MJC concert to feature original compositions

The Modesto Junior College Department of Music presents the 38th annual New Music Concert tonight. on Friday, April 10.

The program will feature performances of original music compositions by students, faculty and local composers, and the New Music Ensemble will perform an original group improvisation.

The MJC Celebration of the Humanities Awards will be presented and winning compositions performed in the categories of classical music, popular music, electronic music composition and music solo performance.

The New Music Concert was foundedas a collaborative effort between MJC music professor emeritus Shirley Woodward and MJC electronic music professor David Dow to encourage students and faculty to create and perform new music.

After creating the music, students could enter their works in “The Manuscript Madness” composition contest and win cash prizes. This competition later became a part of the MJC Celebration of The Humanities student contest that is held each spring.

The show will feature compositions by Dow, University of the Pacific music instructor Jeff Crawford, MJC instructor and Modesto Symphony pianist John Hillebrandt and a performance by the MJC Off Balance dance troupe, created and choreographed by retired MJC dance professor Lori Bryhni.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Performing and Media Arts Center on the east campus, 435 College Ave. The concert is open to the public and admission is free. A reception held in the auditorium lobby will follow the performance.

Playhouse Merced presents ‘The Crucible’

Playhouse Merced opens its production of playwright Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” this weekend. The dramatization of the Salem witch trials will run for two weekends at the nonprofit community theater. The production is directed by Rob Hypes. The play opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, and will run through Sunday, April 19. Tickets are $15-$22. Call (209) 725-8587 or visit www.playhousemerced.com.

Tom Petty tribute show

Don’t back down from the Doug Petty & The Chartbreakers tribute show at the State Theatre on Saturday, April 11. The Tom Petty tribute show will feature local performer Marirose as Stevie Nicks, with a special guest appearance by Mike Allsup, as well as The Joe Barretta Band, Shay with Nate and the Third Party Band. Also performing are the Sweet Pea Knickers Dancers and area actresses performing scenes from “Alice in Wonderland.” (We’re guessing that has to do with Tom Petty’s turn as the Mad Hatter in his video for “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”) Show starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10. Call (209) 527-4697 or visit www.thestate.org.

St. James Concert Series

St. James Concert Series presents Sonora soprano Julie Sieben on Sunday, April 12. The Sonora performer has been a member of the Columbia Community Chorus, the Sonora Opera guild and the Sonora Master Chorale and has been a featured soloist with the Symphony of the Sierra. She will be joined by her nephew, Kevin Hemstreet; accompanying them will be Gail Johnson. The concert will feature works by Handel, Brahms, Verdi and more. The show starts at 3 p.m. at the Red Church in Sonora. Tickets are $12 general, $5 for students under 18. Call (209) 536-0825.

Weston Elementary School’s Elegant Edibles

See local celebrity chefs at the Weston Elementary School Elegant Edibles event Saturday, April 11. The Ripon elementary school’s Parent Faculty Association-sponsored fundraiser will feature “Cutthroat Kitchen” winner and “Top Chef” alum Michael Midgley and fellow “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “Guy’s Grocery Games” competitor Keith Breedlove. The former owns Midgley’s Public House in Stockton and the latter runs The Culinerdy Cruzer out of Elk Grove.

The event will feature a variety of entrees, appetizers, side dishes, beer/wine/spirits, treats and desserts from 30 local vendors. Tickets to the 21-and-older event are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Call (209) 607-7224 or (209) 232-7777 or visit www.westonpfa.com.

MJC International Dinner

Celebrate “Brazil’s Carnaval“ with the International Club of Modesto Junior College this weekend. The club’s annual International Dinner will be Brazil-themed with a menu that represents the South American country and other fare from around the world. Entertainment will focus on the cultures of MJC’s international students. The dinner will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11, in the social hall of Emanuel Lutheran Church, at College and Stoddard avenues in Modesto.

Tickets are $15 general, $10 students. Call (209) 575-6012.

Latin big band

Columbia College presents the “Big Band Goes Latin” show Sunday, April 12. The Jazz Series Concert will feature the Mario Flores Band and guitarist/vocalist Johnny Valdes. It starts at 6 p.m. at the College Dogwood Theater. Tickets are $15. Call (209) 588-5126 or visit http://news.gocolumbia.edu.

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "MJC concert to feature original compositions."