In Brief: Arts events in and around Modesto

International blues guitarist Walter Trout will take his talents to audiences at Black Oak Casino on March 15.

Trout tours worldwide and was listed at No. 6 on the United Kingdom's BBC Radio One list of the Top 20 Guitarists of All Time. Trout's song "Blues for My Baby" was awarded the iTunes best blues song of 2012.

Trout plays at 9 p.m. March 15 in Willow Creek Lounge at Black Oak, 19400 Tuolumne Road North, Tuolumne. The show is free. For more, see www.blackoakcasino.com or call (877) 747-8777.

Poetry series at Barkin' Dog Grill

Poet David St. John will read his works Tuesday at the Barkin' Dog Grill as as part of the Second Tuesday Poetry Series. Also on the bill is local poet and Modesto Junior College instructor Lillian Vallee.

St. John grew up in Fresno, but now teaches at USC where he has won numerous awards for his writing. He has published several poetry collections, including "The Auroras," out last year. The reading is sponsored by Poets and Writers, Inc., through a grant from the James Irvine Foundation along with the Friends of the Modesto Library, the Barkin' Dog and private contributors.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Barkin' Dog, 940 11th St., Modesto.

Caravanserai at West Side Theatre

Santana Tribute band Caravanserai returns to the West Side Theatre on Saturday night.

Caravanserai recreates the 30-year history of Santana down to the Paul Reed Smith guitars that are used by lead guitarist Leo Herrera. Musicians Ray Uribes on bass, Bernie Bersamina on keyboards, Frank Parise on percussion, Oscar Zavaleta on congas, Vernon Eakin on drums and vocalist Carlos Elizalde make up the tribute band.

Tickets are $19 general, $22 reserved. Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday with the show at 8 p.m. For more, go to www.westsidetheatre.org.

Comedian added to Gallo Center season

Comedian Rodney Carrington, one of the top 10-grossing touring comedians in the U.S. (as tracked by Pollstar) has been added to the current season at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

Carrington, who also has sold more than 3 million CDs, will perform on June 13 at the downtown Modesto venue. Carrington's performances feature explicit content and are not recommended for children.

In addition to stand-up comedy, Carrington is known for his often raunchy, comic-country songs, as well as his work as an actor and writer. He starred in his own TV sitcom, "Rodney," which ran for two seasons on ABC, and he co-wrote and co-starred with Toby Keith in the feature film "Beer for My Horses."

Tickets for the show are $25-$65. The show will be at 7 p.m. at the Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. Call (209) 338-2100 or see www.galloarts.org.

St. Patrick's Day rocks at DoubleTree

An all-ages show featuring youth and adult bands will be March 17 at Club Max in the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Modesto. Youth Bands on the bill include The High Voltage Band, The Resistance and Breaking Chains. Also playing is the group Offshore.

The music is classic rock, and pop-punk rock. The event is geared toward younger fans and families. Admission is $5 and doors open at 2:30 p.m. for the 3-6 p.m. show.

The DoubleTree is at 1150 9th St. in downtown Modesto.

Mistlin Spring Art Show entry deadline

The deadline is Saturday for entries for this year's 60th Spring Art Show at the Mistlin Gallery in Modesto. The show will run May 4-June 13 with a gala reception planned for opening day. Works will be received April 26-27. There is a $500 Best of Show Award and place awards in four categories:

• Acrylic and oil,

• Watercolor,

• Mixed media, graphics and pastel

• 3-D.

Jurors are Delbert Park of Tracy and John Claes of Turlock. The awards judge is Lucinda Casser from University of the Pacific.

For a prospectus, email gillwatercolors@gmail.com. Mistlin Gallery is at 1015 J St., Modesto. Call (209) 529-3369.

OTEP at Fat Cat

New metal band OTEP plays an age 21-and-over show Sunday at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge. The band, formed in the fall of 2000 in Los Angeles, is fronted by Otep Shamaya. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $16. The Fat Cat is at 930 11th St., in downtown Modesto. Call (209) 524-1400 or see www.fatcatmodesto.com.