2/15/16 WHAT THE FUNK!: Sly & The Family Stone – Higher And Higher Live (1969)

I Want to Take You Higher, a song by the soul/rock/funk band Sly and the Family Stone, which also featured Stand! on the B side. Unlike most of the other tracks on the Stand! album, “I Want to Take You Higher” is not a message song; instead, it is simply dedicated to music and the feeling one gets from music. Continue reading

2/9/22 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Richard Pryor Show- Mojo Healer

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Richard Pryor shows up with energy and comic timing as Mojo the medicine man, who attracts his cult with the divine words “Let Mojo heal it!” Continue reading

2/14/17 O&A NYC DANCE- VALENTINE’S DAY: A Song For You- Dudley Williams/ Choreography Alvin Ailey

 

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In 1972, Alvin Ailey created the elegiac solo Love Songs for dancer Dudley Williams. The  sixteen minute solo, composed in three sections includes A Song for You by Donny Hathaway; Poppies by Nina Simone; and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother by Donny Hathaway. Many  thought of the work as the male equivalent of the female solo Cry (1971). Continue reading

2/12/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Nina Simone: Live at Teatro Sistina in Rome (1968)

Nina Simone: Live at Teatro Sistina in Rome (1968), is a 25 min video recording including  Black Is The Color of My True Love’s Hair, To Love Somebody, Suzanne, Save Me, and an impromptu medley of Porgy, I Is Your Woman Now / Today Is A Killer / I Loves You Porgy Continue reading

2/7/17 O&A NYC BLACK HISTORY MONTH INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: The Complicated Life of Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters was one of the first African- American superstar. An actress, singer and dancer Waters was the highest paid black actress of her era. This is her story. Continue reading

2/9/24 O&A NYC MOST MEMORABLE SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOWS: Diana Ross Super Bowl XXX Halftime Show (1996)

Diana Ross performed a medley greatest hits songs at half time show at Super Bowl XXX from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. January 28, 1996. Diana Ross performed during the halftime show, titled Take Me Higher: A Celebration of 30 years of the Super Bowl. Continue reading

1/30/17 O&A NYC MOST MEMORABLE SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOWS: Nipplegate-Janet Jackson And Justin Timberlake

Janet Jackson set off a 2004 Super Bowl firestorm when her right breast was bared during her nationally televised  halftime show.  The incident became known as Nipplegate and had a severe effect on Jackson while her partner Justin Timberlake tried to distance himself from the “wardrobe malfunction” .  Continue reading

1/19/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Act V (Finale) Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks- Mourning Place

Martin Act V Mourning Place

The final act 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

1/17/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin Act III Letter From the Birmingham Jail

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Martin Act III: Letter From the Birmingham Jail- Dr. King (John Jones) is arrested and while in jail he writes the now historic letter from the Birmingham Jail. With the help of Rosa Parks (Sheila Rohan) King is able to disseminate his message to the masses.  Continue reading

1/17/17 INSPIRATION TUESDAY: Excerpt From The Rosa Parks Story- Arrested


The Rosa Parks Story stars Angela Bassett as civil rights icon Rosa Parks. The 2002 CBS television movie also starred Cicely Tyson a supporting role as her mother.  The Rosa Parks Story received awards from the NAACP and the Black Reel Awards.  Continue reading