Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
Get ready for a twist on a classic, as “Romeo and Juliet Out West” will take the stage on Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22. A hilarious Wild West version of Romeo and Juliet, the production is part of the summer series at Hutton’s Hamlet, 132 W. G St., Oakdale. Romeo Earp crashes the Oakley’s Harvest Festival, and it’s love at first sight when he spies Juliet Oakley. The only problem is that Earps and Oakleys are sworn enemies. How will Juliet tell her dad that she’s fallen in love with a boy he hates worse than burnt cornbread, and how will she ward off Deputy Martin who already intends to marry up with her? To make matters worse, Romeo accidentally kills Juliet’s cousin. Still wantin’ to marry Romeo, Juliet drinks from a bottle labeled “Almost Poison,” despite Preacher Lawrence’s advice, “If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.” Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for 12 and under. Call for times, 209-848-1216.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older at the Riverbank Community Center. Doors open Wednesdays at 9 a.m.; the center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., and first time guests are admitted free. The annual membership fee is $12 and each Wednesday members pay $5 and non-members can enjoy a few hours of music and dancing for $6.
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YES (Youth Entertainment Stage) Company is producing the ‘80s musical “Footloose,” to be performed at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Tickets are now on sale at the Gallo Center for the Arts box office and www.galloarts.org. Show dates are: Fridays, July 21 and 28; Saturdays, July 22 and 29; and Thursday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, July 23 and 30 at 3 p.m. In its 26th season, YES Company is a special project of the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County. For additional information, visit www.yescompany.org or call (209)238-6850.
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Park staff and costumed volunteers present a live reenactment and solve a historical case during the interactive History’s Mysteries event at Columbia State Historic Park four Saturdays this summer. History’s Mysteries will occur on July 22, Aug. 5, Aug. 19 and Sept. 2, offered each time at 10 a.m. Reservations are highly recommended. Cost is $5/adults and $1/children. Due to the nature of this event, parents may find it is not appropriate for children under age 12. However, child tickets are available for $1 each. Each child under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To purchase tickets, visit the park museum or www.friendsofcolumbiashp.com to buy online. For more information about this event or other events at Columbia State Historic Park, contact the park office at 209-588-9128.
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Riverbank offers T’ai Chi classes on Monday nights at the Teen Center and Wednesday nights at the Community Center, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., for $5 per person each night. Stop by either evening and check out this fun, relaxing way to get fit.
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The Riverbank Library Book Club will meet on Tuesday, July 25 at 4 p.m. to discuss Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. Library book clubs provide an opportunity for community members to expand their knowledge of books through meaningful discussion with others.
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Join in each week with the local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club for regular meetings every Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., at Perko’s Cafe, Patterson and Oakdale roads, Riverbank. This is a fun way to learn the self-confidence and skills needed for public speaking. All are invited to come and check out the group. The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 26. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Make plans to join in the Senior Stride Fun Walk event put on by the Modesto Rotary Club. The Friday, Sept. 8 event provides seniors, families and friends the opportunity to enjoy fellowship, a fun walk, entertainment and more while learning about services and resources available to them in the community. This year’s festivities will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., staged at East La Loma Park. The park is at 2001 Edgebrook Drive, Modesto. Registration fee to participate is $2 and includes a Senior Stride T-shirt, light breakfast, community vendor fair and more. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required; to register call (209) 578-9999.
