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.
West Side Shows
Officials with the West Side Theatre in Newman recently announced its summer events. The venue is the Theatre’s restored 1940’s movie house, now a non-profit arts center. For ticket information on any of the upcoming shows, visit: https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/ or call 209-862-4490. Shows in July are set for Saturdays, July 8, 15 and 29.
July 8 at 8 p.m. – “Music of the Earth” featuring Olivia Gonzales and her trio with opening act Sol Valdez. July 15 at 8 p.m. – Newman resident Kelly McDonald with opening act Lawrence Carbery will be performing for the Newman Fall Festival Float Fundraiser. July 29 at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Missoula Children’s Theatre presents their version of Blackbeard the Pirate. The Tour Directors audition up to 62 local children K-12 on Monday, July 24 and put on a one-hour musical on Saturday, July 29.
Saturday Morning Shopping
A new Oakdale Morning Market is now open every Saturday on North Third Avenue in Oakdale. The weekly event is a project of the non-profit foundation Love Oakdale and will be hosted each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Saturday, Sept. 30. Each week will include a few food truck vendors, as well as a number of vendors offering everything from produce, meat, eggs, bread and a variety of other food as well as fun items to give the market diversity.
Third Summer Performance
“It’s a Madhouse” takes the stage at Hutton’s Hamlet Performing Arts Center, 132 W. G St., Oakdale. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for those 12 and under. Showtimes are Friday, July 7 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, July 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Call for more information, 209-848-1216. The show is the third of the summer season at the Performing Arts Center and focuses on a madcap treasure hunt sparked by the reading of a best-selling author’s will.
Support Group
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.
Jam Session
Coming up on Saturday, July 8 “The Jammers” will be hosting an open acoustic jam session on the Medlen’s House of Beef patio in Oakdale. The music will begin between 3 pm. and 4 p.m.; there is no formal end time for the gathering. The Jammers, originally put together by the late Fred Stepp (“Fiddlin’ Fred) continues with several members still gathering on occasion to perform and jam. Stepp was a well-known area musician, both in the bluegrass and acoustic community. They invite anyone who plays folk, bluegrass, country, and similar music genres to bring a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, or other acoustic instrument to come and join the jam session; also welcome are those that just want to listen to the music.
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers dance group 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
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight loss support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; meeting at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight.
Musical Entertainment
All are invited to come and listen to “The lads and lasses of Brennan’s Parlor” as they host a monthly Irish music jam (aka ‘Ceilidh’) in the back room of the H – B Saloon, located at 401 E. F St., Oakdale, from 6 p.m. to roughly 8:15 p.m.; with the next gathering scheduled for July 24. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Monthly Market Place
All are invited to come to eat, shop and/or sell your wares at Market Place on Poplar, the first Saturday of each month. Hosted at Community United Methodist Church at 1480 Poplar in Oakdale, the event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Market Place offers an opportunity to shop for unique finds or enjoy a selection from Chef Lee’s popular lunch menu for dine in or take out. Interested vendors can contact craftfairinfo@yahoo.com for more information on reserving a $20 booth space. Additional dates through the end of 2023 are scheduled for Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
Accordion Club Meets
The Good Time Accordion Club members meet on a regular basis, the first Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m., hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Admission is $5; there are free refreshments provided. The club presents musicians of all levels and many musical styles. Anyone can bring an accordion and play or just come to enjoy listening to the musical performances. The remaining 2023 gatherings are scheduled for Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
