12/28/24 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Beyoncé’s Christmas Day Halftime Show

Hope your Santa hat was fastened, because Beyoncé gave us the ultimate Cowboy Carter gift this Christmas. The superstar spread holiday cheer during Wednesday’s Halftime Show at the Christmas Day Texans-Ravens NFL game in her hometown of Houston, Texas, marking the first time Beyoncé performed songs from her hit 2024 album “Cowboy Carter” in front of a live audience. Continue reading

12/27/25 O&A NYC DANCE/MILESTONES: Happy Birthday Joan Myers Brown!

By Walter Rutledge

Happy Birthday Joan Myers Brown! The nonagenarian dance icon was born on Christmas Day ninety three years ago in her beloved Philadelphia. Even as a child Brown understood the disparities between American of African decent and the local whites; and she wanted to shatter the social barriers prohibiting her people from becoming famous in the world of dance. In 1960 Brown established the Philadelphia School of Dance. The school was so successful she formed a dance company in 1970.  Now fifty four years later the Philadelphia Dance Company aka Philadanco and Joan Myers Brown are world renowned. Below is a 2019 article prior to Brown receiving the  2019 New York Dance and Performance Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance, and video conversation with Brown and dance scholar Brenda Dixon Gottschild. 

“Happy Birthday Aunt Joan” 

Love,

Walter Continue reading

11/30/25 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite – Quantum Of The Seas Orchestra

On Christmas Eve, 2015, the Quantum Of The Seas Orchestra performed the entire Duke Ellington version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Continue reading

12/22/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Now Behold The Lamb


Now behold the Lamb,  is the most published song in hymnal collections, appearing first in the album Kirk Franklin and the Family Christmas (1995). Continue reading

12/22/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ailey Premieres by Boykin, Lobovitch, and Roberts

By Walter Rutledge

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is now halfway through their 66th New York season at New York City Center. In the 18 remaining performances this season, which runs until January 5, the company will present 19 works by 12 choreographers. The fall/winter Ailey season has become one of New York City’s annual holiday traditions. Continue reading

12/20/24 O&A NYC IRIE FRIDAY: Shaggy – Jamaican Drummer Boy


Shaggy makes some island magic at this 2019 Disney “magical holiday celebration”. Continue reading

12/20/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Meet The First Black Star Of New York City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’

Shall We Dance Friday

 The 2024 New York City Ballet’s production of  The Nutcracker has cast Charlotte Nebres, a black dancer, to play Marie for the first time in the productions 70 year history. Continue reading

12/15 24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Go Tell It On The Mountain- Melvin Crispell III & Chandler Moore)

Go Tell It On The Mountain featuring Melvin Crispell III, Chandler Moore and the Maverick City Gospel Choir was written by John W. Work Jr. and Brandon Lake. It is from Maverick City Music’s 2021 Christmas Album, A Very Maverick Christmas. Continue reading

12/13/24 O&A NYC DANCE: A Conversation with Lloyd Knight -The Drama (A Self Portrait)

By Walter Rutledge

Lloyd Knight’s solo dance work, The Drama will have its preview public performances Friday, December 13, 7pm, and Saturday, December 14, 6pm, at the Martha Graham Studio Theater, 55 Bethune Street, 11th Floor, in Manhattan’s West Village/Meatpacking district. Commissioned by the Guggenheim’s Works & Process The Drama is being presented on conjunction with Fall 2024 Studio Series and will have it official premiere on January 13th, 2025, 7pm, at the Guggenheim Museum. Continue reading