Stars, big shows coming to Modesto for new Gallo Center season. When tickets go on sale

“Blood, sweat and tears.” That’s what goes into putting together a full season lineup of shows for the Gallo Center for the Arts, Chief Executive Officer Chad Hilligus said.

“Beyond that, there is always a carefully considered balance between perennial favorites and new acts playing the venue for the first time,” he said in an email interview. His work for the upcoming 2024-25 season is completed.

Advance ticket sales begin May 8 for Gallo Center donors. Tickets go on sale to the general public June 3.

The lineup features a host of stars and productions, including several returning acts, as well as new ones.

Some of the bigger-name performers and shows planned for the downtown Modesto venue include country’s Trace Adkins, Sawyer Brown and LeAnn Rimes; stand-up comics Nikki Glaser, Henry Cho and Tom Papa; pop stars Nick Carter (of Backstreet Boys), Donny Osmond and Wayne Newton; duo Black Violin; David Foster & Katharine McPhee; classic rock’s Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo; 10,000 Maniacs; jazz artists Dave Koz and Chris Botti; and Latino artists Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Yuridia and Rodrigo & Gabriela.

Among the high-profile returning performers will be Patti LuPone, who kicked off the huge gala event when the Gallo Center first opened in 2007. This will mark the Broadway star’s first return to the venue since.

While the first show for the 2024-25 season is Trace Adkins on July 26, the official season opener will be Sept. 14, with “Michael Feinstein: My Tribute to Tony Bennett,” featuring the Carnegie Hall Big Band.

The Feinstein show coincides with a gala honoring one of the Gallo Center’s original founders and current board members, June Rogers, according to a press release.

“June has been instrumental in the story and success of the Gallo Center since the beginning and we are beyond thrilled to recognize her many years of service, support and friendship at this year’s gala,” Hilligus said in the release.

Returning and diverse shows

Several of the 2024-25 acts have played the center before, which patrons continue to respond to, according to Hilligus.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Dave Koz is a perfect example. (This) will be his 10th season at the Center and he sells out every single year. He has become part of people’s annual holiday traditions and always puts on an incredibly unique show.”

Hilligus makes a point to bring in diverse shows for the diverse community.

“Our audience base is quite broad, so we sell out shows in many different genres,” he said. “Generally speaking, this market likes what they know, so major household names always sell out first. That said, I try to bring a handful of shows each season to encourage audiences to experience something new or less familiar, but still world-class.”

The season includes several Latino and other international artists, Christian-friendly shows, dance, family entertainment, homegrown talent including Broadway star Jeremy Stolle, comedy, country, nostalgia and more.

Among the coming acts, Hilligus expects several to sell out quickly.

“’Book of Mormon’ sold out before even going on sale to the public when it was here in 2022, so I would expect a similar response again this time,” he said in the email interview. “Based on early indicators, I would put money on Trace Adkins, Donny Osmond, Yuridia, Wayne Newton, Patti LuPone, Pat Benatar, Nick Carter and Los Tucanes de Tijana to all go quickly.”

Speaking of sellouts, the Gallo Center has had a record 27 sold-out shows so far for the current 2023-2024 season, Hilligus said.

“In fact, for the first time ever, the Gallo Center was named one of Venues Now Magazine’s Top 15 venues in the country based on ticket sales in February and March,” he said. “It is becoming more and more important for patrons to buy early. I have heard from so many people that they waited too long and missed out on a show they were really excited about.”

Tickets for the 2024-25 season will be available at www.galloarts.org or at the center’s box office.

Hilligus did warn against ticket scammers and online third-party ticket brokers in the press release. The Gallo Center is the only authorized ticket dealer for its shows.

“We’re looking forward to another spectacular lineup of some of the biggest names in entertainment from around the world,” Hilligus said in the press release. “We’re extremely grateful for the support from our diverse communities who continue to secure the Center’s reputation as the premier performing arts venue in the San Joaquin Valley.”

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