In Brief: More events in the Modesto region

Brett Dennen

Oakdale-raised folk/pop musician Brett Dennen is performing a benefit for Camp Jack Hazard for the second year in a row at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

He performs March 16 with childhood friends — Oakdale's popular band Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit — in the 1,200-seat Rogers Theater (three times the size of the Gallo Center's Foster Theater, where he performed last year).

Dennen, 33, has a national following for his four albums, including his most recent offering, 2011's "Loverboy." His music was featured in the TV show "Parenthood" and he has collaborated with John Mayer, Natalie Merchant and Jason Mraz. Dennen attended Camp Jack Hazard as a child and adolescent and worked there as a counselor.

The Gallo Center is at 1000 I St. Tickets for the show will be $30-$70, with $100 for premium seating plus admittance to a catered VIP meet-and-greet with Dennen; call (209) 338-2100 or see www.galloarts.org.

John Lee Hooker Jr.

Two-time Grammy nominee John Lee Hooker Jr. twice has been nominated for Grammys — one for his 2004 album, "Blues with a Vengeance," and the other for his 2008 album, "All Odds Against Me." He is the son of the late John Lee Hooker, an influential country blues singer. He plays Saturday in the Willow Creek Lounge at Black Oak Casino.

The show begins at 9 p.m. Saturday at the casino, 19400 Tuolumne Road North. Admission is free. For more, call (209) 928-9300, ext. 6508, or go to www.blackoakcasino.com

Bob Marley tribute show at the Fat Cat

A reggae show celebrating Bob Marley's birthday will be held Saturday at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge in Modesto, featuring 13 artists.

The Marley tribute will be from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Artists include Keep It Lit, Simple Creations, Nesta, A la Lune, The Earthtones, Eli Allsup, The Ramblers, Jimbo & Victoria, Drew Blum, Sean Johnson, Jamie Byous, Funky Tim, Josh Rosenblum and more. Marley was born on Feb. 6, 1945.

The Fat Cat is at 930 Ninth St. in downtown Modesto. Tickets are $10. Call (209) 496-2868.

New Shanghai Circus in Merced

Highly trained athletes defy gravity and execute breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in the New Shanghai Circus' show, coming to the Merced Theatre this week.

The performers are trained in more than 2,000 years of Chinese circus tradition. The program features acrobats, jugglers and contortionists.

The show is at 7 p.m. Thursday at Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St. Tickets are $10-$29. Call (209) 381-0500 or go to www.mercedtheatre.com.