In Brief: Music, art and more across the region
May Day Play Day on Saturday, May 16, is the perfect time to get your uke on.
The fifth annual event from the Modesto Funstrummers will bring ukulele enthusiasts together for a day of music and more. Joining the Funstrummers will be the Delta Strummers, Woodbridge Strumming Wonders, Roseville River City Orchestra, Auburn Strum Bums and Michelle Kiba’s Band. The Play Day includes workshops and guest performances as well as a potluck lunch with submarine sandwiches.
The Play Day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave., Modesto. Registration is $30 and includes the potluck and a songbook. Call (209) 505-3216 or visit www.funstrummers.com.
Ready, Set, Show!
The Carnegie Arts Center will present its first children’s art exhibition starting this week.
Ready, Set, Show! will feature the work of Turlock-area children ages 6 to 13. The show will display paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, photography and digital works by the young artists in the Carnegie Art Center’s Ferrari Gallery. The exhibit will open Wednesday, May 20, and run through Aug. 14. A public reception will be from 7-8:30 p.m. May 22 for the artists, their families and the public.
The gallery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday (Fridays until 8 p.m.). Admission is free. Call (209) 480-0518 or call www.carnegieartsturlock.org.
Sam Bush
Grammy Award-winning Americana star Sam Bush is coming to the Black Oak Casino on Wednesday, May 20.
Known as “The King of Newgrass,” Bush has been honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Americana Music Association and has been named Mandolin Player of the Year four times by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Call (877) 747-8777 or visit www.blackoakcasino.com.
St. James concerts
The St. James Concert Series returns with a show by Cantamos on Saturday, May 16.
The Calaveras County-based band plays an eclectic repertoire, including show tunes, classical, jazz and world music. Founded in 2010, Cantamos is an offshoot of the group The Tour Guides, which plays dance music from across the generations.
Show starts at 4 p.m. at the Country Cowboy Church in Sonora. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 students under 18. For more visit www.sjconcertseries.org.
Morgan James
Tickets are on sale now for the homecoming show of Broadway actress and onetime Modestan Morgan James.
The 1999 Johansen High School graduate has been in four Broadway shows (“Motown the Musical,” “Godspell,” “Wonderland” and “The Addams Family”).
She will play an all-ages show at the downtown Modesto State Theatre on June 16. Tickets are $20. Call (209) 527-4697 or visit www.thestate.org.
This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "In Brief: Music, art and more across the region."