Merced Arts Wrap for 05/08/15

Merced youth talent show

Save Our Youth Merced Talent Showcase, a language and performing arts event, is planned for noon to 4 p.m. May 30 in the theater at El Capitan High School, 100 Farmland Ave. The show will feature storytelling, song, dance, rap and spoken word. The event is free. For more, call the organizers at (209) 489-7516.

Club Mercedes hosts Blues Bash

There will be a Blues Bash Friday, May 8 at Club Mercedes 569 W. 9th St., Merced. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the show begins at 8 p.m. The show features Mike Hammar and The Nails, with special guest Deja Blues. Admission is $15, and you must be 21 or over to attend. There will be a no-host food and beverage bar for additional cost. For ticket information, call the club after 4 p.m. (209) 383-9906 or (209) 777-6750. Proceeds benefit the club’s community projects.

Team Mega Force to perform

Team Mega Force, a group of athletes who perform amazing feats of strength, and share incredible testimonies and the gospel message, is scheduled to appear May 17 at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Merced First Assembly of God church, 1350 Yosemite Parkway, in Merced. They have been featured on ESPN, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “Steve Harvey’s Big Time.” The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (209) 383-6130 or go to mercedfirst@att.net.

Sonora Master Chorale

The Sonora Master Chorale Spring Concert will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 13880 Joshua Way, Sonora. Directed by Ron Randall, the concert features songs from Franz Schubert, George Gershwin, John Rutter and more, with accompaniment by Jason Jeffrey. Suggested donation is $10 per person. For more information, call (209) 532-6182 or (209) 586-2246.

Sonora author at Barnes &Noble

Sandy Lee of Sonora, author of “No Unturned Stone – A Mother’s Quest,” will be at Barnes & Noble, 1720 W. Olive Ave., Merced, on Saturday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. for a book signing. Her book explores the search for her 36-year-old son, Darvis Lee Jr., who mysteriously disappeared from Sonora. His remains and some of his clothing were found months later. She will lead a discussion on the book and answer questions. The event is free.

Mini children’s opera

The Merced County Office of Education, Arts UC Merced Presents and the Betty Scalice Foundation will present “Who Stole B-flat?,” a children’s mini-opera, on Saturday, May 23, at 2 p.m. in Lakireddy Auditorium at UC Merced. “Who Stole B-flat?” is full of mystery, beauty and hilarious, interactive fun. Suggested donations are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets will be available at the door beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Christian singer

St. Patrick’s Faith Event Ministry presents Matt Maher, a five-time Grammy-nominated artist, in concert at the Art Kamangar Center at the Merced Theatre on June 18. Tickets are $15-$29. Visit www.mercedtheatre.org to purchase tickets or contact the box office, 301 W. Main St., at (209) 381-0500.

Merced Camera Club

The Merced Camera Club welcomes all who are interested in photography to its meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Merced County Farm Bureau, 646 S. Highway 59. Call (209) 382-0222 or (209) 761-0260.

World Dance course

A World Dance course is being offered through Merced College Community Services and will be held Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 at Merced College in Gym-4. The cost is $40 per person per six-week session. The next session begins May 20. Applicants can register for free online at www.mercedcommunityservices.com.

South Pacific dance lessons

The South Pacific Dance Company is enrolling for the spring semester, ages 4 and older, beginners to advanced. Classes are held at Creation Station, 2408 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. In addition, the Soul Power Dance Crew is enrolling students for an eight-week session in hip-hop dance for ages 7 through teens. Email kikiraina@hotmail.com or leave a message at (209) 383-1435.

This story was originally published May 7, 2015 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Merced Arts Wrap for 05/08/15."