In Brief: Arts events in and around Modesto

Hip-hop children's duo Choo Choo Soul returns to the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto on Feb. 10. The group is giving two performances at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the Rogers Theater.

Featuring Genevieve Goings as a train conductor and her partner Constantine "DC Abramson," the duo was featured on the Disney Channel riding an animated train. They perform music that is designed to be enjoyed equally by parents and children.

The group previously performed as part of the Gallo Center's sold-out Imagination Movers show. The Gallo Center is at 1000 I St. Tickets are $10-$20; call (209) 338-2100 or see www.galloarts.org.

Rehorse Rescue art fund-raiser in Sonora

Aloft Art Gallery in Sonora is hosting a fund-raiser for Rehorse Rescue on Feb. 9-28. Twenty percent of sales from the annual art show "On the Wild Side" will go to the nonprofit, which houses abandoned, neglected or abused horses. The reception, from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 9, will feature a watercolor demonstration by Western artist Kim Barrington (known for her paintings of horses, saddles and tack) and an appearance by Rehorse founder Raquelle Van Vleck and possibly some four-legged guests.

Aloft Art Gallery is at 167 S. Washington St. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays through Saturdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. Call (209) 588-8604 or see www.aloftartgallery.com.

'The Hobbit' on stage at Playhouse bPlayhouse Merced presents "The Hobbit," based on J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 children's book, today through Feb. 17. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

The story tells about hobbit Bilbo Baggins' adventures through Middle Earth.

The show includes dwarves, elves, goblins and trolls. Playhouse Merced is at 452 W. Main St. Tickets are $20 adults, $19 seniors, $10 students and $8 children. Call (209) 725-8587 or www.playhousemerced.com.

Film society offering Spike Lee classic

The Modesto Film Society Cinema Club presents Spike Lee's 1989 film "Do the Right Thing" on Tuesday, the latest offering in its ongoing series.

The groundbreaking film explored racism in all its facets. Controversial when released, the film was nominated for two Academy Awards. The story centers around racial tensions that reach the boiling point in inner city Brooklyn. Stars include Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, John Turturro and John Savage. A discussion follows the film with Al Smith, professor of history at Modesto Junior College. Tickets are $8 for non-Cinema Club members. The State is at 1307 J St., Modesto. Call (209) 527-4697 or see www.thestate.org.

'God of Carnage' at Prospect Theater

Yasmina Reza's dark comedy "God of Carnage," which won the 2009 Tony Award for best play, will be presented Feb. 8-March 3 at Prospect Theater Project in Modesto. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays.

The show centers on a meeting between two sets of Brooklyn parents to discuss a playground altercation between 11-year-old boys.

According to the New York Times, the play "is a study in the tension between civilized surface and savage instinct." Prospect is at 520 Scenic Drive. Tickets are $20; (209) 549-9341 or www.prospecttheaterproject.org.

Stage 3 Theatre produces 'Fences'

August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "Fences," about a former Negro League baseball star turned garbage collector, runs Feb. 8-March 17 at Stage 3 Theatre in Sonora. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

According to the Stage 3 website, the play is "a masterpiece portrait of an African-American family hanging onto their souls and their dreams in a world that has tried to crush both."

Stage 3 is at 208 S. Green St. Tickets are $22 general, $12 students for all performances and $20 seniors Sundays only.

Call (209) 536-1778 or see www.stage3.org. Wilson's other Pulitzer Prize-winning play "The Piano Lesson" runs this weekend at the Gallo Center for the Arts (see Things to Do on Page E-3).

Oscar-nominated shorts at The State

The State Theatre in downtown Modesto will screen Academy Award- nominated short films in animation, live-action and documentary, leading up to the awards ceremony later this month.

The 2013 Oscar- nominated short animation films will be shown today through Saturday; short documentaries Saturday through Wednesday; and live-action Sunday through Wednesday. The Academy Awards will be handed out on Feb. 24. The State Theatre is at 1307 J St., Modesto. Call (209) 527-4697 or go to www.thestate.org.