebration of outdoor recreation and includes a youth fishing clinic, paddling, bicycle rides, hiking, birdwatching, orienteering, disc golf and other activities. There will be equipment demonstrations, guided adventures and educational workshops.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 2

WHERE: Gateway Park, 100 10th St., Modesto

ADMISSION: Free

CALL: 209-236-0330

Cinco de Mayo parade

South Modesto Businesses United presents its annual Cinco de Mayo parade and celebration along Crows Landing Road. The event will honor the “Day of the Battle of Puebla.”

WHEN: 11 a.m. May 2

WHERE: Crows Landing Road, Modesto

ADMISSION: Free

CALL: 209-566-2300

Cinco de Mayo celebration

The West Modesto Community Collaborative holds a Cinco de Mayo luncheon to honor the culture and contributions of farmworker and immigrant communities. Planned are music, tacos, aguas frescas and a student panel.

WHEN: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 5

WHERE: 529 California Ave, Modesto

TICKETS: $30

ONLINE: westmodestocollaborative.com

Taco fest

Get your fill as more than 40 vendors take part in this year’s Modesto Taco Fest. Also planned for the day-into-evening event in downtown are Chihuahua races, ballet folklorico, luchadors, drinks, live music and more.

WHEN: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 2

WHERE: I Street between 11th and 12th streets and 12th Street between J and I streets, Modesto

TICKETS: $20 advance

ONLINE: modestotacofest.com

Ceres festival

This year’s Ceres Street Faire includes food, entertainment, car shows and vendors. A classic car show will be held on Saturday, with a lowrider car show planned for Sunday.

WHEN: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 3

WHERE: Downtown Ceres

ADMISSION: Free

ONLINE: cereschamberofcommerce.org/events/ceres-street-faire-2

Cafe Shalom

Congregation Beth Shalom in Modesto brings back its annual Cafe Shalom festival. A celebration of Jewish culture, the event includes food, music, a bake sale, gift shop and more.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 3

WHERE: Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto

TICKETS: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $15 ages 4-10, free for ages 3 and under

ONLINE: www.cbsmodesto.org

“Star Wars” fest

Modesto native George Lucas’ “Star Wars” film saga will be celebrated during the annual May the Fourth Be With You event. Planned at Tenth Street Plaza are a lightsaber battle at dusk, the Death Star piñata, live music by Horizon Point, movie characters, vendors and more.

WHEN: 5-9 p.m. May 4

WHERE: Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto

ADMISSION: Free

ONLINE: www.facebook.com/maythefourthmodesto

Art Around Town

Nine downtown Turlock businesses will be open for the Art Around Town walk. At the quarterly event, attendees can visit several art galleries and businesses on and near Main Street. All will have refreshments along with art, antiques and locally handcrafted items for viewing and for sale. A reception for the “Farms and Fields” exhibit will be held at the Carnegie Arts Center during the event.

WHEN: 5-8 p.m. May 7

WHERE: Downtown Turlock

ADMISSION: Free

ONLINE: carnegieartsturlock.org/calendar/art-around-town-farms-and-fields-reception

Pat Clark
The Modesto Bee
Pat Clark covers entertainment and other stories for The Modesto Bee. She attended California State University, Stanislaus, and grew up in Modesto. Support my work with a digital subscription
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