Marijke Rowland: The hits keep coming in 2016

Move over 2015 entertainment, 2016 entertainment is here and raring to go.

While 2015 was a memorable year with big names and great shows, 2016 is set to be just as great if not better with a slew of concerts, performances, celebrations and more planned across the region. Central Valley and foothill venues, promoters, arts organizations, theater companies, musical groups and more have an ambitious year charted out so far for the start of the new year.

Here’s a rundown of the highlights from area arts groups coming in 2016. Mark your calendars – you’re going to be busy.

Gallo Center for the Arts

The region’s largest performing arts venue, in downtown Modesto, follows up its record-setting past season by bringing in a blockbuster lineup of acts, musicians and comedians in the first few months of 2016. The schedule really kicks into high gear starting in March when country hit-maker Terri Clark (March 2), headlining comics Bill Maher and Bill Engvall (March 6 and March 19, respectively), Broadway superstar Kristin Chenoweth (March 24) and Las Vegas heavyweights Blue Man Group (April 8-9) are slated to perform. The center is also the host to resident companies such as the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Modesto Performing Arts, Modesto Community Concert Association, Central West Ballet and Youth Entertainment Stage Company which all have new or ongoing schedules planned in 2016.

State Theatre

Downtown Modesto’s historic theater continues three of its popular film series in 2016. The Modesto Film Society carries on with its 2015-2016 season offering a lineup of classic and popular favorites including its first film of the new year, the 1939 comedy “The Women” (Jan. 17). Also returning will be the grant-based Science on Screen film series, blending speakers on a variety of science-based subjects with popular films, returning in March. The theater also will continue to host the New York Film Critics Series, pairing pre- or new releases with onscreen Q&As with cast and creatives involved with the films, returning in February.

Turlock Community Theatre

The Turlock venue continues its strong current season with the return of legendary comedic actress Lily Tomlin (Jan. 15), “Star Trek” actor William Shatner (Jan. 31), country music star Wynonna & The Big Noise (Feb. 27), the rescheduled appearance by former late night host Craig Ferguson (March 4), blues twofer Tommy Castro & The Painkillers and Elvin Bishop (March 5), professional baseball player-turned-musician Tim Flannery & The Lunatic Fringe (March 19), and, by popular demand, a second show of the “The Price is Right” Live Tour (May 4).

Townsend Opera

Modesto’s only opera company continues its creative and managerial partnership with Fresno Grand Opera, which started in late 2014. The 2016 season will run its two productions (“Sweeney Todd” opening Feb.12 and “Dead Man Walking” opening April 29) in both cities. The company also recently announced partnerships with the California State University, Stanislaus, music department and area poetry community to launch new creative programs for local composers and poets. Part of that initiative will include a talk by “Dead Man Walking” composer Jack Heggie on Feb. 5 at Stanislaus State.

Prospect Theater Project

The downtown Modesto theater company returns early in 2016 with its next production, the one-woman play “The Belle of Amherst” (opening Jan. 8) based on the life of the great American poet Emily Dickinson. The remainder of its season includes the classic American play “Death of a Salesman” (opens Feb. 19) and the romantic comedy “The Clean House” (opens May 6). In July, Prospect will present the world premieres of a new work by a current playwright. The production will be workshopped and performed locally (opens July 8).

Sierra Repertory Theatre

The professional foothills theater company presents fair ladies, robber bridegrooms, church basement ladies and more for its nine-show 2016 season at its East Sonora and Fallon House venues. It opens with the popular classic “My Fair Lady” (Feb. 27) and includes other notable productions such as “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” (opens April 1), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair” (opens June 17), “The Robber Bridegroom” (opens Sept. 2), “Cyrano” (opens Sept. 23), “Church Basement Ladies 3: A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement” (opens Oct. 14) and “A Christmas Story” (opens Nov. 11).

Carnegie Arts Center

Downtown Turlock’s arts gallery and venue celebrates its centennial in 2016. The festivities begin with a groundbreaking celebration and open house Feb. 27. Other centennial events include a historic downtown walk (May 12), ’70s-themed party (July 30), time capsule burial (Sept. 9), special gallery exhibits (starting Jan. 8) and a gala (Sept. 17). The center will also continue its ongoing Sunday Arts Lecture, Family Friday and Carnegie Music series as well as classes and other events.

Plus don’t forget about major annual events like Graffiti Summer (starting in June) and the Stanislaus County Fair (July 8-17) along with new events such as Baconfest at Dell’Osso Family Farm (June 18-19) and Modesto-Con (July 9-10). And be sure to check out the seasons and schedules planned for 2016 by the Center Stage Conservatory, Stage 3 Theatre Company, Playhouse Merced, Turlock Concert Association, Sunday Afternoons at CBS, Central California Art Association, West Side Theatre, Bob Hope Theatre and many more.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Marijke Rowland: The hits keep coming in 2016."