8/19/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival – Week Two

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival finished its second week of performances on Sunday August 16, 2026. As we observed in week one the festival was an evening of short, well-crafted vignettes that had the look and elan of a gala event. The ambience continued in week two with a rich duet by a European master, a story ballet classic, and inspiring works by contemporary choreographers and emerging dance makers. The sophomore week did not have the same build as week one. This was most apparent in Act One which featured three cleanly crafted works and Roland Petit. Continue reading

7/26/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival 2026 returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium for a two-week, fourteen performance season August 4th through August 16th. Former American Ballet Theater Principal Dancer Misty Copeland will curate the festival and will offer an international showcase of world class performers, outstanding classic and contemporary choreography, and rarely seen masterworks. The festival will offer two programs (one each week) with artists from some to the most prestigious companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and other leading companies. Continue reading

4/30/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Firebird – Dance Theatre of Harlem

By Walter Rutledge

The Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) presented their New York City season April 16th thru 19th at New York City Center. The company offered new DTH favorites by William Forsythe, and Jodie Gates, and Artistic Director Robert Garland, and the much-anticipated revival of the iconic story ballet Firebird. The overwhelming response recalls the nostalgic revival of Dougla. It seems the public is clamoring for more from the Arthur Mitchell era. Continue reading

3/14/ 26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Works & Process American Ballet Theatre- Othello by Lar Lubovitch

The Works & Process performing arts series at the Guggenheim Museum recently hosted a preview and discussion of American Ballet Theatre’s revival of Othello: A Dance in Three Acts. The presentation featured a discussion moderated by ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe with choreographer Lar Lubovitch, offering insights into his creative process and the use of elaborate storyboards to guide the production. Lubovitch shared how he revised the original 1997 work, deleting approximately 20 minutes of music and refining character actions for this revival. Continue reading

12/6/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: The Nutcracker Ballet- Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland (1977)

Shall We Dance

nutcracker-baryshnikov

During the 1977 Christmas season, CBS brought Mikhail Baryshnikov’s highly acclaimed American Ballet Theatre production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker to television. The production has remains the most popular and most often shown television production of the work in the U.S.  Mikhail Baryshnikov performed the title role, with Gelsey Kirkland as Clara.
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12/9/16 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: The Nutcracker Ballet- Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland (1977)

Shall We Dance

nutcracker-baryshnikov

During the 1977 Christmas season, CBS brought Mikhail Baryshnikov’s highly acclaimed American Ballet Theatre production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker to television. The production has remains the most popular and most often shown television production of the work in the U.S.  Mikhail Baryshnikov performed the title role, with Gelsey Kirkland as Clara.
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5/6/24 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: A Ballerina’s Tale

Ballerina Misty Copeland made history becoming the first African-American Woman to earn the position of Principal Dancer with the world renowned American Ballet Theater. Continue reading

8/23/19 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Misty Copeland – The Arsenio Hall Show (Interview and Performance)

Misty Copeland literally leaped into the public consciousness through a well orchestrated and highly visible media campaign. Her performances with music icon Prince helped catapulted Copeland into the public eye.  Continue reading

12/20/18 O&A NYC IN MEMORIUM: Raven Wilkinson Ballet Pioneer Dies at 83

Raven Wilkinson the first African-American to join a major international company had passed,  she was 83.  Continue reading

(Repost) 12/12/20 O&A NYC 12 DAYS OF NUTCRACKER: Baryshnikov and Kirkland- Grand Pas de Deux

tumblr_lduf0podyb1qzzh6gMikhail Baryshnikov & Gelsey Kirkland perform the Nutcracker, Grand Pas de Deux with American Ballet Theatre (1977)
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