Octavia St. Laurent, famously known as Heavenly Angel Octavia St. Laurent, was a towering figure in New York City’s ballroom culture and a breakout star of the seminal 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning. Continue reading
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Tag: Ballroom
6/6/22 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY- PRIDE: Paris is Burning
Paris Is Burning is a 1990 American documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston. Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, it chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it. The film is considered to be an invaluable documentary of the end of the “Golden Age” of New York City drag balls, and critics have praised it as a thoughtful exploration of race, class, gender, and sexuality in America.”
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11/23/21 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Iman Shumbert & Daniella Win Dancing With The Stars
Iman Shumpert made history as first NBA star in 30 seasons of the show to take home the mirrorball. Shumpert made history on Monday night as the first former NBA player to take home the mirrorball trophy on Dancing with the Stars. Continue reading
10/27/21 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Honey Balenciaga- Like, Really Cunt Choreography
Honey Balenciaga is a member of the House of Balenciaga and appeared in the second season for the television series of Legendary. Continue reading
10/5/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Stompin’ at the Savoy (1992) Starring Lynn Whitfield Jasmine Guy- Debbie Allen director
As the Harlem Renaissance flourishes in jazzy New York City, Pauline (Vanessa Williams), Esther (Lynn Whitfield) and Alice (Jasmine Guy) struggle to survive. By day, they toil at dreary jobs, dreaming of stardom, riches and happiness. By night, they dance their troubles away at the famous Savoy Ballroom. But when World War II appears on the horizon, the girls find their fortunes unfolding too unevenly to reconcile, and they inevitably begin to drift apart. Continue reading
9/21/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Hellzapoppin’ (Lindy Hop Scene In Full Color)
Lindy hop is the granddaddy of all swing dances, a blend of African and European dance influences that is both uniquely American… and now spans the globe. Lindy hop takes its name from the Charles Lindbergh’s flight to Paris in 1927.
If Tango is sultry, and Ballroom dancing is aloof, lindy hop is joyful and playful. Lindy has a grounded, flowing style that closely reflects its music — from the late 20s hot jazz to the early 40s big bands. Harlem, New York, and in particular the Savoy Ballroom (“The Home of Happy Feet”) is where the dance was developed and innovated from the 1920s onward. Based on earlier dances such as the Charleston, the Black Bottom and the Breakaway, the dance evolved and spread over the decades along with the new swing music.
Hellzapoppin’ (In Full Color)
And while the dance continues to evolve today, contemporary lindy hoppers still strive for that same spirit, inventiveness, and musicality of the pioneers of lindy hop like Norma Miller, Dean Collins, Frankie Manning and many more.
8/22/20. O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: The Queen (1968)
The Queen is a 1968 documentary film directed by Frank Simon and narrated by Flawless Sabrina. It depicts the experiences of transgender woman and “female illusionists” organizing and participating in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest held at New York City’s Town Hall. Continue reading
8/12/20 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: House Of Latex Project PSA (1994)
This Public Service Announcement was created in 1994 for the Ballroom Community one year after the first ever House of Latex Ball in 1993. Continue reading
7/4/20 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: Legendary: 30 Years of Philly Ballroom (Full Documentary)
An inside look into the effort to preserve Philadelphia’s ballroom scene, a black LGBTQ safe-space that has endured for 30 years. A film produced by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Emmy-winning video team. Continue reading
5/30/20 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: Legendary- Series Premiere (Full Episode)
Legendary, a new HBO Max competition series draws its inspiration from the underground ballroom community.
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