6/9/20 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Revelations From A Lifetime Of Dance- Judith Jamison and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

“Dance can elevate our human experience beyond words,” says Judith Jamison, artistic director emerita of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In between performances of excerpts from Alvin Ailey’s classic works “Revelations” and “Cry,” Jamison reflects on the enduring power of dance to transform history into art that thrills audiences around the world. (Performances by Solomon Dumas, Samantha Figgins and Constance Stamatiou)
Continue reading

6/7/20 O&A NYC LOCKDOWN CONCERT: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Chroma, Grace, Takademe, Revelations (2015)

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs a full live evening of dance. In this 2015 Lincoln Center at Home rebroadcast. the works presented include:  Chroma by Wayne McGregor ‘Grace,’ Artistic Director Robert Battle’s ‘Takademe’ and the company’s signature work Revelations choreographed by company founder Alvin Ailey.

Continue reading

6/4/20 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Come Back, Barack (2017) – SNL

Come Back, Barack reliving the 90’s R&B Boy Band, starring De-Von-Tré featuring Chance the Rapper, Kenan Thompson and Chris Redd. The video wishes President Barack Obama would come back. [Season 43, 2017]
Continue reading

6/3/20 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Jenifer Lewis Take Your Knee Off My Neck

The one and only Jennifer Lewis tells America take your knee off my neck! Continue reading

6/1/20 O&A NYC DANCE: Spectre de la Rose- Rudolph Nureyev and Denise Jackson

DeniseJacksoninLeSpectredelaRose197Le Spectre de la rose (English: The Spirit of the Rose) about a young girl who dreams of dancing with the spirit of a souvenir rose from her first ball.  Continue reading

(Repost) 8/18/21 O&A NYC TRIBUTE: A Song For You (1986) Dudley Williams August 18, 1938- May 31, 2015

By Walter Rutledge

d90704264383da96da61f51bc870f967

In 2003 I telephoned Ailey Dancer Emeritus Dudley Williams. At that time he was a 39 year veteran of the Ailey Company, one year from a forty year milestone as an Ailey dancer. The Bearden Foundation and The Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theater were planning a centennial celebration for internationally renowned artist Romare Bearden. The dance company would present a new work On The Block based on the six panel mural by Bearden, which is in the permanent collection at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

I introduced myself and explained the projected; we wanted him to play an abusive husband opposite Hope Clark. I finished the introduction with “I have called you the Lyric Crown Prince of modern dance but in this work I’m going to need you to be a real son of a bitch”. He paused then quickly responded “I can do that”. This began a working relationship and friendship that would last until his death. I still miss Dudley’s dry wit and even drier Bombay Blue Sapphire Martini. I know that you are still dancing this solo probably with Alvin directing and Donny singing. Happy Birthday Dudley Continue reading

5/31/20 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Don’t Cry- CeCe Winan (Live)

Don’t Cry For Me is a song written by Keith Thomas and Benjamin Winans and is performed by Priscilla “CeCe” Marie Winans Continue reading

5/30/20 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Otis Redding (1966)

Otis Redding, while visiting Europe for the very first time as part of the Stax/Volt tour, is asked to host a very special episode of The teen dance show, Ready, Steady, Go! The rest is history. Featuring Chris Farlowe and Eric Burdon (of The Animals).
Continue reading

5/30/20 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: Legendary- Series Premiere (Full Episode)

Legendary, a new HBO Max competition series draws its inspiration from the underground ballroom community. 
Continue reading

5/28/20 O&A NYC DANCE: Robert Battle’s The Hunt

The Ailey company first premiered The Hunt, one of Robert Battle’s most popular works, in 2010. Fueled by a thundering percussion soundtrack, the piece explores the relationship between modern sports and the rites of the gladiators. Continue reading