8/25/26 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: A Choreographer’s Brief But Spectacular Take On Life And Movement

In his Brief But Spectacular feature on PBS NewsHour, visionary choreographer Alonzo King shares his profound perspective that movement and sound are everywhere and fundamentally identical. As the founder of the San Francisco-based Alonzo King LINES Ballet, King explains how dance makes thought visible, rooted heavily in his upbringing by prominent civil rights activist parents. Continue reading

8/21/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Meet Guilluame Diop – The Paris Opera Ballet’s First Black Danseur Etoile

Guillaume Diop is a French ballet dancer who made history in March 2023 by becoming the first Black dancer promoted to “Danseur Étoile” (star dancer)—the highest, principal rank within the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet. Born in Paris in 2000 to a French mother and a Senegalese father, he is celebrated globally as a technical prodigy and a prominent cultural symbol of modernization and diversity in classical arts. Continue reading

8/19/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival – Week Two

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival finished its second week of performances on Sunday August 16, 2026. As we observed in week one the festival was an evening of short, well-crafted vignettes that had the look and elan of a gala event. The ambience continued in week two with a rich duet by a European master, a story ballet classic, and inspiring works by contemporary choreographers and emerging dance makers. The sophomore week did not have the same build as week one. This was most apparent in Act One which featured three cleanly crafted works and Roland Petit. Continue reading

8/15/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Rhythmetron: The Dance Theatre of Harlem with Arthur Mitchell (Part 1&2) 1973

Dance Theatre of Harlem founder Arthur Mitchell shares his unique gifts of leadership, civic pride and his love of the young people of Harlem. This historic 1973 lecture-demonstration film showcases the early artistry, discipline, and educational mission of the Dance Theatre of Harlem – America’s Black classical ballet company. Continue reading

8/14/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Lift Every Voice – excerpt from Alonzo King’s Deep River

Babatunji performs the powerful solo Lift Every Voice. An excerpt from Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s acclaimed work, Deep River. Featured on PBS’s Next at the Kennedy Center series, the piece merges powerful movement with the historic Black National Anthem. Continue reading

8/8/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

By Walter Rutledge

What better way to conclude the Joyce Theater spring/summer 2026 season than with a ballet festival curated by dance treasure Misty Copeland. The two-week, fourteen performance series began Tuesday August 4 and runs through Sunday August 16. Two programs will be presented, one each week. Continue reading

8/7/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Desmond Richardson – Imprint/Maya – Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Complexions Contemporary Ballet‘s co-founder Desmond Richardson performs Imprint/Maya.  Choreographed by Dwight Rhoden and set to words by Maya Angelou with music by the jazz composer David Rozenblatt the work was part of Ballet Across America — programs curated by Misty Copeland and Justin Peck –– on April 17, 2017 at the Kennedy Center. Continue reading

8/5/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Rushin’ Ballet (1937) | Little Rascals Shorts

When Porky and Buckwheat have their marbles stolen by the school bully Butch and his minion Woim, the go to Spanky and Alfalfa at the Secret Revenger’s Club. Incurring the wrath of the bullies by throwing tomatoes at them, Spanky and Alfalfa try to avoid them by donning skirts and hiding among the ballet chorus. Continue reading

8/3/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium August 3 though August 16. Former American Ballet Principal Dancer Misty Copeland has curated a stellar festival featuring outstanding choreography performed by an impressive roster of world class artists. Each night will feel like a gala performance. Choreographers Kyle Abraham, Bob Fosse, Alonzo King, José Limón, Dwight Rhoden, Rudolf Nureyev, John Taras, Ingrid Silva, Houston Thomas and a new work by Aleisha Walker commissioned by the Joyce complete the roster – and that’s just the roster for the first week! Continue reading

7/26/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival 2026 returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium for a two-week, fourteen performance season August 4th through August 16th. Former American Ballet Theater Principal Dancer Misty Copeland will curate the festival and will offer an international showcase of world class performers, outstanding classic and contemporary choreography, and rarely seen masterworks. The festival will offer two programs (one each week) with artists from some to the most prestigious companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and other leading companies. Continue reading