Events Genres

They are called Special Engagements in part because the competition to schedule these in-demand artists can be fierce. The 25/26 line up: Musical theatre superstar Lea Salonga and her Stage, Screen & Everything In Between Tour, iconic actor Morgan Freeman narrating his Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience show from the stage, and acclaimed actor Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight!, the first actor authorized to perform the play since it was created and performed by Hal Holbrook.

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The United States of America observes its 250th anniversary in 2026. As part of a nationwide programming initiative, the Gallo Center for the Arts is proud to celebrate with performances that will stir the patriot in all of us!

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A new series offering a vibrant and eclectic showcase of intimate performances in the Foster Family Theater! Combining music, theater and comedy, these performances are designed to captivate audiences with their unique blend of styles from sultry jazz to Broadway standards. Take advantage of special VIP table seating both on stage and in the orchestra pit, complete with complimentary cocktail service, for a truly cabaret-style experience.

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This brand-new performance series is designed for music lovers who appreciate heartfelt storytelling across the genres of acoustic, folk and Americana. Step into an inviting atmosphere where every note and lyric create a connection between the artist and the audience. Coffee House brings you performances that are rich in authenticity and emotion!

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Here are perfect performances for a night out and a glass of wine (or two) with your girlfriends: Global pop music legends Sheena Easton, Taylor Dayne and Tiffany together in one show; the hilarious and racy Australian export The Naked Magicians, and one of the Center’s most popular and best-selling recurring comedy nights, Ladies of Laughter.

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An international sensation returns with a 30th anniversary celebration: Riverdance 30—The New Generation. Also returning is the perpetually popular Chicago, but only for one night! Three other hugely entertaining national Broadway touring productions are coming, too, each making their first appearance at the Center: Tina—The Tina Turner Musical, Clue and Mrs. Doubtfire.

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Just wow! Country giants Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker are headed your way, plus a rousing revue, Legends of Country, which lets you experience world-class tribute artists embodying such country legends as Tisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and more!

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Every season, a few hidden gems emerge that take patrons by surprise with their charm, creativity, and unconventionality. Gallo Center CEO Chad Hilligus has curated a unique series of such performances by world-class, in some cases less well-known artists, to expand one’s cultural experience. Chad’s Picks are are intended to inspire you to take a chance and think outside the box. You might surprise yourself, but you definitely won’t be disappointed.

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Get this: Jay Leno with special guest Arsenio Hall; Marlon Wayans; Whose Live Anyway?; Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show; Brian Regan;  and Ladies of Laughter. You know and love them all from television series and specials, talk shows, Las Vegas clubs, stand-up tours and more. They're all going to be here in 25/26!

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This exciting series includes the return of the genre-bending Time For Three with a fabulous holiday show, the unique and delightful Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain making their Gallo Center debut, and one of the most popular brass ensembles in the world, Canadian Brass, also making their first appearance at the Gallo Center!

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25/26 offers one of our best jazz line-ups ever: Legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist Boz Scaggs; iconic actor Morgan Freeman narrating his Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience show from the stage; Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Great American Crooners, and the 90th anniversary tour of The Count Basie Orchestra, including jazz singer extraordinaire as a guest!

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The Modesto area is blessed with an abundance of artistic talent—from musicians to poets to actors and more. The Gallo Center takes great pride in presenting this showcase of homegrown excellence.

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Eight incredible shows comprise this series in 25/26, each of them sure to make for great family occasions. Just three of your exciting choices are Disney's Moana – Live-to-Film Concert, Dog Man: The Musical, and Dinosaur World Live. Like these, the other five are HUGE fun!

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Lila Downs, winner of six Latin Grammy Awards, will be here. So will the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Scotland’s gift to international rock. You’ll love the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and their inspired tongue-in-cheek covers of popular songsy. And you’ll be astonished by guitarist Ottmar Liebert and his Luna Negra band!

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We'll be welcoming such artists as the immensely popular norteño band, Los Tigres Del Norte, the Grammy-winning Mexican-American rock band, La Santa Cecelia, and the uncanny tribute to Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, The Selena Experience. We'll also be presenting our traditional Day of the Dead altar in the Marie Damrell Gallo Grand Lobby!

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The Gallo Center’s commitment to dance is represented this season with Ailey II, the extraordinary company that for more than 50 years has been presenting the next generations of superb dancers to audiences worldwide, and ¡Festejos!, a Cinco de Mayo celebration by Calidanza Dance Company. Enjoy!

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Three sensational choices for you: Acclaimed actor Richard Thomas (“The Waltons”) taking over for Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight!, The Choir of Man, known worldwide as “the ultimate feel-good show,” returning to the Center for a third and very likely sold-out performance, and the naughty and hilarious Australian magic show, The Naked Magicians, which has been witnessed on television by more than 50 million people!

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CWB is serving up a feast of dance for 25/26, including Creations: Choreography in America, a celebration of the company’s best and most innovative works. It’s poetry in motion! One of the grandest ballets of all, Cinderella, will be presented, and of course The Nutcracker will light up the holidays once more!

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Blockbusters, indeed! They include Postmodern Jukebox, Teresa Caputo Live: The Experience, MasterChef All-Stars Live, American Idol Winners On Tour, The Doo Wop Project, The TEN Tenors, and much, much more! 

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Here’s a new series for 25/26 that puts an emphasis on film. It includes a 40th anniversary screening of “Police Academy,” with the star of the movie, Steve Guttenberg, as our special guest; an epic film-to-concert event celebrating the 15th anniversary of “Twilight,” which features a screening of the film and live, 12-piece rock band; a 40th anniversary screening “Stop Making Sense,” which includes a special appearance of Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison; AND, “Netflix Presents Our Planet Live,” hosted by Dan Tapster!

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The Gallo Center Repertory Company continues to growth, thrive and innovate as a regional theatre presence, and this is reflected in its ambitious 25/26 season conceived by Ryan Foy, the Center's director of produced theatre and special programming. Expect thrilling productions of Dial M for Murder, Into the Woods, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and The Da Vinci Code.

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Immerse yourself in MSO's 95th season, filled with beautiful music and iconic works under the baton of Music Director Nicholas Hersh! The season includes MSO's always thoughtfully curated Classics and Pops series, the tradition of Holiday Candlelight Concert, Jurassic Park in Concert, with MSO performing John Williams’ brilliant score live, and much more!

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Does it get better than this? Gipsy Kings featuring Nicholas Reyes, Ginuwine & Montel Jordan sharing a stage, Air Supply’s 50th anniversary tour, Kansas, The Temptations & The Four Tops together, The Righteous Brothers, Joss Stone, and Ladies Night with Sheena Easton, Taylor Dayne & Tiffany. Wow, wow and wow!

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In recent seasons the Gallo Center has found enthusiastic audiences for musically sophisticated shows honoring great rock bands and artists from years past. This season will bring tribute performances celebrating Queen, The Everly Brothers, Heart, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. But that’s not all!

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Such choices! Jim Brickman & Friends, Mannheim Steamroller, Brian McKnight, Stella Cole, Time For Three and Dave Koz will all be here help you ring in the holidays. It’s one of the Center’s most robust Christmas line ups ever!

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Two of the most frequently performed operas make up Opera Modesto's 25/26 season: Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love and Antonin Dvorak’s Rusalka. Come see why 'OpMo' has been such an artistic force in our community for more than 40 years!

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Modesto Performing Arts is now in its sixth decade and still as theatrically ambitious as ever! Their offerings for 25/26 are Grease, Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and A Christmas Carol. You might just see a friend, neighbor, relative or schoolmate in one of these joyful community theater productions!

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Independent producers leasing facilities at the Gallo Center for the Arts are the presenters of these performances. The producers are responsible for show content, marketing and ticket pricing. Tickets to these performances not eligible for a ticket exchange to performances offered by the Gallo Center and its resident companies (Central West Ballet, Modesto Performing Arts, Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Opera Modesto).

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