5/8/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY- MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL: I’ll Always Love My Mama- The Intruders

I’ll Always Love My Mama is a 1973 single by the Philly soul group The Intruders. Released from their album Save the Children, the single is a song commonly played on Mother’s Day. Continue reading

5/4/25 O&A NYC DANCE PREVIEW: THPAC’s A Ramp To Paradise Returns

 The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) will present A Ramp To Paradise on June 27 and 28, 2025 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater,405 west 55th Street. The dance theater work is the brainchild of THPAC executive chairman Alex Smith, Jr. and is based on the short story A Ramp To Paradise conceived and written by Smith. The story centers around a group of friends who attend the famed 1980’s underground dance club-The Paradise Garage. Continue reading

4/22/25 O&A NYC REVIEW: Macbeth in Stride

By Walter Rutledge

For those of us that believe “Hell has no fury like a women scorned”. And for those of us who know firsthand you do not mess with a Black woman who “ain’t feeling it”. Leave your Elizabethan mindset at home and head to the Harvey Theater to experience MacBeth in Stride – Shakespeare from a sistah’s point of view. Written and performed by Obie- Award winner Whitney White the production takes Shakespeare and female empowerment to a new level. This soulful contemporary rendition of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth runs for only five remaining performances through April 27 at the Harvey Theater located at 651 Futon Street in downtown Brooklyn. Continue reading

4/20/25 O&A NYC EASTER GOSPEL SUNDAY: Daryl Coley- When Sunday Comes

When Sunday Comes performed by Daryl Coley was featured on Donald Lawrence‘s 1995 gospel narrative album Bible Stories (1995).  Continue reading

4/18/25 O&A NYC GOOD FRIDAY SONG OF THE DAY: Calvary- Richard Smallwood

Richard Smallwood’s Calvary, led by Maurette Brown Clark, Darlene Simmons, and Carolene Hatchet, combines good compositional form with strong dramatic narrative elements creating a true gospel classic. 

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3/26/25 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY: The Royal Family – Nationals 2018 (Guest Performance)

The Royal Family a dance crew from The Palace Dance Studio in New Zealand, performed a guest performance at the Hip Hop International New Zealand Nationals in 2018, choreographed by Parris Goebel Continue reading

3/20/25 O&A NYC WITH WALESTYLEZ FASHION: Noir Kei Ninomiya Fall/Winter 2025 Show

Mysterious, surreal with Noir Kei Ninomiya. A kind of feeling that is uncertain and hard to understand. Focus on handwork. Utilization of resin to achieve expressions impossible with just fabrics.Featuring a collaboration with Reebok.

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3/20/25 O&A NYC DANCE: THPAC Search For Choreographers

The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) is conducting a search for three choreographers for the upcoming 2025 season June 27th and 28th at the Ailey Citicorp Theater. THPAC will present A Ramp to Paradise an original work based on a short story by THPAC Executive Chairman Alex Smith Jr. The story is set in the Paradise Garage, the New York Black gay mega club from the late 70’s and 80’s. Choreographers should have expertise in Modern, Jazz and period social/club dance styles. Continue reading

3/18/25 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Nikki Giovanni – Ego Tripping and More

In her early work, Nikki Giovanni expressed the militant themes of the Black Arts Movement. In 1970 Giovanni introduced her third volume of poetry Re:Creation, which included her classic poem Ego – Tripping. This was followed by Night Comes Softly one of the earliest anthologies of Black Women’s poetry. Continue reading

3/15/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: Carmen DeLavallade- The Creation (TEDxEast 2012)

Dancer, actor and choreographer Carmen DeLavallade performs The Creation featuring choreography by her husband Geoffrey Holder. Holder also designed the costume and music. 
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