Ford Summer Season Honors Mexican Revolution's 100th Anniversary

To help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, the Ford Amphitheatre's 2010 Summer Season offers five events focusing on the culture of Mexico in the Mexico 100 series.

The Mexico 100 events are a natural tie-in to future, scheduled public observances of the anniversary and any feature stories about it. Plus, they have been officially designated as observances by the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.

Ford's Mexico 100 events and dates are:

• Gregorio Luke At The Ford - Frida, A New Look - 8 pm, Fri. June 11 & Sat. June 12 - Using recently discovered color photographs, rare film clips and letters The former director of the Museum of Latin American Art and cultural attaché of the Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles will cover all aspects of the life and career of Frida.


• Concierto El Rey - Homenaje A Jose Alfredo Jiménez - 7 pm, Sat. Aug. 14 - A roster of musicians, singers and dancers to pay tribute to the foremost composer of ranchera music. Jimenez had no formal musical training but wrote more than 1000 songs, a profound contribution to Mexico's musical heritage.


• Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet - 7:30 pm, Sat. Aug. 28 - Grandeza members have immersed themselves in the time of he Mexican Revolution, studying revolutionary dances with a former member of the renowned Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. With Mariachi Nuevo Cuicatlan Grandeza will summon the spirit of this turbulent, fertile and defining period in Mexico's history.


• Third Annual Noche Veracruzana - 7:30 pm, Sat. Sept. 4 - A performance featuring the Son Jarocho, Huasteco traditions of Veracruz, Mexico, Ballet Folklorico Ollin and Claudio Ortega, the new voice of Buenos Aires.


• Fiesta Mexicana Viii - Sones, Bailes Y Cantares - 7 pm, Sat. Sept. 25 - Now in its eighth year, the fiesta celebrates the rich diversity of folkloric music and dance of Mexico. Mariachi Cielo Nuevo, Middleton Street School Folklorico, Tamborazo Pancho Villa and Trio Jacaranda are among the performers.

Reserve your spot at www.FordTheatres.org or 323-461-3673. Details available here .

Background: The Mexican Revolution began in 1910 with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime dictator Porfirio Díaz. Famous revolutionary leaders included Francisco "Pancho" Villa and Emiliano Zapata. The revolution produced the Mexican Constitution of 1917 and paved the way for a modern, democratic Mexico. The revolution is observed Nov. 20 annually.