mAC Showcase & Annual Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, July 23, at 5:30 PM

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHO: All Ages

WHAT: Join the Merced County Arts Council for our Annual Showcase & Meeting - an evening of arts, entertainment, and connection at the MAC. We’ll celebrate this past year’s accomplishments and share upcoming projects. Free and open to everyone, so bring a friend!

WHEN: Thursday, July 23, at 5:30 pm

Shrek The Musical

WHEN: July 16-19. Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday at 2:00pm & 7:30pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: Shrek the Musical is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad. To the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: love. A MAC Theater Camp production.

MORE INFO: mactheatercamp.com

Shrek The Musical

WHEN: July 16-19. Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday at 2:00pm & 7:30pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: Shrek the Musical is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad. To the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: love. A MAC Theater Camp production.

MORE INFO: mactheatercamp.com

Shrek The Musical

WHEN: July 16-19. Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday at 2:00pm & 7:30pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: Shrek the Musical is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad. To the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: love. A MAC Theater Camp production.

MORE INFO: mactheatercamp.com

Shrek The Musical

WHEN: July 16-19. Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday at 2:00pm & 7:30pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: Shrek the Musical is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad. To the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: love. A MAC Theater Camp production.

MORE INFO: mactheatercamp.com

Shrek The Musical

WHEN: July 16-19. Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday at 2:00pm & 7:30pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: Shrek the Musical is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad. To the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: love. A MAC Theater Camp production.

MORE INFO: mactheatercamp.com

Shrek The Musical

WHEN: July 16-19. Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday at 2:00pm & 7:30pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: Shrek the Musical is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad. To the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: love. A MAC Theater Camp production.

MORE INFO: mactheatercamp.com

Continental Drift Book Launch

WHAT: Join us in Merced to celebrate the launch of Mai-Linh Hong's debut poetry collection, CONTINENTAL DRIFT, winner of the 2025 Trio Award!

Friends, family, and Merced poetry lovers!

Mai-Linh Hong's debut poetry collection, CONTINENTAL DRIFT, lands soon from Trio House Press, and we can't wait to celebrate with you!

The book launch party features words from California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick, poet and professor Sam Tetangco Ocena, and critical refugee studies professor Ma Vang. A book reading and signing by Mai-Linh will follow. Copies of CONTINENTAL DRIFT will be available for purchase.

We'll provide vegan, nut-free baked treats and drinks from Quichey Creations. We're grateful to the Merced Multicultural Arts Center for hosting us in their beautiful Main Gallery.

Kindly RSVP by reserving free "tickets," as space is limited. Families welcome. See you soon!

WHEN: Saturday, July 11 from 2:00-4:00 pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street

Lao Arts & Culture Camp Performance

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 10:00am - 12:00pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: The week of Lao Arts & Culture Camp culminates in a recital where campers showcase their new skills: Lao dance, song, traditional instruments, and customs—please plan to come cheer them on! Organized by the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation.

COST: Free

Art & Spirits

WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events

WHO: Anyone

WHEN: Thursday, June 18, 5:30-8:00 PM

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

COST: $35 per person

All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.

ONLINE RESERVATION: Here

You Can’t Take It With You

WHEN: June 5 - 14. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: You Can’t Take It With You is a madcap comedy about love, family, fireworks, tax evasion, ballet lessons, and one very unfortunate dinner party. When sensible Alice brings her buttoned-up fiancé’s parents home to meet her wildly eccentric family, everything that can go wrong does. Spectacularly. This classic comedy reminds us that life is too short to be normal. A Perennial Players production produced by Phoenix Creative Collective.

COST: $10 - $20

ON-LINE TICKETS: HERE

You Can’t Take It With You

WHEN: June 5 - 14. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: You Can’t Take It With You is a madcap comedy about love, family, fireworks, tax evasion, ballet lessons, and one very unfortunate dinner party. When sensible Alice brings her buttoned-up fiancé’s parents home to meet her wildly eccentric family, everything that can go wrong does. Spectacularly. This classic comedy reminds us that life is too short to be normal. A Perennial Players production produced by Phoenix Creative Collective.

COST: $10 - $20

ON-LINE TICKETS: HERE

You Can’t Take It With You

WHEN: June 5 - 14. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: You Can’t Take It With You is a madcap comedy about love, family, fireworks, tax evasion, ballet lessons, and one very unfortunate dinner party. When sensible Alice brings her buttoned-up fiancé’s parents home to meet her wildly eccentric family, everything that can go wrong does. Spectacularly. This classic comedy reminds us that life is too short to be normal. A Perennial Players production produced by Phoenix Creative Collective.

COST: $10 - $20

ON-LINE TICKETS: HERE

You Can’t Take It With You

WHEN: June 5 - 14. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: You Can’t Take It With You is a madcap comedy about love, family, fireworks, tax evasion, ballet lessons, and one very unfortunate dinner party. When sensible Alice brings her buttoned-up fiancé’s parents home to meet her wildly eccentric family, everything that can go wrong does. Spectacularly. This classic comedy reminds us that life is too short to be normal. A Perennial Players production produced by Phoenix Creative Collective.

COST: $10 - $20

ON-LINE TICKETS: HERE

You Can’t Take It With You

WHEN: June 5 - 14. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: You Can’t Take It With You is a madcap comedy about love, family, fireworks, tax evasion, ballet lessons, and one very unfortunate dinner party. When sensible Alice brings her buttoned-up fiancé’s parents home to meet her wildly eccentric family, everything that can go wrong does. Spectacularly. This classic comedy reminds us that life is too short to be normal. A Perennial Players production produced by Phoenix Creative Collective.

COST: $10 - $20

ON-LINE TICKETS: HERE

You Can’t Take It With You

WHEN: June 5 - 14. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: You Can’t Take It With You is a madcap comedy about love, family, fireworks, tax evasion, ballet lessons, and one very unfortunate dinner party. When sensible Alice brings her buttoned-up fiancé’s parents home to meet her wildly eccentric family, everything that can go wrong does. Spectacularly. This classic comedy reminds us that life is too short to be normal. A Perennial Players production produced by Phoenix Creative Collective.

COST: $10 - $20

ON-LINE TICKETS: HERE

Piper The Musical

WHEN: Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: Piper the Musical by Eric Stephen Bocks

Gluttony, greed and waste lead to big rats’ small rats, vicious rats infesting the Town of Hamelin, filled with poverty and darkness, The Rich do not eat all their food stuffs and leave it out for the Rats to eat. They won’t share with the poor because they think it’s stealing. Thus, the forgotten must forage where they can and eat the rats. It has reached epic levels and it’s only a matter of time before plague kills them all. Or will a worldly traveler be the solution to the problem.

Piper is returning to Hamelin, the place of his birth for a new start. He wants to find his father, who he believes might be the priest of the town Sturminus, a man driven by greed to build a church at any expense.

COST: $15-$20

ON-LINE TICKETS: Here

Art & Spirits

WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events

WHO: Anyone

WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 5:30-8:00 PM

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

COST: $35 per person

All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.

ONLINE RESERVATION: Here

Treehouse Cabaret Fundraiser

WHEN: Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced

WHAT: ITreehouse Tutoring & Community Center present Treehouse Cabaret Fundraiser! All proceeds support tutoring and education programs in Merced.

COST: $15 - $275

ON-LINE TICKETS: Here