Tonight kicks off the summer season at the Ford Amphitheater--a great little venue across the way from the Hollywood Bowl--with its first J.A.M. Session. Dance in the Making is a participatory program that begins at 7 pm. “Create movement, develop character and explore the creation of dances from professional dancers' perspective with the talented members of L.A. Contemporary Dance Company with music composed and performed live by SONOS a capella group.” The workshop serves as prep for the artists, leading to a world premiere of Gods and Marionettes at the Ford on June 18. more ›

Amoeba holds its weekly Monday night series of music-related films in the courtyard of Space15Twenty. Tonight’s free screening is Trouble The Water, an award-winning look at Hurricane Katrina.Tia Lessin and Carl Deal tell the story of an aspiring rap artist and her husband who survive the storm and then take a chance for a new beginning. The DVD comes out tomorrow from Zeitgeist Films, and will be made available for early sale at the screening. The movie starts at 8 pm. more ›

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continues its series “Hollywood’s Greatest Year: The Best Picture Nominees of 1939.” On the big screen is the John Steinbeck classic Of Mice and Men with Lon Chaney Jr. as Lennie and Burgess Meredith as George. The tickets are $5 and there’s a “Buck Rogers” serial chapter at 7 p.m. and the feature presentation at 7:30 p.m. All screenings will be held at Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. more ›

by Sheri Zampelli more ›

MUSIC JAM*: The Ford Amphitheatre’s J.A.M. Sessions series continues tonight with “String Along to Bluegrass.” Audience members can bring along their acoustic string instruments for an evening of bluegrass jamming. The event’s hosted by the Bluegrass Association of Southern California and begins at 7 pm. And make an evening by bringing your own food and drink (or buy it there) for a picnic. The Ford opens two hours prior to evening performances for picnicking in the terraced entryway. more ›