Sounds of the holidays bring cheer to area venues

Modesto stages are alive with the sound of holiday music. On Wednesday night, the Gallo Center for the Arts and the State Theatre hosted seasonal shows.

The retro swing revival band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy played the Gallo Center on its Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party tour and B93 FM hosted its Acoustic Christmas concert at the State. The sold-out radio show featured Michael Franti & Spearhead, A Great Big World, Jamie Lawson and Zella Day.

More Christmas shows are planned throughout the month in the region. A sampling of upcoming holiday performances includes the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops concert Friday and Saturday at the Gallo Center, Central West Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” starting Dec. 11 and running through Dec. 20 at the Gallo Center, Songs of the Season on Dec. 15 at the Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora, Modesto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Candlelight on Dec. 15 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Opus Handbell Ensemble on Dec. 17 at the Gallo Center, Winter Dance Party on Dec. 19 at the Turlock Community Theatre, Posada Navidena on Dec. 19 and 20 at the Gallo Center, and Dave Koz & Friends Christmas on Dec. 21 at the Gallo Center.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Sounds of the holidays bring cheer to area venues."