DANCE

Mantra Theatre, in cooperation with Thai Health and Information Services, Inc., will present the Ford’s first evening devoted to Thai arts: the “Legend of Chao Phraya, Siamese River of Life,” an original production featuring artists from Thailand and Los Angeles encompassing Thai dance, boxing, spear and sword fighting and live music including a Thai drum ensemble

(August 30).

Four Los Angeles-based contemporary dance companies will be making their first appearances at the Ford. Backhausdance, led by Jennifer Backhaus, premieres “Grass” (September 19). Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project and Catch Me Bird, companies led by married couples, share a bill called “Sans Detour” (September 5). Baker & Tarpaga premiere “Disorder Inside Order,” based on the assassination of African journalist Norbert Zongo, and Catch Me Bird unveils “Silk,” which details the blurring of their on and offstage lives through daring aerial choreography. Culture Shock Los Angeles Dance Troupe introduces, “A Beautiful Struggle,” an original hip hop work inspired by Ray Bradbury’s novel “Fahrenheit 451” and true life experiences about four people who dare to create in a time when artistic expression has been outlawed (July 25).

Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts, which has appeared on shared dance bills at the Ford in the past, presents a whole evening for the first time. “Magkaugnay: Cultural Connections in Philippine Music and Dance” brings together the many streams of Filipino culture: hill tribe rituals, Spanish-influenced festivities and drum-gong dance and music (September 13).

Returning dance series artists include blue13 dance company in “KHEL! A Bollywood Bedtime Story,” (August 23) Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet introducing “Tercera Raiz,” an exploration of the African influence on Latin American arts created by Ghanaian and Mexican choreographers (July 26) J.U.i.C.E.’s evening of street dance featuring Antics Performance, The Get Down Dolls, Lux Aeterna, Outer Circle and guest artists (October 4) and Viver Brasil Dance Company’s journey through the Afro-Brazilian myths of water spirits and deities (July 5).

FAMILY

The Big!World!Fun! Family Series encompasses 8 Saturday morning, hour-long performances in July and August designed for children ages 4 to 10 and their parents and grandparents. “Nature Tales” is the series theme and highlights include author and performer José Luis Orozco in a program featuring Lat