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.
Dance Band Performs
Scheduled for Thursday, May 23, the Oakdale Community Dance Band is back to provide a lively array of dance music, with the performance to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St., Oakdale. All are invited to this free dance night; band members hope to see you at there. Spread the word with a plan to attend and enjoy the fun and musical entertainment.
Santa Nella Ceremony
The 2024 Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony, “Remember and Honor”, will be hosted at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella on Sunday, May 26 beginning at 9 a.m. The Department of Veterans Affairs San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery annually hosts this solemn Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony, accompanied by speeches, a moment of silence, and the playing of Taps and a rifle volley. All are welcome to attend. San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery is at 32053 West McCabe Road, Santa Nella.
Irish Jam
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, located at 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Theatre Fun
Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora is presenting The Drowsy Chaperone, at the East Sonora Theatre now through June 9. Hailed by New York Magazine as “the perfect Broadway musical,” the five-time Tony Award-winner follows a fanatic musical theatre lover played by SRT’s Executive Producer Scott Viets. As he tries to cure his case of the blues, he stumbles onto his favorite show album, a 1920s musical called The Drowsy Chaperone only to have it spring to colorful life in the middle of his drab studio apartment. With a bride who’s giving up the stage for love, her debonair bridegroom, a harried producer, jovial gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a flaky chorine, a Latin lothario … what more do you need for an evening’s entertainment? For more information, including ticket prices and show times, call the Box Office at 209-532-3120 or visit tickets@sierrarep.org.
Weight Loss Group
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. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Patio Music
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continue until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Widowed Persons Meet
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.
Golden Agers
Members of the Golden Agers dance group meet 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.
