The Gallo Center for the Arts in downtown Modesto. Credit: Vivienne Aguilar / The Modesto Focus
Modesto has lots to offer for folks looking to enjoy the warming weather as we enter spring this March. Here’s a look at the major arts happenings including concerts, plays and other community events to check out this month.
Sunday, March 1
Chris Isaak: Grammy-nominated singer, actor and Stockton native returns to Modesto with his longtime band Silvertone.
- 5 p.m. March 1
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $75 – $105, tickets
Friday, March 6
Mexican Regional Bands: Montez De Durango, Grupo Exterminador and Los Bondadosos will play during a night of dancing and music for those 21 years and older.
- 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., March 6
- California Ballroom, 432 6th St., Modesto
- $66.50, tickets
Youth For Christ Comedy Night: Clean comedians Kerri Pomarolli, Brent Redd and Glory Magana perform a family friendly event.
- 7:30 p.m, March 6
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $30 – $50, tickets
Central West Ballet: Modesto ballet company presents “Creations: Dancing in America,” a piece that celebrates the country’s 250 anniversary.
- 7 p.m., March 6-7
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Foster Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $46 – $50, tickets
Saturday, March 7
The Selena Experience: Live musicians cover songs of the beloved late “Queen of Tejano Music” Selena.
- 7:30 p.m., March 7
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $45 – $65, tickets
The Papas and the Mamas: The Mamas & the Papas coverband performs hits from 1960s “California Dreamin’” hitmakers.
- 7 p.m., March 7
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $30 -$45, tickets
Sunday, March 8-9
Artist Lab: Award-winning playwright Nick Zagone presents a one-act play writing workshop. Zagone is also the Theater Practitioner at California State University, Stanislaus.
- 6 p.m. March 8-9
- Prospect Theater Project, 1218 K St., Modesto
- Free with registration
Friday, March 13
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: The Gallo Center Repertory Company presents this Tony and Olivier award-winning play about a 15-year-old autistic boy who investigates the murder of his neighbor’s dog.
- Opens 7 p.m. March 13, runs through March 22. Friday shows at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Foster Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto.
- $31- $51, tickets
Pixar in Concert: The Modesto Symphony Orchestra performs music from Pixar classic films.
- Opens 7:30 p.m., March 13; matinee 2 p.m. March 14
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $28 – $106, tickets
Saturday, March 14
We Own The Laughs: Comedy show starring comic and podcaster Annie Lederman, who appeared on the MTV series “Girl Code.” The show will also feature performances by comics Patrick Eley, Tyson Paul and Maddi Mays.
- 8 p.m., March 14
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $25 -$50, tickets
Sunday, March 15
Tyler Henry – The Hollywood Medium: Tyler is a medium who says he can communicate with the other side and performs audience readings.
- 5 p.m., March 15
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I Street, Modesto, CA 95354
- $95 – $145, tickets
Americana Concert: Opera Modesto honors the country’s 250th anniversary in a show featuring songs of national composers.
- 3 p.m., March 15
- Graffiti USA Museum, 610 N 9th St., Modesto
- $10 student, $20 general admission, tickets
Friday, March 20
The Naked Magicians: This 18+ adults only show features two magicians from Australia who perform a “naughty” night of magic.
- 7:30 p.m., March 20
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $55 – $75, tickets
Willie Barcena: The 20-year comedy veteran’s material spans family, religion, race, sex and politics.
- 8 p.m., March 20
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $35- $55, tickets
Stop Kiss: Prospect Theater presents the 1998 play by Diana Son, originally starring Jessica Hecht and Sandra Oh in the leading roles of the off-Broadway production.
- 7:30 p.m. March 20-21, 27-28; 2 p.m. Sunday matinee and “Page 2 Stage discussion” on March 29. Closing weekend April 3-5
- Prospect Theater Project, 1218 K St., Modesto
- $11 student, $31.75 general admission, tickets/info
Saturday, March 21
Russ Taff: Multiple Grammy and Dove award-winning gospel singer Russ Taff with special guest Steve Taylor and Some Band on The Almost Farewell Tour.
- 7:30 p.m., March 21
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $44- $54, tickets
Brian Regan: The veteran clean comedy champion, who has had multiple stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, returns to Modesto.
- 7:30 p.m., March 21
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Roger Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $55 – $95, tickets
Wednesday, March 25
Red Hot Chili Pipers: A nine-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards and drummers perform a bagpipe rock show.
- 7:30 p.m., March 25
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Roger Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $55 – $85, tickets
Friday, March 27
48 Hour Film Competition Premiere: A two-hour live event showcases the Top 16 films of the Valley film competition, selected from all submissions created during a 48-hour filmmaking weekend in and around Modesto.
- 7 p.m., March 27
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $20-$21, tickets
Fey: The Latin pop superstar who rose to fame in the 1990s brings her “Hits Tour – 30th Anniversary Celebration” to Modesto.
- 7:30 p.m., March 27
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $55 – $95, tickets
Saturday, March 28
Ladies of Laughter: Past winners and talent from the Ladies of Laughter competition perform a “Girls Night Out” show including Susan Ware, Karen Rontowski and Modesto comic Glory Magana.
- 7 p.m., March 28
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Foster Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $55, tickets
Richard Villa & Andrea Abbate: Bilingual stand-up Villa is known for his unique comedic perspective as a Mexican-American Latino comedian.
- 8 p.m., March 28
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $35- $50, tickets
Inter-Tribal Powwow: Modesto Junior College will host the 2026 event on its east campus. This year’s theme is “Tradition is our medicine; Knowledge is our fire,” and will feature vendors, cultural resources and more.
- 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., March 28
- MJC, 435 College Ave, Modesto
- Free, Info
Sunday, March 29
Home Grown Farewell Concert: The famed Modesto-area trio of Michael Lingg, Bruce Johnson and Patrick Durr got their start playing together in July of 1973 “to play a little music for the summer.” Fifty-three years later the group celebrates its musical journey with a farewell show.
- 5 p.m., March 29
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $30- $50, tickets
II Divo By Candlelight: The iconic quartet sings their way through the group’s musical history with special guest Simply Three.
- 5 p.m., March 29
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $55 – $125, tickets
Vivienne Aguilar is a reporter for The Modesto Focus, a project of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Contact Aguilar at [email protected].
The Signal is collaborating with The Modesto Focus through internships, with the Signal’s Katherine Zagone serving as a reporter.