5th Annual VALLEY'S GOT TALENT Set for Gallo Center This Weekend

Valley's Got Talent, the popular community talent contest that debuted in 2010 as a fundraiser benefiting the non-profit Gallo Center for the Arts, and serves as showcase for a wide array of talent from throughout the region, returns to the performing arts venue for its fifth anniversary edition tonight and Saturday, August 29-30. Both shows begin at 7 pm.

Tickets for Valley's Got Talent are $10 to $25, and may be purchased online at www.galloarts.org, by calling 209-338-2100, or from the Gallo Center ticket office at 1000 I Street in downtown Modesto. Groups of 15 or more people can receive a 15% discount on tickets. Group sales information is available by calling 209-338-5062.

Twenty-six acts will appear in Valley's Got Talent. They were selected from more than 100 entrants who auditioned in June. Audience voting will take place during the Friday show and the winners will be determined by a distinguished panel of judges following the Saturday performance.

Valley's Got Talent is co-presented by and receives advertising support from The Modesto Bee. A $1,500 prize sponsored by E.&J. Gallo Winery will be awarded to the Grand Prize winner, with $750 prizes going to the winners of Vocal, Dance, Instrumental, Specialty, Band and Audience Favorite competitions. Sponsors of those competitions are Noah's Spring Water, Crystal Creamery, KHOP 95.1, Salon Salon, Cruiser's, Prime Shine Car Wash and Valley Wealth, Inc.

Valley's Got Talent was conceived as a stage version of such popular television shows as "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance." It is comprised of non-professional performers who reside in Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuolumne or Mariposa counties.