Hot Dates

A guide to summer fetes and flights of fancy

Comments (0) By Nicole Campos Wednesday, May 26 1999

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Kicking off with the opening ceremonies of the Art & Soul Festival (see above), this series of daytime and evening concerts in the heart of downtown is in its 12th year, with no signs of wear ’n’ tear. Among this summer’s fine lineup, which continues well past the season and into autumn, are Latino comedy trio Culture Clash; Franco-Celtic musicians Beausoleil with Michael Doucet and Hirio; American troubadour extraordinaire Loudon Wainwright III; Mexican-American chanteuse Perla Batalla; and "Opera Under the Stars," featuring the winners of the city’s Cultural Affairs Department’s annual Artists of the Future Competition.

Summer Nights at the Ford

John Anson Ford Theater, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hlywd.; June 13–Sept. 5; (323) 461-3673; various prices.

Located just north of the Bowl, the Ford is back with its own impressive slate of entertainment from all corners of the arts. Highlights this year include the L.A. premiere of Groove, performed by the Jazz Tap Ensemble and choreographed by Greg-ory Hines (June 27); popular children’s music artists J.P. Nightingale and "The Teddy Bear Picnic Parade" (July 10th); "Jazz Goes to the Movies," a tribute performance to famed film and television composer Lalo Schifrin (Aug. 13); and Mozart’s fairy-tale opera The Magic Flute, conducted by Lucinda Carver with the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra (Aug. 14).