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.