Townsend Opera Players presents Gioachino Rossini's comedy "The Barber of Seville" from Nov. 15-22 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Performances are at 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 2 p.m. Nov. 22 in the Foster Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto.

The Modesto Art Museum has launched an online database of nearly 1,000 architectural sites in town. Viewable from modestoartmuseum.org, the database features descriptions of residential, commercial, government, industrial and retail development as well as landscapes, signs and monuments.

The film "Amreeka" continues a short run at the State Theatre with a 3:30 p.m. show Saturday.

Modesto Junior College hosts High School Orchestra Day on Nov. 12, gathering six groups from high schools from around Stanislaus County to perform 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

For the past several years, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has been tracking the radio play of its clients' holiday songs, and each November the organization announces its 25 most-played list over a five-year period.

After years of performing for free, Central West Ballet dancers are looking for some compensation.

Modesto's 10th annual Xclamation Festival brought more than 15,000 people downtown and added $23,631 to city coffers.

Everclear lead singer Art Alexakis has no patience with bands who won't play their hits. When his group performs at B92.9 FM's Cruise and Good's Extreme Halloween concert tonight at Modesto Centre Plaza — an event that also holds a $1,000 costume contest — you can bet "Santa Monica," "Father of Mine" or "I Will Buy You A New Life" will be on the set list.

Monty Python alumnus John Cleese stopped in Modesto for a sold-out show at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Friday.

If it weren't for Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson might never have picked up the flute. Anderson, who performs with a different band at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Sunday, said he stopped playing guitar when he realized he would never be as good as Clapton.

Since Michigan composer Alexander Miller had brain surgery to remove a benign tumor this month, one main thing has kept him going through recovery. He's looked forward to his trip next week to the Gallo Center for the Arts where the Modesto Symphony Orchestra will premiere his new piece "Remix in D" (Inspired by Pachelbel's Canon in D).

6 events taking place this week in Modesto and the surrounding area.

Composers have written music inspired by art before but it is rare to find music and art created by the same person. Percussionist William Hill has pulled it off and will perform "Seven Little Miniatures" with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra at its "Premiere Percussion" show

With so much going on in Modesto these days, it can be hard to see all the local talented musicians.

Modesto's Opus Handbell Ensemble performs Sunday as the first program of the St. James Concert Series in Columbia. The show begins at 3 p.m. at Presbyterian Church of the 49ers, Jackson and Gold streets.