4/17/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Firebird- Dance Theatre of Harlem

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic Firebird places the Russian folk tale about a magical bird that triumphs over evil in an exotic Caribbean setting. John Taras’ choreography to Stravinsky’s familiar score was further enlivened by sets and costumes by Geoffrey Holder. The 1982 DTH production was a tremendous worldwide success. Continue reading

4/9/26 O&A NYC DANCE: Firebird- A DTH Signature Classic From MotionMami Animation

Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) has a long tradition of collaborating with visual artists, including Richard Barcliff, Geoffrey Holder, Hilary Knight, and Artis Lane among others, to help bring ballets to life beyond the stage. Continue reading

3/16/26 O&A NYC DIVA ALERT: Misty Copeland Performs In Sinners Musical Number At Oscars

The musical tribute to Sinner at the 98th Academy Awards featuring a special appearance by former American Ballet Theatre principal dance Misty Copeland. Continue reading

3/15/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: A Conversation With Francesca Harper and Adanna Smalls – A Preview of Ailey II N.Y.C. Season


Ailey II returns to the Joyce Theater for their New York City season March 17 through 22. The all too short season will feature two programs. New Works featuring cutting edge choreography from inspired emerging dance makers and Legacy/Future which is an exciting mix of established and emerging artists including works by company founder Alvin Ailey. Out and About NYC Magazine Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge discussed the upcoming season and all things Ailey II with Artistic Director Francesca Harper and one of the newest company members Adanna Smalls. Continue reading

3/14/ 26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Works & Process American Ballet Theatre- Othello by Lar Lubovitch

The Works & Process performing arts series at the Guggenheim Museum recently hosted a preview and discussion of American Ballet Theatre’s revival of Othello: A Dance in Three Acts. The presentation featured a discussion moderated by ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe with choreographer Lar Lubovitch, offering insights into his creative process and the use of elaborate storyboards to guide the production. Lubovitch shared how he revised the original 1997 work, deleting approximately 20 minutes of music and refining character actions for this revival. Continue reading

3/6/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Maya Plisetskaya Dances Bolero, The Dying Swan And More

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Maya Plisetskaya, Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Bolshoi Ballet, danced Maurice Bejart’s Bolero set to the famous Maurice Ravel score in 1975. Plisetskaya created a stunning theatrical experience. What makes the piece so compelling is that although Plisetskaya may be accompanied by dozens of other dancers mirroring her movement, the first and only focus is on the prima ballerina herself. Continue reading

2/13/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: TV Personality Cheryl Wills Joins Remembering Cast.

By Walter Rutledge

Journalist and author Cheryl Wills joins the cast as both actor and playwright for the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company in tonight’s production of Remembering at the BAM Fisher Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Place, in downtown Brooklyn. Wills shared the story of her great, great, great grandfather Private Sandy Wills with young audiences on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday evening’s performance playwright Wills will be performed by Thera Ward. Continue reading

2/9/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Meet Deven Crawford – Unity Through Community

Meet Deven Crawford a 19-year-old Las Vegas Nevada native who is living his dream.  The former dance major at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts happened to meet Jamel Gaines at the 2024 IABD (International Association of Black in Dance) conference. Today Crawford is a sophomore studying dance at Marymount College in Manhattan and one of the newest members of the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company (JGCO). 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