Calaveras Celtic Faire - Angels Camp

March
Location: 2465 Gunclub Road (Calaveras County Fairgrounds)
Why Go There? Annual weekend celebrates Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall and Wales with music, dance, food
More Information: Celtic Heritage Celebration

Dogwood Festival - Arnold

May
Location: 1170 CA-4 Calaveras Big Trees State Park Jack Knight Hall
Why Go There? Annual afternoon of music (also food, wine, walking tour) raises funds for the Calaveras Big Trees Association efforts in Calaveras Big Trees State Park
More Information: Dogwood Festival

Bakersfield Community Theatre - Bakersfield

Friday-Saturdays, occasional Sunday matinees
Location: 2400 South Chester Avenue
Why Go There? Long running (90+ years) community theater company offers five classic or contemporary plays, musicals per season and a one act festival (May); senior, student, military discounts
More Information: BCT Stage

Bear Valley Music Festival - Bear Valley

July-August
Location: Three Bear Valley Road
Why Go There? Annual multi-day festival presents a variety of artists, music genre including classical, rock, country and jazz. Concerts held in a tent, equipped with a stage large enough to hold a symphony orchestra; food/beverages, Arts of Bear Valley organizes art for sale in adjacent Community building, proceeds support the festival.
More Information: Bear Valley Music Festival

Millpond Music Festival - Bishop

September
Location: Sawmill Road: Millpond Recreation Area (six miles Northwest of Bishop)
Why Go There? Low-key family friendly annual outdoor weekend music festival features a variety of musical groups, genre; art, food; extra activities: yoga, face-painting, Lions Club pancake breakfast; on-site camping option at county park campground.
More Information: Millpond

Music in the Meadow - Coarsegold (Madera County)

June Saturday afternoon 12:00-4:00pm
Location: 31899 CA Highway 41 (Coarsegold Historic Museum)
Why Go There? Annual fundraiser for the museum features live music, food for sale, local museum displays, auction
More Information: Music in the Meadow

California State University Fresno Theater & Dance - Fresno

Location: 5201 North Maple Avenue M/S SA46 (Speech Arts Building)
Why Go There? University Theatre yearly produces five major theatrical productions and a spring dance concert with student cast, crew. Students also produce Experimental Theatre Company (ETC), University Dance Theatre (UDT) and Black Theatre Contingent (BTC) which focuses on drama of the African-American experience.
More Information: Theatre Arts Performances + Experimental Theatre Company

Fresno State Bands Jazz Orchestra - Fresno

Location: 2380 East Keats Avenue/North Maple Avenue (Fresno State Concert Hall)
Why Go There? Maintains reputation as a top West Coast jazz ensembles winning first places in the Reno Jazz Festival,The Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival; travels/plays in Europe, Japan, many US festivals. Offers fall, winter concerts.
More Information: Jazz Orchestra

Warnors Center for the Performing Arts - Fresno

Location: 1400 Fulton Street
Why Go There? Historic 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival architecture Vaudville theater host venue for variety of events, performances, concerts
More Information: Warnors Center

Lodi Music in the Park - Lodi

May-August Fourth Wednesday 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: 125 South Hutchins Street (Hutchins Street Square West Park)
Why Go There? Annual free outdoor summer concerts feature wide genre of music; (bring a picnic dinner, blanket or low lawn chair)
More Information: Hutchins Street Square

Lone Pine Film Festival - Lone Pine

October
Location: 701 South Main Street (Western Film Museum); 538 South Main Street (Lone Pine High School Auditorium)
Why Go There? Annual three to four day film festival for Western genre film fans includes celebrity panels, tours to area movie locations
More Information: Museum of Western Film History + Facebook

Owens Lake Bird Festival - Lone Pine

April Friday-Sunday weekend
Location: 138 Jackson Street (Statham Hall)
Why Go There? Three day festival celebrates thousands of migratory birds traveling through Owens Valley and Eastern Sierra natural environments; includes breakfast, lunch, talks; 30+ outings explore the natural landscape around the Lone Pine area; covers birding, botany, photography, geology, local history; optional Saturday evening catered dinner, and keynote speaker
More Information: Owen Lake Bird Festival + All About Birds

Eastern Sierra Symphony, Sierra Summer Festival - Mammoth Lakes

August festival, concerts throughout the year
Location: 58 Ranch Road (St Joseph's Catholic Church), other locations throughout the year
Why Go There? Specializing in multigenerational and cross-cultural artists, programming, 40+ year symphony orchestra offer free annual Sierra Summer Festival August concerts
More Information: Eastern Sierra Symphony

Mammoth JazzFest - Mammoth Lakes

July weekend
Location: 6201 Minaret Road (The Village at Mammoth)
Why Go There? Features contemporary, fusion, Latin and other jazz music genres; includes evening Jazz & Wine walk fundraiser for local high school musicians; eclectic foods, interactive activities, evening dancing and free swing and salsa dance lessons; free admission
More Information: Mammoth JazzFest

Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre - Mammoth Lakes

Location: 100 College Parkway (Edison Theatre)
Why Go There? Resident theater company in Edison Theatre's 100 seat performing arts venue offers high quality plays featuring noted actors; 2020-2021 pandemic shows are play readings on-line, other entertainment
More Information: Mammoth Lake Repertory Theatre

Sierra Classic Theatre - Mammoth Lakes

Location: Varies, including Edison Theatre, outdoor setting for annual summer Shakespeare in the Woods
Why Go There? Founded in 1999, community supported theater company focuses on classic plays, an annual play reading series, summer outdoor Shakespeare in the Woods; annual fundraising popular murder mystery dinner show
More Information: Sierra Classic Theatre

Mariposa County Summer on The Green Concerts - Mariposa

June-August Friday-Saturday 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Highway 140/Fourth Street (Mariposa County Art Park)
Why Go There? Free summer evening outdoor concerts feature folk, bluegrass, rock, jazz, reggae, country, and world music bands from the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, and San Francisco Bay Area
More Information: Music on the Green

Mariposa Symphony Orchestra - Mariposa, Yosemite

Location: Varies
Why Go There? 60 musician orchestra plays classical concerts in three counties, and annual performance in Yosemite National Park, the only symphony orchestra given that opportunity in the park’s history
More Information: Mariposa Symphony Orchestra

Merced Shakespearefest - Merced

September
Location: 4889 County Park Road (Mariposa County Park Amphitheatre)
Why Go There? Annual collaboration with Mariposa Theatre Alliance produces outdoor venue evening Shakespeare plays set in different eras; low cost, senior discount
More Information: Merced Shakespearefest

Merced Symphony Association - Merced

Location: 301 West Main Street (Merced Theatre)
Why Go There? Symphony orchestra offers classical concerts, holiday Candlelight Concert, Pops Concert
More Information: Merced Symphony Association

Gallo Center for the Arts - Modesto

Location: 1000 I Street
Why Go There? Home of four resident companies: Central West Ballet, Modesto Performing Arts community theater, Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Opera Modesto and a repertory company offering five annual productions; two theaters accommodate up to 1248 people or smaller more intimate seatings; lobby concessions on three levels offer adult/other beverages, snacks
More Information: Gallo Center for the Arts + Show and Tickets + Modesto Performing Arts + Opera Modesto

Modesto Symphony Orchestra - Modesto

Location: 1000 I Street (Gallo Center for the Arts)
Why Go There? Offers annual season of five classical, three pops concerts, fall picnic pops concert (September) on the E.&J. Gallo Winery grounds and Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (December)
More Information: Concerts and Events

Brice Station Vineyards Concerts, Shakespeare on the Vine - Murphys

May-mid September Saturday evenings 
August Friday-Sunday evenings (Shakespeare on the Vine)
Location: 3353 Highway 4
Why Go There? Small family owned winery hosts annual Hilltop summer concerts and Shakespeare performances; sells food, wine; free admission
More Information: Brice Station Vineyards

Ironstone Winery Entertainment Complex - Murphys

Daily 11:00am-5:00pm, evenings (closed holidays)
Location: 1894 Six Mile Road
Why Go There? Venue for outdoor big name concerts in amphitheater; indoor event music room with a huge historic pipe organ hosts wine dinners, silent movies with live organ music, gardens; hosts annual fall weekend antique and classic car show, the Concours d'Elegance, which raises money for charities
More Information: Ironstone Concours + About Ironstone

Murphys Community Park - Murphys

Daily 8:00am-10:00pm
Location: 505 Algiers Street
Why Go There? Hosts evening free First Fridays, summer concerts in the park, many on-going community events, seasonal Sunday 9:00am-1:00pm farmers market (June-October); colorful mural wall
More Information: Murphys Community Club and Community Park

Murphys Creek Theatre - Murphys

Location: 580 South Algiers Street
Why Go There? Regional professional theater company offers year-round plays, musicals in intimate theater
More Information: Murphys Creek Theatre

Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society - Ridgecrest

September-April Saturday evening, Sunday matinee
Location: 633 Las Flores Avenue (Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church)
Why Go There? Offers several concerts each season; brings quality chamber music artists, groups to the area
More Information: Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society

Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe/Metropolitan Theater - San Andreas

Location: 59 Main Street
Why Go There? Former hotel rebuilt as movie theater/venue for events, entertainment including Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe interactive dinner shows, plays, dance, music, youth theater
More Information: Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe + The Metropolitan

Sierra Repertory Theatre - Sonora, Columbia

Location: 13891 Mono Way Sonora (East Sonora Theater);  11175 Washington Street Columbia (Historic Fallon House Theatre Columbia State Historic Park)
Why Go There? Professional non-profit company presents eight main-stage shows seasonally, two locations; 38+ years offering classics, contemporary favorites, world premiere works
More Information: Sierra Repertory Theatre

Sonora Bach Festival - Sonora

October Sunday afternoons, evenings
Location: Varies
Why Go There? 40+ year festival features period music with guest and local musical artist including youth concerts; Bach music brunch
More Information: Sonora Bach Festival

San Joaquin Delta College Dance, Music & Theater Arts - Stockton

Location: 5151 Pacific Avenue (Tillie Lewis Theatre/Warren Atherton Auditorium)
Why Go There? Four main stage productions, summer season, two performing staged workshops (studio theatre); dance performances; student music concerts: concert choir, symphonic, concert bands, three jazz bands, several music ensembles (brass, jazz, percussion, singers, string, woodwinds)
More Information: Upcoming at the Delta Center for the Arts

Stockton Symphony - Stockton

September-April Classical Saturdays 6:30pm; October-May Pops Sundays 2:30pm
Location: 5151 Pacific Avenue (San Joaquin Delta College Warren Atherton Auditorium)
Why Go There? 50+ member orchestra offers five concert classical season, four concert pops season; special holiday concert/dinner, other events
More Information: Stockton Symphony

University of The Pacific Conservatory of Music & Theater Arts - Stockton

Location: 3601 Pacific Avenue (Long Theatre, Faye Spanos Concert Hall)
Why Go There? University Symphony Orchestra concerts, Opera Theatre; student theater productions
More Information: Conservatory Events and Ticket Info

Grand Theatre Center for the Arts - Tracy

Location: 715 Central Avenue
Why Go There? Restored 1923 vaudville theater turned arts center; venue for concerts, movies, performances, classes
More Information: Shows

Tuolumne City Live Playhouse - Tuolumne

Weekend evenings, Sunday matinees
Location: 18370 Bay Avenue
Why Go There? Small town community theater venue hosts plays, musicals
More Information: Facebook

California State University Stanislaus Theater - Turlock

Location: One University Circle (Theatre building)
Why Go There? Active theater arts department offers full production plays, musicals throughout the school year
More Information: Theatre Department

Additional Resources

Mother Lode Friends of Music - Amador, Calaveras Counties
Chamber music concerts

TGIF - Amador County
Friday evening free outdoor concerts (summer, see schedule)

Bakersfield Master Chorale - Bakersfield
Concerts

Kern County Scottish Society - Bakersfield
Events include Celtic Music Fest and Highlands Games

Back Country Film Festival - Bishop, Lone Pine, Mammoth Lakes
Screening, raffle raises funds for Friends of Inyo Eastern Sierra public lands programs (December)

CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre - Clovis
Community supported since 1991, theatre offers musicals, plays; Veterans Memorial Auditorium and Mercedes Edward Theater summer productions

Fresno State University Music Department - Fresno
Recitals, concerts (see full listing for jazz band)

Death Valley '49ers - Furnace Creek Death Valley
Annual Encampment entertainment includes fiddlers, yodelers, western music (November)

Hanford Multicultural Theater Company - Hanford
Community theater for all ages

Main Street Activities - Hanford
Thursday night market place free concerts 4:00pm-7:00pm; Fuller Way Civic Park

Chamber Music Unbound - Inyo County
Winter season concerts and summer festival with the Felici Trio, guest artists

Kern Valley Chorus Sweet Adelines - Kern Valley (Lake Isabella for rehearsals)
Calendar

Charlene Powers Lange Theatre - Lodi
Performing arts center

Mammoth Lakes Film Festival - Mammoth Lakes
Annual five day Memorial weekend film festival of new filmmakers features, short films

The Village at Mammoth - Mammoth Lakes
Hosts year-round music, entertainment, food events, festivals

Merced Theatre - Merced
1931 Historic 1800+ seat Art Kamangar Center at the Merced Theatre host venue for variety of performing arts; 301 West Main Street

Playhouse Merced - Merced
Community theater; 452 West Main Street

Prospect Theater Project - Modesto
Offers season of plays (streaming during the 2020-2021 season), play readings, audio "radio drama" plays

Concerts in the Park - Oakdale
Friday evening free concerts; Dorada Park (July-August)

Sierra Foothill Musicians - Oakhurst
Classical music concerts

Music on Main - Porterville
First Friday; 6:00pm-8:00pm Centennial Park; (April-June, September-October)

Porterville Barn Community Theater - Porterville
Local People, amazing theater

Porterville Community College - Porterville
Music department schedules student concerts, guest performances

Desert Community Orchestra - Ridgecrest
Facebook

San Joaquin Valley Jazz - San Joaquin County
Festival (February)

Second Saturday Art Night - Sonora
Art demonstrations, live music, performances; Washington Street

San Joaquin Dixieland Jazz Society - Stockton
Concerts, events

University of The Pacific Janet Leigh Theatre - Stockton
Offers inexpensive movies (free to UOP students); Thursday-Saturday 8:00pm; 3601 Pacific Avenue

Tehachapi Community Theatre - Tehachapi
Plays/musicals in the rebuilt historic BeeKay Theater; 110 South Green Street

Encore Theatre Company - Tulare
Community theater since 1979, mostly musicals, 100 seat theater, family friendly; 324 South N Street

College of the Sequoias - Visalia
Theater department productions; 915 South Mooney Boulevard

Sequoia Symphony Orchestra - Visalia
World-class music and award-winning education programs