9/6/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Alicia Graf/Donald Williams in Robert Garland’s Return

Robert Garland made the leap from principal dancer to emerging choreography with his 1979 company debut Return. Garland described the work as “post-modern urban neoclassicism – an attempt to fuse an urban physical sensibility and a neoclassical one.” Continue reading

9/4/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Madame Re-Res Dance Scene- School Daze

The iconic salon dance fight sequence choreographed by Otis Sallid from Spike Lee‘s 1988 musical comedy School Daze. 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

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

5/5/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY Pt. 2: Sounds Of Blackness – I Believe

I Believe is a song by ensemble Sounds of Blackness was produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It was written by the duo along with: Marvin R. Pierce, Ralph Middlebrooks, Eugene Marshall Jones, Clarence Satchell, Gregory Allen Webster and Walter Junie Morrison.The song was released in 1994 as the first single from the group’s third album, Africa to America; The Journey of the Drum (1994). Continue reading

3/20/24 HIP HOP DANCE PARTY WITH WALESTYLEZ: Best Dance n the World 2023 | New Les Twins

Laurent and Larry Nicolas Bourgeois professionally known as Les Twins, are French dancers, choreographers, producers, models, designers and creative directors of their brand Eleven Paris.

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3/17/24 O&A NYC THE SUNDAY MORNING FUNNIES: Barry Brewer- The Difference Between White Church and Black Church- Barry Brewer

Comedian Barry Brewer demonstrates the difference between Sunday morning service uptown and cross town. Continue reading

3/17/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON GOSPEL SUNDAY: The Caravans- Mary Don’t You Weep and More


The Caravans (Inez Andrews, Shirley Caesar, Dorthy Norwood, Albertina Walker, and Delores Washington) perform Mary Don’t You Weep and Sweeping Through the City at the 2007 BET Gospel Celebration.

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3/15/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Firebird- Dance Theatre of Harlem

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic Firebird places the Russian folk tale about a magical bird that triumphs over evil in an exotic Caribbean setting. John Taras’ choreography to Stravinsky’s familiar score was further enlivened by sets and costumes by Geoffrey Holder. The 1982 DTH production was a tremendous worldwide success. Continue reading