THE ARTS IN BRIEF: A round up of Modesto-area arts events

Townsend Opera goes thoroughly modern for new season

Modesto's Townsend Opera is giving a modern, updated spin to all its programs in its 2012-13 season. Here's a look at the lineup:

• Oct. 5 — Opera Remix concert, State Theatre,1307 J St., Modesto. Highlighting the evolution from opera composers to today's singer/songwriters. Featuring music from Billy Joel, Elton John, Bjork, Sara Bareilles, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and more. $10-$25.

• Feb. 1 and 3 — "La Traviata," Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. Giuseppe Verdi's 1853 opera about an ill-fated love affair between a courtesan and a nobleman, set in 1980s San Francisco during the AIDS epidemic. $10-$60.

• April 19 and 21 — "Cinderella," Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. Gioachino Rossini's 1817 opera updated with a Jersey girls theme. $10-$60.

The Cultural Center of Riverbank takes participants on a "Journey to Polynesia" on Saturday.

The nonprofit center presents the musical production as a fund-raiser and promises to bring Hawaii to Riverbank with a luau-inspired event.

The evening begins with dinner at 5 p.m., followed by the show at 7:15. Tickets for both dinner and show are $45; for the show only, $10. The event is at 3313 Santa Fe St.

Call (209) 543-4068.

MoBand completes its patriotic duty on Thursday with the "... And Blue" portion of its two-part Independence Day program.

The 8 p.m. performance will feature patriotic music at Mancini Bowl in Graceada Park, Needham and Sycamore streets, Modesto. The outdoor concert is free.

For more, go to www.modestoband.org.

The Modesto Junior College Foundation presents its Summer Sonata on July 19.

The event features a reception, silent auction, dinner, live auction and performance by MJC students. The students will present a musical medley from the stage production of "Hairspray."

The event will be at 6 p.m. at the Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto.

Tickets are $150. For more information, call (209) 575-6619.

Ramon Ayala, known as "King of the Accordion," is performing July 6 at the Palladium in downtown Modesto.

Ayala, 66, is a musician, composer and songwriter of norteño and conjunto music. He has won four Grammy Awards.

The Palladium is at950 10th St. Tickets are $38.50 from 209party.com.

Call for showtime at(209) 522-8899.

Playhouse Merced has announced its 2012-13 season, with plans to present the following shows:

"9 to 5: The Musical": Aug. 31-Sept. 16

"A Few Good Men": Sept 28-Oct. 7

"The Rocky Horror Show": Oct. 12-31

"Annie": Nov. 23-Dec. 16

"Dearly Departed": Jan. 11-20

"The Hobbit": Feb. 1-12

"Jesus Christ Superstar": March 8-24

"Urinetown: The Musical": April 12-28

"Merced: Born and Raised — One Act Plays by Local Playwrights": May 3-12

"West Side Story": May 31-June 16

For information, see www.playhousemerced.com.