J.A.M.-ing All Over SoCal

The Ford Theatre is spreading its popular J.A.M. (Jazzed And Motivated) series to sites around Southern California this summer, offering free sessions aimed at anybody interested in various styles of music and dance – amateur or professional.

Shake it this summer at a J.A.M. session. PHOTO BY JENNIFER FUKUTOMI

Published: 07/25/2012

by Michael Berick

Santa Clarita will be J.A.M.-in’ Thursday nights with a Bluegrass Jam Aug. 2, a Hip-Hop dance, a Swing night and Bollywood music Aug. 23 at the Newhall Arts District (24274 Main St.). On Fridays, the East L.A. Civic Center (4801 E. 3rd St.) will host J.A.M. sessions with a Samba Dance Party on Aug. 3, followed by a Bollywood night, Hula dancing and concluding with Folklorico Aug. 24. Saturday night is San Fernando Valley night with Accordion Night starting off August, followed by Salsa/Rueda dancing, Bollywood, and Hula dancing before concluding with Ballet Folklorica on Sept. 1 in Recreation Park (208 Park Ave., San Fernando).

The J.A.M. sessions haven’t abandoned their Hollywood home. Monday nights belong to the Ford Theater (2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood). You can learn the Lindy Hop Aug. 6, and then enjoy a Mariachi Jam Aug. 13, Folklorico Dance Aug. 20 and a Samba Reggae Dance Party Aug. 27. In fact, the Ford J.A.M. sessions continue into late September (Hawaiian night Sept. 10, West African Dance Sept. 17 and a closing drum circle Sept. 24). The Ford also hosts the Saturday morning Big!World!Fun! family series, which continues through Sept. 1. For more information for any or all of these events, visit www.fordtheatres.org.

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