Morgan Freeman introduces honoree Judith Jamison at the 22nd Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. Continue reading
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Category: Black Facts
1/5/25 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVIN AILEY!: Alvin Ailey 1985 Cairo Interview- Historic Stock Video Footage
Today, January 5 is the 94th birthday of choreographer Alvin Ailey. O&A NYC shares rare video footage from a 1985 interview. The one-way dialogue between Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater took place in Cairo, Egypt. (Note: We only hear Ailey’s answers; not questions asked). He talks about his life, his dance school, the motivational forces behind his choreography and theories of dance. Continue reading
1/5/25 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Sounds of Blackness – Optimistic
Optimistic an urban contemporary gospel song by vocal and instrumental ensemble Sounds of Blackness, was released as the group’s first single from their debut studio album The Evolution of Gospel (1991). Continue reading
1/3/25 O&A NYC DIVO ALERT: I Wanna Be Ready- Matthew Rushing
Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing premiered his fifth ballet, Sacred Songs, for the Alvin Ailey American dance Theater (AAADT) on December 20, 2024. Today Friday, January 3, is the last opportunity this season to see this new work which uses the deleted music from the original production of Revelations. Continue reading
1/2/24 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Luther Vandross – Here And Now (Live from the Royal Albert Hall)
Here and Now (1989) by music icon Luther Vandross, is from the compilation album The Best of Luther Vandross… The Best of Love. The song became Vandross’ fifth single to peak at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles, and his first single to chart in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 6. Continue reading
1/1/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Matthew Rushing- Sacred Songs
By Walter Rutledge
The 2024 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT’s) New York City Center fall season presented four premieres by two former company members Hope Boykin and Jamal Roberts, master choreographer Lar Lubovitch, and AAADT Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing. Rushing’s Sacred Songs, an ensemble work with an interesting twist, is set to the music edited from the original version of Alvin Ailey’s and AAADT’s signature work Revelations. Sacred Songs it made its debut on December 20th, was the last of the four new works to premiere, and it was worth the wait. Continue reading
12/31/24 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Akon – Akon’s Beautiful Day
Join Akon as he takes us on a positive journey into the new year with his lastest hit single Akon’s Beautiful Day. Continue reading
12/29/24 O&A NYC SUNDAY SCHOOL: The Birth of Christ (Animated Bible Movie)
Judah Stretch Animation‘s bible movie Birth of Christ gives young audiences a version of the Nativity like never before experienced. Continue reading
12/29/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Tye Tribbett – Only One Night Tho
Singer, songwriter and a keyboardist Thomas Tyrone “Tye” Tribbett is the choir director and founder of the Grammy-nominated and Stellar Award-winning gospel group Tye Tribbett & G.A. (short for ‘Greater Anointing). In 2024, his album All Things New-Live in Orlando won another Grammy for Best Gospel Album. Continue reading
12/28/24 O&A NYC MILESTONE: Happy 70th Birthday Denzel Washington
O&A NYC would like to celebration the 70th Birthday of actor, philanthropist, and role model Denzel Washington. Whose life and career has enriched the lives of untold individuals. The Mount Vernon native remembers his roots and the people and places that shaped his life. Washington spoke about his days as a Club kid at the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon. He credited the time he spent there and the mentoring he received from caring staff as key to his survival and success. In honor of this milestone we present a soliloquy from Malcolm X.
Malcolm X (Denzel Washington) delivers a powerful speech about how Black people have been led astray by politicians in America. From the 1992 biographical film from director and co-writer Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr. and Delroy Lindo. Happy Birthday to a prolific man in the arts. Continue reading
