Herbie Hancock and his band perform cuts from the albums Man-Child and Secrets: 1. Hang Up Your Hang Ups (from Man-Child, 1975) 2. Gentle Thoughts (from Secrets, 1976) 3. Spider (from Secrets, 1976). Continue reading
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Category: Black Facts
1/10/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Earl “Snake Hips” Tucker
Earl “Snakehips” Tucker was an African American dancer and entertainer. Also known as the “Human Boa Constrictor”, he acquired the nickname “snakehips” via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the “snakehips” Continue reading
1/8/25 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDNESDAY: Donovan Bogard Gets His Girl
Donovan Bogard finally get Mrs. Johnson inside a wedding chapel unfortunate for the groom he is the minister performing more than the ceremony. The skit was featured in Lenny Henry in Pieces a British stand-up and sketch show by comedians Lenny Henry and Gina Yashere. It aired on BBC One between 2000 and 2003. Continue reading
1/7/24 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Judith Jamison- 22nd Kennedy Center Honors (1999)
Morgan Freeman introduces honoree Judith Jamison at the 22nd Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. Continue reading
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
