9/6/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Alicia Graf/Donald Williams in Robert Garland’s Return

Robert Garland made the leap from principal dancer to emerging choreography with his 1979 company debut Return. Garland described the work as “post-modern urban neoclassicism – an attempt to fuse an urban physical sensibility and a neoclassical one.” Continue reading

9/4/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Madame Re-Res Dance Scene- School Daze

The iconic salon dance fight sequence choreographed by Otis Sallid from Spike Lee‘s 1988 musical comedy School Daze. 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.

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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

8/2/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Geoffrey Holder- Banda

By Walter Rutledge

Shall We Dance

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

6/29/24 O&A NYC SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Promethean Fire – Paul Taylor Dance Company (Bach-Stokowski)

A programme note for “Promethean Fire” states that the ballet “examines a kaleidoscope of emotional colors in the human condition” and Leopold Stokowski’s three Bach arrangements suit the balletic action perfectly! 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

4/30/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: The Martha Graham Dance Company

By Walter Rutledge

The Martha Graham Dance Company presented their 98th season April 17 thru 20th at New York City Center. The season offered only four performances featuring works by Agnes DeMille, Martha Graham, Jamar Roberts and Hofesh Shechter. The Thursday night program featured two Graham masterworks Rite of Spring (1984) and her icon Appalachian Spring (1944) and We The People, a new work by Roberts. The audience was treated to a season of live music (a former dance staple now a luxury) by the Mannes Orchestra and the Gabe Witcher Sextet. Continue reading

4/5/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: A Conversation With Patrick Gamble- Ailey II

By Walter Rutledge

One of the most gratifying aspects of teaching and choreographing is the incredibly talented young people you encounter along your journey. For those ofttimes all to brief moments that your paths cross you hope you were able to share something- one small seed that will take root and grow. And if life affords us the good fortune to see the rewards gained by their hard work and determination; we take solace in watching the next generation take flight and soar. Patrick Gamble will “take flight” next week, along with the 12-member ensemble of the Ailey II, April 9th through 14th at the Joyce Theater.

We had the opportunity to reconnect recently to discuss the upcoming Ailey II season. Gamble shared insight into his artistic process, preparation for the season and his plans and dreams after his Ailey II tenure is complete.

A Conversation With Patrick Gamble

 

2/10/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Philadanco at the Joyce

By Walter Rutledge

The Philadelphia Dance Company, better known by its sobriquet Philadanco, is having a stellar New York City season at the Joyce Theater.  The all-to-short four-day five performance series will conclude to today Saturday, February 10 with two performances: a 2pm family matinee and an 8pm finale. The season has successfully highlighted the works of four emerging choreographers Tommie-Waheed Evans, Nijawwon Matthews, Ray Mercer and Chris Rudd: thus, continuing the company’s role in perpetuating the Black dance tradition. Continue reading