Ford Theatres announces 2019 season of music, dance, theatre, film and family events on the revitalized historic stage under the stars.
The 2019 season opened on Saturday, April 27 with The Spring Quartet: Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding and Leo Genovese,who The Arts Desk described as “an expansive, freewheeling rampage, ideas flying out like sparks from a roaring fire,” and will conclude on October 19 and 20 with a Día de los Muertos Concert and Community Celebration. These bookend performances are both part of the third season of the IGNITE @ the FORD! series. Tickets can be purchased at or by calling (323) 461-3673.
2019 Grandeza Dia Event at Ford Theatres.
IGNITE @ the FORD!, a presenting series that began in 2017, will continue to broaden the scope of performances in the Ford Theatres’ season by presenting artists from around the world. IGNITE @ the FORD! is curated by Ford Theatres Executive Director Olga Garay-English, an arts leader with more than 30 years in the field, and features thought-provoking nationally and internationally-known artists whose work is compelling and contemporary. Complementing the IGNITE series are events from the Ford’s flagship Artists Partnership Series, in which the Ford partners with LA County-based artists and producers in a shared-risk revenue model; free Monday night JAM Sessions, the Ford’s participatory arts program; and Big World Fun, a free-for-kids Saturday morning family series.
“The Ford Theatres 2019 season has something wonderful for everyone,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “I hope you will all take the time to look closely at this year’s calendar, event by event. Each and every performance is distinctive and showcases a jewel in LA’s cultural scene! If you haven’t been to the Ford in years, this is the season to come back, and if you’re a regular, you’re in for another outstanding season.”
Garay-English said of this season at the Ford, “This season, voices of women from around the globe will be amplified as they express themselves through art, from an epic night of female Mariachi groups to a celebration of LA-based women choreographers, from the 35thanniversary of Urban Bush Women to an all-female kathak dance drama.”
%20Hayim%20Heron_Group_MAIN.jpg)
Urban Bush Women Hair & Other Stories (c) Hayim Heron Group at Ford Theatres.
She added, “This year, we have created a new artist residency program, providing local artists the space and resources to experiment and bring new work to fruition.” The 2019 Ford Theatres Artists-in-Residence program includes Micaela Taylor, a rising star in the dance world who is creating a new work called Driftthat will have a pre-season performance at the Ford prior to being presented at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival this summer; visual artist Edgar Arceneaux who is using his residency to create Boney Manilli, a theatre piece loosely centered around ‘90s pop group Milli Vanilli; Arianne MacBean, Artistic Director of The Big Show Co., who is working with female veterans to bring forth their stories; and Versa-Style Dance Company, known for their blend of hip-hop and Afro-Latin dance styles.
The IGNITE series presents a selection of dance performances from around the world. On July 20, street dance pioneer Rennie Harris, called “the most profound choreographer of his idiom” by the New York Times, returns to the Ford with Funkedified. Dancers from Rennie Harris Puremovement, The Hood Lockers and LA’s own Versa-Style Dance Company will perform to a live band playing funk favorites by James Brown, George Clinton and more. On August 30, the Ford will celebrate the 35thanniversary of Urban Bush Women with a presentation of Hair & Other Stories, a multidisciplinary experience that blends dance-theatre with conversations to explore disquieting perceptions of beauty, identity and race. One of the top names in Spanish flamenco, Olga Pericet will perform her latest work La Espina on September 21. The recipient of Spain’s 2018 National Dance Prize, Pericet blends a respect for tradition with a contemporary vision. The New Yorker calls her, “a mercurial presence and a fearless experimenter.”
Rennie Harris Funkedified at Ford Theatres – Richard Evans Jr. l Marcus Tucker mid | Andrew Ramsey top | Joshua Culbreath bottom. Photo by Brian Mangini.
Once again, the Ford Theatres will collaborate with several of its esteemed peers for events in the IGNITE series. On June 14, the Ford will present Last Whispers – Oratorio for Vanishing Voices in association with LACMA and the Natural History Museum. An immersive experience, Last Whispersis simultaneously a spatially-designed sound composition and film. Dedicated to the mass extinction of languages, the project was created by Lena Herzogwith sound design by Mark Mangini and Marco Capalbo. And on October 11, artist Hassan Hajjaj will recreate his world-renowned My Rock Starsseries live on stage for the first time in My Rock Stars Experimental – Live, presented with UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance. A photographer, designer and filmmaker, Hassan Hajjaj is one of Morocco’s preeminent international artists, sometimes called his country’s answer to Andy Warhol.
In addition to The Spring Quartet (Apr 27) and Día de los Muertos Concert and Community Celebration (Oct 19 and 20), other music events in the IGNITE series include Element Band on June 23. Their large bodied vocals and contemporary soundsboth preserve and refreshtraditional Armenian songs. Armenia’s Miqayel Voskanyan and his band will open with a set of folk and jazz-fusion combinations. On July 13, visionary vocalist and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello will perform songs from her new album, Ventriloquismwhich has all of the hallmarks of her work: lush and investigative, subversive and sublime. Closing out July, radio/TV host and journalist Nic Harcourt presents legendary electronic/funk/rock band Kinky (July 28), with an opening set by Mexico City-based DJ Mexican Institute of Sound.
Nic Harcourt Presents Kinky with Special Guest M.I.S. at Ford Theatres.
Now in its 26th year, the Ford’s Artists Partnership Series continues to bring to the stage the best and brightest Los Angeles-based performing artists. New to the series isthe SAG-AFTRA Foundation, presentingGame Changers (June 27-30). Taking place over four nights, each evening will highlight a groundbreaking film or television series that made a significant impact on diversity in representation, reimagined traditional narratives, or achieved major technological advances in storytelling. Moderated discussions with original cast members and/or directors will kick off each event.On August 9, The Nonsemble will present [Up]Rising: an Afro-Future Jazz Her-Story, an evening of South African-inspired music by Siya Makuzeni and Thandi Ntuli,hosted by actor Don Cheadle with KCRW’s Garth Trinidad as emcee. Brockus Project will pay tribute to the women pioneers of modern dance with Women Rising: Choreography from a Female Perspective (Aug 16), featuring such dance companies as JazzAntiqua, Heidi Duckler Dance and Rosanna Gamson/World Wide. On September 14, The Leela Dance Collective will present Son of the Wind, an all-female kathakdance drama that is a contemporary spin on India’s ancient epic, the Ramayana. And, GRAMMY® Award-nominated We Are KING will make their Ford debut, performing a fusion of dream-pop and R&B (Oct 12).
Returning to the Ford for the first time in 10 years is Mantra Siam, presenting Tales from Mount Sumeru: The Golden Peacock on August 24. Colibrí Entertainment will present ¡Viva La Tradición! – Viva LA Mujer, featuring some of the world’s most influential female mariachi groups (Sept 7). The 4th Annual Boleros De Noche (Sept 15) will be headlined this year by Trio Los Panchos, led by Gabriel “Gaby” Vargas Aguilar, the adopted son of original member Alfredo Gil, with an opening set by Trio Ellas Musicians at Play will present GAME THEORY: Modern Indie Game Music Live (Oct 5), shining a light on music in modern gaming with the Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chad Seiter (Star Trek, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses). And, Jail Guitar Doors will return for Rock Out 5! (Sept 28) with Wayne Kramer and friends performing in support of this nonprofit organization that uses music to help rehabilitate prisoners and youth offenders.
MAP GAME THEORY at Ford Theatres.
ABOUT THE FORD
At 1,200 seats, the Ford Theatres creates an intimate concert experience that is a favorite among Angelenos. Each season, the Ford hosts music, dance, theatre, film and family events reflective of the communities that comprise the region. Many Ford season events are presented in partnership with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations and producers. Unlike a traditional presenting model, these groups apply to be part of the season and, if accepted, receive significant support, while keeping the bulk of the box office revenue. Complementing this program is IGNITE @ the FORD!, a presenting series comprised of world-renowned contemporary artists. Proceeds from the IGNITE @ the FORD! series benefit the Ford Theatre Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Owned by the County of Los Angeles, the Ford is operated in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Ford Theatre Foundation. Situated in a canyon in a 32-acre County park, the Ford Theatres has a rich history dating back to 1920.
The 2019 Season at the Ford Theatres is made possible through the support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Additional support provided by Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, along with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; City National Bank; Discover Hollywood; Edison International; First 5 LA; Fusicology; Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown Charity Fund; The Garland Hotel; Heirloom LA; the Hilton Garden Inn; Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation; The James Irvine Foundation; KCET/PBS SoCal; KCRW; LAArtsOnline.com; Metro; the Millennium Biltmore; Million Dollar Round Table; Motev; The National Endowment for the Arts; NBC Universal; The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation; Sidney Stern Memorial Trust; Univision; Whole Foods;and Yelp.com.
WHEN:
April 27 – October 20, 2019
WHERE:
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068
Just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway between Hollywood and Universal Studios in the Cahuenga Pass
PARKING:
On site, stacked. $12 per vehicle for evening shows; $5 per vehicle for Big World Fun shows; free for JAM Sessions. Carpool and save: three or more people per vehicle save $5 on parking, Ford Theatres 2019 Season evening shows only, excluding lease events. A FREE shuttle to the Ford services the Universal City/Studio City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga (excluding Big World Fun and JAM Sessions). The Ford shuttle stops in the “kiss and ride” area and cycles every 20 minutes. Non-stacked parking will be available off-site with free shuttle service to the Ford, details to be announced.
TICKETS:
Online:
Phone: (323) 461-3673
Box Office Hours: Now – June 7: Tuesday – Friday, noon – 5:00 p.m. for phone and window sales; June 8 – October 20: Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 5:00 p.m. for phone and window sales. On show days, including Sundays, the box office opens two hours before the start of the show. Visit the website for more info.
Don’t miss JAM Sessions, the free and interactive events at the Ford Theatres on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
JUNE 17 – Afro-Cuban Dance
JUNE 24 – Celtic Dance
JULY 8 – Mexican Folk Dance
JULY 15 – Old School Street Dance
JULY 22 – Drum Circle
JULY 29 – African Dance and Drums
AUG 5 – Caribbean Dance
AUG 12 – Ukulele & Hula
AUG 19 – Chicago Style Stepping
AUG 26 – Creativity in Movement
Big World Fun are one-hour music and dance events for children ages 4-12 and their families take place at the Ford Theatres on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.
JULY 6 – Afro-Latin Rhythms with El Santo Golpe
JULY 13 – Samba with Viver Brasil and Friends
AUG 3 – Bluegrass Music with The Get Down Boys
AUG 10 – Classical Indian Kathak Dance with The Leela Dance Collective