Pick a Side, Babe

A dance-theater work that unpacks the social and internal walls people build—what it means to be a woman, bisexual and human in a world that is obsessed with categories. Using physicality and irony, the piece wrestles with masking, perfectionism, and the exhausting performance of fitting in. What happens when we finally let our contradictions dance? Sometimes I love pink. Sometimes I hate it. Mostly, I’m just learning to be.

Pulp Dance Co 

Pulp is a fun group at its core—they use dance, theater, and satire to ask questions, have conversations, and (hopefully) make audiences laugh about their relationships with each other, the world, and its outrageous constructs. ​​Founded in 2019, Pulp is a San Francisco-based dance company led by Artistic Director, Jenna Valez. They have presented work at ODC, Golden Gate Park, Joe Goode Annex, Dance Mission Theater, LevyDANCE, SAFEhouse Arts, Gibney Dance Theater (NYC) and more. The company has been granted residencies through Sonoma State University, RAW SAFEhouse Arts, and LevySALON, and has participated in mentorship programs such as ODC Pilot, Mark Foehringer’s Young Choreographer Forum, SFIAF Alumni Program and Doug Varone’s DEVICES (NYC). They are thrilled to be a part of the SF International Arts festival for a second year!

Artist Biographies

Jenna Valez

Jenna is a dance artist who resides in San Francisco, CA. She believes art and dance are a way to uncover our unconscious, which gives light to a path of deeper understanding and care. Jenna currently performs and collaborates with CALI&CO directed by Christine Cali. She has performed with Rhea Speights & friends, Isabel Rosenstock, CatCallChoir, Dog+Pony, Quicksilver Dance Co, and Maligrad Contemporary Dance Company. Jenna has participated in several competitive choreographic mentorships including SFIAF Alumni Program, ODC Pilot, Mark Foehringer’s YCF and Doug Varone’s DEVICES. She has danced, performed and/or taught in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Arrezo (Italy). Jenna graduated with distinction from Sonoma State University with a B.A. in dance and psychology. She teaches yoga (E-RYT 500) and manages a collection of yoga studios in San Francisco.

CJ Logel

CJ was born and raised in the Inland Empire where he received his BA in Dance from UC Riverside. Since relocating to San Francisco he has had the pleasure of dancing with STEAMROLLER Dance Company, Robert Moses and Chelsea Van Billiard. He is currently dancing with Christine Cali and PULP.

Chelsea Van Billiard Oshita

Chelsea Van Billiard is a Las Vegas native currently residing in San Francisco. Chelsea holds a BFA in Dance and Theater from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She also studied at the London Contemporary Dance School. Chelsea has spent time at workshops and intensives in Berlin, Israel, and San Francisco. She has performed nationally and internationally for Maligrad Contemporary Dance Company. Chelsea continues to create work in the Bay Area while performing in projects with Sarah Keeney, Rhea Speights, and other local choreographers.

Oona Wong Danders

Oona is an Oakland native, she received her early training at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, Berkeley Ballet Theater, and ODC/School, then completed her BA in Dance at San Francisco State University. Post graduating she has been active in the bay area dance scene and has had the pleasure of dancing, creating and performing work by so many talented artists including ahdanco, Allegra Bautista, ayanadancearts, Brenda Way, Garrett & Moulton Productions, ka·nei·see | collective, Katerina Wong, Kimi Okada, KT Nelson, Kristin Damrow & Company and Quicksilver Dance. She is thrilled to be a founding dancer of and to have found a home in PULP. If she weren’t so in love with dance, Oona, an aspiring fashion icon, would ideally live in Tokyo, running an eco-friendly flower shop by day and the local watering hole by night!