Ford Amphitheatre to present the J.A.M. Sessions series

Spin and pop n’ lock with hip hop artists, create a classical arrangement of a pop tune or do the Bollywood bhangra as part of the Ford Amphitheatre’s first-ever J.A.M. Sessions series. Everyone is welcome to these seven free evening events where participants channel their creative energies in the casual, relaxed setting at the Ford. J.A.M. Sessions, presented by the Ford Theatre Foundation, start June 2 and run through September 15.

“J.A.M.” stands for “Jazzed and Motivated” and the emphasis is on PLAY, whether you groove to Brazilian orixá dance moves influenced by nature or get passionately entangled in a tango lesson from Argentina . The sessions engage people of all ages and skill levels in singing, dancing and playing instruments, guided by performers and producers featured in the Ford’s 2008 summer season.

“The Ford is a space designed for arts accessibility. With this series we invite everyone from the completely inexperienced to the amateur and professional, to stop by, explore the arts, meet Ford artists and have fun JAMming with those who share similar interests,” says Adam Davis, Managing Director of the Ford Theatres for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

To make reservations for J.A.M. Sessions log on to www.FordTheatres.org or call the Ford box office at 323 461-3673.

J.A.M. Sessions themes and artists include:
Nirvana to Beethoven
Mon. June 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Singers and musicians of all levels (string and chord instruments) learn how to transform a familiar pop tune into a modern classical arrangement. All perform the song together with musicians from the upcoming “Notes From The Edge” concert at the Ford.

The Groove Divine
Tues. June 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Thunder, lightning and rain, oh my! Come release yourself to the rhythms of the forces of nature. Viver Brasil Dance Co. offers an orixá dance movement workshop with live music and a sneak peek at their upcoming Ford performance.

Bollywood in Hollywood
Mon. June 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Join the stars of August's KHEL! in this sizzling and super-fun Bollywood bhangra dance party beneath the stars, with live DJ, drums, and dance lessons with blue13 dance company.

Hip Hop Shock
Mon. July 7 at 7:00 p.m
Sample and try out the four elements of hip-hop –- turntables, dance, spoken word and graffiti art –- with Culture Shock Los Angeles Dance Troupe.

Do the Tango
Mon. July 14 at 7:00 p.m.
All levels are welcome to take tango dance lessons with Sandor and Parissa, Tony Award nominees in choreography and headliners on the Ford’s “Fiesta Argentina .” Then unwind at a milonga (tango party) with live music by the Dino Durand Tango Trio.

String Along to Bluegrass
Mon. August 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Bring your acoustic string instruments for an evening of jamming in the bluegrass mode hosted by the Bluegrass Association of Southern California.

Hip Hop Ya Don't Stop!
Mon. September 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Get down with J.U.i.C.E. (Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy) as they host a special edition of their weekly hip hop arts program at the Ford. The two-hour workshop focuses on four elements of hip hop: breakdancing, emceeing/spoken word, deejaying, and graffiti art.

J.A.M. Sessions are supported in part by grants from The James Irvine Foundation and the Goetzman Group. Media sponsors for the series are Tu Ciudad and SoCal.com

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood , just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open one hour before J.A.M. Sessions start with time for picnicking. On-site parking is free!

These events are part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2008 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.