9/27/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Lil Buck at Fondation Louis Vuitton

London-based director Andrew Margetson follows Memphis-born jookin’ dancer Lil Buck as he twists and turns past masterpieces by the likes of Picasso and Matisse to mark the current exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Icons Of Modern Art: The Shchukin Collection. Continue reading

9/26/18 O&A NYC FILM/DANCE: Frenel

Frenel Morris (a Miliner/Father) Terence Nance (Director) Chanelle Aponte Pearson (Producer) Shawn Peters (Photography) Storyboard P. & Daphe Lee (Dancers) Nelson Mandela Nance (aka Norvis Junior) (Editor).  Continue reading

9/25/18 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Arthur Mitchell Inspires Students at SAB (May 2018)

By Walter Rutledge

Back in 2014 I received a phone call from Arthur Mitchell. He knew my association with the Romare Bearden Foundation, and that Romare’s archives were housed at Columbia University.  He needed information about the process so he could do the same with his own legacy. “Hold on Sir”, I put him on hold and called Deidre Kelly the co-director of the Romare Bearden Foundation. Diedre gave me the contact information he requested. Continue reading

9/24/18 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Bob Fosse- Air-otica

518C1AKSB8L

All That Jazz is the semi-autobiographical fantasy film based on aspects of Bob Fosse’s life and career as dancer, choreographer and director. The  musical film was directed by Bob Fosse with screenplay by Robert Alan Aurthur and Fosse.
Continue reading

9/21/18 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: 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

9/21/18 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Paula Abdul- Straight Up (Late Late Show 2018)

Paula Abdul presented a show stopping version of her signature hit, Straight Up, on Wednesday’s Late Late Show, adding ensemble choreography and subtle electronic elements to the 1988 single. Continue reading

9/19/18 O&A NYC MILESTONES: Arthur Mitchell Dance Trailblazer Died at 84

By Walter Rutledge

Arthur Mitchell, dancer, teacher, choreographer, social activist and founding director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem passed on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at age 84 from complications of heart failure. Mitchell’s career can only be described as trailblazing. In 1956 he crossed what E.B. Debois referred to as the “color line” to become the first ballet dancer of African decent to join the international renowned New York City Ballet.

Continue reading

9/19/18 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Robert Ri’chard- Excerpts From Chocolate City

Chocolate City (2015) stars Robert Ri’ chard, Michael Jai White, Carmen Electra and Vivian Fox. Continue reading

9/11/18 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Alvin Ailey: Awassa Astrige / Ostrich by Asadata Dafora

Sierra Leone-born choreographer Asadata Dafora blended his vision of a traditional African dance with Western staging in this groundbreaking 1932 solo set to Carl Riley’s score of African drumming and flute and performed Ailey dancer by Antonio Douthit-Boyd.  Continue reading