Las Cafeteras, Pacifico Dance Company and More Set for Ford Theatres' Big!World!Fun! Family Series, Summer 2013

The Big!World!Fun! Family Series returns to the Ford Theatres this summer with an exciting roster of music and dance performances appropriate for children ages four to 12. Presented on Saturday mornings in July and August in the outdoor, shaded amphitheatre, Big!World!Fun! is FREE for children and adults pay $5. Gates open early for hands-on creative activities prior to each performance. The series is presented by the Ford Theatre Foundation.

Big!World!Fun! kicks off this year's series with Las Cafeteras, celebrating the diversity of Los Angeles with Son Jarocho and Afro-Mexican rhythms (July 6). Other highlights include a rare U.S. appearance by Nigerian singersAdunni & Nefertiti, who collaborate with Los Angeles-based storyteller Michael D. McCarty to share inspiring folktales of the African Diaspora (July 13); a celebration of Jewish culture with songs and stories with Mostly Kosherband leader and singer Leeav Sofer and Janice "Rachele the Matchmaker" Mautner Markham (August 10); and an exploration of the grace and beauty of traditional Chamoru music and dance from the Pacific island of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands by Kutturan Chamoru Foundation (August 17).

At 1,195 seats, the Ford Theatres create an intimate outdoor 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. Operated by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, this historic venue was built in 1920 and is located in a beautiful County park in the Hollywood Hills.

The performances will run July - August 2013, with shows Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Pre-show activities begin at 9:00 a.m. Families are advised to arrive early. Space is limited. Ford Theatres is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, Calif., just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. Parking: On-site, stacked parking costs $1 per vehicle. The amphitheatre is outdoors and shaded, but remember your sunscreen and a hat. On-site concessions are available Admission to all Big!World!Fun! events is FREE for children and $5 for adults. Online: www.FordTheatres.org. Phone: 323 461-3673. Box Office hours: Through October 13: 12 noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. On Big!World!Fun! show days, Box Office open at 8:30 a.m. There is a $1.50 service charge for reserving children's tickets online.

2013 BIG!WORLD!FUN! FAMILY SERIES SCHEDULE:

Saturday, July 6, 2013 - Las Cafeteras

Come one, come all to this interactive and bilingual show with fun for the whole family! Las Cafeteras explore Son Jarocho and Afro-Mexican rhythms, fusing traditional sounds with spoken word, hip-hop and folk music. Celebrating the diversity of Los Angeles, Las Cafeteras' energetic performance, including zapateado dancing, will have you on your feet!

Pre-show activity: Arts2Go will help you create folk art that reflects Mexico's indigenous heritage including the Aztec Sun Stone and the Legend of the 5 Suns using red clay and colorful stones.

Saturday, July 13, 2013 - Adunni & Nefertiti w/ Michael D. McCarty

Experience the sonic landscape of West Africa as Nigerian singers Adunni & Nefertiti collaborate with Los Angeles-based storyteller Michael D. McCarty to share inspiring folktales of the African Diaspora. This special appearance combines the stories McCarty has gathered travelling the world with Adunni & Nefertiti's inspiring Nigerian folksongs.

Pre-show activity: Inspired by the symbols and stories of the Adinkra Cloth, a hand printed fabric traditionally made in Ghana, SmART Space will show you how to create your own patterns using handmade stamps to tell a story through symbols.

Saturday, July 27, 2013 - Stories ... on the MOVE! with Sheetal Gandhi and Shyamala Moorty

Dance storytellers Sheetal Gandhi and Shyamala Moorty artfully weave rhythm, song and gesture into a dynamic and fun exploration of Indian mythology. Accompanied by live musicians playing classical Indian instruments, the quartet of artists brings to life ancient narratives that reinforce human compassion and celebrate our differences.

Pre-show activity: Build a collective mandala (circle) with an array of repurposed materials with the guidance of Trash for Teaching.

Saturday, August 3, 2013 - Pacifico Dance Company

Let the colorful costumes and exuberant movements of Pacifico Dance Company transport you and your family to Mexico. Watch for the brightly plumed quetzal bird or the ritual harvest dance around sea turtle nests. Laugh along with the Viejitos dance (Dance of the Old Men), a comedic look at the dynamic of growing old, and enjoy the dances from the Costa Chica region, which signify love and marriage.

Pre-show activity: With the help of Little Junebugs, learn how to make your own Fiesta Fans, inspired by the bright, colorful textures of Mexico.

Saturday, August 10, 2013 - Mostly Kosher

Mostly Kosher band leader and singer Leeav Sofer joins Janice "Rachele the Matchmaker" Mautner Markham on violin to celebrate Jewish culture with songs and stories from across the globe. Mostly Kosher's music ranges from upbeat Klezmer tunes to traditional Yiddish melodies to contemporary South American Ladino songs.

Pre-show activity: The Exploratory shows you how to use recycled materials to build your very own flying creation and imagine yourself soaring through the air.

Saturday, August 17, 2013 - Kutturan Chamoru Foundation

Discover the grace and beauty of traditional Chamoru music and dance from the Pacific island of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. The intricate hand movements and swaying hips of the vibrant Tuleti dance (Dance of the Bird), the precision and power of the Uritao (Warrior Dance) and rhythmic Chamoru drumming revive the ancient ways of the Chamoru culture.

Pre-show activity: Learn about heroic Island legends such as Sirena the Mermaid and the Legend of the Coconut then tell a story by creating a picture board with Arts2Go.

Saturday, August 24, 2013 - Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble

Part international drill team, part multi-cultural rhythm section, Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble brings together synchronized movement, world drumming, lush vocals and innovative body music. Each of the ensemble members brings their own traditions to the stage, creating a one-of-a-kind intercultural experience. Using the oldest musical instrument, the human body, along with hand drums, bells, claves (an Afro-Cuban percussion instrument), gongs, banjo, voice and more - Crosspulse embodies a virtual world tour.

Pre-show activity: Create your own rhythm making "Clapping Hands Paper Fan" with Little Junebugs. Perfect for keeping cool and keeping the beat.

Saturday, August 31, 2013 - CalArts Balinese Dance Ensemble

Be transported to the tropical island of Bali, where music and dance are inseparable from the Balinese way of life. CalArts Balinese Dance Ensemble honors the rich cultural traditions of the island known as the morning of the world, using colorful and elaborate costumes and gamelan music. Integral to Indonesian culture, a gamelan is a set of instruments, such as xylophones, drums and flutes, built and tuned to stay together. In a place where music and dance are inseparable from the daily way of life, Bali displays an incredible array of musical styles and dance genres.

Pre-show activity: Build a collective mandala (circle) with an array of repurposed materials with the guidance of Trash for Teaching.

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