Big Modesto festival returning to Graceada Park. What will happen and when
Earth Day in the Park returns to Modesto, celebrating the green lifestyle. The Modesto Garden Club holds its annual Spring Garden Tour. There’s music, theater, comedy and much more also planned for the Modesto region in the coming days.
Earth Day in the Park
Celebrate Earth Day with music and activities for all ages, sponsored by the city of Modesto at Graceada Park. You can take a picture with local mascots, get food from vendors, meet city leaders, win a prize for answering recycling trivia, play games and listen to music in Mancini Bowl. There also will be electronic waste and other recycling drop-off options.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Graceada Park, Sycamore and Needham streets, Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.modestogov.com/415/Earth-Day
Spring Garden Tour
The Modesto Garden Club hosts its annual Spring Garden Tour. The theme is “Beautifying and Serving the Community for 100 Years.” The club first hosted its tour in 1932 with three gardens. It celebrates the anniversary with six this year. The gardens “embrace an assortment of ideas, plants and focus,” according to a press release. Tickets can be purchased at a variety of locations listed on the club’s website (see below) and on the day of the tour at each garden.
The gardens are at: 2517 Bridle Path Lane; 1029 Mt. Vernon Drive; 3705 Corte Madera Ave.; 301 Greenwich Lane; 2504 Sunrise Ave. and the club’s garden at 622 14th St.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Various locations (see above)
TICKETS: $25, free ages 11 and under
ONLINE: ModestoGardenClub.org
“The House at Pooh Corner”
Modesto Performing Arts presents “The House at Pooh Corner” at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Christopher Robin, fearing having to enter a mysterious unknown — education — has decided to run away with his friends Pooh Bear, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Rabbit, Owl and Kanga and her son, Roo. The production is suitable for children age 7 and over. Children can meet the cast in the lobby after the performance.
WHEN: 2 p.m. April 20-21, 7 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $15-$35
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
Veronica Swift
Veronica Swift returns to the Gallo Center after impressing as Chris Botti’s guest artist during the 2021-22 season. Swift “crosses multiple genres in her performances. Her amazing jazz vocals are strongly infused with rock and pop influences ranging from Queen to Broadway,” the center’s website says.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $39-$79
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
New poetry slam
From the creators of the annual sell-out ILL LIST Poetry Slam comes a new spoken word event, The CHILL LIST. The slam features four poetry teams competing for a $2,000 prize. Each team will perform through multiple rounds. Randomly selected judges from the audience will award points to teams.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 20
WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKETS: $25
ONLINE: www.thestate.org
A Better Trip
Shane Mauss brings his “Comedy + Science + Psychedelics = A Better Trip” show back to the State Theatre. According to the theater’s website, the comedian, science podcaster and mental health advocate “integrates his life, interests, and imagination into creating shows that go far beyond traditional stand-up.”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 24
WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKETS: $25-$35
ONLINE: www.thestate.org
International Dance Day Celebration
Belly dance artist Stephanie, as well as the Village Dancers, perform at the Carnegie Center for the Arts to mark International Dance Day. There will be international folk dancing and belly dancing, followed by a discussion and optional lesson. The evening ends with folk dancing and light refreshments.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 26
WHERE: Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock
TICKETS: $10, cash at the door
ONLINE: www.carnegieartsturlock.org
MAPS program
Modesto Area Partners in Science holds a discussion on forensic science featuring Chelsey Juarez. The talk will focus on analyzing remains to estimate information such at age, gender, stature, ancestry and traumatic injuries.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 26
WHERE: Modesto Junior College MJC West Campus Sierra Hall 132, 2201 Blue Gum Ave.
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/maps.php
Bonsai show
The Modesto Bonsai Club’s Spring Show will be back for its 41st year. There will be demonstrations by Sam Adina along with exhibits and sales of plants, pots, tools and more.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Stanislaus County Harvest Hall, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
EMAIL: pete.camarena@sbcglobal.net
