Sammy Davis Jr. plays Big Daddy in Sweet Charity, performing the iconic hit “Rhythm of Life” as Charity (Shirley MacLaine) and Oscar (John McMartin) join the strange new church! Continue reading
No comments
Category: Dance
8/16/25 O&A NYC DANCE: The Era Footwork Crew – Chicago’s Urban Terpsichoreans
By Walter Rutledge
Los Angles urban dance warriors perform Krump, Memphis dancers have the Juke, New Yorkers are Flexn and Chicago homies dance Footwork. Footwork music began evolving in Chicago in the early 90s, drawing on Ghetto House and Juke but adding complex layers of odd, almost compulsively frenetic rhythms; it grew hand in hand with the athletic, high-octane dance style that shares its name.
The dance/theatre urban storytelling style is accompanied by original lyrics and music tracks that reflect social justice, inequality and systemic racism. For over ten years Chicago’s Era Footwork Crew has introduce Footwork to the urban “dance battles” and the greater international dance community. Era Footwork Crew continues to make the urban dance style as synonymous to Chicago’s cultural identity as Deep-Dish Pizza. These Urban Terpsichorean will be part of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) in Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions, which will premiere Aug 23, 2025, 6:00pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Continue reading
8/14/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Kevin Iega Jeff and The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project – Pedagogy. Community. Legacy
By Walter Rutledge
Life is an ever changing, ever evolving adventure. On the adventure life requires us to react, adapt and hopefully reinvent. Sadly, when we stop making history we become a part of history.
Kevin Iega Jeff continues to make history. His latest adventure is the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) in Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions, which will premiere Aug 23, 2025, 6:00pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Jeff is both the Co-Director (Mashaune Hardy Co – Director) and Co- Curator (Gary Abbott Co – Curator) of this production, which promises to be evening of Black Dance excellence. CBDLP unites ten Chicago dance companies for an evening of diverse and artistically/socially relevant performances. Continue reading
8/13/25 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY: Flex Dance Program Video
The Flex Dance Program, a nonprofit uses dance and music to positively transform youth in challenging circumstances. It aims to offer an alternative to conflict by transforming physical energy into positive non-verbal self-expression.
8/9/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: The Beloved- Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem in Lester Horton‘s 1949 masterwork The Beloved the duet (based on a true story) performed by Cassandra Phifer and Hagues Magen. Continue reading
8/8/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Chicago’s Hiplet Ballerinas To Perform In The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project Debut
By Walter Rutledge
Who would defile the sacred world of ballet (the last bastion of “pure” euro-centric dance and culture) by adding a healthy dose of urban flair? Move over Swan Lake and make way for the Hiplet Ballerinas. The Chicago – based dance company, whose unique style has taken the dance world by storm. The company will be part of The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project – Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions on Saturday, August 23, 6 pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). The performance is a showcase of Black dance excellence and will feature ten of the city’s most innovative and diverse dance companies. Continue reading
8/1/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Maya Plisetskaya Dances Bolero, The Dying Swan And More
Maya Plisetskaya, Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Bolshoi Ballet, danced Maurice Bejart’s Bolero set to the famous Ravel score in 1975. Plisetskaya created a stunning theatrical experience. What makes the piece so compelling is that although Plisetskaya may be accompanied by dozens of other dancers mirroring her movement, the first and only focus is on the prima ballerina herself. Continue reading
7/23/25 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY: Jackson 5 – Body Language (Do The Love Dance)
The Jackson 5 performed Body Language on the Carol Burnett Show in July 1975 and again on January 21, 1976. Continue reading
7/18/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Harold Nicholas – Mister BeeBe from Carolina Blues (1944)
An amazing song and tap routine from Carolina Blues (1944) – with a huge cast of dancers and singers, and headed up by the wonderful Harold Nicholas. Continue reading
7/6/25 O&A NYC DANCE COMMENTARY: The Ramp To Paradise Afterglow
By Walter Rutledge
The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) presented A Ramp To Paradise at the Ailey Citicorp Theater on June 27th and 28th. The two-day spring performance season showcased the third rendition of the dance theater narrative. The story begins in 1985 at the now celebrated underground nightclub- the Paradise Garage. The sold-out Saturday evening performance was followed by a classic Paradise Garage style after party that lasted from 9pm to 12am (that’s 12 midnight not the Garage’s notorious Sunday noon closing- for those who remember). Continue reading
