In Brief: Arts events in and around Modesto

Central West Ballet

Central West Ballet presents "Balanchine and New Works" on Feb. 15-16 at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Performances are at 7 p.m. both days in the Foster Theater.

The company will perform the first movement of legendary choreographer George Balanchine's "Serenade" — an honor because the group had to get approval from the Balanchine Trust to do so. Artistic Director René Daveluy will present his work "The Existence Project," set to his original music, which he composed and played electronically. Also on the program are original works by company members Alyssa Milano, Nicole Firpo and Erikka Reenstierna-Cates and former company member Adelina Milano.

"We are stretching ourselves to the max," Daveluy said. "It's all part of the creative process."

The choreographers have created a program with a modern style. "It's got taste, depth and substance, but with the added perk of being very entertaining and exciting," Daveluy said. The Gallo Center is at 1000 I St. Tickets are $25-$35; (209) 338-2100 or www.galloarts.org.

'Musical Tributeto the Carpenters'

"Yesterday Once More — A Musical Tribute to the Carpenters" will be performed Feb. 16 at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. The show begins at 8 p.m. in the Rogers Theater.

Created by Grammy winner Jim Brickman, who recently performed at the Gallo Center, the show features Brickman's lush arrangements of "We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Close to You."

The Gallo Center is at 1000 I St. Tickets are $15-$45; (209) 338-2100 or www.galloarts.org.

Tribute show from Hotel California

Classic Albums Live presents the Eagles' 1976 album, "Hotel California," on Feb. 15 at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. The show begins at 8 p.m. in the Rogers Theater.

Studio musicians will play the album note for note in the first half of the show and then will play other Eagles' hits in the second half. The musicians don't do impersonations or use costumes, instead concentrating on accurately reproducing the music. The Classics Albums Live series started in 2003 in Toronto.

"Think of it as a recital," said series founder Craig Martin. "These albums are historic and sacred to people. We approach the music with the utmost respect and care, and in doing so, we've created something that endures and connects."

The Gallo Center is at 1000 I St. Tickets are $12-$45; (209) 338-2100 or www.galloarts.org.

Singles to 'Mingle'

The State Theatre in Modesto is starting a new monthly mixer program for single adults. Events are at 6 p.m. Feb. 13, March 21, April 10, May 8 and June 12.

The Feb. 13 event will feature tastings of Silkwood Wines and a screening of the romantic comedy "Serendipity," starring John Cusack.

Other months, there will be lectures and theme parties. The events are designed to help people make friends and possibly meet a special someone. The State Theatre is at 1307 J St. Tickets are $10;(209) 527-4697 or www.thestate.org.

Folk dance festival

The Turlock International Folk Dancers will sponsor a New Dancers' Festival onFeb. 15 at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock.

The free event will feature easy dances from around the world for new learners, along with performances and refreshments.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock. For more information, call (209) 480-0387.

Sonora art night

Sonora's 2nd Saturday Art Night features concerts, plays and art shows Saturday at 25 downtown locations.

Among the highlights of the event, which begins at 5 p.m., are a performance by nationally recognized Celtic musician Glenn Morgan, a "Big Lebowski" costume party, contemporary artist Joey Peralta, performances by heavy-metal bands and Stage 3 Theatre's production of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Fences."

For details, visit www.sonoranightout.com or call (209) 532-7697.

State documentaries

The State Theatre is offering a pair of documentaries on its big screen.

The Oscar-nominated "How To Survive A Plague" is playing now through Feb. 22 and is the story of activists who "successfully reversed the tide of an epidemic, demanded the attention of a fearful nation and stopped AIDS from becoming a death sentence," according to the theater's Web site.

Playing Sunday through March 3 will be "Let Fury Have The Hour," a look at the creative counterculture in 2012.

"Coming of age in a world seemingly gone mad or at least gone shopping, some kids started searching for something more authentic," the State's site says. "This was the start of a renegade movement ... a hybrid, haphazard collective of skateboarders, punk rockers, rappers, street poets, feminists and graffitists whose reaction to this brave new world was not to turn away, but to turn up the volume and have their say."

The State is at 1307 J St., in Modesto. For more, see www.thestate.org or call (209) 527-4697.