Josephine Baker was an entertainer, civil rights activist, French Resistance agent and the first Black international superstar. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in her adopted France. Continue reading
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Category: Tap Dance
11/7/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Bill Bojangle Robinson – Stair Dance from Harlem Is Heaven (1932)
The Stair Dance featured in Harlem Is Heaven (1932): one of the first movies to ever feature an all-black cast, this film also boasts one of the earliest recorded versions of Bill Robinson’s famous stair dance routine, where he tapped up and down two flights of five steps joined by a shared platform. Continue reading
6/6/20 O&A NYC TRIBUTE: Loretta Abbott March 1, 19( I ain’t tellin)- May 6, 2016
By Walter Rutledge
Loretta Abbott, dancer, actress, singer and choreographer passed away on Sunday June 5, 2016. A natural performer Abbott had two passions: her love for dance that spanned over 70 years, and her allegiance to the Harlem community where she lived her entire life. Continue reading
7/16/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Savion Glover – Newport Jazz Festival – 08/13/06 (Full Concert)
Savion Glover performs at the Newport Jazz Festival on August 13, 2006.
Savion Glover – Full Concert – 08/13/06 – Newport Jazz Festival
7/14/17 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Legendary Tap Dancers Honor Sammy Davis, Jr. at Kennedy Center Honors (1987)
Legendary tap dancer Sammy Davis, Jr. received a special performance at Kennedy Center Honors (1987) by his legendary tap dance peers The Nicholas Brothers (Harold & Fayard), Chuck Green, Jimmy Slyde, and ‘Sandman’ Sims.
LEGENDARY TAP DANCERS HONOR SAMMY DAVIS, JR. AT KENNEDY CENTER HONORS
4/24/17 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Yankee Doodle Dandy- Jimmy Cagney
Jimmy Cagney performs his signature number in this 1942 biographical film about George M. Cohan. Continue reading
3/7/17 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Phyllis Hyman, Gregg Burge and Hinton Battle- It Don’t Mean a Thing! From Sophisticated Ladies
Tony Award nominated Phyllis Hyman performing Ellington classic It Don’t Mean A Thing From Sophisticated Ladies. She’s accompanied by Tony Award Winner Hinton Battle and Gregg Burge. Continue reading
1/23/17 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Josephine Baker- Zouzou (1934)
Zouzou(1934) starring American singer, dancer, actress Josephine Baker became the first motion picture to feature a black actress in the starring role. Continue reading
4/22/21 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: The Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge- Chattanooga Choo Choo (1941)
The Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge dance in Chattanooga Choo Choo from the 1941 Sun Valley Serenade. The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song, and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996. Continue reading
1/6/17 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Origins of the Moonwalk
Michael Jackson is credited with introducing the Moonwalk at the Motown 25 television special. Here is a brief history of the origins of the 80’s dance craze. Continue reading
