Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. To have an event featured, e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
‘Chaperone’ On Stage
Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora is presenting The Drowsy Chaperone, at the East Sonora Theatre now through June 9. Hailed by New York Magazine as “the perfect Broadway musical,” the five-time Tony Award-winner follows a fanatic musical theatre lover played by SRT’s Executive Producer Scott Viets. As he tries to cure his case of the blues, he stumbles onto his favorite show album, a 1920s musical called The Drowsy Chaperone only to have it spring to colorful life in the middle of his drab studio apartment. For more information, including ticket prices and show times, call the Box Office at 209-532-3120 or visit tickets@sierrarep.org.
Garden Club Luncheon
Make plans to attend the Thursday, June 6 meeting of the Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club, with awards to be presented and a potluck luncheon to be shared. Club members will gather at the Farmington United Methodist Church, 25626 Elm St., Farmington, at 1 p.m. The potluck luncheon will begin the event, followed by various awards for club members that have been supportive this club year. All interested in gardening or learning more about the club are invited; bring your favorite potluck dish, enough to serve about a half dozen; the club board will provide tableware, drinks, etc. For more information, contact Co-President Lorraine Nicholson at 209-613-8708 or lorainenicholson@att.net
June Meet Up
Community United Methodist Church in Oakdale is continuing with the first Saturday of the month special events at the church site, 1480 Poplar, Oakdale. The next ‘Community Meet-Up’ is scheduled for Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; come see what is for sale or come meet up with others sharing a talent or learn a new craft, as well as enjoying the food items available for sale. The goal is creating a place where people come to meet-up, whether it’s for food, fun, socializing or a little bit of each. For more information, email: MeetUpOakdale@gmail.com
Weight Loss Support
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight loss support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; meeting at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Irish Jam
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, located at 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Merced Fair Fun
The Merced County Fair recently announced its action-packed line-up for the 2024 Grandstand Entertainment presented by Table Mountain Casino Resort, Coors Light, Save Mart and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Admission into the Grandstand is $5; children five years or younger can enter the Grandstand for free with a paid adult ticket. Fair admission must be purchased to attend the Grandstand shows. New this year, Fairgoers have the opportunity to save on their Grandstand entertainment by purchasing a “Buy One, Get One Free” Grandstand Event ticket at Merced or Atwater O’Reilly Auto Parts stores until June 4. The 2024 Merced County Fair presented by Valley Children’s Healthcare will take place June 5 through 9. Tickets are on sale now on the Fair’s website, or at the Merced County Fair’s Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more ways to save on a trip to the Fair at www.mercedcountyfair.com/discounts.
Dance Group
Members of the Golden Agers dance group meet at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Saturday Sessions
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continue until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Widowed Persons Meet
Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-322-2184.
