The iconic salon dance fight sequence choreographed by Otis Sallid from Spike Lee‘s 1988 musical comedy School Daze. Continue reading
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Category: Choreography
8/28/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Suite Otis -Cosby Celebrates Ailey
Cosby Celebrates Ailey was a the 1989 Television Special that showcased the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The show was recorded December 12, 1988 but not broadcast until over a year later. When the show finally aired it was as a tribute to Alvin Ailey who had died December 1, 1989. 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.
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
8/9/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Calvin Royal III and João Menegussi Perform Touche at Unite- Joyce Ballet Festival
UNITE the Joyce Theater’s Ballet Festival, August 13 through August 18, is curated and co-produced by American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Calvin Royal III. One of the works to be presented, Touché, is a duet that explores the themes of male love. Created by Chris Rudd the ballet features Royal III (Adam) and ABT Corps de ballet member João Menegussi (Steve). Continue reading
8/2/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Geoffrey Holder- Banda
By Walter Rutledge
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
7/19/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: The Wiz-A Brand New Day (Everybody Rejoice)
With Evillene (Mable King*) dead, her powerful spells. Soon all her sweat shop workers and prisoners are free from her hold over them and “strip” way their hideous wicked witch skin. They all celebrate with Dorthy (Diana Ross), Scarecrow, (Michael Jackson), Tin Man (Nipsey Russell), and Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross*). This large cast dance member is the brain child of choreographer Louis Johnson, whose high energy, and interdisciplinary vocabulary captures the energy of the song lead by The Wiz Singers Adult Choir member Luther Vandross. 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
6/14/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Ghetto Kids – Afro Dance Freestyle at Home [ Dance Video]
Ghetto Kids are a Ugandan dance group made up of young people raised in the slums of Uganda. Despite coming from a poor background, the kids have made an impact on the world stage with their unique style of dance and creativity. Continue reading
5/27/24 O&A NYC DIVO ALERT!: Chris Brown’s cancelled Micheal Jackson Tribute AMA 2022
On November 21, 2022 Chris Brown shared a video clip on Instagram of a rehearsal for a tribute performance he had originally prepared for the American Music Awards in honor of the 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982). Continue reading
