Free outdoor dance concerts return

This spring, the Music Center of Los Angeles County will again host free outdoor dance events on the Plaza on select Friday evenings April through May.

"Dance Downtown!" transforms the plaza into an energized space for everyone who loves to dance and especially those eager to learn. The evenings will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with step-by-step instruction in various styles of dance, followed by a full evening of dancing under the stars to live music by local bands until 10 p.m.

Building on the success of last fall’s dances with swing and salsa bands, the program expands this spring, now offering salsa, swing, contra dance and samba, to share new styles, traditions and experiences with the people of L.A.

UDance, a Music Center volunteer group devoted to the promotion of diverse, amateur/non-professional dancing at the Center, will provide dance instruction, hosts, and emcees for Dance Downtown!

All dance evenings are free and open to the public, and all skill levels are encouraged to join.

The schedule is as follows:

Dance Downtown! Salsa: April 15 with Orquesta Charangoa.

Dance Downtown! Swing: April 29 with Mora’s Modern Swingtet.

Dance Downtown! Contra Dance: May 13 Susan Michaels with Southern Exposure.

Dance Downtown! Samba: May 27 with M.I.L.A. Samba School.

Dance Downtown! is part of new free public programming focused on offering Angelenos from every corner a rich array of interactive performing arts opportunities, from popular social dancing to instrumental music "play-alongs" to community chorus sing-alongs, inviting music makers, dancers and singers of all skill levels to join in.

Dancers of all levels are welcome. Food and beverages are available for purchase and picnic baskets are also allowed.

Parking is available in the Music Center garage for $8 (after 5 p.m.).

For more information on this event, visit the Music Center website at www.musiccenter.org or call (213) 972-3660.