Category: Out and About NYC Magazine

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(Repost) 2/26/21 O&A NYC DANCE EXTRA: A Conversation with George Faison- The Creative Process

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By Walter Rutledge

“George Faison is one of my favorite people. Choreographer, director, performer, teacher, activist and cultural icon Faison’s story is larger than life. Throughout his five decades of artistic exploration he has maintained a keen eye, a childlike curiosity and a frolicsome sense of humor; which is reflected through his art and life. This interview was originally posted on May 6, 2016 and was filmed at the Faison Firehouse.”- W. Rutledge

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Tony and Emmy Award winning choreographer George Faison will present a new work entitled Kingdom Come at the McDonald’s Gospelfest – Live at Prudential Center (25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ) on Saturday May 7th. The ensemble work is an inspiring, and uplifting ballet set to a haunting score of ‎Jerome Olds. Throughout Faison’s career the humanistic quality of his work, and his ability to reach beyond the footlights and touch an audience has become his signature.    Continue reading

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12/11/23 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: Vanessa Williams – Go Tell It On The Mountain/ Mary Had A Baby (1993)

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Vanessa Williams sings a medley of “Mary Had a Baby” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” on the TV special David Foster’s Christmas Album musical staging choreography by Walter Painter dancers Paula Brown and Darrel Wright  (NBC, December 10, 1993).  Continue reading

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12/3/15 O&A NYC DANCE: Linda Celeste Sims- Pure Light

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By Walter Rutledge

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Outstanding performers have always been the hallmark of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dancers that consistently test the technical and artistic boundaries of modern dance remain a fundamental part of founder Alvin Ailey’s continuing legacy. Artists Carmen DeLavalallade, Dudley Williams, Judith Jamison, Miguel Godreau, Linda Kent, Sara Yarborough, Sarita Allen, Gary deLoatch, Desmond Richardson, and Renee Robinson all possessed an innate ability beyond technique, a God given gift that unfortunately cannot be taught. When the stage lights hit these special individuals it is refracted into dazing, flawless, pure light that pulls you in… moth to flame. Celeste Linda Sims is pure light. Continue reading

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1/13/22 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Michael Jackson – Earth Song

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Earth Song is the third single from Michael Jackson’s album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. The ballad incorporates elements of blues, gospel and opera. Jackson had a long-standing history of releasing socially conscious material such as We Are the World, Man in the Mirror and Heal the World. However, Earth Song was the first that overtly dealt with the environment and animal welfare.   Continue reading

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3/28/20 (REPOST) O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Agon – With Additional Footage Featuring Diana Adams and Arthur Mitchell

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Agon (1957) is a ballet for twelve dancers, with music by Igor Stravinsky and choreography by George Balanchine. The cast includes:First Pas de Trios– Peter Boal, Zippora Karz, Kathleen Tracey Second de Trios– Albert Evans, Arch Higgins, Wendy Whelan Pas de Duet– Darcey Bussell, Lindsay Fischer.                                                                                            

And an excerpt from the Pas de Duet featuring Diana Adams and Arthur Mitchell

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12/31/21 O&A NYC Shall We Dance Friday (Repost): Banda (excerpt)- Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade

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Shall We Dance

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Geoffrey Holder’s Banda dance debuted in the 1954 Truman Capote/Harold Arlen musical House Of Flowers. Holder the Baron of The Cemetery (based on the Haitian Loa of Death Baron Samedi) and received both a performer and choreographer credit in the program. The Broadway musical takes place somewhere in the West Indies during Mardi Gras weekend. Continue reading

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2/I/18 O&A NYC BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURSDAY: Al Green- How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

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How Can You Mend a Broken Heart released on the 1972 album Let’s Stay Together is a cover song, originally performed by the Bee Gees and written by Barry and Robin Gibb. His rendition took the soul ballad to new levels of artistry and refinement. Continue reading

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12/1/23 O&A SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY- WORLD AIDS DAY: Lar Lubovitch- Duet from Concerto Six Twenty-Two

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Shall We Dance

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Duet from Concerto Six Twenty-Two is set to Concerto in A for Clarinet and Orchestra, K. 622 by  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Choreographer Lar Lubovitch premiered this work on his company, the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, at the Municipal Theatre in Angers, France on December 12th 1985 on dancers Sylvain Lafortune and Edward Hillyer. The work was performed at the first Fire Island Dance Festival, which has become the annual summer fundraising centerpiece for Dancers Responding To AIDS.  Continue reading

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(REPOST) 6/11/15 O&A THROWBACK THURSDAY: Missing You- Diana Ross (For Chadwick Boseman)

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Missing You, written, composed, and produced by Lionel Richie as a tribute to Marvin Gaye, who had died earlier that year. The video includes, as well as still photographs and tribute clips of Gaye himself, tribute clips of former Supremes singer Florence Ballard and of Paul Williams of The Temptations, both Motown artists who had died in the 1970s. Continue reading

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6/2/15 O&A NYC Magazine: Dance Legend Dudley Williams Has Passed

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The dance world mourns the loss of its Lyric Prince; Dudley Williams has passed. The details are still unfolding; but more important than the circumstances surrounding his death, is how he inspired everyone who ever met him through his giving, humble spirit. Over the last twelve years Dudley became a colleague, friend, and confidante. We shared an appreciation for many things, two that were always paramount: dance that could reach beyond the footlights and touched your soul, and a very dry martini. Continue reading