7/4/25 O&A NYC INDEPENDENCE DAY LIVE PERFORMANCE: Whitney Houston – Star Spangled Banner (National Anthem) – Super Bowl 1991

Among the annals of national anthems as a prelude to sporting events, few have topped the one delivered by Whitney Houston before Super Bowl XXV in 1991 in Tampa, Florida. Continue reading

7/3/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Marvin Gaye – American National Anthem

Marvin Gaye, The Prince of Motown brought attention to the NBA and helped boost its image. Gaye pioneered singing the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, in own rendition during the 1983 NBA All-Star Game.  Continue reading

5/24/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: Naomi’s Unforgettable Paris Week

Naomi Campbell began Paris Fashion Week in fittings with Chanel, who dressed her throughout — including for a special moment: receiving the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture. Continue reading

5/17/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: Labelle in Concert 1975

Labelle was a three member band that originated out of the Blue Belles, a girl group who were a popular vocal group  of the 1960s and 1970s. Continue reading

5/16/25 O&A NYC DANCE IN MEMORIAM: Ella Thompson Moore- May 31, 1939- May 13, 2025

“On behalf of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, it is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of Ella Thompson Moore, Artistic Director of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, Dance Matriarch to many, Queen to all. Ella went to join her beloved husband, Charles Moore on Tuesday May 13, days before her 96th birthday. Arrangements will be posted when finalized. Please keep her son Anthony and grandson Jalen, her dancers and drummers in prayer. Her presence, grace, wit and warmth will be greatly missed. We are eternally grateful for the impact she had in our lives.”- Faye Moore (with permission of the family) Continue reading

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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