4/4/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: A Conversation With Micah Bullard

By Walter Rutledge

Shall We Dance Friday

Houston, Texas native Micah Bullard is living his dream. The twenty-six-year-old dancer will perform with the Dance Theatre of Harlem April 10 through April 14 at New York City Center. This New York City season begins his fourth year with the company.  Recently O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge and Bullock sat down to discuss the upcoming season, his early training and being an African American male who dances ballet. Continue reading

4/1/25 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: James Baldwin – Pin Drop Speech

James Baldwin’s Pin Drop Speech is a powerful address where he challenges the white dominated discourse and argues that Black people are constrained to places and roles designated by society, calling for a radical shift in how Americans view race and identity. Continue reading

3/26/25 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ HIP HOP WEDNESDAY: MC Lyte – Ruff Neck

Lana Michele Moorer  better known by her stage name MC Lyte, is a Hip Hop artist. Considered one of the pioneers of female Hip Hop. Continue reading

3/22/25 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Muni Long and Tori Kelly Pay Tribute To Mariah Carey

Muni Long and Tori Kelly deliver a beautiful tribute performance to iHeartRadio’s 2025 Icon Award recipient, Mariah Carey, to some of her biggest hit songs. Continue reading

3/21/25 O&A NYC WITH WALESTYLEZ FOOTWEAR: Nike SB Dunk Low Tourmaline

Black History Month 2025 may have wrapped up, the Nike SB team still has a special pair on the way with its new Tourmaline take on the SB Dunk Low. Paying homage to Black cowboys, its mint green suede upper is joined by special heel embroidery, rope laces, sockliner art and more.  Continue reading

3/21/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: They Called Her Moses

Shall We Dance Friday

They Called Her Moses is Donald McKayle‘s story of freedom fighter Harriet Tubman. The cast includes Jacqueline Walcott, Robert Powell, Sylvia Waters, Arthur Mitchell, Kathleen Stanford, Donald McKayle and Carmen DeLavallade. Continue reading

3/17/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Carmen Jones- Gypsy Song – Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum

carmen-jones-movie-poster-1954-1020198681

In the groundbreaking black version of Carmen Jones there is a wonderful club scene Gypsy Song -Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum featuring three sepia divas, Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll. But there are at least three more present and future stars in the scene. As Carmen enters the club, the stunning woman with the pony-tail is famous beauty/dancer Carmen De Lavallade. Next two are fabled drummer Max Roach, and albeit just for a couple of seconds, Alvin Ailey! Continue reading

3/16/25 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: The Caravans- Mary Don’t You Weep (Live)-Inez Andrews, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, James Cleveland

Gospel icons and trailblazers The Caravans featuring Inez Andrews, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood and James Cleveland on piano perform Mary Don’t You Weep. Continue reading

3/15/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: Carmen DeLavallade- The Creation (TEDxEast 2012)

Dancer, actor and choreographer Carmen DeLavallade performs The Creation featuring choreography by her husband Geoffrey Holder. Holder also designed the costume and music. 
Continue reading

3/13/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Shirley Ellis – The Name Game (1965)

The Name Game is a song co-written and performed by Shirley Ellis as a rhyming game that creates variations on a person’s name. She explains through speaking and singing how to play the game. Continue reading