In brief: Golden Bough to close St. James Concert Series
Sonora’s St. James Concert Series closes out its season with popular Celtic trio Golden Bough this weekend.
The final show for the series will present the Celtic folk group, whose members play an assortment of instruments from harp to mandolin, accordion to violin, penny-whistle and bodhran drum. Since forming in 1980, the band has released more than 30 recordings and traveled across the globe. Performing will be members Margie Butler, Paul Espinoza and Kathy Sierra.
Show starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Red Church in downtown Sonora. Tickets are $15 general, $6 students under 18. For more information, call 209-536-0825 or visit http://sjconcertseries.org.
Sonora Bach Festival
The Sonora Bach Festival, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this October, kicks things off with a pre-event Organ Crawl on Saturday, May 21.
The new event will take audiences on a “crawl” through Sonora to listen to three mini-concerts. Organist Daryl Hollinger will perform on three different instruments throughout the city. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sonora. Tickets are $10.
For more information, call 209-536-6330 or visit www.sonorabach.org.
Modesto seeking poet
The city of Modesto is looking for its next poet laureate.
The non-salaried, honorary position is open to poets from Modesto with the two-year term beginning July 30 and running through June 21, 2018. A person may hold the position for up to four consecutive years. The city’s poet laureate must be available for public speaking and presents original poems at official events and occasions. The selected will also serve as an ambassador to literary arts for the community.
Applications and nominations are now being accepted for the spot. Qualified applicants must be a creative writer and/or lover of poetry, have public speaking ability, be a published author and reside in the city. A completed application and three original poems must be submitted by Friday, May 27, which can be sent by mail, email or hand-delivered.
Past Modesto poet laureates include Jeannette Gould Maino (1994-1996), Arlene Silva Mattos (1996-2000), Debee Loyd (2000-2004), Sam Pierstorff (2004-2008), Ed Bearden (2008-2012) and Gillian Wegener (2012-2016).
For more information, call 209-571-5566 or email ModestoPoetLaureate@modestogov.com.
Purple Rain Party
Party like it’s 1999 in memory of Prince next month.
Downtown Modesto’s State Theatre is presenting a special Purple Rain Costume & Dance Party on Saturday, June 11. The evening will pay tribute to the musical legacy of the iconic artist, who died suddenly in April. The event will include live music from Tim Allen and Joe Barretta, a laser light show by Brian Friend of Laser Voodoo Laser and screening of the film “Purple Rain.”
Guests are encouraged to dress in costumes and purple attire. The festivities will also include specially themed cocktails and dancing. Doors will open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 6:30 p.m.; and the film will screen at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 209-527-4697 or visit www.thestate.org.
This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 10:45 AM with the headline "In brief: Golden Bough to close St. James Concert Series."