4/1/18 O&A NYC DANCE- GOSPEL SUNDAY EXTRA: I Wanna Be Ready- Matthew Rushing

On March 30, 1958, the dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) launched his company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, at a performance in New York City that forever changed the face of American dance. He was 27 years old.

In honor of the Company’s 60th anniversary, Matthew Rushing – a 25-year veteran of the Ailey company — performed the iconic solo “I Wanna Be Ready” from Mr. Ailey’s classic work, Revelations. Filmed in Rogers, Texas, where Mr. Ailey was born and lived as a young child, Mr. Rushing’s performance features live accompaniment by five local singers.

I Wanna Be Ready

(Repost) 11/22/20 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Daryl Coley- When Sunday Comes

When Sunday Comes performed by Daryl Coley was featured on Donald Lawrence‘s 1995 gospel narrative album Bible Stories (1995).  Continue reading

4/1/18 O&A NYC EASTER GOSPEL SUNDAY: Daryl Coley- When Sunday Comes

When Sunday Comes performed by Daryl Coley was featured on Donald Lawrence‘s 1995 gospel narrative album Bible Stories (1995).  Continue reading

4/1/18 O&A NYC OUT AND ABOUT- WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK: Spring Break!!!!

Spring Break is here! And the city is abounding with activity “24- 7- 365”. We have art celebrating popular culture in Harlem. Ballet, modern and more throughout the city. Blockbuster and Indie film share the silver screen,  jazz to Motown grooves Midtown and the world’s most exotic cars hit the westside. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading

3/30/18 O&A NYC GOOD FRIDAY SONG OF THE DAY: Calvary- Richard Smallwood

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Richard Smallwood’s Calvary, led by Maurette Brown Clark, Darlene Simmons, and Carolene Hatchet, combines good compositional form with strong dramatic narrative elements creating a true gospel classic. 

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3/29/18 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY- CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Gloria Gaynor- I Will Survive

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I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor’s certified double platinum disco anthem, has remained popular. The song’s lyrics describe the narrator’s discovery of personal strength following an initially devastating breakup. It received heavy airplay in 1979, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles Chart on consecutive weeks. Continue reading

3/28/18 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: We Built This – Musical Performance from Black-ish (Season 4 Premiere)


The Black-ish episode, titled “Juneteenth,” continued the ABC sitcom’s tradition of tackling tough subject. Continue reading

3/27/18 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Teyana Taylor – Maybe ft. Pusha T, Yo Gotti

Maybe is by pop artist Teyana Taylor’s major label debut album,VII. The track features guest verses by Hip Hop artist Pusha T and Yo Gotti. Continue reading

3/25/18 O&A NYC THEATRE REVIEW: Chicago- Valerie Simpson Takes No Prisoners As Matron “Mama” Morton

By Walter Rutledge

Songwriter, recording artist, entrepreneur, and restauranteur Valerie Simpson can now add Broadway thespian to her impressive list of accomplishments. On March 12, 2018 Simpson made her Broadway debut as Matron “Mama” Morton in Broadway’s longest running musical Chicago. For her six-week run (through April 22) Simpson is flanked by a talented cast of Broadway veterans including: Amra- Faye Wright as the Vaudeville villainess Velma Kelly, Bianca Marroquin– the murderous ingénue Roxie Hart and Chaz Lamar Shepard as brash barrister Billy Flynn. Continue reading

8/26/21 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY CELEBRATING NICHOLAS ASHFORD: Ashford and Simpson – Found A Cure (Live 1979) And More

Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the successful songwriting duo and recording artists, met at Harlem’s White Rock Baptist Church in 1964. Their careers as songwriters, producers and powerhouse performers spanned more than forty-five years. On August 22, 2011 Ashford passed from throat cancer. He is survived by wife of 36 years Valerie and their two daughters Asia and Nicole. Continue reading