Category: Dance Theatre

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8/3/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival

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By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium August 3 though August 16. Former American Ballet Principal Dancer Misty Copeland has curated a stellar festival featuring outstanding choreography performed by an impressive roster of world class artists. Each night will feel like a gala performance. Choreographers Kyle Abraham, Bob Fosse, Alonzo King, José Limón, Dwight Rhoden, Rudolf Nureyev, John Taras, Ingrid Silva, Houston Thomas and a new work by Aleisha Walker commissioned by the Joyce complete the roster – and that’s just the roster for the first week! Continue reading

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7/31/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Philadanco – A Must See

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By Walter Rutledge

Question: What do you get when you combine strong performers, stellar choreography and exceptional production elements? 
Answer: You get Philadanco! Continue reading

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7/29/26 O&A NYC STOP THE PRESSES: Tommie-Waheed Evans Talks Philadanco

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By Walter Rutledge

The Philadelphia Dance Company aka Philadanco begins their New York City Season tonight July 29th at the Joyce Theater. The five day, six performance season will feature works by four choreographers Thang Dao, Rennie Harris,  Christopher Huggins and Co-Artistic Director Tommie-Waheed Evans. O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge caught up with Evans during the afternoon rehearsal to discuss the New York City season.

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7/26/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

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By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival 2026 returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium for a two-week, fourteen performance season August 4th through August 16th. Former American Ballet Theater Principal Dancer Misty Copeland will curate the festival and will offer an international showcase of world class performers, outstanding classic and contemporary choreography, and rarely seen masterworks. The festival will offer two programs (one each week) with artists from some to the most prestigious companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and other leading companies. Continue reading

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7/24/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Philadanco

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By Walter Rutledge

PHILADANCO! (The Philadelphia Dance Company) returns to New York City for a highly anticipated six performance season at The Joyce Theater from July 29 through August 2, 2026. This celebrated company’s mission, to preserve the Black American concert dance traditions, will be on full display with a program featuring two New York premieres, a world premiere, and a company revival. “Danco’s” dynamic New York City season will include works by Co-Artistic Director Tommie-Waheed Evans, Thang Dao, Rennie Harris and Christopher Huggins. Continue reading

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7/20/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Long Live Erick Hawkins

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By Walter Rutledge

An informal presentation of dance works inspired by 20th century modern mover Erick Hawkins was offered on July 16th at the Joan Weill Center for Dance, studio 5D. A Tribute to Erick Hawkins featured two dances by Gloria McLean and a dance/theatre work by Bert Gstettner. The three solo dances were well suited for the informal and intimate studio setting. These two veteran dance makers displayed a well-honed understanding of the craft and their unique and individual artistic vision. Continue reading

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7/18/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Carmen de Lavallade and John Butler – Portrait of Billie (1960)

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Portrait of Billie (1960) is an iconic modern dance duet choreographed by John Butler as a poignant tribute to the legendary jazz and blues singer Billie Holiday portrayed by Carmen de Lavallade. Continue reading

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7/4/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT 4TH OF JULY SPECIAL: Stars And Stripes – George Balanchine (1993)

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The Pas de Deux and Finale of George Balanchine’s tribute to our flag and country, Stars And Stripes. He made this to the music of John Philip Sousa, orchestrated by Hershey Kay. Danced here by Margaret Tracey and Damian Woetzel.

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6/10/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Agon Pas de Deux – Diana Adams and Arthur Mitchell

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The Agon pas de deux, choreographed by George Balanchine in 1957 to a score by Igor Stravinsky, is a revolutionary milestone in 20th-century ballet. Its original cast paired Arthur Mitchell, the first Black principal dancer at the New York City Ballet, with Diana Adams, a caucasian ballerina.

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6/17/26 O&A NYC BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Hymn Conversation

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By Walter Rutledge

On June 4 at a group of former Ailey dancers sat down to discuss the recent reconstruction of Judith Jamison’s Hymn for the Ailey company’s four-day spring series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The dancers were part of the original cast of Hymn and had participated in the new remounting of the work, while also coaching the dancers in the present Ailey company. What was apparent from the beginning of the discussion was their willingness, enthusiasm and what can only be described the sheer joy in sharing their experiences with the dancers and now the public. Continue reading