1/16/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: THE HOLY BLUES INTERVIEW – Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro

“My roots are also in the Gospel church, the Gospel churches of the south where I grew up…holy blues—paeans to joy, anthems to the human spirit.” These words written by Alvin Ailey were the impetus for The Holy Blues, a collaborative choreographic endeavor by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and emerging dancemakers Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro. Continue reading

1/11/26 O&A NYC IN MEMORIAM: Carmen de Lavallade (CBS Sunday Morning 2017)

In this Dec. 3, 2017 Sunday Morning report, Carmen de Lavallade talked with Rita Braver about her artistic journey (including her collaborations with Alvin Ailey and future husband Geoffrey Holder), and her decision to boycott a 2017 Kennedy Center Honorees reception following President Trump‘s remarks about White nationalists who marched in Charlottesville, Va. Continue reading

1/5/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Life of Alvin Ailey (January 5, 1931 – December 1, 1989)

Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience, but his journey was not without its struggles. O&A NYC Magazine honors the memory of one of dance’s most prolific pioneers on the anniversary of his 95th birthday. Continue reading

1/5/26 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVIN AILEY!: Alvin Ailey 1985 Cairo Interview (Historic Stock Video Footage)

Today, January 5 is the 95th birthday of choreographer Alvin Ailey. O&A NYC shares rare video footage from a 1985 interview. The one-way dialogue between Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater took place in Cairo, Egypt. (Note: We only hear Ailey’s answers; not questions asked). He talks about his life, his dance school, the motivational forces behind his choreography and theories of dance. Continue reading

12/30/25 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Carmen DeLavallade- The Creation


Dancer, actor and choreographer Carmen DeLavallade performs The Creation featuring choreography by her husband Geoffrey Holder. Holder also designed the costume and music. 
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12/26/25 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Cry – Deborah Manning

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In 1971, Alvin Ailey created Cry, one of his signature dance works, as a birthday present for his mother Lula Elizabeth Ailey. Ailey dedicated the ballet to “all black women everywhere — especially our mothers.” The three-part ballet, set to contemporary music by Alice Coltrane, Laura Nyro and Chuck Griffin, depicts a woman’s journey through toil to an ecstatic state of grace. Cry premiered at New York City Center on May 4, 1971. Continue reading

12/24/25 O&A NYC BLACK FACTS: Judith Jamison – Sunday Morning CBS – AAADT at 60 (2019)

In this CBS Sunday Morning report that originally aired August 11, 2019, on the occasion of the dance group’s 60th anniversary, correspondent Rita Braver talked with dance icon and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Judith Jamison and her succeeding artistic director Robert Battle.
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12/19/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Judith Jamison and Donald Mckayle Cut A Rug on The Cosby Show

Shall We Dance Friday

You never know what what plot twist will lead to a history lesson on The Cosby Show. When Denise throws a little get-together, things take a wild turn as the older crowd (Judith Jamison Donald McKayle, Bill Cosby, and Phylicia Rashad) show the youngsters how to really party. A nice dance scene with cast members Lisa Bonet, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam,  Blair Underwood, and Gerard Cooper.

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12/18/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Perform On Tamron Hall Show

Artistic Director Alicia Mack introduces the Wade In The Water section of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations. Kudos to Solomon Dumas, Hannah Alissa Richardson and Isabel Wallace-Green. Continue reading

12/14/25 O&A NYC THE WORD: Revelations – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Revelations was the tenth ballet by 29 year old emerging choreographer Alvin Ailey. The  work premiered in New York City on January 31, 1960, at the 92nd Street YM-YWHA. Revelations immediately captivated audiences with its powerful universal message of faith and resilience.  

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