With the holiday season starting early this year, the vibrant event scene in Stockton kicks up yet another notch.

In November, the local calendar is full of diverse happenings from comedy nights and arts exhibits to basketball games and live music. If you like classic entertainment, check out the musical “Oliver!” at Stockton Civic Theatre or Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at the historic Bob Hope Theatre. But if you like high energy shows, Jo Koy’s stand-up at the Stockton Arena is a not-to-be missed event.

Everyone will find something exciting to do in Stockton this month!

If you’re looking for sports and recreation

• Nov. 13: Jiu Jitsu World League Golden State at the Stockton Arena
• Nov. 24: Annual Run and Walk Against Hunger attracts over 2K participants and is the biggest fundraiser for Stockton Emergency Food Bank. The route starts at the Stockton Arena.
• Basketball: the Stockton Kings will play on Nov. 10, 11 and 17 in the 12K-seat Stockton Arena on the downtown waterfront. The team is an affiliate of the Sacramento Kings and a member of the NBA G League, the official minor league of the NBA.
• Car races and dirt trucks: Get an adrenaline kick at Stockton 99 Speedway. 
• Golf: From public to private, explore Stockton’s golf courses. 
• Ice skating: Oak Park Ice Arena is the Valley’s premiere ice skating rink. 

If you prefer arts, food and culture 

• Through November, Haggin Museum features “Sci-Fi to Superheroes: The Art of Sideshow Collectibles,” a selection of limited-edition fine art prints and three-dimensional figures representing characters from iconic brands such as DC, Marvel and Star Wars.
• Through Nov. 10, Contemporary Filipino American Art exhibit at Horton Art Gallery, San Joaquin Delta College
• Nov. 11-12, celebrate the Stockton Hmong New Year with cultural performances, music, sports and food vendors at The Stockton 99 Speedway.
• Nov. 13, Christmas Faire at Lincoln Center will celebrate winter holidays with live music, snow, Santa’s visits and seasonal surprises.
• Nov. 13, relive the thrills of the epic movie “Jurassic Park“ at Bob Hope Theatre. The film won three Academy Awards for its technical achievements in visual effects and sound design and is considered a landmark in the development of computer-generated imagery and animatronic visual effects.
• Nov. 17, Multi-talented comedian Rodney Carrington brings his recent show “Let Me In!” to the iconic Bob Hope Theatre. Mature audiences only.
• Nov. 17 – Dec. 18, Stockton Civic Theatre brings onto the stage Lionel Bart’s musical “Oliver!” The musical is based on Charles Dickens’ beloved novel “Oliver Twist.”
• Nov. 18-19, the prestigious 2022 Fine Arts Festival at St. Basil’s Greek Church features handcrafted items made from clay, glass and wood as well as unique jewelry and paintings.

If live entertainment is what you need 

• Every Thursday, don’t miss evening jazz concerts at Take 5 Jazz Club inside the Valley Brew on the Mile. Great music, good eats and a laid-back atmosphere are what draws people to this local destination.
• Nov. 13, Stockton Symphony presents “Made in America: Salute to American Composers at San Joaquin Delta College’s Atherton Auditorium
• Nov. 17, international artist Yukiko Matsuyama bridges eras and cultures with her compositions for koto and western instruments. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine during her performance at the Haggin Museum.
• Nov. 18, one of today’s premiere stand-up comics Jo Koy brings his “Funny Is Funny” world tour to the Stockton Arena.
• Nov. 29, get into the holiday spirit with Chip Davis’s Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at the historic Bob Hope Theatre.

Check our local farmer’s markets and street fairs 

Thursdays 

• Stockton’s year-round Weberstown Mall Farmers Market 

Fridays 

• The Whimsy Market on the Miracle Mile 
• Stockton Open Air Mall and Flea Market 

Saturdays 

• Year-round Flea Market at Delta College 
• Stockton Open Air Mall and Flea Market 

Sundays 

• Year-round Flea Market at Delta College 
• Stockton’s Year-round Weberstown Mall Farmers Market 

New events are always added to the Stockton event calendar. Go to the Visit Stockton website to learn more. 

Our campus is a hub of cultural life celebrating art and creative expression in many forms. Pacific is very fortunate to be home to the Conservatory of Music whose faculty are nationally recognized musicians. Their talents are showcased in a series of resident artist concerts each semester. These events are free to all students.

“I feel really blessed to see my professors do more recitals this year,” said music therapy major Gabby Baluyot. “It’s really cool to see them work toward their passion. And it’s such a great opportunity to just appreciate music together.”

The conservatory has schedule seven evening concerts at the Recital Hall during fall semester. The series started September 10 with violinist Igor Veligan, pianist Natsuki Fukasawa and clarinetist Patricia Shands. They performed works of contemporary composers Katherine Hoover (1937-2018), Galina Ustvolskaya (1919-2006) and Alfred Uhl (1909-1922). You can find the concert schedule and more details online in Pacific’s calendar of events.

Musical diversity

Conservatory faculty are accomplished performers involved in renowned music organizations, programs and events in the United States and abroad. At their recitals, you will experience a broad spectrum of musical repertoires ranging from traditional classics to modern experimental works. Diversity is also an important factor, and the conservatory makes a significant effort to feature music of under-represented minorities.

“We have such a broad variety of music that there is bound to be a concert that suits your palate,” said piano performance major Joseph Kruse. “We just had a contemporary music concert. There’s one upcoming featuring many female composers. There is also some older music like Hyden or Beethoven, but I’ve seen concerts here with rap music in back tracks. There will be at least one you are going to enjoy.”

What we generally define as classical music has evolved and adapted to the preferences and tastes of modern audiences. You will find it in soundtracks of your favorite movies and streaming shows or even in video games. You will hear it woven into songs of such modern-day artists as rapper Nas, Lady Gaga, Little Mix, Stromae and countless others.

So, break away from your daily routine and try something different. Bring a group of friends and check out a free recital at the conservatory. You might just discover something entirely new!

Bassoonist Ella Hebrard ’23 spent the whole month in June/July 2022 at the Prague Summer Nights: Young Artists Music Festival in Czech Republic. It is a Classical Movements’ program for college-age musicians. Ella had a chance to play Mozart’s masterpieces at the very venue where his music was performed for the first time.

She describes the experience and explains how she adapted to the challenging pace of preparing for and performing several concerts while developing a new appreciation for music history.

Why I decided to participate in the program

I had been looking online for such hands-on opportunities. This one caught my eye because it was a United States-based program where I was confident people would be speaking English, but you also got to go abroad to historical places. The festival was an opportunity for college-age musicians to work together with a guidance from experienced guest artists and faculty. That seemed like something worth applying for.

Who were the students and faculty at the festival

Majority of students were from the United States and other English-speaking countries like Australia, United Kingdom and South Africa. Many faculty members were also native English speakers, but a lot of the guest artists were from various places in the Czech Republic.

Since in the Czech Republic I got to play music for audiences that don’t speak the same language as me, now I definitely understand it better why people say that music is a universal language.

What I did at the festival

This was about a month-long program. We went to the Czech Republic and stayed about half the time in a city called Tábor which is outside of Prague. The second half of the time we spent in Prague.

The students were divided into two programs, orchestra and opera. For the first half of the festival, the orchestra program was mostly working on three orchestra concerts and two chamber music concerts. We would have up to six hours of rehearsals in a day, not even counting practice time or chamber group coaching. For chamber coaching, we got assigned randomly to different groups, I was in a woodwind quintet. We had just a couple of weeks to pick a piece and learn it and then put on performances.

After our orchestra and chamber music concerts were done, we started working together with the students from the opera program. It was very fast; we only had a few rehearsals before we put on opera performances. We learned Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” and “Don Giovanni.” Every night that we performed the opera, it was with a different cast to give more people the opportunity to do it. It was really awesome to see an actual working pace of putting on a production like that.

At what historic places I got to perform music

I played one orchestra concert and one chamber music concert at the Divadlo Oskara Nedbala (Oskar Nedbala Theater) in Tábor, then we traveled to Jihlava where we played as part of an ongoing Gustav Mahler Festival in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In Prague, I played chamber and orchestra concerts in the Rudolfinum, and then in the orchestra for four opera performances in the Estates Theater.

What experience was the most memorable

I think getting to play in both The Rudolfinum and the Estates Theater were two of the things that I’m really going to remember. Our opera performances were in the theater where Mozart premiered them. There is a plaque in the orchestra pit that shows where Mozart stood when he conducted them. So, getting to be in the place where they first happened was really cool. And just to see how much it means to the people who live there, how that tradition continues.

“Getting to go and see the historic places, you realize the impact they have. (…) Now I understand why we talked about these things in class.”

Pictured: A plaque commemorating Mozart in The Estates Theatre orchestra pit

How I was able to finance my trip

I am incredibly fortunate to have parents who are willing to support me, so the biggest chunk of the funding was from my parents and family. I also applied for some grants and scholarships from Pacific. I got a summer festival scholarship through my fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon and funds from the conservatory’s Michael J. Hall Scholarship. I also received some monies from Associated Students of the University of the Pacific (ASuop) Conference Funding.

Why I would encourage other students to have a similar experience

It was worth to get experience from a program that’s so fast paced and more reflective of an actual music work environment. Seeing how intense it can get, gives me a newer perspective on the way I can be moving forward from now on.

Also, it helps to be in places that are so historic, beautiful and relevant to the history of what we’re doing. For me personally, I always struggled to connect with music history classes or lectures because they just never quite resonated with me. Getting to go and see the historic places, you realize the impact they have. These places are still standing and are just as important, if not more than they were. Now I understand why we talked about these things in class.

It is also important to me that I met people from all over the United States and other countries. Now those are connections that I have and friends that I’ve made. I’m super grateful for the people I got to work with while I was there.

Learn more about Pacific’s BM in music performance degree.

Dylan Bliss ‘24 is getting an insider’s look at the live music industry this summer at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Throughout her internship, she’s provided concert support for top acts like Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Tyler, the Creator.  

Below, Dylan details what she does day-to-day in her internship, how Pacific’s music industry studies program prepared her for the opportunity, and what advice she would give to future interns hoping to break into the music business.  

What I do at my internship 

I am interning at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. It is an arena that puts on many different events, like basketball games, concerts, graduations and other live events.  

Technically I am in the role of concert support, but I help out anywhere at any time I can. This means that every day in my internship is drastically different. Depending on what event I am working that day, I might be a concert runner or VIP assistant, or wrist-banding general admission concert attendees.  

At Golden 1 Center, I have been able to work a bunch of amazing events, including Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Tyler the Creator, Eric Church and WWE Live. 

How I got this opportunity 

My experiences at Pacific definitely prepared me for this opportunity. Being a music industry studies student helped prepare me for being able to hold conversations with music industry professionals. I have been able to ask them specific questions with the correct terms to get more information and knowledge.  

Through Pacific, I was able to work the box office at a festival in Napa called BottleRock in 2021. Through that, I met the director of event management at Golden 1 Center and got to talking to her as I was helping her with her tickets. I got her contact information and kept in contact with her, and she offered me the job at Golden 1 Center. 

What I’ve learned through this experience 

Through this internship, I have learned so many different things. One of the main things is how to be more confident in myself. The music business is full of people who are confident in themselves and their work, and through those people I have learned to do the same. 

As a concert runner, I typically get to be in close contact with the people who are in positions that I want to be in later in my career. I’ve met concert promoters, tour managers, and just a lot of cool music industry professionals.  By talking to so many different industry professionals, I have been able to learn a lot and take in a lot of information that will help me in the future. 

I’ve also learned that the music industry truly is a “who you know” as much as a “what you know” business. As important as it is to have knowledge in the work you do in the industry, once you start gaining connections and talking to people, they refer you for other jobs. I’ve learned to talk to everyone I can!  

My advice for future interns 

Doing new things is definitely daunting and scary, but it really is worth it in the end. Learning new things and meeting new people is crucial, especially in an industry like the music business. 

Want to learn more about what Pacific students are up to this summer? Keep an eye on People of Pacific this summer for more internship diaries!

If you are visiting University of the Pacific in July, save some time to explore the greater Stockton area. From Independence Day fireworks to baseball games, farmer’s markets and concerts on the waterfront, this month’s event calendar if full of fun and diverse celebrations.

Pacific’s Stockton Campus is in the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Established during the California gold rush and nestled in the heart of the California Delta, Stockton serves as an inland port for the Central Valley. Since its beginning, this port city has attracted entrepreneurs, adventurers and artists from around the world. Today, Stockton is known for its cultural festivals and diverse dining options. With its prime waterfront location, over 300 days of sunshine and state-of-the-art event facilities, it is also quickly becoming a sports tourism destination.

Celebrate Independence Day

• July 3: Join the Stockton Ports baseball team for family fun during the game and stay for after-game fireworks at the Banner Island Ballpark on the waterfront.
• July 3: The Barron Hilton Fireworks Display delights the community every year at Mandeville Tip County Park (near the King Island Marina Resort).
• July 4: Stockton’s 4th of July Fest at the Weber Point Event Center starts with a parade at 10 a.m. followed by live entertainment, food trucks and family activities. The celebration culminates with a firework display over the downtown waterfront at around 9:30 p.m.

If you’re looking for sports and recreation

• Baseball: Stockton Ports are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They will play at the waterfront Banner Island Ballpark on July 1-3 and 12-17.
• Car races and dirt trucks: Get an adrenaline kick at Stockton 99 Speedway.
• Golf: From public to private, explore Stockton’s golf courses.
• Kayaking or paddle boarding: If you’d like to explore California Delta from the water, several local businesses offer rentals.
• Ice skating: Oak Park Ice Arena is the Valley’s premiere ice skating rink.
• Exploring: Micke Grove Regional Park is the perfect place for a picnic on a lake or a leisurely stroll through a Japanese Garden. You can also visit the zoo, a mini amusement park or learn about regional history at San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum.

If you prefer arts and culture

• San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum’s featured exhibit is “Tattooed and Tenacious: Inked Women in California’s History.”
• Haggin Museum’s featured exhibit is Victor Vasarely’s Op Art Collection showcasing his optical illusion and kinetic art works.
• July 15: Bob Hope Theatre, a vintage movie palace, presents the Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning movie “Independence Day.”
• July 15: Watch a flick right from your car at The City of Stockton’s Drive-in Movie Series presenting “Sing 2” in the UEI College Parking Lot (behind the Weberstown Mall)
• Through July 17: The classic Broadway musical “Gypsy” plays at Stockton Civic Theatre.

If live entertainment is what you need

• On Wednesday evenings, bring a picnic blanket to Victory Park for concerts under the oaks.
• On Fridays, Lincoln Center turns into a summer concert venue for their popular series Music on the Brickwalk.
• July 7: Wendi Maxwell and Tres Hot Jazz Band perform at the Haggin Museum.
• July 9: Unchained, Van Halen Tribute Band will rock the stage at Ghostlight.
• July 17: Classic rock band Network plays at Windmill Cove Resort and Marina.
• July 21: A blues evening with award winning singer/songwriter Patty Castillo Davis at the Haggin Museum.
• July 23: Nuestra Cultura Presenta Musica Regional with seven renowned Latin performers at the Stockton Arena.
• July 31: Punjabi singer and actor Ranjit Bawa performs at the iconic Bob Hope Theatre.
• July 31: Damage Inc will give a rocking tribute to Cliff-Burton-era Metallica at Windmill Cove Resort and Marina.

Check our local farmer’s markets and street fairs

• July 21: Stockton Cruise Night on the Miracle Mile

Thursdays

• Lodi’s Certified Farmers Market
• Stockton’s year-round Weberstown Mall Farmers Market

Fridays

• The Whimsy Market on the Miracle Mile

Fridays & Saturdays

• Stockton Open Air Mall and Flea Market

Saturdays

• Year-round Flea Market at Delta College
• Farmers & Street Market at Stockton’s Yosemite Street Village
• Manteca’s Certified Farmers Market on Maple

Sundays

• Year-round Flea Market at Delta College
• Stockton’s Year-round Weberstown Mall Farmers Market
• Lodi Street Fair

New events are always added to the Stockton event calendar. Go to the Visit Stockton website to learn more.