In Brief: Arts events in and around Modesto

Mike Birbiglia

Comedian Mike Birbiglia performs his 2011 off-Broadway show, "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend," on Thursday at Turlock Community Theatre.

The 34-year-old Massachusetts native shares stories about his romantic blunders and miscues. The show, which is recommended for mature audiences, was nominated for both Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for outstanding production.

Birbiglia has appeared on the Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon late-night shows, as well as in Comedy Central specials.

Turlock Community Theatre is at 1574 E. Canal Drive. Tickets are $27-$36; (209) 668-1169 or www.turlocktheatre.org.

YES Kidettes visit Pooh and friends

The Youth Entertainment Stage Company Kidettes present "Winnie the Pooh Kids!" on Nov. 2-3 at Downey High School in Modesto. Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3 p.m. Nov. 3-4 in the school auditorium, 1000 Coffee Road.

The show features A.A. Milne's beloved characters Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Owl, who set out to rescue Christopher Robin from the Backson.

Tickets are $8 for children ages 2 to 12 and seniors 55 and older, and $12 for teens and adults. Children under 2 will not be admitted.

Tickets are available at www.yescompany.org or at the box office 90 minutes before each performance.

Domestic violence victims inspire art

The Chartreuse Muse in downtown Modesto is showing work by 44 local artists who created pieces inspired by the art of young domestic violence victims.

The show, which runs through Nov. 3, is sponsored by the gallery and the Stanislaus Family Justice Center, which offers art classes to young abuse victims to help them heal.

Proceeds from sales of the art go to the justice center; so far, the center has raised $5,000, said Cindy Schneider, the center's director of community partnerships. The art also will be featured at the center's Nov. 8 fund-raiser.

The Chartreuse Muse is at 918 10th St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call (209) 522-0935.

Home Grown to do Peace/Life benefit

Modesto acoustic trio Home Grown will perform a benefit for the Modesto Peace/Life Center on Nov. 3 at the State Theatre.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. and features blues harmonica player Kyle Rockin' Rowland as opening act. At the show, Home Grown will release its latest CD, "Even Better in Person," which was recorded at Newman's West Side Theatre.

Home Grown was formed in 1973 by musicians Patrick Durr, Bruce Johnson and Michael Ling. The acoustic trio recently performed in Modesto's sister city of Kurume, Japan.

The State Theatre is at 1307 J St. Tickets are $20; (209) 527-4697.

SF Shakespeare Playshop in Salida

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is presenting a free "playshop" at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Salida Library about the Bard's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Participants will learn about the story and language of the play. Organizers hope some of the people who attend will want to participate in a community production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The production will be performed and presented entirely by Salida residents; everyone is invited to participate; no theater experience is required.

Rehearsals begin Nov. 26 with a performance scheduled Dec. 8 in the library. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is organizing the production as part of its Shakespeare for All program.

The Salida Library is at 4835 Sisk Road. Call (209) 543-7353.

Free science program at MJC

Modesto Area Partners in Science are presenting two free events today at the Modesto Junior College east campus, 435 College Ave:

• Halloween Chemistry — 4 to 5 p.m., Science Building Room 115. Dr. Al Chemist (Steve Murov) will perform entertaining experiments such as the foaming pumpkin and fickle pickle. All ages are welcome. Attendance is limited to 75.

Hip-hop/hyphy artist will play the Fat Cat

Clyde Carson, formerly of the Oakland hip- hop/hyphy group The Team, performs Thursday at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge.

The show begins at 9 p.m. The Fat Cat is at930 11th St. Tickets are $10; (209) 524-1400 or www.fatcatmodesto.com.

ITSA Film Festivalin Tuolumne County

The third annual ITSA Film Festival, celebrating imagination, talent, shorts and animation, runs Nov. 2-4 in Sonora. The festival is designed to help launch local high school and college film students and to generate publicity for up-and-coming short-film creators.

Tickets are $55 for all events all three days, but tickets for individual events also may be purchased. Students with ID get a $5 discount.

All events are at the Sonora Opera Hall,250 S. Washington St., unless otherwise noted.

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2 with a gala featuring hors d'oeuvres, wine and short films. Tickets are $25.

The festival continues Nov. 3 with short film screenings scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sonora Opera Hall; tickets are $15.

Workshops will be scheduled at various locations in downtown Sonora; call (209) 962-0342 for prices. The "Reel Scary" horror film fest runs from 9 p.m. to midnight in the Sonora Opera Hall; tickets are $10.

The festival wraps up Nov. 4 with film screenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sonora Opera Hall. Awards will be presented from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the day.

For more, visit www.itsafilmfestival.com or call (209) 962-0342.