Black Swordsman Saga

Photos by Sinru Ku

Choreography: Raissa Simpson
Music: JooWan Kim
Lyrics by MC Kirby Dominant
Costumes: Simone Van Der Meer
Light Design: Desiree Carrillo

 

Black Swordsman Saga (2010) is a 1-hour millennial allegoric hip-hop opera set to the rapping of MC Kirby Dominant and music of JooWan Kim. A post-apocolyptic setting is created as dancers sift through dynamic storytelling and an Ariel dance flying sequence.

“Simpson reinvents classical ballet and modern dance aesthetics with a sleek and sexy edge. Ultimately, her sleek style transcends confining categories. While her movement style refuses to be pinned down...” Katie Gaydos, SF Guardian, 2010

Credits: Black Swordsman Saga is made possible in part with funds by Margaret Jenkins Dance Company's CHIME, the Zellerbach Family Foundation in association with William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and individual support.


Mixed Messages

Photos by Sinru Ku

Choreography by Raissa Simpson
Music: Kyle Canfield
Set & Costume Design: Marlon Sagana Ingram

 

Mixed Messages (2009 restaging as site-specific work 2011) is a lush 40-minute multimedia septet able to be excerpted or shown in its entirety. Audience members pass through a series of intricate mixed-race imagery bound by isolation, identity, self-image, and acceptance.

"In Mixed Messages, dancers will investigate ideas, time and space through the body movements of mythical creatures in an urban environment." Crystal Carter, ColorLines Magazine, 2009

Credits: Co-commissioned by San Francisco Arts Commission Exlporation Grant 2009 & Realization Grant 2011, the Zellerbach Family Foundation in association with William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation.


Judgments In Milliseconds


Photos by Sinru Ku

Choreography: Raissa Simpson
Media & Music: Marlon Sagana Ingram
Costume: Jamielyn Duggan

 

 

 

Judgments In Milliseconds (2008) is a humorous 8-minute multimedia solo inspired by the simulation facing African American hair in today’s culture.

"Wry study of African American identity." Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle, 2010

Credits: Co-commissioned by San Francisco Arts Commission Exlporation Grant 2009 & Realization Grant 2011, the Zellerbach Family Foundation in association with William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation.


Post Meridian


Photo by Matt Haber

Choreography: Raissa Simpson
Music: Unwoman
Live Feed: Raissa Simpson

 

Post Meridian (2007 restaged 2008) is a 10-minute sextet for men and women with live cello-singer music.

“Therein lies Simpson’s huge talent: Capturing the rise and fall of musical climaxes through movement. In her final number, Post Meridian, dancers performed an exhausting piece full of energy and quick, unexpected transitions. The result was an exciting, captivating dance. Audience members were entertained, and you could tell the dancers truly enjoyed performing it as well.” Wendy Garafoli, Dancer Magazine/ dancer.com, 2008

Credits: Funded in part by Zellerbach Family Foundation


Adinfinitum


Photo by Matt Haber

Choreography: Raissa Simpson
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach

 

Adinfinitum (2001, restaged 2005) is an ardent solo that investigates reckless hope and loss.


Raissa's Creativity
  PUSH DANCE COMPANY © 2009 -- P.O. Box 421508, San Francisco, Ca 94142
501(c)(3) non-profit organization -- e: info @ pushdance (dot) org