Scene In Brief: 'Pastel' show at Mistlin

MODESTO -- The "Spotlight on Pastel" art show will be on exhibit from March 26 to April 24 at the Mistlin Gallery in downtown Modesto.

"Spotlight on Pastel" features the pastel paintings of Central California Art Association members Carol David, Deidre Wolfley and Janet Hardie, all members of the Pastel Society of the West Coast and Valley Sun Catchers plein air painting group.

The show highlights the history of pastels as well as various techniques in a range of subject matter including still life, landscape and people. Also showing is "Shades of Gray," a CCAA member show that features black-and-white work in all media.

A free gallery talk on the history and techniques of pastel is set for April 8 at 6:15 p.m. at the gallery.

A step-by-step introductory workshop will be held April 20 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The $50 fee includes a take-home kit of pastels and introductory instruction on technique, still life and landscape.

Mistlin Gallery is at 1015 J St., Modesto. Admission is free; hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Call (209) 529-3369.

Valley's Got Talent accepting entrants

Entry applications are being accepted for the fourth annual Valley's Got Talent contest, which will be held Aug. 30-31.

The popular community talent contest debuted in 2010 as a fund-raiser for the nonprofit Gallo Center for the Arts. Conceived as a live stage version of such popular television shows as "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance," Valley's Got Talent is open to any non-professional performer who is at least 10 years old, and resides in Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuolumne or Mariposa counties.

Interested applicants can download applications, instructions and rules at www.galloarts.org. Deadline for applications is May 3 and there's no cost to enter.

A $1,500 cash prize will be awarded to the Grand Prize winner, with $750 cash prizes going to the winners in vocal, dance, instrumental, specialty and, new this year, vocal-instrumental band.

Central West Ballet showcases creativity

Central West Ballet presents its third annual Choreographers Showcase in an admission-free event Thursday at is studio.

The event will feature a number of works choreographed by dancers within the ballet company, including Alyssa Milano, Erikka Reenstierna-Cates, Nicole Firpo, Bethany Phelps, Kateri Ransom, Brittnie Cudo and Grant Landon.

Food and refreshments will be served at the event, set for 7 p.m. March 28 at the Central West Ballet studio, 5039 Pentecost Drive, Modesto.

Townsend Opera Parlor Concert

Townsend Opera will hold a Parlor Concert on Sunday featuring mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich.

Scharich is a Bay Area singer who will perform the title role in the upcoming Townsend Opera production of "Cinderella."

The event will be at a private Del Rio home and will include a reception and recital of opera, American musical theater and jazz standards.

Tickets are $50 with proceeds benefitting the opera company. The program is at 3 p.m. For more information, call (209) 523-6426.

'Twain in Person'

The California State University, Stanislaus, theater department will present guest artist Richard Henzel in a performance of "Mark Twain in Person" tonight at the campus Mainstage Theatre.

Henzel will take the audience on a voyage into the world of Mark Twain by combining material from his novels, short stories, speeches and essays, along with improvisation to recreate an authentic Twain lecture, circa 1906.

Henzel is a stage, film, television and voice-over actor. Since 1967, he has performed this one-man show in 40 states, Canada and Great Britain.

The performance will be at 8 p.m. at the Mainstage Theatre, One University Circle in Turlock. Tickets are $15 general, $12 for seniors, military, students and CSU faculty and staff. Call (209) 667-3959 for more information.

'Chocolate Factory'

The Davis High School drama department presents "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in its little theater today and Saturday; and at the Gallo Center for the Arts on March 27.

The adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's book is family-friendly show with help from 60 elementary and junior high school students from the Modesto region.

Tickets for the shows at Davis High are $7-$9. Tickets at the Gallo Center are $15-$25 and the show is in the Foster Family Theatre, 1000 I St., Modesto. Call (209) 338-2100.