Event Genres

Some shows just break the mold. Some artists are in such high demand that it can take years to get them scheduled. Belinda Carlisle, Frank Valli and the Four seasons, and Kristin Chenoweth are perfect examples of this. That’s why we call these once-in-a-lifetime performances Special Engagements.

It’s one of the Center’s strongest seasons of Broadway touring productions ever—with a mix of shows making their Modesto debut along with returning favorites. The Book of Mormon, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan, and Anastasia are new to the Center, while Fiddler on the Roof and CATS are back to delight their many, many fans!

Blockbusters is right! Hollywood Medium Tyler Henry, Postmodern Jukebox, Pink Martini with China Forbes, Our Planet Live - In Concert, Black Violin, a screening of The Princess Bride with special guest Cary Elwes, and the 25th anniversary production of Riverdance are just SOME of the big shows coming your way.

Two of the best! Enjoy the endearing and enduring pop crooner Engelbert Humperdinck (“Please Release Me,” “A Man Without Love”), and the brilliant Brian McKnight, who has sold more than 30 million records with chart-topping love ballads like “One Last Cry” and “Back at One,” in an intimate solo performance!

Some real serious legends here: Soft rock megastars Air Supply (“Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love”); rock ‘n roll hit machine Three Dog Night (“Joy to the World,” Shambala”); REO Speedwagon, the rock powerhouse with 40 million records sold worldwide (“Keep On Loving You,” “Take It On the Run”).

A jam-packed lineup with singer Lila Downs; Celtic music stars Altan, Skerryvore, and Celtic Spells starring Máiréad Nesbitt; Brazil Beyond Samba, and the thrilling Yamato: The Drummers of Japan!

George Lopez, Carrot Top, Howie Mandel and Jay Leno will be serving up the laughs. These comedy geniuses have dominated everything they’ve ever done—television series, talk shows and specials, Las Vegas clubs, stand-up tours, books, you name it!

Call your friends, make restaurant reservations, and get ready for these wildly fun and funny Girls Night Out performances--#IMOMSOHARD: Getaway Tour, based on the web series with real-life best friends, comedians, and moms Kristin and Jen; Girls Night: The Musical, best described as ‘Desperate Housewives meets Mamma Mia;’ and 9 To 5, Dolly Parton's rip-roaring musical comedy.

Sacre by Circa, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, PILOBOLUS Big-Five-Oh!, BODYTRAFFIC, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet - STAR DUST: From Bach to Bowie make up perhaps the strongest assembly of dance talent in the Center’s history. And each of these performances will include our free pre-show Balcony Talk with Central West Ballet artistic director René Daveluy!

Gallo Center CEO Chad Hilligus has curated a unique series of performances by world-class, perhaps less well-known artists, to expand one’s cultural experience. Chad’s Picks are La Santa Cecilia, Black Violin, Veronica Swift, Pablo Sáinz-Villegas and Meow Meow. These are innovative, soul-stirring performances intended to inspire you to think outside the box. You might surprise yourself, but you definitely won’t be disappointed.

We’ve curated five irresistible and affordable shows sure to make for great family nights out: The Aluminum Show, DRUMLine Live, The Peking Acrobats Norman Foote: Foote-notes in February. These are FUN!

This season it will be a joy to welcome fans of Aida Cuevas with her 45th anniversary show; ever popular Mariachi Los Camperos; the amazing Lila Downs; Gallo Center favorite Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte; Ana Bárbara with special guest Luis Coronel, and Los Angeles-based Latin hybrid rock band La Santa Cecilia!

After the relative absence of jazz performances in recent seasons, this genre is making a happy comeback at the Center. Join us for terrific shows by The Manhattan Transfer, Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, Matt Dusk Sings Sinatra, Veronica Swift and Chris Botti.

In recent seasons the Gallo Center has found enthusiastic audiences for musically sophisticated shows honoring great artists from years past. This season will bring tribute performances celebrating, among others, Ricky Nelson featuring his sons Matthew & Gunnar Nelson; the Allman Brothers; the Everly Brothers; Linda Ronstadt and Fleetwood Mac!

Just wow. Your choices include the prestigious Aquila Theatre’s Pride and Prejudice; R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - The Ultimate Tribute to the Queen of Soul; Lucy Loves Desi, about the beloved TV series; Sankofa Theatre Company’s The Piano Lesson, and Hitting New Heights with young Broadway stars Mandy Gonzalez & Javier Muñoz.

GCRC’s glorious new season features To Kill a Mockingbird, a 10th anniversary celebration of the original co-production by the Gallo Center and Prospect Theatre Project; A Christmas Story, a wonderful comedy based on the beloved 1983 film; Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck’s adaptation of his great novella about migrant workers in California; and Twisted Tales of Poe, four scarifying stories presented in the form of a radio drama!

How great is this? Folk legend Judy Collins; Kathy Mattea and Suzy Bogguss on their first tour together; Lonestar combining their hits and holiday favorites; two more folk legends, The Kingston Trio & The Limeliters; Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin & Collin Raye sharing a band and the stage, and Music City Hit-Makers, a performance by songwriters who composed some the biggest hits in county music history!

Possibly the greatest lineup of holiday shows ever presented by the Center: Vienna Boys Choir; A Carpenters Christmas; Mariachi Sol de Mexico’s Merry-Achi Christmas; Dionne Warwick: A Christmas Celebration; The TEN Tenors Christmas; A Johnny Mathis Christmas, and—of course—Dave Koz & Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour.

The world’s leading violinist, Itzhak Perlman, is coming for a third, soon-to-be-sold-out visit, while renowned pianist Jeremy Denk, the sublimely funny MozART Group and the extraordinary Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas all are making their Gallo Center debuts!

Two of the most revered and best-selling Contemporary Christian Music artists ever—Amy Grant and Sandi Patty—are making long-awaited returns to the Gallo Center! And to that we’ve added a special Christmas performance by Modesto’s own Rykert Trio!