7/17/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Lindy Hop Swing Dance Scene From Malcolm X (1992)

The Lindy Hop Swing Dance Scene from 1992 movie Malcolm X featuring Denzel Washington and Spike Lee. Choreographed with the help of Frankie Manning (blue suit) and Norma Miller (yellow dress) and the scene included background dancers Dawn Hampton and Ryan Francois. Otis Sallid was the choreographer and the song Flying Home is by Lionel Hampton. Continue reading

7/16/26 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Vanita Smythe – Low, Short and Squatty

Low, Short and Squatty is a vibrant jump blues and swing song recorded by African-American vocalist and actress Vanita Smythe, released on December 2, 1946. The track was famously released as a “soundie”—a three-minute musical film that served as a precursor to modern music videos—and became a prominent jukebox hit in urban clubs. Continue reading

7/15/26 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY: Finesse vs Nuvo – Flexn Dance Battle | OVRDZE 8

The Nuvo vs Finesse Flexn Dance Battle at OVRDZE 8 is a premier street dance matchup featuring two distinct East Coast styles colliding on the dance floor. Continue reading

7/13/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Sepia Cinderella (1947)

Sepia Cinderella (1947) is the second in a series of films produced by Jack Goldberg and Arthur Leonard, made primarily for the 684 theatres (in 1947) that catered exclusively to Black audiences that were kept out, or placed in a special balcony section, in most of the theatres in segregated America. Continue reading

7/10/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: A Tribute to Erick Hawkins

By Walter Rutledge

A Tribute to Erick Hawkins, an informal showing of two solos by Gloria McLean and a work by Vienna based dancer/choreographer Bert Gstettner will take place on July 16, 8pm at the Joan Weill Center for Dance, 405 West 55th Street in Studio 5D. These works are literal love letters expressing their admiration to a mentor dubbed by the dance community as “the great poet of modern dance”. Continue reading

7/9/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Jackson 5 – Forever Came Today

The Jackson 5 performed Forever Came Today live on the Carol Burnett Show, which was recorded in July 1975  and aired January 1976. The song was originally a 1968 hit by The Supremes, the Jackson 5 updated the track into a high-energy disco anthem for their final Motown studio album, Moving Violation.
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7/8/26 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY: Zilla Madness 5 – Chasito – KJ

Zilla Madness is back! With High Level Street Dancers entering the danger zone, going head to head putting there careers on the line to maintain bragging rights.Witness Chasito and KJ battle in Zilla Madness 5! KJ showed no fear towards Chasito, lets us know in the comments who won the battle. Stay tune for Zilla Madness upcoming videos. Continue reading

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

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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7/4/26 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WALESTYLEZ: DWP Academy Performs At Ghana Dance Festival !!🇬🇭

The Dance With A Purpose Academy (DWP) delivered an incredibly energetic and unforgettable performance at the Ghana Dance Festival, cementing their status as Africa’s premier dance collective.

7/3/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Bob Fosse Dances From Sweet Charity – The Rich Man’s Frug 

A perfect example of a Frug is found in the movie Sweet Charity, which contains a number called “The Rich Man’s Frug”, a wildly energetic dance number comprising three “movements” (“The Aloof”, “The Heavyweight” and “The Big Finish”) that showcases director Bob Fosse’s distinctive choreography style, particularly his creative use of unusual poses, gestures, and arm movement.

The Frug (pronounced “froog”) was a dance craze from the 1960s that evolved from another dance of the era, the Chicken. The Chicken, which featured lateral body movements, was used primarily as a change of pace step while doing the Twist. As young dancers grew more tired they would do less work, moving only their hips while standing in place. They then started making up arm movements for the dance, which prompted the birth of the Swim, the Monkey, the Dog, the Watusi, the Mashed Potato, and the Jerk. The Frug is sometimes referred to as the Surf, Big Bea, and the Thunderbird.

Bob Fosse dance numbers – The Rich Man’s Frug