Arts briefs: MJC bands, film, auditions, more

Modesto Junior College bands will perform a series of concerts as the spring semester comes to a close.

First up, the MJC Symphonic Band will perform 7:30 p.m. Monday in the main auditorium on the east campus.

The band, conducted by Erik Maki, will perform original works by composers Jack Stamp, John Barnes Chance, Leonard Bernstein and more. Admission is free and open to the public.

Then, the MJC Community Orchestra will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the main auditorium.

The concert, led by conductor Anne Martin, is themed “Bach and Beyond.” Tickets are $5 general, $1 students and senior citizens.

Finally, the MJC Community Concert Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the same venue. The concert, led by Maki, will be themed “Movies and Musicals.” Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.mjc.edu.

Merced Art Hop

The Merced Art Hop returns for an evening of dance, fashion music and more April 18.

More than 20 businesses and artists will take part in the quarterly event, which showcases Merced’s artistic community. There will be exhibits and other family-friendly activities.

The festivities run from 5 to 9 p.m. through the downtown area. Admission is free. For more, call (209) 658-0661 or visit http://mercedarthop.org.

Modesto Film Society

The Modesto Film Society will screen the classic Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford romance “The Way We Were” on Sunday.

The 1973 film about opposites attracting earned six Academy Award nominations and won for best original dramatic score and best original song for the title song. The movie will screen at 2 p.m. at the State Theatre. Tickets are $8. Call (209) 527-4697 or visit www.thestate.org.

Sierra Repertory Theatre auditions

Sierra Repertory Theatre will hold local auditions for its fall production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” this summer.

The auditions will be at 5 p.m. July 8 at the East Sonora Theatre annex building. Several small roles are open to adults and children age 8 and older.

Dennis Jones will direct the East Sonora production, which will run from Aug. 21 to Sept. 13. For more information on auditions, email artistic@sierrarep.org or call (209) 532-0502, ext. 104.

‘Beach Blanket Babylon’ auditions

The famed San Francisco production of Steve Silver’s “Beach Blanket Babylon” is holding open auditions April 25.

Tryouts for male and female singers will be held to fill openings for performers and understudies in the show. Singers should be prepared to sing one ballad and one up-tempo number (preferably rock or pop).

Comic timing acting skills and the ability to imitate popular culture icons are a plus.

An accompanist will be provided, but auditioners must bring their own sheet music (in their key), along with a current résumé and photo. No appointment is required.

Auditions begin at 2:30 p.m. at Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. For more, email auditions@beachblanketbabylon.com or fax (415) 421-0518.

This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Arts briefs: MJC bands, film, auditions, more."