1/28/24 O&A NYC HOLIDAY BRUNCH: Baked Pears with Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Honey -By Holly Rae Anable

This baked pears with blue cheese, walnuts and honey can be the perfect sweet and tart appetizer or a warm show stopping dessert. Either way you will wow your guest with this simple yet simply elegant brunch option. Thank you Holly Rae Anable for sharing this recipe. Continue reading

11/18/24 O&A NYC MORNING -NOT- SO- FUNNIES: The Twilight Zone- The Day After WW3 (Lost Episode)

The Twilight Zone has recovered never before seen episode presumably lost. In this episode a former reality show personality becomes the President of the United States. Now he sits alone the day after WW3. Continue reading

11/5/24 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Sam Cooke- A Change Is Gonna Come

A Change Is Gonna Come is a song by Sam Cooke, released on December 22, 1964 by RCA Victor. Though only a modest hit for Cooke in comparison with his previous singles, A Change Is Gonna Come became an anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement. The song is widely considered Cooke’s best composition and has been voted among the best songs ever released by various publications. In 2007, the song was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, with the National Recording Registry deeming the song “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.” Continue reading

11/5/24 O&A NYC ELECTION DAY 2024: America Keep Your Word !

A soliloquy from a Black man from the 1960’s about the injustice of the American system. He makes a simple yet poignant request “America needs to keep its word”. Liberty and justice for who? You? Me? Continue reading

11/4/24 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: 2024 Pre-Election Cold Open – SNL50

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins (Chloe Fineman) checks in with Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) and Donald Trump’s (James Austin Johnson) campaigns on the eve of the 2024 election. Continue reading

10/30/24 Wildin Out Wednesday: Obama raps Eminem’s Lose Yourself

During the Detriot Harris-Walz rally former president Barack Obama raps Enimem‘s iconic Lose Yourself.  Continue reading

10/13/24 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ: George Duke & Chaka Khan (Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2009- Full Concert)

George Duke and Chaka Khan perform live at the 2009 North Sea Jazz Festival on Saturday July  11, 2009 at Ahoy Hall in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Continue reading

10/11/24 O&A NYC IRIE FRIDAY: Bob Marley & The Wailers – No Woman, No Cry (Live At The Rainbow 4th June 1977)

No Woman, No Cry is a narrative song in which Bob Marley & The Wailers tells his woman not to cry (No woman, no cry), as he’s about to leave her for a while. Life’s easier than it once was and he reminds her of the time they spent together previously, living in the government housing project in Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica Continue reading

10/5/24 O&A NYC IT’S SATURDAY: A Conversation With Debbie Blunden- Diggs, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

By Walter Rutledge 

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) is one of the heartland’s preeminent dance companies. The company is fifty-six years young and has remained rooted in sharing the experiences of Americans of African decent through movement. This 2016 conversation with DCDC Artistic Director Debbie Blunden- Diggs took place during the company’s performances of Rainbow Round My Shoulder as guest artists with the Paul Taylor Dance Company at State Theater in Lincoln Center.

The company received a Bessie Award (The New York Dance and Performance Awards) that same year for Outstanding Revival for Rainbow. Blunden and I discuss the importance of keeping masterworks like Rainbow alive and on stage for the next generation of balletomanes. Her comments and commitment still ring true as DCDC become the first African American modern dance company to perform one of Taylor’s  signature masterwork Esplanade during the company’s 2024 Joyce Theater season October 2- 6. Continue reading

10/3/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: BalletX at the Joyce

By Walter Rutledge

BalletX returned to the Joyce Theater September 25 thru September 29 for a second consecutive New York City season. The Philadelphia based contemporary ballet company offered an aesthetically satisfying concert highlighted by technically proficient performers and focused direction. The company presented a diverse program consisting of three ballets by choreographers Jodie Gates, Loughlan Prior and Takehiro Ueyama. Continue reading