Freedom Fest 2018
July 1
Honoring our heroes has never been so fun! At this year’s Freedom Fest, celebrate your freedom and check out the Truck & Car Show, train ride, outdoor concert, Dad Joke Contest, carnival rides and games, and much more! Indulge in carnival food-classics such as deep fried oreos, funnel cakes, and pulled pork & tri-tip sandwiches, and be sure to catch the firework show! The Home Church, 11451 N. West Ln., Lodi, (209) 339-7333, TheHomeChurch.net
Graffiti-Con
July 1
It goes without saying that Modesto loves their car culture—but they love their Comic-Con culture just as much! Graffiti-Con combines them both, featuring beautiful vintage vehicles on display in amidst panels and Cosplay Contests. With hundreds of vendors and artists, there’s something for everybody at this Retro Pop Culture Event, so bring the whole family for a day of fun! Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 L St, Modesto, (209) 577-6444, Graffiti-Con.com
Stockton Ports
July 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31
August 1, 2
Take the whole family out to the ballgame this month and watch the Stockton Ports dominate the opposition at Banner Island Ballpark. This month, the Stockton Ports are having a variety of special events and giveaways, such as Baseball Bingo night, Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night with a Jersey Auction, and a Matt Chapman bobblehead giveaway, just to name a few. So, gather up the family, grab a hotdog and soda, kickback and enjoy America’s favorite pass-time! Banner Island Ballpark, 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton, (209) 644-1900, MILB.com
“Company”
July 1, 5, 6, 7, 8
Support your local community theatre and delight in this classic Broadway musical starring Bobby, the perpetual bachelor in a group of friends that include five married couples. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this production focuses on Bobby’s inner musings as he examines the pros and cons of his friends’ marriages, and wonders whether he, too, should have gotten hitched. Groundbreaking and consistently relevant, this is one musical whose notes ring true every time. Stockton Civic Theatre, 2312 Rosemarie Ln., Stockton, (209) 473-2400, SCTLiveTheatre.com
Photography Exhibit
July 2
Join Art Expressions of San Joaquin as they celebrate Stockton’s art culture in the heart of downtown. Engage with works of Arturo Vera, George Adair, and Sydney Spurgeon, and indulge in the poetic musings of Bob Laird as you sip on wine and snack on food provided at this celebration of the city’s creative side. San Joaquin County Administration Building, 44 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton, (209) 460-0780
SUP Yoga
July 3, 10, 17, 31
Paddle down the Mokelumne River and channel your inner Yogi as you reach a state of tranquility on the river’s sparkling waters. If you’re not a pro Stand-up Paddleboarder or a regular yoga-practitioner, have no fear—instructors modify the class to ensure the comfort of all participants. Bring your own board or try out one of Headwaters Kayak’s rentals for an evening of balance and beauty. Lodi Lake Boat House, 1101 W. Turner Rd., Lodi, (209) 224-8367, HeadwatersKayak.com
4th of July Parade in Downtown Stockton
July 4
Celebrate our great nation’s independence and honor the men and women who guard our freedom with their lives as you enjoy the annual 4th of July parade in downtown Stockton. Organized by the United Veteran’s Council, elaborate floats and marches that will roll through the streets, accompanied by live music. There’s no better way to pay tribute to the red, white, and blue! The parade begins at 10 AM. Weber Point, 221 N. Center St., Stockton, (209) 361-9422
Concerts in the park
July 4, 11, 18, 25
Indulge in several summer evenings of free, live music in Victory park for the 65th year of Stockton’s Concerts in the Park series. Grab a couple lawn chairs and picnic under the stately oak trees with your family, friends, and dogs as you enjoy diverse genres, from country, to rock, to Latin jazz, every Wednesday night at 6 PM. Victory Park, 1001 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton
Brown Bag Support Group Monthly Meeting
Hosted by the Widowed Persons Association of California, the Brown Bag Support Group is open to all widowed persons in need of a support, no membership required. The group meets at 11:30 AM the first Thursday of every month in Room 6, Knowles Building, at the Central United Methodist Church. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch; coffee and cookies are provided. Come share your story and find solidarity with your community members who share your experience. Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Ave, (209) 561-6625
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland
July 5-7, 11-14
Follow Alice down the rabbit hole once more in this classic, whimsical performance at the beautiful Jessie’s Grove Winery. Presented by Lodi’s very own Changing Faces Theatre, tickets to this show include access to wine, food, and a variety of games the whole family will enjoy! Support your local theatre scene and grab your tickets before they’re gone! Jessie’s Grove Winery, 1973 W Turner Rd., Lodi, (209) 327-2754, ChangingFacesTheatre.org
Brit Floyd
July 6
Witness the world’s greatest Pink Floyd tribute show as it graces the stage of Stockton’s historic Bob Hope Theatre this month. For the 45th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s iconic 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon,” Brit Floyd will perform classics from the iconic album alongside hits such as “Wish You Were Here”, “Animals”, and “The Wall”. Complete with a million-dollar light show, Brit Floyd’s renowned performance will take you back to an age of rock, redefined. Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., Stockton, (209) 373-1400, StocktonLive.com
Comedylicious at Michael David Winery
July 7
If laughter is the best medicine and a glass of wine day keeps the doctor away, then this comedy event at Michael David Winery is sure to be a cure-all! Grab a glass of zin and get ready to giggle, because Michael David Winery has a hilarious line-up for you. Show starts at 7 PM, don’t miss it! Michael David Winery, 4580 CA-12, Lodi, (209) 263-3089, MichaelDavidWinery.com
Introductory Birding with the San Joaquin Audubon Society
July 7
Rise and shine with the birds and let yourself be introduced to the fun, fascinating world of bird-watching. Don’t forget your binoculars as you learn about the wide variety of birds that call our beautiful San Joaquin Valley home. This course begins at 8 AM, making it a great way to start your day! Lodi Lake, 1301 W. Turner Rd., Lodi, SanJoaquinAudubon.org
S.H.E. 365 Women’s 5K
July 8
Need some motivation to get your cardio in? How about a mimosa, catered lunch, chocolate, Bundtinis from nothing Bundt Cakes, custom jewelry from Gary Long Jewelers, and a flute of champagne—oh, and you get to finish your run on the red carpet. If that sounds more your speed, don’t miss the sixth annual all-women’s 5K held at Woodbridge Winery! Bring all your girls to the run for a day of beautiful scenery and healthy fun. Woodbridge Winery, 5950 Woodbridge Rd. E, Acampo, FleetFeetStockton.com
Astronaut Training Summer Camp
July 9 – 13
We all wanted to be an astronaut at some point; there’s just something about the vastness and otherworldly beauty of space that invigorates the minds of children and adults alike. If your little one shares that same wonder, then be sure to enroll them in this exciting, educational summer camp at the WOW Museum, where they’ll learn everything from health and fitness standards for astronauts, to fun facts about rockets, engineering, and the International Space Station. WOW Museum, 2 N. Sacramento St., Lodi, (209) 368-0969, WOWScienceMuseum.org
Modesto-Con
July 9, 10
Break out the wigs and superglue, it’s cosplay season in Modesto! Let your inner-geek shine and engage in fun, safe activities the whole family will enjoy. With celebrity guests including Sam J. Jones AKA Flash Gordon and Doug Jones from the Hellboy movies and Shape of Water, as well as a variety of awesome panels, this is one convention you won’t forget! Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 L St. Modesto, ModestoCon.com
San Joaquin Magazine’s Best of Party
July 12
Don your best dress and join us in celebrating the finest local businesses at our biennial Best Of Party, where you’ll delight in cuisine from across the county and taste the finest wines from local wineries, as more than 25 chefs and winemakers who were crowned Best Of serve and pour. Enjoy music, entertainment, and dancing as we honor the local business owners and entrepreneurs who color the San Joaquin! Grab your tickets before they’re gone! Brookside Golf and Country Club, 3603 St. Andrews Dr., Stockton, SanJoaquinMagazine.com
Brush Lettering in Watercolor
July 13-15
Learn the delicate art of brush lettering with Tony Segale, owner of Double Dip Gallery and practitioner of brush lettering and calligraphy for over 30 years. In this three-day workshop, you will acquire the skills to paint in three lettering styles, sans serif, roman, and script. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon! Double Dip Gallery, 222 W. Pine St., Lodi, (209) 365-3344, DoubleDipGallery.com
Bikes, Boats & Bikinis
July 14
Spice up your summer with an afternoon of food, music, and bikini contests at Windmill Cove! One of the largest events on the Delta, this event features three bands, including the hilarious Spazmatics. Whether you’re boating through the sparkling Delta Channel or coming by car, you won’t want to miss this fun-filled afternoon. Windmill Cove, 7600 Windmill Cove Rd., Stockton
Lodi Memorial Hospital Summerfest
July 14
Feast by the beautiful Michael-David Winery lake with the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation at their 34th annual food and wine fundraising event. As you indulge in dishes catered by a dozen of the best local restaurants, sip on some of the finest wines Lodi has to offer. Proceeds from this event will go toward purchasing cutting-edge technology for diagnosing osteoporosis. Michael David Winery, 4580 CA-12, Lodi, (209) 339-7833, LMHFoundation.org
Wildlife Tour with Headwaters Kayak
July 14
Explore the wildlife of the beautiful Mokelumne River with wildlife-expert Bill Beckett, discovering all the birds, mammals, and plant life that call the river home. Watching the sun rise over the riverbanks and listening to the musical sounds of morning, this paddle is the perfect start to a relaxing summer day. Lodi Lake Boat House, 1101 W. Turner Rd., Lodi, (209) 224-8367, HeadwatersKayak.com
Lodi Cycle Bowl
July 14
Hear the engines roar to life and experience the thrill of the race as motorcyclists speed and skid around Lodi’s historic Cycle Bowl, competing for fun and for glory. Having been a cornerstone of Lodi for over sixty years, Lodi Motorcycle Club invites you to be a part of history in the making and get in on the two-wheeled action, so be sure to get your fill of thrill before season’s-end! Lodi Cycle Bowl, 5801 E Morse Rd, Lodi, (209) 368-7182, LodiCycleBowl.com
Stockton Beer Week Brew Fest
July 14
Kick off Stockton Beer Week by exploring the vast array of craft beer and cider styles from over 30 microbreweries across the state. Expand your pallet with unlimited tastings and enjoy live music, games, giveaways, and food vendors as you peruse the booths. If you love all things craft beer, this is one event that deserves a spot on your calendar! Stockton Arena, 248 W. Fremont St., Stockton, (209) 938-1555, VisitStockton.org
Stockton Beer Week
July 13-22
Celebrate craft beer culture in the San Joaquin and beyond during Stockton Beer Week, when local breweries, bars and restaurants will hold beer-centric events such as tap takeovers, specials, beer and food pairings, and trivia nights. Featuring quirky, beer-related activities such as the 3rd annual Brews & Shoes Showdown run, this week is sure to be foaming over with fun and delicious beer. Various Locations, VisitStockton.org
“Night of Hope”: Hope Family Shelters Fundraiser
July 14
Dine with the most charitable members of our community and join the Hope Family Shelters in honoring individuals who helped the organization grow and thrive. For the Shelters’ 25th anniversary, this four-course meal will feature an upscale BBQ-theme, with prime rib as the main course. With raffle baskets, a silent auction, and a full bar, being philanthropic has never been more fun—or delicious! The event needs Sponsors, so support the cause and become one today! MRPS Hall, 133 N. Grant Ave., Manteca, (209) 824-0658, HopeFamilyShelters.org
Summer Jazz Jam
July 14
Snap to the rhythm, swing to the saxophone, and sway to the sultry sounds of smooth jazz at the highly anticipated Summer Jazz Jam. With the award-winning compositions of jazz and fusion guitarist Joel Del Rosario, the renowned stylings of saxophonist Mike Philips, and the soulful grooves of jazz band “Times 4”, there’s no better way to beat the heat this summer than with the cool, smooth sounds of this memorable jazz performance. Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, 225 N. Center St., Stockton, (408) 515-4420
Port City Roller Girls Derby Bout
July 14
Block, jam, and hip-check vicariously through the Port City Roller Girls, Stockton’s rough and tumble roller derby team that’s skating through their 11th season. Grab a couple of friends, head down to the Indoor Sports Complex, and support our girls in green and black as they paint the opposition black and blue! Stockton Indoor Sports Complex, 3251 Ad Art Rd., Stockton, (888) 993-3729, PortCityRollerGirls.net
Gross-ology Summer Camp
July 16 – 20
Does your child bring you “gifts” from the garden, including slugs, bugs, and pies of mud? Don’t squash that curiosity with a scream—let them cultivate that curiosity for all things sticky, slimy, and ooey-gooey at the WOW’s Gross-ology Summer Camp! This summer, science and “gross” will come together in a beautiful harmony that is sure to reduce the number of wayward bugs and mud-creations you find in your home. Reserve your child’s spot today! WOW Museum, 2 N. Sacramento St., Lodi, (209) 368-0969, WOWScienceMuseum.org
Jake Shimabukuro
July 21
Delight in the musical stylings of one of the most innovative ukulele players in the history of the instrument, Jake Shimabukuro. A Hawai’ian native, Jake first picked up his ukulele when he was four years old, and in the decades that followed, blew the world away with his renditions of classics such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. Come hear his talent for yourself at the Stockton’s historic Bob Hope Theatre! Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., Stockton, (209) 373-1400, StocktonLive.com
Stockton Kidz Expo at the Stockton Arena
July 21
Featuring Iron Man, Black Panther, and Bunk’d! star Peyton List, taking your child to the Stockton Kidz Expo will award you months of parental bragging-rights. Stars aside, this Expo is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with the family and enjoy bounce houses, face painting, vendor booths, magicians, and more! Stockton Arena, 248 W. Fremont St., Stockton, (209) 546-8200, GateHouseLive.com
Lodi Music in the Park
July 25
Don the suntan lotion and round up your very best buds, Lodi’s free summer concert series is back for another year of fun, sun, and local bands! Have a picnic and socialize as you enjoy the talents of local music artists in one of Lodi’s beautiful parks. Every fourth Wednesday will feature a different band, so make sure you see them all! Hutchins Street Square, 125 S. Hutchins St., Lodi, (209) 333-6782, VisitLodi.com
Neil Simon’s “Rumors”
July 26, 27, 28, 29
Aug 3, 4, 5
Couple Chris and Ken Gorman arrive at Charley and Myra Bock’s 10th anniversary party only to find that Myra is missing, and Charley has “accidentally” shot himself in the ear. Since Charley is the Deputy Mayor of New York City, the couple does what they can to cover up what they assume to be a scandal as more guests arrive. Farcical humor ensues as the evening becomes awash in insanity. Grab your tickets and witness the hilarity firsthand at the Linden Community Theatre! Linden High School Performing Arts Center, 18527 E. Front St., Linden, (209) 401-8549, LindenTheatre.com
Full Moon Riders
July 27
Take a turn down the streets of Downtown Stockton with the Full Moon Riders and pedal along Stockton’s historic waterfront with other active members of your community. After the ride, check out a restaurant downtown for some quality grub to wrap up the night. Safety first, so don’t forget to light up your bike! Registration starts at 5:15 PM. Janet Leigh Plaza, 222 N. El Dorado St., Stockton, (209) 464-5246
Sip & Snack at the Mac
July 28
Taste the rich history of Galt at the Galt Area Historical Society’s 8th annual Wine, Food & Beer event! Set at the magnificent McFarland Ranch, delight in the countryside charm as you sip on fine wines and beer and sample gourmet food from 6 to 9 PM. Entertainment includes hay rides around the ranch and tours of the historic home. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes—you can look forward to live music and dancing under the stars! McFarland Living History Ranch, 8899 Orr Rd., Galt, (209) 745-1477, GaltHistory.org
DSB Mountain Bike Sprint Triathlon
July 29
Rise to the challenge at the seventh annual Dirt, Sweat, and Beer Mountain Bike Sprint Triathlon! Beginning with a 400-meter swim in a beautiful private lake, the race will transition to an 11-mile bike trail across uneven terrain and finish with a 3.1-mile trail run along the scenic San Joaquin River. Cross the finish line and receive a finishers trophy and a free beer, to boot! With a kid’s triathlon added this year, this is an activity the whole family will enjoy. Eagal Lakes, 12 West Lorenzen Rd., Tracy, (209) 640-4252, EagalLakes.com
“The Drowsy Chaperone”
August 3, 4
When an asocial theatre buff soothes his sorrows with a record from the 1928 musical “The Drowsy Chaperone”, characters spring to life in his living room, dance numbers and all. Winner of five Tony Awards, this classic spoof of the 1920’s Jazz Age musical will have you rolling with laughter and singing jazzy tunes all night long. Showbiz Theatre Company, 1744 Pacific Ave., Stockton, (209) 938-0447, ShowbizTheatre.org
“Stuck in Lodi” Car Show
August 4
Cruise on down to the 23rd annual classic car show in downtown Lodi that draws hundreds of locally-restored, classic American vehicles. Hosted by the American Steel Car Club, last year there were over 300 classic cars entered in the event, and this year, they’re expecting an even bigger turnout. Come support American Steel and their charity work while trading notes with other classic car-buffs as you admire the inventory of vintage beauties. Downtown Lodi, (209) 369-6303, AmericanSteelCarClub.com
David Pomeranz & Rey Valera
August 4
Hailing from different parts of the world, witness these two musical giants come together on stage to share the biggest hits of their careers. Head down to the historic Bob Hope Theatre and delight in classic love songs such as David Pomeranz’s “Born For You” and “This is What I Dreamed,” as well as Rey Valera’s Filipino hits such as “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok ko”. Doors open at 4 PM. Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., Stockton, (209) 373-1400, StocktonLive.com