Dance

J.R. Martinez, the Iraq war veteran who was badly disfigured in a land mine explosion, danced away with the championship trophy on "Dancing With the Stars" on Tuesday. Martinez will be the grand marshal for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade on Jan. 2. The name "J.R. Martinez" was unknown to most Americans and stuck out when ABC announced the roster of celebrities competing in this season of the hit show. But that didn't last long. Continue reading > > ALSO : Iraq war vet and 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant named Roses grand marshal Glendale takes over Rose Parade float process -- Rene Lynch, Los Angeles Times Photo: Dancing With the Stars winner and Iraq war veteran, J.R. Martinez, was named the grand marshal for Pasadena Tournament of Roses on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

J.R. Martinez - a former soldier, actor and current contestant on “Dancing With the Stars” - was named the grand marshal today for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade on Jan. 2. Martinez, the current cover story for “People” magazine, underwent 33 surgeries after his Humvee triggered a land mine in Iraq in 2003 and he suffered burns over much of his body. Tournament of Roses Assn. President Rick Jackson announced Martinez on the front lawn of the Tournament House today, setting off a pop of red, white and blue confetti stars.

Glendale's cultures collided on Sunday for the city's 10th annual Unity Fest hosted by TV star Mario Lopez. Hundreds of people packed Brand Boulevard as organizers put the many cultures of Glendale up for display through dance, art, music and, of course, food. Mayor Laura Friedman called the annual event “the most colorful, the most vibrant and maybe one of the loudest street fairs that we have.” Mario Lopez served as Unity Fest's celebrity host for the second consecutive year.

For the second year in a row, TV celebrity Mario Lopez is slated to be a celebrity guest at Unity Fest, an international street fair aimed at promoting Glendale's cultural diversity. The 10th annual Unity Fest will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday on Brand Boulevard between Wilson and California avenues. Zizette Mullins, Glendale's community relations coordinator, said event-goers can expect even more diverse food than last year, larger crowds and more games for children.

Glendale Arts is working with the Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre and the Anna Djanbazian Dance Company to raise money for free public dance performances that will be held on Oct. 15 and 16 in the vacant lot on the corner of Brand Boulevard and Wilson Avenue in Glendale. The three organizations will host a dinner on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Ard Eevin house located at 851 W. Mountain St., Glendale. Designed by Nathaniel Dryden in 1902, the Ard Eevin House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Altadena choreographer Kim Almanzar Mischook (known professionally as Kamala Almanzar) is presenting "A Choreographers¿ Collective: Authentic Middle Eastern Dance in an Intimate Setting" at Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre,  230 W. Main St, Alhambra, on Aug. 12, 13, and 14. Tickets are available at  www.kamaladance.com  or contact kimdance@earthlink.net. Read more at Altadenablog.com .  

Two weeks ago Paula Jaramillo had only a vague idea what mapalé looked like. But on Thursday, the 10-year-old put on an energetic performance of the traditional Colombian dance for a dozen camp mates and a handful of parents. “I put it on my TV and I looked at the people [dancing] and I said, 'I am going to do that,'” said Paula as she flounced around the room in a ruffled skirt and dangly earrings. The act was the sort of culturally-inspired, self-motivated learning that characterizes the Spanish-language summer camp, which is taking place at Incarnation Community Center in Glendale.

Music was blasting from speakers hooked up to Mihran Kirakosyan’s laptop as kids ran laps around Matador Dance Studio, where the motto is, “You will never truly grow until you dance.” It was the beginning of Kirakosyan’s hip-hop class for kids ages 5 to 12. After they ran a few laps, Kirakosyan’s warm-up routine would have them stretch and complete reps of sit-ups, push-ups and jumping jacks. Then it was time to dance. With all their eyes on Kirakosyan, the kids followed his steps to his count with no music at all. “It’s simple counts, no counts in between, so they can put steps and choreography into music.