Bert Kreischer, Beach Boys & Broadway. Horde of entertainment just filled up Fresno calendar

Fresno’s entertainment calendar is filling up.

Meaning, you may want to start setting some reminders now.

The Big Fresno Fair has announced another set of performers for its 2023 concert series and Broadway in Fresno put out its 2024 season.

Here’s a breakdown of those announcements, along with some other concert and comedy tours heading to the area.

Beach Boys, En Vogue, Elle King

We’ve known for a while that country band Midland is returning to The Big Fresno Fair this year after a sellout performance at last year’s fair. On May 1, the fair confirmed five more performers for 2023 — En Vouge and Expose (Oct. 5); Elle King (Oct. 7); Hairball (Oct. 9); Danny Gokey and Ryan Stevenson (Oct. 10); and the Beach Boys (Oct. 12).

Tickets are on presale to the Fair’s fan club members starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Normal ticket sales start at 10 a.m. May 19.

We should expect another round of performers to be announced soon.

‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Theater fans will get a trio of premiers and the return of a classic musical for the 2024 Broadway in Fresno season.

The lineup includes “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Jan. 15-16), “Pretty Woman: the Musical” (Feb. 12-13), “Mean Girls” (March 26-27) and “Disney’s Aladdin” (May 1-5).

“Jesus Christ Superstar” is being presented as a new production for its 50th anniversary and as an appeal to “theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring.”

“Pretty Woman” is based on Julia Roberts’ 1990 movie hit with original music from Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (and also the Roy Orbison song in the movie title).

“Mean Girls” is a musical take on the the 2004 movie that was based on the 2002 book with a creative team that includes Tina Fey, composer Jeff Richmond and lyricist Nell Benjamin, who did work on “Legally Blonde.”

“Disney’s Aladdin” is the theater version of the 1992 cartoon (not the 2019 movie) from the producer of “The Lion King.”

Individual show tickets should be on sale eight to 12 weeks before opening night, but Broadway in Fresno season subscription packages will be on sale in June, with prices starting at $155. Renewals for current subscription package holders are available now.

There are still two shows left in the 2023 season. “Fiddler on the Roof” runs May 16-17 and “Les Miserables” is June 25-30.

Back to the ’80s

Two ’80s nostalgia tours are headed to Fresno in September.

Lost ’80s Live lands at the Woodward Park Amphitheater on Sept. 1 and is the larger of the two concerts, in terms of performers. It borders on festival status with a lineup of Wang Chung, General Public, Naked Eyes, Animotion, Stacy Q, Missing Persons, Shannon, Musical Youth, Trans-X and the Untouchables. Of note: Animotion is fronted by Fresno’s own Astrid Plane.

Tickets are $65 and on sale now.

The I Want My ’80s tour is coming to Warnors Theater on Sept. 17. The tour is headlined by “Jessie’s Girl” singer Rick Springfield with openers The Hooters (“And we Danced”) and Tommy Tutone (“867-5309/Jenny”). Each band will perform full sets. Tickets are $70-$190 and available now.

Vina Robles Amphitheater

Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles is a quick drive from Fresno, which means it’s workable for after-work concert trips or quick weekend getaways. The outdoor venue has been filling in its concert season, which kicks off May 14 with the French electronic band M83.

Other artists slated to perform this season include: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band (June 16); Stephan Marley (June 25); Randy Houser (June 30); the Beach Boys (July 5); Jason Isabel and the 400 Unit (July 15); Train (July 19); Tori Amos (July 22); Motionless in White (July 27); Joe Bonamassa (Aug. 2); Los Lonely Boys (Aug. 11); Michael Franti and Spearhead (Aug. 18); Fleet Foxes (Aug. 22); Chicago (Aug. 25); and Lupita D’Alessio (Sept. 22).

All tickets are for sale now online.

Other tours coming through Fresno

Several other notable tours have announced stops in Fresno. They include:

Bert Kreischer’s real life inspired the 2002 movie “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder” and also the action comedy “The Machine,” which is set for release later this month. On May 2, the comedian/podcaster announced 31 new dates for his “Tops Off World Tour.” That includes a stop Sept. 28 at the Save Mart Center. Tickets are on sale now online and at the arena’s box office.

Numbskull Shows added to the list of concerts it’s bringing to Tioga-Sequoia’s downtown beer garden (see also: Decedents, May 12; Set It Off, May 27; and Amyl and the Sniffer, Oct. 13). Celtic punkers Flogging Molly are set to perform Sept. 3 as part of their summer tour. Los Angeles punk band The Bronx opens. Tickets are $39.50 to $149 and on sale now.