2/11/26 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY: Beastmode F2F – Spawn vs Emo

Spawn  is on an uprise battling some of the best of the best dancer within the world of  Flex. His next opponent is Goddess on the floor “Get Low”. Emotions can tell a story like no other. Who do you think will win this upcoming battle in Beastmode Dance Battle League. Continue reading

2/10/26 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Michael Jackson Wins Best Pop Vocal Performance For Thriller

Michael Jackson won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for the title track of his blockbuster album Thriller at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards on February 28, 1984. Continue reading

2/9/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Meet Deven Crawford – Unity Through Community

Meet Deven Crawford a 19-year-old Las Vegas Nevada native who is living his dream.  The former dance major at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts happened to meet Jamel Gaines at the 2024 IABD (International Association of Black in Dance) conference. Today Crawford is a sophomore studying dance at Marymount College in Manhattan and one of the newest members of the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company (JGCO). Continue reading

2/6/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Remembering – Unity Through Community

By Walter Rutledge

For over 31 years Jamel Gaines, and his Brooklyn based company, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company, has understood the power of education through the arts. His much-anticipated annual arts in education production Remembering, reflects Gaines continued commitment to educate and enlighten the next generation through the dance theatre genre. Gaines and his company will offer six young audience daytime performances on February 11,12 and 13 at 10am and 12 noon in the BAM Fisher (Fishman Space) 321 Ashland Pl, Downtown Brooklyn,. There will also be one evening performance open to the public on February 13th at 7:30pm. His staunch commitment to protected, preserving and perpetuate the legacy of Americans of African descent has earned Gaines the moniker of the “Godfather of Black History Month”.

Remembering is a multimedia history lesson with dance as the primary medium. The work is an effective amalgam of contemporary western and traditional West African dance styles, spoken word, music, West African drumming and stunning video and photographic imagery. This diasporic sojourn chronicles the journey from the blissful land nourished by the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to the struggles and triumphs on this other side of the Atlantic.

Gaines credits his commitment to the philosophy of empowerment and self-determination offered by Bishop Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, the spiritual leader of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Gaines’ recent participation in the church’s Black History Month declaration, The MAAFA Suite is an example the power of storytelling as communication and education. In other words: Unity through community.

What better way to share the richness of American history than through the visual and kinetic power of the arts. It will spark conversations and open curiosities important for this new 21st century visual learning environment. This sensory historical experience explores the struggles, triumphs and continued fight for a place at America’s banquet table.

For more information about Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet school and company visit https://www.creativeoutlet.org for tickets for Remembering at BAM Fisher performances of February 13 visit https://www.bam.org/dance/2026/remembering

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1/30/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Unity Through Community – Jamel Gaines and MAAFA: The Capture

2/6/26 O& NYC IRIE FRIDAY: Peter Tosh – Stepping Razor

Stepping Razor is one of the most iconic songs and monikers associated with Reggae legend Peter Tosh (born Winston Hubert McIntosh). Continue reading

1/29/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Roots – Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody


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The Roots perform Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around from the  2014 soundtrack of the film For A Revolution. In this clip, which juxtaposes black and white footage of 20th-century Civil Rights protests with color footage of the band performing in a recording studio. Continue reading

1/28/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Good Times – Black Jesus -The Evans Family’s Lucky Charm

J.J. (Jimmie Walker) has painted a portrait of Black Jesus and it turns out it brings a lot of good luck to the family (Esther Rolle, John Amos, BernNadette Stanis and Ralph Carter). However, Florida is not a big fan of him. Continue reading

1/27/26 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Martin Luther King Jr. – No Human Is Illegal

This short speech reframes immigration as America’s greatest source of strength — not a threat. Inspired by the moral cadence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it challenges the fear, division, and political noise surrounding immigration today. It’s clear the voices of oppression have not been silenced. The chorus of hate, fear, greed and politics remain synonyms for discrimination and bigotry. Whether you’re living the immigrant journey or witnessing it in your community, this message is for every outsider who refused to stay outside. Continue reading

1/22/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin – A Ballet by Gordon Parks – Act III Letter From The Birmingham Jail

Martin Act III Letter

Martin Act III: Letter From The Birmingham Jail – Dr. King (John Jones) is arrested and while in jail he writes the now historic letter from the Birmingham Jail. With the help of Rosa Parks (Sheila Rohan) King is able to disseminate his message to the masses. Continue reading

1/20/26 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: IAM AFRICA : Hymn to the Motherland

“A continent too often diminished, wounded, or forgotten, yet still rising, still loving, still giving. Africa is the source. The first heartbeat of the world. The flame beneath the ashes, the stardust in our blood.” – Le Pacte de Cendres Continue reading