Graffiti Summer of Nostalgia

Graffiti Week brings so much fun to Modesto, that we couldn’t fit it all on one page! Read below for all events coming up this summer.

Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events

June Nostalgia

At American Chevrolet

June 3rd

Info

4742 McHenry Ave, Modesto

At Century Center

June 4th

Info

2401 E Orangeburg Ave, Modesto

At Cool Hand Luke’s

June 6th

Info

2505 Patterson Rd, Riverbank

At Mancini Bowl – Graceda Park

June 6th

Info

402 Needham St, Modesto

At Intermission Modesto

June 7th

Info

1301 J St, Modesto

At The State Theatre

June 7th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At The State Theatre

June 8th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At The Fruit Yard

June 15th

Tickets

7948 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto

At The State Theatre

June 15th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At The State Theatre

June 16th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At John Thurman Field

June 22nd

Tickets

601 Neece Dr, Modesto

At Del Rio Country Club

June 29th

Tickets

801 Stewart Rd, Modesto

Modesto Symphony at Gallo Center for the Arts

June 29th

Tickets

1000 I St, Modesto

At The State Theatre

June 30th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At Intermission

June 30th

Tickets

1301 J St, Modesto

At Modesto Elks Lodge

June 30th

Info

645 Charity Way, Modesto

Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events

July & August Nostalgia

At Stanislaus County Fairgrounds

July 10th

Info

900 N Broadway, Turlock

At Stanislaus County Fairgrounds

July 12th

Info

900 N Broadway, Turlock

At The State Theatre

July 18th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At The State Theatre

July 26th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At The State Theatre

July 27th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At The State Theatre

August 2nd

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At 50’s Roadhouse

August 2nd

Tickets

18341 Kennedy Rd, Knights Ferry

At Del Rio Country Club

August 4th

Info

801 Stewart Rd, Modesto

At The State Theatre

August 11th

Tickets

1307 J St, Modesto

At 50’s Roadhouse

August 30th

Tickets

18341 Kennedy Rd, Knights Ferry

Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events

Learn More About The Film That Started It All

“American Graffiti” is a 1973 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by George Lucas and produced by Francis Ford Coppola. The film takes place in 1962 in Modesto, California, and follows a group of teenagers on their last night together before heading off to college or into the workforce.

Lucas wrote the script based on his own experiences growing up in Modesto, and the film’s title is derived from the act of cruising, which was a popular pastime among American teenagers in the 1950s and early 1960s. Adding in semi-autobiographical connotations, many of the shenanigans and stories were based on his actual high school experiences (yes, there was a real police car incident!).

“American Graffiti” was initially released with low expectations by Universal Pictures, but it quickly became a surprise box office hit, grossing over $115 million worldwide on a budget of just $750,000. The film also received critical acclaim and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The success of “American Graffiti” helped launch the careers of many of its young stars, as well as Lucas himself, who would go on to create the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises. The film is also credited with sparking a renewed interest in 1950s and 1960s nostalgia, which would inspire a wave of similarly themed films and television shows in the years to come.

The founders of the famous car club, Faros, were Lucas’ next door neighbors. The Faros, teenagers who created a club to work on cars and do community service, were founded in Modesto and in the 50’s actually performed free community service projects. The Faros are still active today and are board members of the Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum in Modesto.

You can check out this classic now streaming on Netflix!

Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events
Graffiti Summer Events

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