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What’s good, Modesto?
We’ve been incredibly busy here at the MoFo, planning all kinds of options to get you plugged in with local elections.
If you’ve got questions about what’s on your ballot, we are here to help! Keep an eye on our socials or texts for more information about debates, events and explainers.
As I buzz around town, I am seeing skeletons making their way out of closets and onto front porches.
I can’t wait to tell you about all the upcoming fall festivals. Of course, if you guys know of any, please give me a ring or stop me during an event. That’s exactly what happened last week.
After I visited Central West Ballet’s studio, I stopped in on the Stanislaus Pinball League’s night at Contentment Brewing. (Hi Andrew!)
He filled me in on an event that is right up my alley; a yoga/Oktoberfest mashup. I’ll put more information below.
I spoke with several diehard enthusiasts and learned so much about the game, its rules, latest updates to local pinball machines and so much more than I can fit in this week’s newsletter.
Above all, I got to chat with the lovely folks who make time for the hobby in their life. The way these players speak about the characters who make up the local leagues gave me a deeper appreciation for the sport.
Local real estate agent and league member Shannon Robertson told me she has made lifelong friends because of the game. As a native Modestan, she always expected to leave the Valley, but finding a community like this gave her and her husband, Hugo Mejia, a reason to stick around.
She believes that nurturing camaraderie through groups like these are the secret to finding happiness where you are. The people who say they want to leave the Valley for places like LA, she told me, aren’t going to find what they’re looking for if they’re not willing to put themselves out there.
I agree. The 209 is what we make it. So let me know what you guys think I should make it out to next.
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Check out all upcoming events our community has to offer:
🎃🍻🧘🏻♀️
Friday, October 2
¡Monstras!: The “¡MONSTRAS! Female Legends of Latin America” art show, featuring the touring namesake exhibit dedicated to female legends of Latin America and 30 local artists whose work is also inspired by the lore, is ending its run this weekend at the McHenry Museum.
DoMo First Fridays: Free downtown Modesto night market closes out its 2026 season with vendors, food, entertainment and a chance to see the latest murals in progress. The annual markets by Downtown Modesto Partnership will return in the spring.
Music in the Plaza: Local musicians perform as part of the outdoor series locals have come to expect from the people behind the Modesto Area Music Awards, from April through October. Stay up to date on Facebook as each theme is announced.
Punk Show: Queen Bean hosts Modesto-based bands Crucial Kick and eSex alongside artists from Fresno and Sacramento for a night of live punk music in its backyard seating area.
Science Night: This late night event at the Great Valley Museum offers an opportunity to see the stars through telescopes and in the planetarium.
Silent Sky: Playwright Lauren Gunderson adapts the true story of American Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt for the stage. The show is written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Roberta Inscho.
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7:30 p.m. Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10 and 2 p.m. Oct. 4, 11
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Prospect Theater Project, 1218 K St., Modesto
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$11 student, $31.75 general admission, tickets/info
Saturday, October 3
Fall Market: Vintage at the Garden hosts local artisan vendors for their second market of the year. Food, clothing and more will be available for purchase. Pets are not allowed in the market.
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9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Oct. 3
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Hughson Arboretum & Gardens, 2490 Euclid Ave., Hughson
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$3, free for kids 12 and under, info
Poetry Festival: Modesto Stanislaus (MoST) Poetry Center hosts Juan Luzuriaga for the bilingual conference. This year’s theme is “Come to the Table.”
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9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Oct. 3
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Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock
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$44.52, tickets/info
International Heritage Festival: This annual event, in partnership with the City of Modesto, offers an international fashion show, free crafts, food booths and more.
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10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Opening Ceremony at 11 a.m. Oct. 3
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Graceda Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
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Free, info
Oktoberfest: For the first time Tayoga and Elevate studio in Modesto present beer, bratwurst, and yoga as a spin on the traditional fall celebration.
The Dark Room: Andrew Fischer Wong, of ReTold Productions hosts the finale of this year’s horror film competition. 16 short films will be screened and voted on night-of. Attendees are invited to come in costume.
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives: Five-time Grammy award winning country music artist best known for his prolific work and hit songs “Hillbilly Rock” and “Burn Me Down’ performs in Turlock.
Monday, October 5
Rita Barbano: This Oakdale artist's new exhibit debuts at the Kruse Lucas Art Gallery. Barbano’s mixed media work focuses on emotion, hope and transformation. Each piece invites the viewers to reflect, connect, and discover their own story.
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7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday, except holidays
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Kruse Lucas Imports, 525 Tully Road, Modesto
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Free
Tuesday, October 6
Pat Benatar & Neli Giraldo: Known for their hit songs “Love is a Battlefield,” “We Belong” and much more. This pop-culture defining duo will play at the Gallo Center for one show only.
Thursday, October 8
Hudson Westbrook: County artist known for his songs "House Again," "Painted You Pretty," and "Take It Slow" will be joined by Kenny Witmire and Ethan Burdick.
The Ol’man Brothers Band: A San Francisco Bay Area band honoring the Allman Brothers Band’s music stops in Modesto as it makes its way through Northern California.
Two Hours from Anywhere Story Slam: Ticket holders can take stage for up to 6 minutes to tell a real story from their lives that relates to the theme of “Never saw it coming.” The best stories win a prize.
We strive to ensure our Modesto-based creators, entertainers and good-trouble-makers are able to find their people. If you host or know of in-person events around the area that you’d like to see featured in our weekly and monthly roundups, please send more information to vivienne@themodestofocus.org.
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