In Brief: Arts events in and around Modesto

Hurricane Benefit concert

Three youth rock bands and a Bon Jovi tribute group are performing a benefit concert for Hurricane Sandy relief on Nov. 30 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto.

The all-ages classic rock show runs from 7 to 10 p.m. at Club Max and will include lasers. Featured performers are youth bands High Voltage, the Black Skulls and Resistance, with Bon Jovi tribute group Bad Medicine. Admission is a $5 donation; the DoubleTree also has pledged to donate 20 percent of proceeds from the food and bar. Hurricane Sandy destroyed homes and businesses on the East Coast in late October. For more information about the Modesto concert, call Terry Martinez at (209) 525-3019.

Discount tickets for 'Book of Mormon'

Though tickets are sold out for "The Book of Mormon" in its short run Nov. 27 through Dec. 30 at San Francisco's Curran Theatre, there is still a way to see the show.

The theater is conducting a lottery for a limited number of $29 tickets before each performance. Entries will be accepted two hours before each performance. Each person can request one or two tickets. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and must pay for the tickets in cash.

The show won nine 2011 Tony Awards, including best musical. It has very explicit language; no children under 5 will be allowed. The Curran Theatre is at 445 Geary St. For more information, visit www.thebookofmormonthemusical.com or www.shnsf.com or call (888) 746-1799.

Fall String Recital set at Modesto JC

The Modesto Junior College music department will present a fall string recital Thursday in the music recital hall. The program begins at7:30 p.m. The students of Anne Martin, director of orchestra and strings, will perform solo and ensemble works by Bach, Bartok and more. The string orchestra will play several works, including the popular song "Besame Mucho," by Consuelo Velasquez. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The music recital hall is at 435 College Ave. Call (209) 575-6646.

Auditions for TV's 'The Amazing Race'

Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is holding an open casting call for the CBS reality show competition "The Amazing Race" on Dec. 5. Auditions will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the casino's Grand Oak Ballroom, 2222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson.

Early-bird auditions are available from 7 to 9 a.m. for those who book rooms at the hotel on Dec. 4. Rooms are available for $99 for two people, plus breakfast and coupons for free slot play.

"Amazing Race" contestants participate in teams of two and must be 21 or older, U.S. citizens and in excellent health. The producers are looking for a diverse group that represents a broad cross-section of American society. The ideal contestants are strong-willed, outgoing, adventurous, physically and mentally adept and have interesting lifestyles and personalities.

Competitors must be willing to travel in remote locations for four weeks and be filmed 24 hours a day. The 21st season of "Amazing Race" is now airing Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBS.

'A Tuna Christmas'

California State University, Stanislaus, presents "A Tuna Christmas," the sequel to "Greater Tuna," on Nov. 29-30 at 8 p.m. at the campus's Mainstage Theatre. Characters of Tuna, Texas, return for more laughs in this Christmas spin. Two actors portray all 24 citizens of Texas' third-smallest town, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.

The Mainstage Theater is at 1 University Circle, Turlock. Tickets are $15-$20. For more, call (209) 667-3166.

'Annie' in Merced

"Annie," the classic, Tony Award-winning musical comedy about a lovable orphan in 1930s America, begins a four-weekend holiday run today on the Playhouse Merced mainstage. "Annie" was a Broadway hit when it opened in 1977 and features such songs as "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Maybe," "Easy Street" and "Tomorrow."

The production runs through Dec. 16 with showtimes on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Playhouse Merced is at 452 W. Main St., Merced. Tickets are $8-$20. Call (209) 725-8587.