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.
Band Performances
Enjoy some live music this month, with a couple of special band programs on the calendar, offered at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St., Oakdale. Everyone is welcome to these 6:30 p.m. performances. First up, on Thursday, Aug. 22, the Community Dance Band is back to provide a lively program of swing band dance music. The performance is free, and all are invited to dance or listen to this talented group of musicians. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Oakdale Community Concert Band will perform a fun variety of music for your listening pleasure. All ages are welcome and admission is free.
Walk For Health, Fun
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch Walkers invite everyone in the area to join them for their weekly walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a park in Escalon. They meet at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. Fun Bunch walkers are a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. You do not have to be a Fun Bunch member to attend; all are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
Talent Showcase
Soroptimist International of Oakdale is hosting a Talent Variety Showcase on Saturday, Aug. 24 with showings planned at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., staged at the Oakdale High School Theatre. The group’s inaugural Talent Variety Showcase last year yielded great success and inspired the continuation and improvement of the event for this year. The show itself is described as “fast-paced and never has a dull moment,” said organizers, since it doesn’t follow the traditional notion of a talent show. Instead of acts performing one after another, the Talent Variety Showcase weaves together Saturday Night Live-type sketches and raps alongside participants’ performances to make the show more fluid, fun, and engaging. The money raised from ticket sales at the showcase will benefit local Soroptimist programs. Tickets, at $10 each, will be available at the door or can be purchased from any Soroptimist member.
Star Gazing
The Stockton Astronomical Society, in cooperation with Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks, offers the Astronomy in the Park series. Dates are the second Saturday of each month, October and November; the first Saturday in September and December. All events are offered at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, at I-5 and Eight Mile Road, Stockton. The event itself is free, but there is a $6 cash parking fee at the park. View planets through giant telescopes after sunset; all ages welcome. On Sept. 7, the viewing begins at 7:25 p.m. and features Saturn, M13 (Star Cluster), and M57 (Ring Nebula).
Picnic At The Pops
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Picnic at the Pops! Dancing in the Streets: Music of Motown on Sept. 7, 2024 on the Gallo Winery grounds, 600 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto. The grounds open at 5 p.m.; the concert begins at 7 p.m. This is a family-friendly outdoor concert that attracts thousands of music lovers from throughout the region for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars. Tickets for Picnic at the Pops! are on sale now, online, in-person, and over the phone. Enjoy a full-evening symphonic tribute to the magic of Motown. General Lawn tickets are $45 for adults and $12 for youth under the age of 17. Reserved Lawn tickets are $75 for adults and $20 for youth. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Gallo Center Ticket Office or by calling 209-338-2100. Tickets are also on sale in-person at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, and the MSO Office in Modesto. For more information and to buy tickets online, visit ModestoSymphony.org/picnic.
Parlor Music
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, 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.
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.
TOPS Meeting
Members of the local TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is 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.
Widowed Persons
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.
Jammers Gather
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.
