Out & About NYC Magazine was founded to offer the arts and lifestyle enthusiast a fresh new look at New York City. We will showcase the established and the emerging, the traditional and the trendy. And we will do it with élan, and panache with a dash of fun.

2/1/26 O&A NYC THE WORD: Soul of Afrika – Blessings

Blessings by Soul of Afrika is a powerful Gospel drill anthem filled with faith, confidence, and spiritual strength. The music video captures real energy, bold declarations, and a message of divine covering and favor—reminding listeners that blessings follow those who stand firm in faith. Continue reading

2/1/26 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Dottie Peoples & The Peoples Choice Chorale – He’s An On Time God and more


Dottie Peoples has been a star in the gospel music industry for more than 30 years, since she was nine years old. Called The Songbird Of The South by Atlanta WAOK radio announcer Brother Esmond Patterson, Peoples won the top four honors at the 1995 Stellar Awards with her album, On Time God. Continue reading

2/1/26 O&A NYC THE SUNDAY MORNING FUNNIES: A New Trailer of Melania

The weekend opening of the $75 million dollar Jeff Bezos bribe, Melania, debuted to dismal numbers. Hopefully this new ad will light a fire under MAGA. Continue reading

1/30/26 O&A NYC IRIE FRIDAY: Spice – Soft Girl Era

Spice released Soft Girl Era in January 2026 as her first single of the year, marking a new, independent phase focusing on self-love, luxury, and unapologetic feminine energy.  Continue reading

1/30/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Unity Through Community – Jamel Gaines and MAAFA: The Capture

By Walter Rutledge

Dance Theatre of. Harlem founder Arthur Mitchell told me, “It’s easy to choreograph on professionals try choreographing on regular people”. He was implying that the dance maker must rely more on creativity than on established steps and patterns. Jamel Gaines has accepted this challenge. Instead of using members of the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theater, he has constructed a large intergenerational cast of church constituents.

On Sunday February 1st the Creative Outlet founder/artistic director will present his staging and choreography in MAAFA: The Capture. The Brainchild of Bishop, Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, the 9am free performance at Mt. Piscah Baptist Church, located at 167-10 137th Ave in Jamaica, Queens, will herald in Black History Month. MAAFA: The Capture is a twenty-minute dance theatre vignette depicting the African American experience.

O&A NYC Magazine Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge attended recent rehearsals and watched Gaines put his neophyte cast through the paces. These rehearsals were equal parts inspiration and perspiration. A true old school director Gaines rehearsals are both exacting and exhausting. And Gaines high energy and cajoling demeanor effortlessly brings out the movement shapes and dramatic artistry. Don’t take my word here’s a sneak peek into the rehearsal process.

MAAFA: The Capture rehearsal

 The black church has always been the source of not only inspiration but the hallmark for information and education. MAAFA: The Capture captures African American history in an entertaining and enlightening dance theater group endeavor. Unity through community.

 

 

 

1/29/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Roots – Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody


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The Roots perform Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around from the  2014 soundtrack of the film For A Revolution. In this clip, which juxtaposes black and white footage of 20th-century Civil Rights protests with color footage of the band performing in a recording studio. Continue reading

1/28/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Good Times – Black Jesus -The Evans Family’s Lucky Charm

J.J. (Jimmie Walker) has painted a portrait of Black Jesus and it turns out it brings a lot of good luck to the family (Esther Rolle, John Amos, BernNadette Stanis and Ralph Carter). However, Florida is not a big fan of him. Continue reading

1/28/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks Act V- Mourning Place

The final act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks takes place after the death of Dr. King . John Jones (Dr Martin Luther King), Sheila Rohan (Rosa Parks) and James E. Murphy (Assassin). Continue reading

1/28/26 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mikhail Baryshnikov – Le Jeune Homme et La Mort From White Nights (1985)

Happy Birthday to the dance legend Mikhail Baryshnikov (January 27, 1948) in honor of your 78th birthday O&A NYC Magazine decided to share one of balletomanes favorite cinematic dance moments. Continue reading

1/27/26 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Aminah Imani – Rich Vacations vs. Poor Vacations

Comedian Aminah Imani on getting hit on by British guys, her wild girls trip to Morocco, and how to avoid crazy people on the subway.
Continue reading