2/20/23 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn

By Walter Rutledge

Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn (JGCO) presented Remembering… on February 17th and 18th at BAM Fisher, Fishman Space. The 70-minute one act was an extremely enlightening audience friendly black history celebration. This multi-media event is a perfect example of art as education.   Continue reading

2/9/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (A capella)


The incomparable R&B legend Marvin Gaye shows us he can bring the house down without music. Watch him slay his classic  I Heard It Through The Grapevine. Continue reading

2/13/23 O&A NYC DIVA ALERT!!!: Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show


Rihanna opened the show with a rousing rendition of her hit song, “Bitch Better Have My Money” and then pumped up the crowd with her dance hits “Where Have You Been” and “Only Girl (In The World).” She kept the energy up with new arrangements of “We Found Love” and “Rude Boy.”
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2/13/23 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Brown Sugar: The History of the Black Female Entertainer (1985/1990)

Brown Sugar: The History of the Black Female Entertainer (1985/1990) is a 1985 documentary based on film historian Donald Bogles’ book Brown SugarOne of the best docu-film about black female entertainers hosted by actor Billy Dee Williams. Continue reading

2/11/24 O&A NYC MOST MEMORABLE SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SCANDAL: 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

2/5/23 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Yolanda Adams – This Too Shall Pass

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This Too Shall Pass, a song written by Yolanda Adams, was released as the last single from her 2005 album Day by Day.  

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1/4/23 SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: John Henry- Dance Theatre of Harlem

John Henry is the tale of the steel drivin’ man who fights against automation. He challenges the steam drill and wins, but dies with his hammer in his hand. Choreographed by DTH Co-founder Arthur Mitchell in 1988, his ballet is a testament to the singular perseverance that allowed the folk hero to triumph over impossible odds. Continue reading

2/2/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Regina Belle – Baby Come To Me

 

Baby Come to Me is a 1989 R&B/Soul single by Regina Belle. Released on October 2, 1989 on Columbia Records.The song was written by Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen and produced by Narada Michael Walden. Continue reading

1/30/23 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Janet Jackson – Every Time

Every Time is a song by Pop artist Janet Jackson from her sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope. It was released as the album’s sixth and final single in November 1998. The song has been described as a ballad that lyrically delves into the protagonist’s fear of love.

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