MODESTO — The Gallo Center for the Arts has released the names of the finalists to appear in the second annual ‘Valley’s Got Talent’ contest in August.

A panel of judges representing the Modesto arts community selected 26 acts, comprised of 83 performers, for the Center’s live stage variation on popular television shows such as ‘America’s Got Talent’ and ‘American Idol.’

Co-presented with the Modesto Bee, ‘Valley’s Got Talent’ will feature vocal soloists Shelly Bort (Modesto), Jessica Lynn Griffin (Stockton), Francesca Heyward (Modesto), Page Ivy (Modesto), Jasmine Mangal (Ripon), Kristi Nelson (Modesto), Gregory Pyatt (Modesto), Ronnie Joy & PJ Rodriguez (Escalon), Justin Su’esu’e (Modesto), and Rosie Vaughn (Ripon). Vocal group acts include Josh Rosenblum Band (Modesto) and Stop Motion Poetry (Modesto). Chelsea Hill (Stockton) will perform a dance solo and Mirage (Modesto) will perform a dance duet. In the Dance Ensemble category are the groups Dance Academy (Modesto), Juline Regional Youth Ballet (Modesto), The Radio Waves (Modesto), Ryan Maharaj’s Tashan (Ceres), and Strut Studio of Dance (Modesto). Instrumental solos will be performed by Heath Rojas (Turlock) and Steven Converse (Modesto). CSU Marimba Trio (Atwater) and Faux Gitane (Modesto) will perform in the instrumental group category. James Knight (Modesto) and Chris “Yo Yo” Ng (Oakdale) will perform specialty solos and Wolfe & Martinez (Modesto) will perform a specialty duet.

‘Valley’s Got Talent’ will be held in the Mary Stewart Rodgers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Friday & Saturday, Aug, 26 & 27 at 7 p.m..Audience voting will take place during the Friday show and winners will be announced at the Saturday performance.

Tickets to both shows are on sale now and range from $10 to $25. Purchases can be made at the Center’s ticket office at 1000 I Street in downtown Modesto, by calling 209-338-2100 or online at www.GalloArts.org.