Free music, more at Modesto’s Gallo Center? You don’t need to buy a ticket to these events

Sure, you’ve probably bought tickets to one or more of the many big-name acts to play at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

But did you know the center offers other shows and events for free?

From its Brown Bag Summer Concert Series to Pilates classes, children’s story times and even drum circles, those at the nonprofit downtown Modesto venue are looking to thank the community for its support.

Along with the ongoing free activities, there are other special community events in the works, including one that promises to be huge (more on that later).

The events take place on the Gallo Center grounds in the Modesto Rotary Music Garden, which “became a natural space to kind of give back to the community,” said Ryan Foy, director of produced theater and special programming at the center.

Brown Bag Summer Concert Series: The music features local artists performing on Fridays, beginning at noon. The concerts continue this year through Sept. 22. These Brown Bag concerts have been held at the center since 2021.

Stanislaus County Library Storytime: Hear new and classic books, dance and make music, and participate in other activities. It’s open to children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. There are two more dates remaining, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11, both 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Monday Lunchtime Drum Circle with Drum Love: Take your lunch and join the drum circle. People can take their own instrument or use one provided. The lunchtime circles are held year-round on the second Monday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Community Circle with Drum Love: This family-friendly drum circle uses “in-the-moment music as the format for connecting people together in the magic of rhythm,” according to the Gallo Center website. They happen the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Full Moon Drum Circle with Drum Love: These evening drum circles “celebrate the release and completion of another cycle of astronomical rhythm,” the website says. They’re held on evenings with a full moon, with upcoming events Sept. 29, Nov. 27, March 25, April 23 and May 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Pilates with Studio V: Studio V Pilates has been holding classes the first Saturday of the month over the summer. While free, there’s a $15 suggested donation option to benefit the Gallo Center. To participate, book online on Studio V’s website. There are two more classes planned this year, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 from 9 to 9:45 a.m.

Happy to participate

Sonia Serrano, manager at Studio V Pilates & Fitness, said Foy reached out about creating the community classes.

She said they “happily agreed” and came up with the dates.

“We wanted to showcase that Pilates can be for everybody, and so we figured partnering with the Gallo Center, providing for the community, would be a great way to do that,” Serrano said.

“The classes are open to adults, kids, whoever wants to come out, so we’ve really enjoyed providing this,” she said. While there will be a winter break, she said Studio V expects to be back next summer.

Turnout for the all of the activities has been “really great, actually,” Foy said. “We hope to continue these programs for years to come.”

In addition, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus organized a Christmas musical program last year, he said, which they are looking to bring back this coming holiday season.

A dog adoption program was held in May with Kates Furreka Rescue that was “very successful,” Foy said, and saw seven dogs adopted. They hope to bring this event back, perhaps this fall and spring.

Big festival planned

But the biggest event planned is a Family Fun Festival, set for Sept. 24. It’s a free event outside and inside, though there will be one ticketed show, Foy said.

Sponsored by the city of Modesto, it will be the first such festival to be held at the Gallo Center. It will take over its plaza and the Modesto Rotary Music Garden.

It promises a host of free family activities, including music, dancing, chalk art, lawn games, exotic reptiles, face painting, vendors, book giveaways, balloon animals and more. There also will be food and drink for sale on site.

Inside, the Foster Family Theater will host two free performances of “Charlie the No Good, Really-Rotten, Cheat-A-Saurus Rex,” by GCA On Tour, presented by the center’s arts education department. The introduction to theater teaches the importance of honesty and friendship and is geared for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, according to the center’s website.

In addition, “Aga-Boom — Theatre of Physical Comedy and Circus Arts” will be held in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater during the festival. Tickets for the family-friendly show are $15 to $45.

“We’re really excited about (the) program,” Foy said of the festival. “It’s going to be a really fun, family event that anyone can come to.”

Foy, who has been with the Gallo Center for about a year, said part of his newly created role is to expand on the community-based programming offered there, including through these free events.

The center hopes to repay the goodwill and generosity of those who attend its shows and those who donate to the nonprofit, he said. The free offerings are part of the effort “to find ways to give back to the community and help make sure the arts are accessible for all,” Foy said.