DANCE

Former Los Angeles Ballet artistic director John Clifford, has formed the Ballet of Los Angeles, a touring company to fulfill booking commitments left by the recently folded Chicago City Ballet. Clifford is director of the nonprofit corporation, with Allegra Kent, former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, an associate director. An eight-week national tour opens in February and negotiations are now under way for a three-week Latin American tour to follow. At this time, there are no plans for the company to exist beyond the Latin American tour. No Los Angeles performances are scheduled.