Category: Black Facts

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8/16/25 O&A NYC DANCE: The Era Footwork Crew – Chicago’s Urban Terpsichoreans

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By Walter Rutledge

Los Angles urban dance warriors perform Krump, Memphis dancers have the Juke, New Yorkers are Flexn and Chicago homies dance Footwork. Footwork music began evolving in Chicago in the early 90s, drawing on Ghetto House and Juke but adding complex layers of odd, almost compulsively frenetic rhythms; it grew hand in hand with the athletic, high-octane dance style that shares its name.

The dance/theatre urban storytelling style is accompanied by original lyrics and music tracks that reflect social justice, inequality and systemic racism. For over ten years Chicago’s Era Footwork Crew has introduce Footwork to the urban “dance battles” and the greater international dance community. Era Footwork Crew continues to make the urban dance style as synonymous to Chicago’s cultural identity as Deep-Dish Pizza. These Urban Terpsichorean will be part of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) in Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions, which will premiere Aug 23, 2025, 6:00pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Continue reading

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8/14/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Kevin Iega Jeff and The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project – Pedagogy. Community. Legacy

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By Walter Rutledge

Life is an ever changing, ever evolving adventure. On the adventure life requires us to react, adapt and hopefully reinvent. Sadly, when we stop making history we become a part of history.

Kevin Iega Jeff continues to make history. His latest adventure is the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) in Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions, which will premiere Aug 23, 2025, 6:00pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street).  Jeff is both the Co-Director (Mashaune Hardy Co – Director) and Co- Curator (Gary Abbott Co – Curator) of this production, which promises to be evening of Black Dance excellence. CBDLP unites ten Chicago dance companies for an evening of diverse and artistically/socially relevant performances. Continue reading

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8/9/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: The Beloved- Dance Theatre of Harlem

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Dance Theatre of Harlem in Lester Horton‘s 1949 masterwork The Beloved the duet (based on a true story) performed by Cassandra Phifer and Hagues Magen. Continue reading

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8/8/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Chicago’s Hiplet Ballerinas To Perform In The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project Debut

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By Walter Rutledge

Shall We Dance Friday

Who would defile the sacred world of ballet (the last bastion of “pure” euro-centric dance and culture) by adding a healthy dose of urban flair? Move over Swan Lake and make way for the Hiplet Ballerinas. The Chicago – based dance company, whose unique style has taken the dance world by storm. The company will be part of The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project – Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions  on Saturday, August 23, 6 pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). The performance is a showcase of Black dance excellence and will feature ten of the city’s most innovative and diverse dance companies.   Continue reading

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7/27/25 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ: Mary Lou Williams at Les Mouches, NYC, 1978 Cabaret Show

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Legendary jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams performs a one-hour cabaret show at Les Mouches in NYC, 1978. Carline Ray, one of the original Sweethearts of Rhythm, is on bass. Continue reading

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7/24/25 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: The Niggar Family – Chapelle Show

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521996_10151042761179273_236006809_n-1The Niggar Family, one of comedian Dave Chappelle‘s most controversial skits, explores the question of what effect “the n-word” would have if it were just another name. The skit is filmed in black and white, with sets and costumes right out of Father Knows Best or Leave It to Beaver or, for a more recent reference, Pleasantville. We see a squeaky-clean family of aw-shucks pleasantness and golly-jeepers naïveté, a “typical American” (i.e., white) family named Niggar. Continue reading

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7/22/25 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Malcolm – Jamal Warner (August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025)

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In his poignant spoken word performance and talk, Malcolm – Jamal Warner shares how embracing vulnerability rather than pursuing notions of being cool changed his life. He encourages us to resist the media stereotypes of Black men, filled with bravado and danger, and instead create space and acceptance for male vulnerability and self-love.

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7/21/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Woody Strode – Sergeant Rutledge

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Lt. Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter) defends Sergeant Rutledge (Woody Strode) as witnesses give testimony (relived in flashbacks) revealing the Sergeant’s gallantry – and the shocking truth behind the alleged crimes. Director John Ford, who attacked racism in The Searchers, explores similar territory in this landmark Western, the power of which still rings out with uncommon force decades later.

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7/20/25 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Aretha Franklin – What a Friend We Have in Jesus (1972)

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What a Friend We Have in Jesus was recorded in January 1972 at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) then 29 years old and Reverend James Cleveland (1932 – 1991) performed with Southern California Community Choir led by Reverend Dr. Alexander Hamilton (1945-2022). Continue reading

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7/19/25 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Happy Birthday Millie Jackson! Live (London 1984)

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Happy birthday to Millie Jackson! She turned 81 years old on July 15th. Millie Jackson is a R&B and soul singer-songwriter, renowned for her powerful vocals, often explicit storytelling, and stage presence. Many fans are celebrating her birthday by listening to her music and sharing well wishes.

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