8/16/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Unite- The Future Faces of Ballet

By Walter Rutledge

Unite, the Joyce Ballet Festival’s opening night performance was an eye-opening reveal of the face (or faces) of the future of ballet. The six-day, festival offers eight performances from Tuesday August 13 through Sunday August 18. Unite is an enlightening example of the growing and long overdue multicultural diversity and inclusiveness the artform so rightfully deserves. Continue reading

8/11/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: The Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There (Live)

The Staple Singers were a gospel, soul, and R&B family singing group and one of the first early crossover groups. Roebuck “Pops” Staples the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha, Pervis, and Mavis. Yvonne replaced her brother when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and again in 1970. Continue reading

8/9/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Calvin Royal III and João Menegussi Perform Touche at Unite- Joyce Ballet Festival

UNITE the Joyce Theater’s Ballet Festival, August 13 through August 18, is curated and co-produced by American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Calvin Royal III. One of the works to be presented, Touché, is a duet that explores the themes of male love.  Created by Chris Rudd the ballet features Royal III (Adam) and ABT Corps de ballet member João Menegussi (Steve). Continue reading

8/2/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Geoffrey Holder- Banda

By Walter Rutledge

Shall We Dance

Happy Birthday renaissance man Geoffrey Holder. The dancer, actor, choreographer, director, visual artist and all around force of nature was born on August 1st, 1930 in Port of Spain; the capital city of the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Continue reading

7/30/24 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Sheryl Lee Ralph Emmy Acceptance Video

If you’re not watching Abbott Elementary, you might want to fix that ASAP. Not only is it one of the best and most wholesome new comedies on TV, every episode is worth it for Sheryl Lee Ralph‘s regally hilarious line readings alone. And clearly the Television Academy agrees:  Ralph won an Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as the imdomitable veteran kindergarten teacher Mrs. Howard. Ralph is also the first Black woman since Jackée Harry in 1987 to win this Emmy. Continue reading

7/25/24 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: My-In-Law Is A Food Critic | Mr Macaroni | Opeyemi Famakin | Motunde

Adebowale Adedayo known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, content creator and citizen activist. Continue reading

7/19/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: The Wiz-A Brand New Day (Everybody Rejoice)


With Evillene (Mable King*) dead, her powerful spells. Soon all her sweat shop workers and prisoners are free from her hold over them and “strip” way their hideous wicked witch skin. They all celebrate with Dorthy (Diana Ross), Scarecrow, (Michael Jackson), Tin Man (Nipsey Russell), and Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross*). This large cast dance member is the brain child of choreographer Louis Johnson, whose high energy, and interdisciplinary vocabulary captures the energy of the song lead by The Wiz Singers Adult Choir member Luther Vandross. Continue reading

7/17/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Visiting Africa- Richard Pryor Live on The Sunset Strip

Richard Pryor‘s live performances at the Sunset Strip caught on film. Pryor talks about racism and the differences between blacks and whites Continue reading

7/12/24 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAH RICHARDS: As Summers Die (1986) Starring Ron O’Neal, Beah Richards, Jamie Lee Curtis and Bette Davis

As Summers Die a 1986 film starring Ron O’Neal, Beah Richards, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Bette Davis. The plot centers around a large area of land owned by an old black lady, Elvira Backus ( Beah Richards). It had been given to her by her one-time employer and secret father of her two children, a southern patriarch. Continue reading

7/7/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Chandler Moore- Lead Me On (Live)

Singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and worship leader Chandler David Moore  was born on March 21, 1995, to Bishop Brian David Moore and Elder Jametta Chandler Moore in Charleston, South Carolina. Moore grew up going to church where his father was a pastor. Moore is also a member of Maverick City Music, an Atlanta based collective of worshippers working in the contemporary Christain music and Gospel.  Continue reading