This week’s top entertainment – Hot air balloons, Day of the Dead festival & theater
There’s something for everyone of all ages this weekend at one of the many events taking place in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Here are seven things you won’t want to miss.
Fresno Motown Turns Three – Celebrate the history of R&B, soul and funk from the 1960s and 1970s at Fresno’s monthly Motown Night as it celebrates its three-year anniversary with a performance by The Danielle Rondero Band. DJs Nesto, The Green Giant and Top-Face Jason will be spinning vinyl sets all night long bringing you the classics you know and love, some B-side gems and more. Details: 8 p.m. Friday. Strummer’s Club. $5. 559-485-5356, www.strummersclub.com.
Cala Gala – Arte Americas’ annual Dia de los Muertos celebration, the largest in the central San Joaquin Valley, has outgrown its space at the cultural center and moves to downtown’s Eaton Plaza where over 30 food and art vendors will offer a variety of food and crafts. Don’t miss live music, folklorico performances, carnival games and face painting. A candlelight procession will begin at dusk (approximately 6:30 p.m.) at Fulton and Mariposa streets and continue for three blocks to the event venue. Dia de los Muertos is a holiday with Mexican roots that celebrates and remembers loved ones who have passed away. Details: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Eaton Plaza. $4. www.arteamericas.org.
‘Native Son’ – Fresno State’s University Theatre kicks off its second show of the season with the play written by Nambi E. Kelly and directed by Thomas-Whit Ellis as a new stage adaptation of the 1940 Richard Wright novel. Taking place in Chicago’s South Side during the 1930s, Bigger Thomas grows up in poverty but eventually lands a job in the home a wealthy family where a violent turn of events will eventually seal his fate. Performances continue through Nov. 4. Following the Oct. 31 performance, there will be a discussion with the cast and guest speakers. Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday. Fresno State, Dennis & Cheryl Woods Theatre. $17, $15 seniors and $10 students. 559-278-2216, www.fresnostate.edu/theatrearts.
Whitie’s Pets Pooch Parade, Canine Carnival & Costume Contest – Dress up your furry four-legged buddies in their best Halloween get-up for the 11th annual costume contest and parade. From 1-3 p.m. visit one of over a dozen vendors at the K-9 Carnival, featuring specialized dog products and services, get free samples of dog food and treats, learn about dog adoptions and more. At 3 p.m. dogs and their owners will strut their stuff in the Pooch Parade along Olive Avenue where they’ll be judged in categories including best dog costume, best dog/owner costume combo, best dog float and cutest dog. Details: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tower District. Free, $10 contest entry fee. www.towerdistrict.org.
Steve-O – You might know him from his crazy antics on MTV’s “Jackass” or its spin-off series “Wildboyz,” but before the comedian became a TV star, he was creating homemade videos of his dangerous stunts and was a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College graduate. Since the days of pulling crazy stunts are behind him, Steve-O has found himself on top of the New York Times bestselling list with his memoir, “Professional Idiot,” and on stage as a stand-up comedian. His first Showtime hour-long special premiered to great reviews and has landed him in the top one percent of all Showtime comedy specials. Details: 8 p.m. Friday. Merced Theatre. $29-$34. 209-381-0500, www.mercedtheatre.org.
‘Driving Miss Daisy’ – It’s opening night for the Visalia Players as they bring to life the play by Alfred Uhry that focuses on the relationship between a Southern Jewish woman and her black chauffeur. In 1948 at the age of 72, Miss Daisy crashes her car and much to her dismay, her son hires a driver, Hoke Coleburn, to keep her safe. For the next 25 years he drives her around and although they are initially wary of each other, the two form an unlikely bond with Daisy teaching Hoke to read. Performances continue through Nov. 12. Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday. Ice House Theatre. $8-$20. 559-734-3900, visaliaplayers.org.
ClovisFest – Get ready for some family fun at the 42nd annual festival spanning over four blocks in downtown Clovis and featuring over 200 craft and commercial vendors and food booths. Head to the Clovis Rodeo grounds before sunrise to catch the magnificent hot air balloons beginning their inflation for a 7 a.m. liftoff Saturday and Sunday. Witness the early morning balloon launch up close and personal and then head over to the festival where you can enjoy a diverse variety of foods or some cold brews in the beer garden, live music from local talent and much more. Details: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Old Town Clovis. clovischamber.com/events/clovis_fest.
This story was originally published October 25, 2017 at 4:29 PM with the headline "This week’s top entertainment – Hot air balloons, Day of the Dead festival & theater."