Starting a ballet company in L.A. has never been easy, but new companies keep popping up. There's much to admire about how American Contemporary Ballet has approached that task, starting with its partnership with the respected Da Camera Society, known for presenting live music in historical and architecturally interesting venues. Da Camera provides the live music for the company's endeavors, making for an expansion of its programming beyond strictly music. After relocating from New York City, ACB artistic director Lincoln Jones and principal dancer Theresa Farrell began presenting informal lecture demonstrations, with Da Camera providing top-notch classical musicians to accompany the dancers. And earlier this summer, when the ballet company opened its studios across from LACMA, added more dancers to its roster and debuted Music+Dance, an expanded program of Jones' choreography, it was again with live music, thanks to Da Camera. The initial Music+Dance program gave both the musicians and the dancers a chance to shine — when the dancers needed time to catch their breath and change costumes, the musicians took a turn by themselves. The second and final installment of this summer's ballet company programming offers four opportunities to enjoy the music and the dance. As with most Da Camera events, a postperformance reception includes light refreshments and a chance to chat with the artists. American Contemporary Ballet Studios, 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 16-17, 7 & 9 p.m.; $40. (213) 477-2929, americancontemporaryballet.org, dacamera.org.

Aug. 16-17, 7 & 9 p.m., 2013

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