Hutchins Street Square a hit

By News-Sentinel staff

When pop singer Dido performed at Hutchins Street Square in February 2000, she was thunderstruck by the performing arts theater.

Dido, whose CD, “No Angel” catapulted to No. 1 in the world in April 2001, said Hutchins Street Square is awesome and was the best venue on her winter 2000 tour.

She was surprised that a small town could produce such a big city theater.

The 800-seat, state-of-the-art theater once again proved that great things come from small towns. The theater, one of the best in the Valley, regularly wows performers, promoters and audiences alike.

“The Hutchins is a beautiful facility — it’s modern and it’s high quality,” said Chris Ricci, a concert promoter with headquarters in Modesto. “And the people at Hutchins are nice.”

Overall, Hutchins Street Square is the apple of the city’s eye.

Going to an event at “The Square” is a great night on the town ... or day, depending on the event.

Hutchins Street Square will host several entertaining and delightful shows throughout 2001 and into 2002.

The following events will take place at the Hutchins Street Square Theatre:

Art at the Square

May 19: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An arts, music, food and wine festival. Free admission. $50 for artists, plus 20 percent commission fee that will benefit the Visual Art Projects and the Lodi Arts Commission.

Celebrate America

July 3: The annual celebration of America’s declaration of independence. Free admission.

Under the columns

June 9: Mombo Hernandez and Tony Windle

July 14: TBA

Aug. 11: Sabar

Sept. 8: Stringin’ Along

Pack a picnic basket, bring a blanket and the kids and enjoy an evening of music under the stars at the Wishek Amphitheatre. $5 general admission.

Children’s Summer Time Theatre

Aug. 10-12: Gary Erwing directs a talented cast of children actors.

Valley concert band

Aug. 18: Roland Terry conducts this professional group with special guests the pipes and drums of the 91st Division, USAR.

Dancing at Lughnasa

Aug. 24-26: The Lodi Arts Commission presents the Bolton Little Theatre’s production of Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa.”

Senior Follies II

Sept. 3: The Lodi Arts Commission presents the second annual Senior Follies — an upscale talent show that showcases the best of Lodi’s senior community.

The Limeliters

Oct. 5: A unique blend of thrilling harmony and whacked-out humor by this famous folk singing trio.

Linda Wang, violinist

Nov. 26: Praised by critics as “among the premier young violinists in the world,” Wang has been wowing audiences around the world since her solo debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 9.

Pops Concert

Jan. 19, 2002: A special pops concert featuring Dick Dale of Lawrence Welk fame and the Valley Concert Band.

James Lent, pianist

March 26, 2002: The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Lent recently placed as a finalist at the 2000 National Chopin competition.

The Song Company, vocal ensemble

April 11, 2002: The Song Company, an Australian vocal ensemble, brings its stylish cabaret concert to Lodi. Featuring a wide variety of musical styles including witty musical selections from the 16th and 17th centuries, gospel favorites and close harmony arrangements.