The free participatory arts program JAM Sessions, and Big World Fun are bringing their exuberant brand of music and entertainment back to the Ford Theatre with a series of summer shows to entertain the entire family.
JAM Sessions kicks off its Monday concerts beginning June 17 and continuing through Aug. 26. All shows start at 7 p.m. and feature professional musicians and dancers, but participants of all skill levels are invited to get up on the Ford stage and try their hand at everything from playing the ukulele and drumming to Afro-Cuban, Celtic, and Mexican folk dance, to name a few.
Some scheduled performers at JAM Sessions this summer include Mexican folk dance with Ballet Folklorico Ollín; a drum circle with Christopher Ramirez; Caribbean dance with Betty Rox; African dance and drums with Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole; ukulele and hula dance with Jason Arimoto; old school street dance with Rennie Harris Puremovement; Chicago style stepping with LA Steppers Connection; Celtic dance with Céilí Rua; Afro-Cuban dance with Kati Hernandez; and creative improvised dance with former Urban Bush Women dancer and LA choreographer Marjani Forté-Saunders.
Gates to the Ford Theatre will open at 6 p.m. for picnicking. Reservations are recommended. Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.
The Big World Fun shows take place on four Saturdays — July 6 and 13, and Aug. 3 and 10. Pre-show activities for families begin at 9 a.m., and performances begin at 10 a.m. The shows are free for children and $5 for adults.
Events in the 2019 Big World Fun series include Latin American inspired music and dance with El Santo Golpe, samba dance and drumming with Viver Brasil Dance Company, bluegrass music with The Get Down Boys, and classical kathak dancing from North India by Leela Dance Collective.
The Ford Theatres are located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, in Hollywood. The box hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. Onsite parking for the JAM Sessions events is free. Onsite parking for the Big World Fun events is $5. For more information and/or specific event dates, call (323) 461-3673 or visit FordTheatres.org.