World Premiere of 'Great Integration,' a chamber hip-hop opera June 18, 2010

Fri and Sat, June 18th and 19th at 8 pm

Dynamically forging new performance forms that collide music, dance and theater genres from hip hop to classical, composer/pianist JooWan Kim and choreographer Raissa Simpson present the world premiere of the epic chamber hip-hop opera "Great Integration." Performed by Kim's Ensemble Mik Nawooj and Simpson's Push Dance Company, "Great Integration" is a groundbreaking, genre-blurring installment of Kim's ongoing narrative epic about the end of times and new beginnings as revealed in a series of mystical prophecies. Information:http://www.motionfest.org/project.php Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Integration-A-Chamber-Hip-Hop-Opera/170827364499

"Great Integration" is steeped in an electrifyingly contemporary alloy of Taoist tradition, hip-hop music, dance and poetry; forward-looking philosophy and arresting performance presentation. In this penultimate installment of the ongoing Mik Nawooj saga, Black Swordsman of dominance is chosen as the one to trigger the Great Integration of the world before the arrival of Celestial King. When all the five lords of material realm are conquered, the old world we know will merge into one and the Great Celestial King will descend from ninth heaven to wipe out all the impurities of the world, thus creating a new world with brand new paradigm. It is an allegory that the co-creators find particularly apt for the approaching end times prophesied by the Mayan and other cultures in 2012 and, more importantly, for the new era that these tribulations will usher in.

Along with Simpson's visceral, high-energy choreography, JooWan Kim's music incorporates elements from hip-hop and classical. Jazz vocalist Christopher Nicholas opens for the premiere in San Francisco. Following its world premiere, "Great Integration" will receive its New York premiere at the Joyce Soho in July, 2010.

Official Website: http://www.motionfest.org