Tag: Alvin Ailey

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5/16/25 O&A NYC DANCE IN MEMORIAM: Ella Thompson Moore- May 31, 1939- May 13, 2025

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“On behalf of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, it is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of Ella Thompson Moore, Artistic Director of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, Dance Matriarch to many, Queen to all. Ella went to join her beloved husband, Charles Moore on Tuesday May 13, days before her 96th birthday. Arrangements will be posted when finalized. Please keep her son Anthony and grandson Jalen, her dancers and drummers in prayer. Her presence, grace, wit and warmth will be greatly missed. We are eternally grateful for the impact she had in our lives.”- Faye Moore (with permission of the family) Continue reading

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2/14/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: I Wanna Be Ready – Amos Machanic Jr.

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Amos Machanic, Jr. joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1996. During his 15 years with the company, Amos had the pleasure of traveling and performing across the globe and in 2010, he performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison. Continue reading

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1/24/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Ailey Celebrates Ellington

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Shall We Dance Friday

Ailey Celebrates Ellington premiered in 1974 on CBS. Narrated by R&B legend Gladys Knight the television special showcases the collaborative bond between choreographer Alvin Ailey and jazz music royalty Duke Ellington. Continue reading

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1/5/25 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVIN AILEY!: Alvin Ailey 1985 Cairo Interview- Historic Stock Video Footage

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Today, January 5 is the 94th birthday of choreographer Alvin Ailey. O&A NYC shares rare video footage from a 1985 interview. The one-way dialogue between Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater took place in Cairo, Egypt. (Note: We only hear Ailey’s answers; not questions asked). He talks about his life, his dance school, the motivational forces behind his choreography and theories of dance. Continue reading

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1/3/25 O&A NYC DIVO ALERT: I Wanna Be Ready- Matthew Rushing

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Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing premiered his fifth ballet, Sacred Songs, for the Alvin Ailey American dance Theater (AAADT) on December 20, 2024.  Today Friday, January 3, is the last opportunity this season to see this new work which uses the deleted music from the original production of Revelations. Continue reading

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1/1/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Matthew Rushing- Sacred Songs

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By Walter Rutledge

The 2024 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT’s) New York City Center fall season presented four premieres by two former company members Hope Boykin and Jamal Roberts, master choreographer Lar Lubovitch, and AAADT Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing. Rushing’s Sacred Songs, an ensemble work with an interesting twist, is set to the music edited from the original version of Alvin Ailey’s and AAADT’s signature work Revelations. Sacred Songs it made its debut on December 20th, was the last of the four new works to premiere, and it was worth the wait.    Continue reading

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12/22/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ailey Premieres by Boykin, Lobovitch, and Roberts

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By Walter Rutledge

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is now halfway through their 66th New York season at New York City Center. In the 18 remaining performances this season, which runs until January 5, the company will present 19 works by 12 choreographers. The fall/winter Ailey season has become one of New York City’s annual holiday traditions. Continue reading

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8/23/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Dudley Williams

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By Walter Rutledge

Alvin Ailey dancer emeritus Dudley Williams would have celebrated his 85 birthday on August 18th. And although time is a very fickle and forgetful mistress Dudley remains of one the stars of the “Golden Age” of the Ailey company. His name is synonymous with dancers and choreographers such as Talley Beatty, John Butler, Louis Falco, George Faison, Miguel Godreau, Judith Jamison, Linda Kent, Kelvin Retardier,|Clive Thompson, Sara Yarborough, Estelle Spurlock and Donna Wood to name a few.

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

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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

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4/13/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ailey II

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By Walter Rutledge

Ailey II began their six-day, eight performance New York City season Tuesday, April 9th at the Joyce Theater. This season marked the fiftieth anniversary of the company, which has left an indelible mark on the Ailey organization and the dance world at large. The company is a dance finishing school, touring boot camp, and a choreographer’s laboratory for emerging dance makers and established choreographers. Continue reading