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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3/13/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Shirley Ellis – The Name Game (1965)

The Name Game is a song co-written and performed by Shirley Ellis as a rhyming game that creates variations on a person’s name. She explains through speaking and singing how to play the game. Continue reading

3/9/25 O&A NYC WITH WALESTYLEZ FASHION: UNDERCOVER Fall/Winter 2025/2026 – Paris Fashion Week

Undercover Fall/Winter 2025/26 Fashion Show by Jun Takahashi at Paris Fashion Week. Witness the magic of Undercover’s Fall/Winter 2025/26 Womenswear Collection, presented at Paris Fashion Week. Continue reading

3/8/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Givenchy Fall/Winter 2025/26 – Paris Fashion Week

Givenchy Fall/Winter 2025/26 Fashion Show by Sarah Burton at Paris Fashion Week.Witness the magic of Givenchy’s Fall/Winter 2025/26 Womenswear Collection, presented at Paris Fashion Week. Continue reading

3/2/25 O&A NYC SUNDAY MORNING FUNNIES: Jenifer Lewis – Black Don’t Crack fea. Marc Shaiman (Live at the Rosie O’Donnell Show 1996)

What better way to begin Women’s History Month with the one and only Jennifer Lewis! Our Sunday Morning Funnies comes from a 1996 live performance on Rosie O’Donnell where Lewis accompanied by pianist Marc Shaiman performed Black Don’t Crack

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3/1/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: ETRO MAGMA – Etro Fall Winter 2025-26 Fashion Show

A primordial vision. The Etro Magma Fall Winter 2025-26 Collection, born of Creative Director Marco De Vincenzo’s vision, pulses with tactile textures, layered compositions, and the fluid movement of time itself. Continue reading

2/24/25 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Heather Headley – Shadowland (From “The Lion King Live at The Hollywood Bowl”)

In 1997, Heather Headley won the role of Nala in the original Broadway cast of the Tony Award-winning musical The Lion King. Continue reading

2/23/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Camille A. Brown and Dancers

By Walter Rutledge

Camille A. Brown and Dancers presented an all too short New York season Wednesday February 5th thru Sunday February 9th at the Joyce Theater. The sold-out five-day seven performance run presented I AM the third installment in her Black Joy trilogy. As the curtain rose, and as the evening proceeded it became clear Brown has saved the best for last. Continue reading

2/11/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Kevin Iega Jeff Creates to Communicate With Homage

By Walter Rutledge 

Keeping in the spirit of his credo, “create to communicate”, Kevin Iega Jeff has choreographed Homage for the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet. Homage will be presented during Remembering, the company’s 30th anniversary season celebration February 13, 14, 15 at BAM Fisher Fishman Space in downtown Brooklyn. The intergenerational ensemble work highlights the artistry of three accomplished female performers Shirley Black Brown Coward, Bahiyah Sayyed and Thera Ward. Continue reading