12/28/19 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Fandango- Pure Magic

By Walter Rutledge 

Actress, author and burlesque entertainer Gyspy Rose Lee once said, “If a thing is worth doing, it worth doing slowly… very slowly”. Fandango by choreographer Lar Lubovitch embodies Lee’s philosophy and more. Instead of flashy flurries of movement, the sensual duet performed by Danica Paulos and Clifton Brown; and set to Maurice Ravel’s contemporary classic chestnut Bolero, smoldered with a steady and intense heat. Continue reading

12/26/19 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Carol of the Bells – Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey Stirling (born September 21, 1986) an American violinist, singer, songwriter, and dancer. presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her eponymous YouTube channel, which she created in 2007. 
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12/26/19 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack – I’ll Be Home For Christmas

THROWBACK HOLIDAY Roberta-Flack-8

Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack sing I’ll Be Home for Christmas on the TV special David Foster’s Christmas Album (NBC, December 10, 1993). Originally written to honor soldiers overseas who longed for home at Christmastime, I’ll Be Home for Christmas has since gone on to become a Christmas standard. Continue reading

12/25/19 O&A NYC CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Christmas Concert at Notre Dame with Jessye Norman

Jessye NormanJessye Norman performed in a 1992 concert recorded live with Lawrence Foster and the Lyon Opera Orchestra amid the tantalizing acoustics at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. Continue reading

(Repost) 12/8/20 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Eartha Kitt- Santa Baby

Eartha Kitt

Eartha Mae Kitt was an actress, singer, cabaret star, dancer, stand-up comedienne, activist and voice artist.  Known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings of C’est Si Bon and the enduring Christmas novelty smash Santa Baby. Both songs became US Top 10 hits. Orson Welles once called her the most exciting woman in the world.
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(Repost)2/13/22 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Total Praise – Richard Smallwood

Richard Smallwood wrote the gospel classic Total Praise during a dark time in his life. He was a caretaker for two people, one with Alzheimers and one with cancer. He originally sat down to write a “Woe is me” song , but this kept coming out instead. It’s what he called “Valley praise”. Continue reading

12/12/19 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Neither One Of Us – Gladys Knight And The Pips

Neither One of Us is a single by Gladys Knights & The Pips. Released on December 26, 1972 on Motown’s Soul Records, it became one of their biggest hit singles to date, and was also the last single the group released prior to them leaving Motown. Continue reading

12/6/19 O&A NYC SHALLL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Momix Performs Fandango- Choreographer Lar Lubovitch

Set to Maurice Ravel’s classic Bolero Momix dancers Mia Babalis and Sylvaine Lafortune perform choreographer Lar Lubovitch’s Fandango directed by Barbara Willis Sweete with conductor Charles Dutoit. 
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12/15/19 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Jason Derulo- Naked (Plus Instagram “Anaconda” Pic and Video)

Jason Derulo is creating new naked news when a recent instagram photograph was removed due to”aroused genitalia”.  Continue reading