MODESTO – It dominates the block.

You’re driving through Downtown Modesto at night on your way to a restaurant or a bar and all of a sudden – there it is.

The Gallo Center for the Arts.

Aside from the massive hotel tower that serves as the largest building in the county, it is by far one of the most recognizable and becoming one of the most popular with residents that are catching on to the growing expanse of offerings.

And it offers a lot more than you might think.

Earlier this year Ceres native and current Manteca comic Anthony Krayenhagen played a sold-out show at the Foster Family Theater, while Righteous Brother Bill Medley swooned the crowd with his old staples.

On one side you had a crude local comic working hard to record a 75-minute long set that he later released on a DVD, and on the other you had a musical legend – the man who along with Bobby Hatfield wrote hits such as “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’.”

There couldn’t be more of a contrast, and there couldn’t be much more of a crowd – firefighters kept an eye on the number as they came through the turnstyles.

“I grew up on your music, sir,” quipped one of the players walking backstage when Medley appeared.

He strutted through the tunnel with a ruffled shirt and an entourage.

“Then you were raised right,” he fired back.

It’s not just popular music and comedy – Bill Cosby also graced the stage here and his signed shirt is hanging backstage between the two green rooms – that dominate the lineup at the Gallo Center. 

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will be offering a performance of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky in November, and the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra season starts two months prior and provides young people with an affinity for classical music the opportunity to pursue arts beyond the classroom or the tutoring studio. 

A performance of Bach and Handel is scheduled for February of 2015. Other future major events include:

• Beach Boy founder Brian Wilson and special guest performing some of the most iconic songs of the past 50 years. Wilson is considered one of the most genius minds in rock music – the first to ever utilize the studio mixing process as an instrument rather than a step in finishing a record. Tickets are still available.

• Mama Mia – The smash Broadway hit will make a limited run at the Gallo Center in February of 2015. The three-day stint – which includes a matinee and evening performance on the last – begins on Feb. 12, 2015. Tickets are available now.