10/3/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: BalletX at the Joyce

By Walter Rutledge

BalletX returned to the Joyce Theater September 25 thru September 29 for a second consecutive New York City season. The Philadelphia based contemporary ballet company offered an aesthetically satisfying concert highlighted by technically proficient performers and focused direction. The company presented a diverse program consisting of three ballets by choreographers Jodie Gates, Loughlan Prior and Takehiro Ueyama. Continue reading

8/23/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Dudley Williams

By Walter Rutledge

Alvin Ailey dancer emeritus Dudley Williams would have celebrated his 85 birthday on August 18th. And although time is a very fickle and forgetful mistress Dudley remains of one the stars of the “Golden Age” of the Ailey company. His name is synonymous with dancers and choreographers such as Talley Beatty, John Butler, Louis Falco, George Faison, Miguel Godreau, Judith Jamison, Linda Kent, Kelvin Retardier,|Clive Thompson, Sara Yarborough, Estelle Spurlock and Donna Wood to name a few.

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8/16/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Unite- The Future Faces of Ballet

By Walter Rutledge

Unite, the Joyce Ballet Festival’s opening night performance was an eye-opening reveal of the face (or faces) of the future of ballet. The six-day, festival offers eight performances from Tuesday August 13 through Sunday August 18. Unite is an enlightening example of the growing and long overdue multicultural diversity and inclusiveness the artform so rightfully deserves. Continue reading

8/2/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Geoffrey Holder- Banda

By Walter Rutledge

Shall We Dance

Happy Birthday renaissance man Geoffrey Holder. The dancer, actor, choreographer, director, visual artist and all around force of nature was born on August 1st, 1930 in Port of Spain; the capital city of the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Continue reading

6/15/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: DanceAfrica 47

By Walter Rutledge

Memorial Day weekend maybe the unofficial start of summer, but in the Fort Green section of Brooklyn that weekend was the official start of DanceAfrica 47! The four-day festival celebrates the diverse cultures of Africa and their diasporic descendants. The area surrounding the historic Brooklyn Academy of Music was transformed into the DanceAfrica Bazaar- a global marketplace. The bazaar features over one hundred and fifty vendors from around the world, offering African, Caribbean, and African American food, crafts, and fashion. Continue reading

4/30/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: The Martha Graham Dance Company

By Walter Rutledge

The Martha Graham Dance Company presented their 98th season April 17 thru 20th at New York City Center. The season offered only four performances featuring works by Agnes DeMille, Martha Graham, Jamar Roberts and Hofesh Shechter. The Thursday night program featured two Graham masterworks Rite of Spring (1984) and her icon Appalachian Spring (1944) and We The People, a new work by Roberts. The audience was treated to a season of live music (a former dance staple now a luxury) by the Mannes Orchestra and the Gabe Witcher Sextet. Continue reading

4/13/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ailey II

By Walter Rutledge

Ailey II began their six-day, eight performance New York City season Tuesday, April 9th at the Joyce Theater. This season marked the fiftieth anniversary of the company, which has left an indelible mark on the Ailey organization and the dance world at large. The company is a dance finishing school, touring boot camp, and a choreographer’s laboratory for emerging dance makers and established choreographers. Continue reading

4/8/24 O&A NYC DANCE: Conversation With Spencer Everett- Ailey II

By Walter Rutledge

 

Ailey II perfromer Spencer Everett is already a dance gypsy on a mission. The Stratford, Ontario, Canada native moved to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming an artist; but in Everett’s case that takes on a broader meaning than just dance. The dual major graduate completed the Ailey/Fordham BFA program with an honorable mention in dance and departmental honors in visual arts. Continue reading

4/5/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: A Conversation With Patrick Gamble- Ailey II

By Walter Rutledge

One of the most gratifying aspects of teaching and choreographing is the incredibly talented young people you encounter along your journey. For those ofttimes all to brief moments that your paths cross you hope you were able to share something- one small seed that will take root and grow. And if life affords us the good fortune to see the rewards gained by their hard work and determination; we take solace in watching the next generation take flight and soar. Patrick Gamble will “take flight” next week, along with the 12-member ensemble of the Ailey II, April 9th through 14th at the Joyce Theater.

We had the opportunity to reconnect recently to discuss the upcoming Ailey II season. Gamble shared insight into his artistic process, preparation for the season and his plans and dreams after his Ailey II tenure is complete.

A Conversation With Patrick Gamble

 

3/26/24 O&A NYC WITH WALESTYLEZ MOVIE TRAILER: Bad Boys: Ride Or Die | Official Trailer

Sony Pictures has just released the trailer for Bad Boys 4, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The film’s official title is Bad Boys: Ride or Die.This is the fourth film in the popular action-comedy franchise that debuted in 1995, when Smith and Lawrence first teamed up as Miami PD detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, who investigate illegal drug trading in Miami. Continue reading