In Brief: Arts events in and around Modesto

MJC orchestra offers 'Peter and the Wolf'

The Modesto Junior College Community Orchestra presents Serge Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" for children of all ages plus other classical works Tuesday. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the main auditorium, 435 College Ave.

Jim Johnson, arts education coordinator for the Gallo Center for the Arts and retired MJC dean of arts, humanities and communications, will narrate the program. The orchestra will perform "Peter and the Wolf" first, so parents of small children can leave at intermission.

In the second half of the concert, the orchestra will perform works with animal theme including a medley from "Cats," "The Elephant," and "The Waltzing Cats." The orchestra will also play the last movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $1 for staff, students and seniors; (209) 575-6646.

Hughson holidays

The Hughson Christmas Festival is Saturday. The event kicks off with shopping and dining downtown plus a Christmas boutique at Hughson Elementary School from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The holiday parade is at 4:45 p.m. at Hughson Avenue, followed by entertainment at 5 p.m. at Centennial Park. A tree lighting is in the park at 5:15 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served with Santa at the park.

For more, visit www.hughsonchamber.org.

At Black Oak Casino

Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne is hosting Americana and blues artists next week:

• Thursday, 8 p.m. — Americana artists Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen.

• Dec. 7, 9 p.m. — Seven-time National Blues Award nominee Candye Kane.

Both shows are free. Black Oak Casino is at 19400 Tuolumne Road North. Call (877) 747-8777 or visit www.blackoakcasino.com.

Electronic concert

Student composers from Modesto Junior College's Advanced Electronic Music class will present their compositions Wednesday.

The free program is at 7:30 p.m. at the MJC Music Recital Hall, 435 College Ave. The student composers are Carlos Barajas, Joy Brown, Tahtiana Brown, Enrique Casarez, Aaron Maddocks, Michael Nisan, Davinder Singh and David Stroud. Call (209) 571-2602.

Authority Zero

Punk rock-reggae band Authority Zero performs Tuesday in Modesto. The show begins at 6 p.m. at Fat Cat Music House & Lounge, 930 11th St., Modesto.

The band was formed in 1994 by high school friends in Mesa, Ariz. Tickets are $10; (209) 524-1400 or www.fatcatmodesto.com.

Sierra scholarships

Classical music instrumental and voice students from Calaveras and Tuolumne counties are invited to audition for a Sierra Music Scholarship Feb. 2 at St. James Anglican Church (The Red Church) in Sonora.

A $200 scholarship will be awarded for age 10-14 and a $300 scholarship will be awarded for age 15-20. The scholarship is for students taking private music lessons. Scholarship winners will perform March 10 in the St. James Concert Series at the church. For more information, visit www.sjconcertseries.org.

Festival of Choirs

Modesto Junior College presents the Holiday Festival of Choirs Dec. 7. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. in the main auditorium, 435 College. Richard Colla is directing. There will be performances by the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, soloists and a barbershop quartet. Tickets are $5 general and $4 students and seniors; (209) 575-6081.

Johnson brothers

Brothers Clayton and Chantry Johnson, who grew up in Modesto, have continued to have success in show business. Clayton Johnson, a 2007 Davis High School graduate, is featured in a commercial for a Wii Nintendo Scribblenauts commercial and will soon be featured in a Volkswagen commercial. His younger brother Chantry spent a few months playing guitar with alternative rock band The Cab on the group's international tour, which included opening for Maroon 5.

Jingle Bell Tea

River Lights Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, will present its third annual Jingle Bell Tea Saturday in Modesto. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Spirit Center, 617 W. Orangeburg Ave. Tickets are $20, includes tea and entertainment. Call(209) 576-7010.

Movie star train

Sierra No. 3, the movie star train from Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, will make its first appearance in Sonora in 20 years on Saturday as a thank you to those who donated money to save the park from closure.

The train will be at S. Washington Street and Hospital Road in front of Tuolumne General Hospital from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Santa will be on board and local choirs will sing carols. The 19th century train has appeared in more movies than any other locomotive, including 1951's "High Noon" and 1969's "Great Bank Robbery."

The train's appearance is organized by the Sonora and Twain Harte Rotary Clubs and Kiwanis Club of Sonora in cooperation with Railtown. For more information, call John Zach at (209) 625-5609.