About this Event
Join us for an in-depth conversation with one of Los Angeles’ living cultural treasures, the brilliant modern choreographer Raiford Rogers. For over four decades, Rogers has been presenting some of the most lyrical and kinetic modern ballet in the country, working with collaborators such as Charlie Haden, Terry Riley, Sandra Tsing Loh and others. We’ll also be screening a recording of Rogers’ latest work, the gorgeous and luminous Seeds of Rain (2022, 40 min.), which recently world premiered at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, with musical compositions by Philip Glass and Zbyněk Matějů — featuring organist Mark Alan Hiltand pianist Helena Suchárová-Weiser. The performance featured guest dancers Tetyana Matyanova (Ukraine) and Tigran Mkrtchyan (Armenia). The music for Seeds of Rain (part 1) is a special arrangement of Philip Glass’ masterwork Mad Rush performed by Los Angeles organist Mark Alan Hilt and recorded at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica. Seeds of Rain (part 2) is set to Czech composer Zbyněk Matějů’s Three Stones Concerto featuring pianist Helena Suchárová-Weiser with the Hrádec Kralové Philharmonic Orchestra — recorded specifically for this ballet collaboration. The title for the ballet-diptych Seeds of Rain is a line from the D.H. Lawrence poem Autumn Rain about hope and renewal. The artwork by painter Mike Nava is projected animations showing the chronologic evolution of a series of paintings each photographed layer by layer. The hundreds of stages of the painting’s development slowly fade from one to the next without a static moment providing a living environment for the dancers and visual embodiment of the music.
Raiford Rogers, a native of Bad Axe, Michigan, is an internationally recognized contemporary choreographer. He has created numerous collaborative pieces with prominent musicians and artists. Mr. Rogers was twice awarded National Endowment for the Arts Choreographer Fellowships.
New ballets include Naivete of Flowers (2018) and Garden of Untamed Roses (2019) with original music by Lloyd Rodgers, and art by Mike Nava. Additional collaborative works set to music by Zbynek Mateju include Joshua Tree Symphony and Still Life. His collaborative ballets include: Where Are You My Love and Merge with jazz legend Charlie Haden; Cocktails With Joey with Joey Altruda and his Mambo Orchestra; Cabin Fever with Sandra Tsing Loh; and Ex Machina with L.A. Phil composer Carlos Rodriguez. Other unique projects include Dmitri, set to a synopsis by Woody Allen; In C to music of Terry Riley; Orpheus: a Ballet-Opera and The Little Prince with composer Lloyd Rodgers; Sleepwalk with artist John Nava; and Dream Baby set to music by Roy Orbison with sets by artist Mark Stock.
Rogers co-founded the Los Angeles Chamber Ballet with Victoria Koenig. In 2002 he created the Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet. The Company performs annually at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, CSULA.
For Rogers, choreography is the transcription of music into pure movement. His ballets are created by visualizing the inner narrative, or idea, of the music. In his work, he seeks to uncover the intent, or psychology, of the music into an unadorned and transparent dance language.
In-person event and Zoom tickets are also available. This event will be recorded. Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.
PRS EVENT POLICIES
- We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
- Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
- We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.
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REFUND POLICIES
All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events, except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test.
In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.
COVID-19 Protocols for the Philosophical Research Society
To ensure safety for visitors and staff, PRS has implemented the following measures:
- Please stay home if you are feeling sick. Check the CDC website for coronavirus symptoms.
- Please do not visit if you come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms in the 14 days prior to your visit.
- Face masks are strongly recommended to all visitors and staff indoors. See LA County recommendations.
- Please use the outdoor courtyard when eating or drinking.
- Capacity is limited for the purposes of safety.
- Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the campus.
- All visitors must follow the posted rules.
More information:
Los Angeles County: https://covid19.lacounty.gov
Los Angeles City: https://coronavirus.lacity.org
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/HOO/HOO_SaferReturnWorkCommunity.pdf
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. We cannot guarantee you will not be exposed to COVID-19 during your visit. Those visiting the Philosophical Research Society, Inc. do so at their own risk of such exposure.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, United States
USD 15.00