7/12/18 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Michael Jackson- Dirty Diana

Michael Jackson’s Dirty Diana short film captured the high-intensity live experience of one of his concerts, complete with a guitar solo from guitarist Steve Stevens. In 1989, the 2nd Annual World Music Awards awarded the short film the Viewers Choice No. 1 Video; Michael was inducted into the World Music Hall of Fame the same year. Continue reading

7/8/18 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Oh Happy Day- Edwin Hawkins Singers

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Oh Happy Day is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of an 18th-century hymn. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969. Hawkins’ arrangement quickly became a “standard” and has been recorded by hundreds of artists. It was included on the RIAA Songs of the Century list and won Hawkins a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance in 1970.  Continue reading

7/1/18 O&A NYC WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK JULY 1 THRU JULY 8, 2018: Art, Dance, Film, Music, Theatre and More

Heatwave and the 4th of July, that means beach and barbecue!  New York City is heating up.  We have visual arts from as far away as Western Cameroon. Ballet leaps to the forefront at  Lincoln Center and Chelsea. And mouthwatering barbecue in Brooklyn.  Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading

6/26/18 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY:   Anita Baker Tribute- Jamie Foxx, Marsha Ambrosius, Ledisi and Yolanda Adams (BET Awards 2018)

Anita Baker was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 BET Awards on Sunday night (June 25). During the tribute to the quiet storm R&B legend, Jamie Foxx, Marsha Ambrosius, Ledisi and Yolanda Adams delivered show-stopping renditions of Baker’s hits, including “Same Ole Love,” “Angel,” “Giving You The Best That I Got,” and “Caught Up In The Rapture.” Continue reading

6/24/18 O&A NYC WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK JUNE 24 THRU JULY: Art, Dance, Film, Music, Theatre and More

Summer has finally arrived and New York City and the arts are heating up. Inspiring visual art is drawing them in from Harlem to the Bowery. Dance swirls around Brooklyn, Lincoln Center, Chelsea and Lower Manhattan. While a famous DJ spins music  in Crown Heights and jazz get’s down in Midtown. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading

6/6/18 O&A NYC MUSIC: Janet Jackson State of the World Tour (full show)

Janet Jackson’s State of the World Tour  2018 (full show) Continue reading

5/24/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Natalia Makarova & Ivan Nagy (with Itzhak Perlman & Lynn Harrell) – Swan Lake

Natalia Makaova, and one of her favorite partners, Ivan Nagy, dancing the White Swan Pas de Deux from “Swan Lake.” They are accompanied on-stage by violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Lynn Harrell. Continue reading

5/22/18 O&A NYC DIVA ALERT!: Janet Jackson Billboard Icon Award 2018 Performance

Janet Jackson graced the Billboard Music Awards stage to receive the prestigious Icon Award on Sunday in Las Vegas. Not only was the moment her first television performance in nine years, but it was also the first time she has performed as a mom. Continue reading

5/21/18 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Andrea Bocelli – Besame Mucho – Live From Lake Las Vegas Resort, USA / 2006

Music video by Andrea Bocelli performing Besame Mucho live from Lake Las Vegas Resort (2006). Continue reading

5/13/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Mother (Isadora Duncan c. 1923)

Loretta Thomas performs Mother featuring choreography by Isadora Duncan (c. 1923) with music by Alexander Scriabin. Duncan bore two children, both out of wedlock. The first, Deirdre Beatrice (born September 24, 1906), by theatre designer Gordon Craig and the second, Patrick Augustus (born May 1, 1910),by Paris Singer, one of the many sons of sewing machine magnate Isaac Singer. Both children drowned in the care of their nanny in 1913 when their runaway car went into the Seine River in Paris.

Mother (Isadora Duncan c. 1923)

In her autobiography, Duncan relates that she begged a young Italian stranger, the sculptor Romano Romanelli, to sleep with her because she was desperate for another baby. She became pregnant by him, and gave birth to a son on August 13, 1914; the infant died shortly after birth.