Six things to do in and around Modesto

Brian Regan

Clean comedian Brian Regan sold out this show more than a month in advance, making it one of the fastest sellouts in the Gallo Center for the Arts' five-year history. He has had two hourlong Comedy Central specials — 2008's "The Epitome of Hyperbole" and 2007's "Brian Regan Standing Up." He has appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" more than 20 times since first appearing on the program in 1995. He performs observational comedy, finding the humor in ordinary situations, from mailing a package through UPS to putting together a challenging children's toy.

WHEN: 8 p.m. today

WHERE: Rogers Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto

TICKETS: Sold out

CALL: (209) 338-2100

'Metamorphoses'

Actors perform in and around an onstage octagon-shaped pool in Modesto Junior College's presentation of Ovid's "Metamorphoses," a collection of ancient Greek myths. The characters include King Midas, Orpheus, Eurydice, Apollo, Baucis, Philemon and more. Jim Johnson, retired dean of arts, humanities and communications, guest directs this presentation of Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman's 2001 adaptation.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; through June 16

WHERE: Cabaret West, Modesto Junior College West Campus, Collegiate Lane, off Brink Avenue

TICKETS: $10 general, $8 students and seniors 62 and older

CALL: (209) 575-6776

ONLINE: www.mjc.tix.com

Ralphie May

Comedian Ralphie May arrives at the Merced Theatre today. His TV special "Too Big To Ignore" aired in March on Comedy Central and the 40-year-old Tennessee native was named one of Variety's 10 Comics to Watch. In 2005, he was the only white comedian to perform on the "Big Black Comedy Show." In 2003, he placed second in the first season of "Last Comic Standing." With May, no subject is off limits and explicit language is the norm. His topics include politics, race and family.

WHEN: Doors open 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St.

TICKETS: $25 reserved, $20 general

CALL: (209) 381-0500

ONLINE: www.mercedtheatre.org.

Cash tribute

Rusty Evans takes his Tribute to Johnny Cash to the Black Oak Casino tonight. The Rockabilly Hall of Famer and his band Ring of Fire have been performing the festival circuit with the tribute to the country music icon, playing such Cash classics as "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues."

WHEN: 9 p.m. today

WHERE: Black Oak Casino's Willow Creek Lounge, 7 miles east of Sonora, off Highway 108 in Tuolumne

ADMISSION: Free CALL: (877) 747-8777

Merced fair

The Merced County Fair returns for its 121st expo Wednesday, with exhibits, free outdoor concerts, truck and tractor pulls, a demolition derby and bull riding. Christian rock band The Afters open the fair's music lineup Wednesday. Other entertainers over the five-day run include Average White Band, Little Texas, Evolution: The Ultimate Tribute to Journey, and Caravanserai: The Santana Tribute.

WHEN: 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Wednesday through June 15; 3 p.m.-12:30 a.m. June 16-17

WHERE: Merced County Fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced

TICKETS: $5 general admission

CALL: (209) 722-1506.

ONLINE: www.mercedcountyfair.com

MoBand

A night of rock 'n' roll and familiar classical music is presented MoBand style on Thursday as one of Modesto's favorite family summer traditions continues with free concerts at Graceada Park. Fans will arrive early for the "Classical Gas" show and will spread out blankets to hold their seats. Later, they'll bring picnic dinners to enjoy during the program.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Mancini Bowl, Graceada Park, Sycamore Avenue and Needham Street, Modesto

ADMISSION: Free

ONLINE: www.modestoband.org