The Roots perform Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around from the 2014 soundtrack of the film For A Revolution. In this clip, which juxtaposes black and white footage of 20th-century Civil Rights protests with color footage of the band performing in a recording studio. Continue reading
Category: Civil Right
1/22/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin – A Ballet by Gordon Parks – Act III Letter From The Birmingham Jail

Martin Act III: Letter From The Birmingham Jail – Dr. King (John Jones) is arrested and while in jail he writes the now historic letter from the Birmingham Jail. With the help of Rosa Parks (Sheila Rohan) King is able to disseminate his message to the masses. Continue reading
1/18/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING!: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks (Prelude)


Martin: a ballet by Gordon Parks, an original five-movement ballet chronicling the struggles of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Filmed in 1990 the work stars John Jones as Dr. King and Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks, featuring choreography by Real Lamb. “Martin” (PBS, 1990), about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Parks served as executive producer, director, composer, keyboardist and documentary photographer for this boldly ambitious project. Continue reading
8/19/25 O&A NYC DANCE: The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project And Dr. King’s Beloved Community
By Walter Rutledge

The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) will present Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions on Saturday August 23, 6pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Co- Directors Kevin Iega Jeff and Mashaune Hardy in coordination with co-curators Gary Abbott and Jeff have assembled a cast of ten of Chicago’s most exciting and progressive dance companies. This production will put meaning/message to movement for a transformative evening celebrating the city’s Black dance excellence. It will also emphasize the historic impact of Black dance on the cultural identity of the city of Chicago. Continue reading
1/25/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks Act V- Mourning Place

The final act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks takes place after the death of Dr. King . John Jones (Dr Martin Luther King) Sheila Rohan (Rosa Parks) and James E. Murphy (Assassin). Continue reading
11/5/24 O&A NYC ELECTION DAY 2024: America Keep Your Word !

A soliloquy from a Black man from the 1960’s about the injustice of the American system. He makes a simple yet poignant request “America needs to keep its word”. Liberty and justice for who? You? Me? Continue reading
3/12/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Fannie Lou Hamer Fought For The Rights Of Black Americans
In 1962, Fannie Lou Hamer was ready to cast her first ballot – but Mississippi wasn’t ready to let her vote. Denied registration, she fought for rights for Black Americans. Continue reading
2/4/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize is a traditional song Gospel Plow also know as Hold On. The song became influential during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
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11/27/23 HOLLYWOOD MONDAY- REVIEW: RUSTIN
By Alex Smith Jr.
I went to an advance screening of the film RUSTIN last night (Oct. 12, 2023). It was opening the 35th Anniversary of the LGBTQ+ Annual Film Festival here in NYC. This film is a triumph plain and simple. I am trying to hold back from using to many superlatives to lavish on this film. Continue reading
8/21/23 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
In small-town Alabama in 1932, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) is a lawyer and a widower. He has two young children, Jem and Scout. Atticus Finch is currently defending Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), a Black man accused of raping a white woman. Meanwhile, Jem and Scout are intrigued by their neighbors, the Radleys, in particular the mysterious, seldom-seen Boo Radley.
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