3/16/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: The Conversation Continues With Francesca Harper and Adanna Smalls -Ailey II

 

Our conversation with Ailey II Artistic Director Francesca Harper and company members Adanna Smalls about the upcoming New York City season March 17 through 22 at the Joyce Theater continues. Harper shares with Out and About NYC Magazine Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge about season highlights at the beginning of her sixth year shaping the direction of Ailey II. While dancer Adanna Smalls talks about preparing for her debut season with the company. Continue reading

3/15/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: A Conversation With Francesca Harper and Adanna Smalls – A Preview of Ailey II N.Y.C. Season


Ailey II returns to the Joyce Theater for their New York City season March 17 through 22. The all too short season will feature two programs. New Works featuring cutting edge choreography from inspired emerging dance makers and Legacy/Future which is an exciting mix of established and emerging artists including works by company founder Alvin Ailey. Out and About NYC Magazine Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge discussed the upcoming season and all things Ailey II with Artistic Director Francesca Harper and one of the newest company members Adanna Smalls. Continue reading

2/13/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: TV Personality Cheryl Wills Joins Remembering Cast.

By Walter Rutledge

Journalist and author Cheryl Wills joins the cast as both actor and playwright for the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company in tonight’s production of Remembering at the BAM Fisher Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Place, in downtown Brooklyn. Wills shared the story of her great, great, great grandfather Private Sandy Wills with young audiences on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday evening’s performance playwright Wills will be performed by Thera Ward. Continue reading

2/9/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Meet Deven Crawford – Unity Through Community

Meet Deven Crawford a 19-year-old Las Vegas Nevada native who is living his dream.  The former dance major at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts happened to meet Jamel Gaines at the 2024 IABD (International Association of Black in Dance) conference. Today Crawford is a sophomore studying dance at Marymount College in Manhattan and one of the newest members of the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company (JGCO). 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

1/27/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks ( Act IV The Assassin)

Martin Act IV Assassination

The Fourth Act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks starring John Jones as Dr. King, Sheila Rohan as Rosa Park and James E. Murphy as the Assassin.

Continue reading

1/22/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin – A Ballet by Gordon Parks – Act III Letter From The Birmingham Jail

Martin Act III Letter

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

1/20/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin- A Ballet by Gordon Parks- Act II March On Selma

Martin (Act 2) March On Selma (2)Act II from Martin: A ballet by Gordon Parks depicts the violent encounter with police during the march on Selma. Continue reading

1/18/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING!: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks (Prelude)

hqdefault

Martin: a ballet by Gordon Parks, an original five-movement ballet chronicling the struggles of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Filmed in 1990 the work stars John Jones as Dr. King and Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks, featuring choreography by Real Lamb. “Martin” (PBS, 1990),  about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Parks served as executive producer, director, composer, keyboardist and documentary photographer for this boldly ambitious project. Continue reading

1/16/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: THE HOLY BLUES INTERVIEW – Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro

“My roots are also in the Gospel church, the Gospel churches of the south where I grew up…holy blues—paeans to joy, anthems to the human spirit.” These words written by Alvin Ailey were the impetus for The Holy Blues, a collaborative choreographic endeavor by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and emerging dancemakers Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro. Continue reading