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

The State Theatre will screen the ballet documentary "First Position" beginning Saturday, in response to requests from local dance troupes, according to theater manager Sue Richardson.

According to the State Web site, the film follows the young dancers at the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the world's most prestigious ballet competitions, as they prepare for a chance to enter the world of professional ballet, struggling through bloodied feet, near exhaustion and debilitating injuries all while navigating the drama of adolescence.

"First Position" will be shown at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and at 7 p.m. Monday. The 1 hour, 34 minute film is in English, Spanish, French and Hebrew with English subtitles. Tickets are $8. State Theatre is at 1307 J St., Modesto. Call (209) 527-4697. See www.thestate.org.

The Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock will present an exhibition on the great French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas (1834-1917) Oct. 6-Jan. 13.

Titled "Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionist Works on Paper by the Artist and His Circle," the show will feature more than 100 works on paper, including drawings, prints, pastels and photographs by Degas. The show also will feature works by his friends Mary Cassatt, Paul Cézanne and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

The Carnegie is now showing the exhibit "In Praise of Collecting: Works by CSUS Faculty and Works They Collect."

The show, which runs through Sept. 19, features collections from faculty members Gordon Senior, Dean De Cocker, David Olivant, Jessica Gomula-Kruzic, Ellen Roehne, Richard Savini, Hope Werness, James Deitz, Martin Camarata, John Barnett and Daryl Moore.

Viewers are encouraged to look for correspondences between the artist's works and those he or she collects.

The Carnegie Arts Center is at 250 N. Broadway. For more information, visit www.carnegieartsturlock.org or call (209) 632-5761.

The city of Waterford's sixth annual Concerts in the Park series runs every Friday beginning July 13 through Aug. 3 at Beard Park, 540 C St. The free concerts take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, and picnic dinners. Barbecued hot dogs and more will be offered for sale.

Some local restaurants also offer take-out specials. The schedule:

July 13: Local showcase featuring Fall of Versai (alternative pop-rock)

July 20: Kids' Night featuring The Cruzers (classic rock)

July 27: Community Connections featuring the Community Baptist Church Worship Team (Christian)

Aug. 3: Fiesta Waterford Night featuring Elegancia Musical (Tierra Caliente)

For more information, visit www.cityofwaterford.org or call (209) 874-2328, Ext. 102.

Carleton and Patty Penwell are hosting a garden party at their Columbia home to benefit Sierra Repertory Theatre on July 22.

The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will feature hors d'oeuvres, beverages and performers from the company's production of "Carousel."

Artistic Director Scott Viets and Managing Director Sara Jones also will provide information about Sierra Rep.

Tickets are $50, with proceeds benefitting Sierra Rep programming.

RSVP by July 16 to Beverly Handelman at (209) 532-0502, Ext. 112, or bhandelman@sierrarep.org.

The Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto just added singer Englebert Humperdinck and comedian Anjelah Johnson to its 2012-13 season.

Humperdinck, 76, performs Feb. 19. He is best known for the 1967 hits "Release Me" and "Last Waltz," and the 1976 hit "After the Lovin'." Tickets are $49-$99.

Anjelah Johnson, 30, performs Oct. 20. The San Jose native came to fame with her viral Internet video "Nail Salon," then joined the cast of the sketch comedy show "Mad TV" for the 2007-08 season.

In 2009, she recorded an hourlong special, "Anjelah Johnson: That's How We Do It" for Comedy Central. Her characters include a rude fast food employee named Bon Qui Qui and a Vietnamese nail salon employee. Tickets are $25-$35.

Call (209) 338-2100 or visit www.galloarts.org.