Ford’s ‘Summer’ Offers Expanded Schedule : Arts: The series lineup includes 31 performances of music, opera, dance and theater by 17 organizations.

The 1994 “Summer Nights at the Ford” performance series, running June 18-Sept. 4, will encompass 31 performances of music, opera, dance and theater by 17 Los Angeles County-based arts organizations--including expanded world arts and culture events and a new series of seven children’s events, program organizers announced Wednesday.

Series officials said that the second annual “Summer Nights” fest, held at the outdoor John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Cahuenga Pass near the Hollywood Bowl, will also offer additional picnic areas this year.

The season will open with “Moon Over Madness,” by the L.A. Physical Theatre project-- a “comic spectacle in the tradition of Cirque du Soleil” directed by Stefan Haves, creative consultant on the New York and Los Angeles productions of “Fool Moon.” The show, performed June 18 and 19, will include silent performers, 20-foot puppets and live musicians.

The Mexican folkloric dance group Danza Floricanto/USA, which is the oldest existing professional Mexican folk dance troupe in Los Angeles and was one of last season’s most popular events, returns this year, along with Dance Kaleidoscope and Huayucaltia.

New “world” program offerings will include Rum & Humble’s “Salsa L.A.” (Rum & Humble staged the 1993 Los Angeles Festival’s popular “Sacred Landmarks” concert series); an all-day program of Caribbean music; and “Brazilian Festival ’94.”

Children’s performances--with tickets priced at $7, rather than the $15-$30 for other events--will include introductions to Bach and Mozart by the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra and the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra; dance performances by Dance Kaleidoscope, Lula Washington’s Youth Dance Ensemble and Jazz Tap Ensemble; Arco Iris, a music troupe from Buenos Aires performing traditional music from the Andes; and Craig ‘N Company, featuring rock ‘n’ roll by recording artist Craig Taubman and his band.

The Ford series also includes Ken Nordine and Friends with special guest Geggy Tah, with Tah delivering “Word Jazz” monologues backed by music; the Long Beach Chamber Chorale; the Los Angeles Philharmonic; the Long Beach Opera and Los Angeles Modern Dance and Ballet.

* For complete ticket information call THEATIX at (213) 466-1767.