12/6/24 O&A NYC IRIE FRIDAY: Morgan Heritage She’s Still Loving me – 2003 Live at Paradiso

“Taken straight from our Live in Europe DVD from 2003 She’s Still Loving me is one of our all time love songs, and often a crowd favorite when we perform live. You can find this song on our 2003 album entitled Three In One.” – Morgan Heritage. Continue reading

11/23/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Claire De Lune Wows Taylor Audience

By Walter Rutledge

There is no greater pleasure than attending a performance as just an audience member. No notes, no critique. I am one of many enveloped in a communal cocoon of darkness enthusiastically sharing the wonderment and power of the creative collective. Tuesday November 19th was one such occasion at the Paul Taylor Dance Company. But after seeing the performance it would be remiss of me not to briefly mention the ethereal Clair de Lune.

The well curated program opened with Taylor’s masterwork Arden Court and closed with his Bach signature piece Esplanade. Two additional works by female choreographers Jody Sperling and resident choreographer Lauren Lovette completed the program. It was Sperling’s visually mesmerizing homage to modern dance pioneer Loie Fuller’s 1891 Serpentine Dance that wowed the audience.  

Pianist Margaret Kampmeier’s rendition of Debussy’s impressionist chestnut Claire De Lune summoned dancer Emmy Wildermuth to open her gossamer like wings. Billowing swirls of fabric provided a lulling comfort to the eye; then a burst of cyclonic energy created a centripetal cylinder of fabric seemingly ten feet high that left us in awe. The works beguiling elegance and courageous simplicity make this tribute timeless. The spirit of Loie Fuller’s groundbreaking modern dance work dances once again in Clair de Lune.

The last opportunity to see Clair De Lune is the Saturday November 23 matinee. Unfortunately, some of you will see this commentary after the mid-day performance. So, O&A NYC would like to share a 2013 performance of the work by choreographer/performer Jody Sperling.

Claire de Lune- Jody Sperling

The Taylor Company ends its 2024 New York season with a special dance reunion where former company members perform with the present company in Esplanade. For more information and or ticket information visit https://paultaylordance.org/performances/newyorkseason/.

In Photo: Emmy Wildermuth in Jody Spering’s “Clair de Lune”
Photo by Whitney Browne

11/13/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Michael Jackson Dance Evolution (1968 – 2009)

From the of the beginning of his meteoric rise to fame Michael Jackson has been dancing to the delight of his audiences worldwide.  Continue reading

11/1/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Hinton Battle/Alfonso Ribeiro -Tap Dance Kid (Tony Awards 1984)

Shall We Dance Friday
Fabulous Feet from the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid choreographed by Danny Daniels and featuring Alfonso Ribeiro, Hinton Battle and Company. This performance is from the 1984 Tony Awards Continue reading

10/13/24 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ: George Duke & Chaka Khan (Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2009- Full Concert)

George Duke and Chaka Khan perform live at the 2009 North Sea Jazz Festival on Saturday July  11, 2009 at Ahoy Hall in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Continue reading

9/11/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY:   Trump-Harris Debate: Recap of the ABC News Presidential Debate


The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump turned into a heated matchup that lasted more than 90 minutes. Continue reading

5/27/24 O&A NYC DIVO ALERT!: Chris Brown’s cancelled Micheal Jackson Tribute AMA 2022


On November 21, 2022 Chris Brown shared a video clip on Instagram of a rehearsal for a tribute performance he had originally prepared for the American Music Awards in honor of the 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982). Continue reading

3/10/24 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: An Evening with the Iconic Chris Mitchell

Christopher Alexander Mitchell better known by his stage name Chris Mitchelll, is a saxophonist whose sophomore album, Turquoise, brought him ‘breakthrough recognition’ 2011; sold in over 75 countries and 20 sites around the globe; Including his first live performance film An Evening with Chris Mitchell. Continue reading

3/16/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Mary j. Blige- Strength Of A Woman Festival 2023 Celebrates Hip-Hop 50 With Friends

Mary J. Blige Jazmine Sullivan and Miguel top the bill for the 2023 Honeyland Festival. Presented by IMG and Live Nation Urban, the inaugural, two-day music and culinary event will take place at Crown Festival Park in Sugar Land, Texas, just outside Houston, on November 11-12. Continue reading

2/15/24 O&A NYC BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Stylistics – You Make Me Feel Brand New (Soul Train)

In 1966, The Stylistics was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by combining local high school rivel singing groups, The Percussions and The Monarchs. When members from each of the groups answered the then United States draft call and higher education endeavors after graduation, the remaining members under the guidance of English teacher, Beverly Hamilton joined forces and officially created the name The Stylistics. Continue reading