12/23/25 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Todrick Hall – Bells, Bows, Gifts, Trees

Todrick Hall magically appears underneath a green neon light in the shape of a Christmas tree for the accompanying visual. He flips his Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels anthem from 2019 into the sleigh-worthy holiday sing – a long with an equally electrifying music video. Continue reading

9/1/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project – Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions.

By Walter Rutledge

It seems our narratives, our cultural and historic legacy, is being erased or altered to fit a new national fiction. It is becoming extremely important to tell our own stories and to share and protect our narratives. This was the mission of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project production Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions. The impressive and stylish sold-out presentation took place on Saturday, August 23 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

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7/6/25 O&A NYC DANCE COMMENTARY: The Ramp To Paradise Afterglow

By Walter Rutledge

The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) presented A Ramp To Paradise at the Ailey Citicorp Theater on June 27th and 28th. The two-day spring performance season showcased the third rendition of the dance theater narrative. The story begins in 1985 at the now celebrated underground nightclub- the Paradise Garage.  The sold-out Saturday evening performance was followed by a classic Paradise Garage style after party that lasted from 9pm to 12am (that’s 12 midnight not the Garage’s notorious Sunday noon closing- for those who remember). Continue reading

5/8/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Lil Nas X- Montero on Mauri

As part of the promotional push for is the release of his 2021 album Montero, Lil Nas X appears on the Mauri Show promoting the storyline featured in the video That What I Want. Continue reading

4/17/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Destin Conrad – It’s Only You

22 year old Destin Conrad is a sultry r&b singer hailing from Tampa, Florida. His latest album Submission 2 was released on January 19, 2024. It’s Only You is his latest video release. Continue reading

1/26/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Chris Rudd’s Touché featuring Calvin Royal III and João Menegussi

Touché, a work for two dancers, explores the themes of male love. The pas de deux was created by Chris Rudd and featured dancers danced by Calvin Royal III (Adam) and João Menegussi (Steve). Continue reading

11/27/23 HOLLYWOOD MONDAY- REVIEW: RUSTIN

By Alex Smith Jr.

I went to an advance screening of the film RUSTIN last night (Oct. 12, 2023). It was opening the 35th Anniversary of the LGBTQ+ Annual Film Festival here in NYC. This film is a triumph plain and simple. I am trying to hold back from using to many superlatives to lavish on this film. Continue reading

9/17/23 O&A NYC REVIEW: Is Heart of Brick A Black Queer Sex In The City?

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Theater’s fall 2023 season began September 15 with the interdisciplinary gay romance saga Heart of Brick. The theatrical production combined live vocal music, spoken narrations, voiceovers, dance, lighting and a clean, simple set design to recreate an evening at Langstons, New York City’s oldest Black gay bar. This is the first presentation in Director of Programming Danni Gee augural season, and in the truest downtown dance style she left the audience with something to talk about.   Continue reading

3/8/23 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Legendary: 30 Years of Philly Ballroom

Legendary: 30 Years of Philly Ballroom is an inside look into the effort to preserve Philadelphia’s ballroom scene, a black LGBTQ safe-space that has endured for 30 years. A film produced by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Emmy-winning video team. Continue reading