The Lockers was a dance group formed by Toni Basil and Don Campbellock Campbell in 1971. Active throughout the 1970s, they were pioneers of street dance. Continue reading
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Tag: Black History
11/17/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Robert Battle Resigns
From the Ailey Press Office
The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation today announced that Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Ailey since 2011, has informed them that he needs to focus on his health and has submitted his resignation. The Board has accepted Mr. Battle’s resignation with regret. Mr. Battle will remain available to the Board through December 31, 2023. Continue reading
10/22/23 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Jester Hairston- Amen- Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir (1994)
This is an excerpt from Jester Hairston’s appearance in 1994 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, now called the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Here is gets part way through Amen when he realizes it is too high. He is 93 years old in this appearance. Continue reading
10/20/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: House of Flowers From Carmen & Geoffrey (2005)
This House of Flowers excerpt featuring Geoffrey Holder and Carmen De Lavallade is from the 2005 documentary Carmen & Geoffrey. Holder and his brother Boscoe talk about their early roots in Trinidad, forming a dance company and Holder meeting his wife (De Lavallade) in the 1955 production of House of Flowers. Continue reading
9/25/23 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The life of Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience, but his journey was not without its struggles. Continue reading
8/13/23 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Delta Rhythm Boys – Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho performed by the Delta Rhythm Boys resemble many other spirituals who dual propose. The song alluded to eventual escape from slavery – in the case of this song, “And the walls came tumblin’ down. The lyrics refer to the old testament verses Joshua 6:15-21, which tells the story of the Battle of Jericho in which Joshua led the Israelites in battle against Canaan. Continue reading
8/8/23 O&A NYC DANCE/FILM: Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center Bringing Its Groundbreaking History To The Screen
By Walter Rutledge
Please excuse my self indulgent opening digression. It is the perfect example of history being rewritten and romanticized to create propaganda more palatable to the American founding fathers myth. . Continue reading
7/29/23 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStyles: Wise African Proverbs And Sayings – Great Deep African Wisdom
By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.
WaleStyles shares wise African proverbs and sayings for some Saturday morning wisdom.
7/27/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Billie Holiday – God Bless The Child (film)- Presented by Chicago Blues Museum
Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan [April 7, 1915 — July 17, 1959) an American jazz singer and songwriter Nicknamed “Lady Day” by her friend and musical partner Lester Young. Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Continue reading
5/3/23 O&A NYC MILESTONES- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES BROWN: Live at the Boston Garden, April 5, 1968
On April 5th 1968, James Brown gave a free concert at The Boston Garden which became a thing of legend. Only 24 hours earlier civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated resulting in widespread violence across the United States. The mayor of Boston was persuaded to let the concert go ahead and it was broadcast live across the city by WGBH-TV. Continue reading
