7/16/26 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Vanita Smythe – Low, Short and Squatty

Low, Short and Squatty is a vibrant jump blues and swing song recorded by African-American vocalist and actress Vanita Smythe, released on December 2, 1946. The track was famously released as a “soundie”—a three-minute musical film that served as a precursor to modern music videos—and became a prominent jukebox hit in urban clubs. Continue reading

7/4/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT 4TH OF JULY SPECIAL: Stars And Stripes – George Balanchine (1993)

The Pas de Deux and Finale of George Balanchine’s tribute to our flag and country, Stars And Stripes. He made this to the music of John Philip Sousa, orchestrated by Hershey Kay. Danced here by Margaret Tracey and Damian Woetzel.

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5/11/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Guitar Battle Scene from “Crossroads” (1986)

The guitar battle in the 1986 film Crossroads is one of the most legendary musical showdowns in cinema history. It features the protagonist, Eugene Martone (played by Ralph Macchio), dueling for his mentor’s (Joe Seneca) soul against the devil’s champion, Jack Butler, portrayed by guitar virtuoso Steve Vai
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5/5/26 O&A NYC BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: What Is The Gateways Festival Orchestra?

By Walter Rutledge

Dance is a supportive/collaborative art. It requires costumes, lighting, sets, and music. The two disciplines with the closest bond are the marriage between movement and music. If the music provides the melody, then the dance are the visual lyrics. This was the bond between the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) and members of the Gatesway Festival Orchestra (GFO) during the dance’s company New York City Season April 16th thru April 19th at New York City Center. The dance company and orchestra performed the revival of DTH’s iconic Firebird ballet, and it proved to be an extremely harmonious relationship. Continue reading

4/17/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Firebird- Dance Theatre of Harlem

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic Firebird places the Russian folk tale about a magical bird that triumphs over evil in an exotic Caribbean setting. John Taras’ choreography to Stravinsky’s familiar score was further enlivened by sets and costumes by Geoffrey Holder. The 1982 DTH production was a tremendous worldwide success. Continue reading

2/28/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Wattstax Concert (1972)

Wattstax was a benefit concert organized by Stax Records  to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the 1965 riots  in the African American community of Watts, Los Angeles. The concert took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 20, 1972. The concert’s performers included all of the Stax’s prominent artists at the time. The genres of the songs performed included soul, gospel, R&B, blues, funk and jazz. The film stars Isaac Hayes, The Staples Singers, Luther Ingram, Johnnie Taylor, The Emotions, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Albert King and others special guest star Richard Pryor. Continue reading

2/10/26 O&A NYC SUPERBOWL LX: Bad Bunny’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show

Bad Bunny headlined the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. His performance made history as the first Super Bowl halftime show to be performed predominantly in Spanish. Continue reading

1/28/26 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mikhail Baryshnikov – Le Jeune Homme et La Mort From White Nights (1985)

Happy Birthday to the dance legend Mikhail Baryshnikov (January 27, 1948) in honor of your 78th birthday O&A NYC Magazine decided to share one of balletomanes favorite cinematic dance moments. Continue reading

12/25/25 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: The Voices of East Harlem – Right On Be Free

The Voices of East Harlem was an African American vocal ensemble that originated in an inner-city action project in East Harlem, New York City. The song Right On, Be Free enjoys continued exposure as the last movement of Alvin Ailey‘s masterwork Cry Continue reading

10/30/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Vincent Price Raps Thriller (1987)- The Tonight Show with Joan Rivers

Actor Vincent Price performs the iconic rap from Michael Jackson‘s mega hit Thriller. This was the first and only time performed the verses live on television Continue reading