[County Arts Comm.] – The Ford Theatres 2015 summer season is preempted due to renovations, so the Los Angeles County Arts Commission is taking the Ford on the Road. Events include more than 30 free JAM Sessions taking place all over LA County (see Newhall schedule below), along with a number of performances including the Ford Signature Series. The Ford on the Road series begins May 16 and runs through December 6. Full schedule detailed below. Ticket information can be found at FordTheatres.org.

Said Los Angeles County Arts Commission Executive Director Laura Zucker, “While the renovation of the historic Ford Amphitheatre continues, the Ford on the Road series offers an alternative to those who have come to rely on the Ford’s eclectic mix of programming and provides a guide to exploring some of LA County’s rich cultural offerings. Take a road trip with us as we explore the region!”

The popular JAM Sessions will be offered through November in Newhall, San Fernando, Watts, Pomona, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights and East LA. These free interactive events are centered on movement and music and invite participants of all ages and skill levels to dance, play and experience something new and unexpected. Artist-led JAM Sessions represent a variety of dance and music styles including Bollywood dance with Blue13 Dance Company, accordion with Otoño Luján and Gee Rabe, Mexican folk dance with Ballet Folklorico Ollin, hip-hop dance with The GR818ERS, drum with Christopher Ramirez, and tap dance with Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project.

The Ford takes pride in reflecting on its stage the cultural diversity of the region. Artists that traditionally perform at the Ford during the summer season will continue to present their shows in communities across the County. The Ford on the Road series includes many of these. Everything from a two-day hip-hop festival hosted by Versa-Style Dance Company to a choreographic journey through Mexico’s vibrant regions of Chiapas, Veracruz and Jalisco by Grandeza Mexicana Dance Academy to a work-in-progress collaboration between Grammy Award-winning ensemble Quetzal and TAIKOPROJECT  and Angel City Jazz’s pairing of “keyboard alchemist” (LA Times) Motoko Honda with Emmy-winner Vanessa Vo in a premiere of new ensemble music inspired by their experience emigrating from East Asia to the US. See below for full listing of performances.

In an exciting partnership with the Valley Performing Arts Center, the Ford Signature Series returns for a third year with two events: Diavolo: L’Espace du Temps, with live music by New West Symphony and conducted by Christopher Rountree, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. A program of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Ford Signature Series pairs world renowned performers with Los Angeles County artists and is made possible through the generous support of Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. The original program was created with support from former Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Proceeds from the Signature Series benefit the Ford Theatre Foundation, which supports programs at the Ford Theatres in Hollywood and throughout Los Angeles County.

The 2015 Ford on the Road series is presented by the Ford Theatres which is a program of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission with core support provided by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Additional supporters include the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation;  Employees Community Fund of Boeing California; The James Irvine Foundation; Macy’s; the National Endowment for the Arts; NBC Universal; SONY Pictures Entertainment; Southern California Edison; Wells Fargo and Yelp.com.

ABOUT THE FORD

At 1,200 seats, the Ford Theatres create an intimate concert experience that is a favorite among Angelenos. Each summer, the Ford hosts a diverse roster of events representing music and dance styles reflective of the communities that comprise Los Angeles County. Ford summer season events are presented in partnership with Los Angeles County arts organizations and producers. Unlike a traditional presenting model, these organizations apply to be part of the season and receive significant marketing, front of house and production support while keeping the majority of box office proceeds. Located in a County regional park in the Hollywood Hills, the Ford is owned and operated by the County of Los Angeles and operated through a three-way partnership between the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Ford Theatre Foundation.

The Ford Theatres 2015 summer season has been pre-empted due to renovations that will rehabilitate and improve this beloved historic venue and add new facilities and amenities within the current boundaries of the Ford Theatres property. This work will enhance onsite programs and spaces, support a broad cross section of artists and arts organizations, and ensure the future of the site as an active and relevant historic community resource. The renovations are expected to be completed in summer 2016.

ABOUT THE LA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission fosters excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles County. The Arts Commission provides leadership in cultural services for the County, encompassing 88 municipalities, including funding and job opportunities, professional development and general resources. For more information, lacountyarts.org.

For more information about Ford on the Road, visit FordTheatres.org, Facebook.com/FordTheatres, Twitter.com/FordTheatres

2015 FORD ON THE ROAD SERIES

Tickets for the following events vary by location. Visit FordTheatres.org for details.

May 16 & 17

Versa-Style Dance Company will present the Versa-Style Ten Year Anniversary Festival at the East LA Performing Arts Academy. Includes JAM Session.

May 30

Viver Brasil will present Peace Transcends with Kátia Moraes, as part of the Aratani World Series at the Aratani Theatre.

June 13

Grandeza Mexicana Dance Academy will present Un Gran Atardecer at the  Lynwood Performing Arts Center.

July 19

Outfest will present the closing night of Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival at the Ace Hotel.

July 25

Colibri Entertainment will present ¡Viva la Tradición! – a Tribute to Nati Cano and Los Camperos at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse.

August 22

Eastside Luv will present QuierO MOZ y Mas – a Tribute to Morrissey at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.

September 5

Flypoet will produce its annual Summer Classic event, featuring first classspoken word artists and live music at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

September 19 & 20

Ford Signature Series in partnership with Valley Performing Arts Center will present Diavolo / Architecture in Motion: L’Espace du Temps, Artistic Director Jacques Heim’s trilogy that includes Fluid Infinities, Fearful Symmetries and Foreign Bodies, presented in its entirety for the first time in the US. With live music by New WestSymphony, conducted by Christopher Rountree.

September 19

Quetzal + TAIKOPROJECT will present an in-progress performance of their collaborative concert, Concrete Saplings, at the Japanese American National Museum’s Democracy Forum.

October 3

Angel City Jazz Festival will present Motoko Honda & Vanessa Vo and JenShyu & Jade Tongue with Ambrose Akinmusire and Mat Maneri at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre.

December 5

Ford Signature Series in partnership with Valley Performing Arts Center will present the Spanish Harlem Orchestra performing their holiday concert, Salsa Navidad.

December 5 & 6

Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company will present Diciembre Mexicano at the Downey Civic Theatre.

JAM SESSIONS

JAM Sessions are FREE interactive events centered on movement and music that invite participants of all ages and skill levels to dance, play and experience something new and unexpected. No ticket or RSVP required.

Newhall

May 7 at 7:30 p.m. – Japanese Folk Dance with Christine Inouye and Minyo Station

June 4 at 7:30 p.m. – African Dance and Drums with Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole

July 2 at 7:30 p.m. – Drum Circle with Christopher Ramirez

August 6 at 7:30 p.m. – Swing Dance with Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association

September 3 at 7:30 p.m. – Salsa Dance with CONTRA-TIEMPO

October 1 at 7:30 p.m. – Tango Dance with Oxygen Tango

Old Town Newhall, Main Street between Market and 6th Street

Part of ArtSLAM, a free open-air gallery combining local and regional artists every first Thursday of the month from March to October. It includes live interactive opportunities along with culinary demonstrations.

Hacienda Heights

June 6 at 6:00 p.m. – Cumbia Dance with Andrea Rodriguez & Buyepongo

July 11 at 6:00 p.m. – Zydeco Dance with Karen Redding & Dennis G and the Trail Riderz

July 25 at 6:00 p.m. – Bollywood Dance with Blue13 Dance Company

August 8 at 6:00 p.m. – African Dance and Drums with Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole

Hacienda Heights Community Center, 1234 Valencia Avenue, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

Presented by the County of Los Angeles Parks & Recreation Department, JAM Sessions take place from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. From 7:30-9:00 p.m., show off your skills on the dance floor, accompanied by live music. Visit FordJAMSessions.org for more info on these events as it becomes available.

Rowland Heights

June 13 at 6:00 p.m. – Square Dance with Susan Michaels & Triple Chicken Foot

June 27 at 6:00 p.m.  – Caribbean Dance with Betty Rox & Upstream

July 18 at 6:00 p.m. – Samba Dance with Viver Brasil

August 1 at 6:00 p.m.  – Salsa Dance with CONTRA-TIEMPO

August 15 at 6:00 p.m.  – Pacific Island Dance with Tui Letuli

Rowland Heights Community Center, 18150 Pathfinder Road, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Presented by the County of Los Angeles Parks & Recreation Department, JAM Sessions take place from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. From 7:30-9:00 p.m., show off your skills on the dance floor, accompanied by live music. Visit FordJAMSessions.org for more info on these events as it becomes available.

Watts

June 19 at 4:30 p.m. – African Dance and Drums with Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole

September 25 at 6:30 p.m. – Tap Dance with Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project

November 20 at 4:30 p.m. – Samba Dance with Viver Brasil Dance Company

Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Phoenix Hall

10950 S. Central Avenue, Watts, CA 90059

JAM Sessions take place prior to Bones and Blues concerts and free movie nights. Visit FordJAMSessions.org for more information as it becomes available.

Pomona

July 11 at 6:30 p.m. – Drum Circle with Christopher Ramirez

August 8 at 6:30 p.m. – Bollywood Dance with Blue13 Dance Company

September 12 at 6:30 p.m. – Cumbia Dance with Buyepongo and Andrea Rodriguez

October 10 at 6:30 p.m. – Samba Dance with Viver Brasil

Downtown Pomona, 2nd Street between Thomas and Main Street, Pomona, CA 91766

Part of the Downtown Pomona Art Walk.

San Fernando

July 17 at 6:30 p.m. – Samba Dance with Viver Brasil Dance Company

August 16 at 5:00 p.m. – Accordion with Otoño Luján and Gee Rabe

August 21 at 6:30 p.m. – Hip-hop Dance with the GR818ERS

August 30 at 5:00 p.m. – Mexican Folk Dance with Ballet Folklorico Ollin

September 26 at 5:00 p.m.– Bollywood Dance with Blue13 Dance Company

November 1 at 2:00 p.m. – Aztec Dance with Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc

Recreation Park, 208 Park Avenue, San Fernando, CA 91340

Part of a variety of family-friendly events taking place including free movie nights and concerts in the park. Visit FordJAMSessions.org for more information as it becomes available.

East LA Civic Center

July 17 at 6:30 p.m. – Japanese Folk Dance with Christine Inouye & Minyo Station

August 21 at 6:30 p.m. – African Dance and Drums with Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole

JAM Sessions take place prior to free movie nights.

East LA Civic Center, 4801 E. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90022