3/30/26 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Whitney Houston – I Have Nothing (The Concert for a New South Africa Durban – LIVE)

In 1994, Whitney Houston took the stage in Durban, South Africa, making her the first major Western musician to visit the newly unified, post-apartheid nation following President Nelson Mandela’s winning election. This performance was more than a concert; it was a celebration of freedom, hope, and unity. Whitney’s powerhouse voice and emotional delivery brought joy and inspiration to a country newly liberated. Continue reading

3/23/26 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Lena Horne – The Lady Is A Tramp

Lena Horne performed by The Lady Is a Tramp from the musical Babes in Arms (1937). The musical features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Continue reading

3/19/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY – WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Ella Fitzgerald A-Tisket-A-Tasket

A-Tisket, A-Tasket is the 1938 breakout hit that catapulted Ella Fitzgerald to national stardom. Co-written by Fitzgerald and arranger Al Feldman (Van Alexander), the song is a playful jazz adaptation of a 19th-century children’s nursery rhyme. Ella famously performed the song in her 1942 film debut, Ride ‘Em Cowboy. Continue reading

3/18/26 O&A NYC THE ARTS WITH ALEX SMITH JR.: About the Oscars

By Alex Smith, Jr.

Sunday night was the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ (AMPAS) 98th Oscar Awards at the Dolby Theatre, in Los Angeles, CA. I have watched the Oscars for decades now. I have found some Oscar programs better than others. I can’t remember any of them being spectacular except maybe the year The Godfather I won best picture-1973. Continue reading

3/4/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Cotton Comes To Harlem- Iris, Officer Jerema and the Paper Bag

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Cotton Comes to Harlem was the beginning of short period in American film that featured black actors in leading roles and the themes dealt with issues from the African-American microcosm. With a screenplay by Arnold Perl and Ossie Davis, and  directed by Davis this action drama represents the black perspective. Much of the film’s humor is urban black comedy, which was groundbreaking in 1970.

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2/28/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Wattstax Concert (1972)

Wattstax was a benefit concert organized by Stax Records  to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the 1965 riots  in the African American community of Watts, Los Angeles. The concert took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 20, 1972. The concert’s performers included all of the Stax’s prominent artists at the time. The genres of the songs performed included soul, gospel, R&B, blues, funk and jazz. The film stars Isaac Hayes, The Staples Singers, Luther Ingram, Johnnie Taylor, The Emotions, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Albert King and others special guest star Richard Pryor. Continue reading

2/14/26 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Lady Sings the Blues

Lady Sings the Blues is a biographical musical drama starring Diana Ross in her Academy Award-nominated film debut as the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. Continue reading

2/4/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Big Ben – Lady Sings The Blues

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Lady Sings The Blues is the story of jazz singer Billie Holiday and is loosely based on her 1956 autobiography. The name of the film was taken from one of Holiday’s most popular songs.

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1/29/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Roots – Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody


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The Roots perform Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around from the  2014 soundtrack of the film For A Revolution. In this clip, which juxtaposes black and white footage of 20th-century Civil Rights protests with color footage of the band performing in a recording studio. Continue reading

1/28/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks Act V- Mourning Place

The final act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks takes place after the death of Dr. King . John Jones (Dr Martin Luther King), Sheila Rohan (Rosa Parks) and James E. Murphy (Assassin). Continue reading