CITY ARTS : Dancing Freely

The works of four African-American choreographers and the theme of stereotypes will be featured when the Black Choreographers Moving Toward the 21st Century IV program returns to Los Angeles for performances Thursday through Saturday.

Friday’s show will be the Los Angeles premiere of choreographer Donald Byrd’s “The Minstrel Show,” with an encore Saturday afternoon. It satirizes stereotypes through specialty dances, stunts, jokes, skits and music. Panel discussions of racism will follow each “Minstrel Show.”

On Thursday and Saturday evenings, the Donald Byrd/The Group company will present the first section of “Drastic Cuts,” and choreographer Winifred R. Harris’ company, Between Lines, will debut “When Wet Came to Paper.”

The Denver-based Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater will present Donald McKayle’s “Ring-a-levio,” which uses the children’s game as a metaphor for issues involving peer pressure among urban youth. Oakland choreographer and performer Shakiri will present “With My Face on Their Faces,” which examines the effects of last year’s riots through text, music and movement.

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Black Choreographers Moving Toward the 21st Century, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., at the Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St.; $22, $18, $12 for senior citizens and students. Credit card reservations: (213) 680-3700; information: (213) 892-1190.