10/2/14 O&A: Interview with Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman- Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical

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A video interview with the co-producers and co-directors Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman of the Off-Broadway musical Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical during the run of the show at the Theatre at the Church of St. Clement’s. Continue reading

10/2/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds

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Babyface (Kenneth Brian Edmonds) is a multi-platinum selling R&B singer, songwriter and record producer. He has written and produced over 26 No. 1 R&B hits for artists such as Whitney Houston, Karyn White, Johnny Gill, Vanessa Williams, Pebbles, Madonna and Boyz II Men, and has also worked on various film soundtracks in his successful career. Babyface has won 10 Grammy Awards.

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10/1/14 O&A DIVA ALERT: Aretha Franklin Sing Adele’s Rolling In The Deep On Letterman

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Aretha Franklin was the guest on last night’s David Letterman, where she performed her cover of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep that was released yesterday (which also contains a bit of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”). For the performance, she was joined by a choir (which included Cissy Houston) and a large back up band.  Continue reading

9/30/14 O&A REVIEW: Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical

By Walter Rutledge

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Before RuPaul, or Boy George the crown of cross-dressing performers was wore by Sylvester the “Queen of Disco”. He reigned over the androgynous 1970’s and 1980’s dance and club culture with visual daring and signature gospel infused falsetto vocals. The new off-Broadway musical Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical now playing at The Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street pays tribute to the iconic and trailblazing songwriter and performer. Continue reading

10/10/24 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Whitney Houston’s 1983 TV Debut with Mother Cissy

Whitney Houston sings two duets with her mother Cissy Houston on the Merv Griffin Show in 1983 marking Whitney’s television debut The mother/daughter duet sang a medley of Ain’t No Way and You Send Me. Continue reading

9/27/14 O&A Listen Up: Janelle Monae- Electric lady

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The Electric Lady is the second studio album by recording artist Janelle Monáe, released on September 6, 2013 by Wondaland Arts Society and Bad Boy Records. It is the follow up to her critically acclaimed debut studio album, The ArchAndroid (2010), and like that album, it has received universal acclaim from music critics.

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9/25/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Sylvester

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Sylvester James, Jr. better known as Sylvester, was a disco and soul singer-songwriter. Known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance that exemplified the era. Sylvester was often described by the mainstream media as a drag queen, but he repeatedly rejected such a description. Responsible for a string of hit singles in the late 1970s, Sylvester became known in the United States under the moniker of the “Queen of Disco.” Continue reading

9/21/14 O&A Gospel Sunday: Amazing Grace- Aretha Franklin from the Women of Soul White House Performance

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mezzanine_144Women of Soul: In Performance at the White House is a PBS music special taped in the East Room of the White House, celebrating the great “foremothers” of American music, with songs expressing the struggles and achievements of women. President and Mrs. Obama hosted the event on Thursday, March 6, 2014. The all-star concert will include performances by Tessanne Chin, Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Patti LaBelle, Janelle Monáe and Jill Scott, with Greg Phillinganes as music director.  The program finale was Aretha Franklin performing Amazing Grace. One of the song Franklin has performed throughout her “amazing” career.  Continue reading

9/20/14 O&A Its Saturday: Ruby Dee Memorial Service Livestream Today 11am

It is Saturdayyiqlwwzy7so8c6c6nzcrA memorial for actress and civil rights activist Ruby Dee is scheduled to begin Saturday, September 20 at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT. The service will be held at the Riverside Church in New York and will feature music by Alicia Keys and Audra McDonald, reflections by former Mayor David Dinkins and Sonia Sanchez, and a eulogy by Harry Belafonte. Dee died June 11 at 91. Continue reading

9/18/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Aretha Franklin

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Aretha Franklin began her career singing gospel at her father, minister C. L. Franklin’s church as a child. In 1960, at age 18, Franklin embarked on a secular career. Franklin achieved commercial acclaim and success to gain the title The Queen of Soul by the end of the 1960s decade.
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