Janet Jackson’s Love Will Never Do (Without You) was more than a video, here Janet came into her own. Continue reading
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Tag: choreography
12/29/21 O&A NYC WITH WaleStylez DANCE PARTY: Storyboard P- Chalk Walk
By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.
Bessie Award winning performer and choreographer Storyboard P performs Chalk Walk; his interpretation of a cocaine binge. Continue reading
12/24/21 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Ailey’s 2021 Opening Night Gala
As special holiday gift from the Ailey company to you, watch the Opening Night Gala now through Dec 28. The performance honors you, our audience, our inspiration. Happy Holidays! Featuring: Robert Battle’s ‘Ella’(performed to live music by Jazzmeia Horne) and the finale of Love Stories,’ plus Bird’ Lives!, an excerpt from Alvin Ailey’s For Bird’ – With Love featuring Company member Clifton Brown with students from The Ailey School, and Mr. Ailey’s beloved Revelations. Continue reading
12/21/21 O&A NYC MILESTONES: Happy Birthday George Faison
By Walter Rutledge
There is only one George Faison! Dancer, choreographer, teacher, director, playwright, social activist, entrepreneur and friend. George has been one of my inspirations and artistic standard bearers for most of my career. In 2017 the Ailey American Dance Theater presented an excerpt of Suite Otis, his iconic tribute to Otis Redding. Faison sat down to talk about this masterwork, experiences in the Ailey Company and his arts aesthetic. Happy Birthday George.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present an excerpt of George Faison’s masterwork Suite Otis at their New York City Center season opening night gala, Wednesday, November 29 2017. Choreographed in 1971 for the George Faison Universal Dance Experience the work joined the Ailey repertoire in 1977. 40 years after it’s Ailey debut Suite Otis continues to excite and entertain audiences with verve, aplomb, fleet footed technique and imaginative Euclidean storytelling.
The company will perform the finale section set to Otis Redding’s Tenderness. The full cast section reintroduces the dancers creating a visually exciting yet compelling epilog. Throughout the work Faison (the imperial storyteller) does what every choreographer should do- invites us into his vision and delivers with clarity, focus and impeccable choreographic timing.
Balletomanes still long for the return of old fashion honest storytelling- the hallmark of Ailey’s original company. In Suite Otis Faison’s articulate use of the dance narrative genre captures the majesty and universal humanity of both Otis Redding’s music and the black dance experience. This gave him a voice in an era when Black American dance and culture had started to becoming a global force.
Suite Otis- George Faison
What Faison did (and continues to do) is to keep the dance/theatre aesthetic in the forefront of the arts conversation. Tenderness will be performed for one performance only on Wednesday, November 29 for tickets and a complete schedule of the five-week New York City season visit ailey.org.
11/30/21 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Harlem On Parade (1944)| Louis Armstrong and Dorothy Dandridge
Harlem On Parade is a musical number from the 1944 American musical romance film Atlantic City. The supporting cast features Louis Armstrong, Buck & Bubbles and Dorothy Dandridge who recreated Vaudeville acts. The film was reissued in 1950 under the title Atlantic City Honeymoon. Continue reading
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
11/22/21 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: South African Folk Dances- Zulu music, Domba, Volo, Ingoma boys, Ingoma girls, Indlamu & Mzansi
Various interpretations of folk dances from South Africa. Performed by the Ama-Zebra Folk Dance Ensemble, which is based in Kwa Mashu, South Africa. Continue reading
11/11/21 O&A NYC THROWBACK TUESDAY: The Temptations and Diana Ross & The Supremes- Ed Sullivan Show
On November 19th 1967, a special Ed Sullivan Show took place featuring newly formed Diana Ross and The Supremes and The Temptations.
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11/6/21 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WALESTYLEZ: D’banj – Stress Free (Feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80)
By Adewale Adekanbi
Popular Nigeria Singer and DB Record Boss, D’Banj unleashes the visual to his brand new single title Stress Free, which he features Seun Kuti and Egypt 80.
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11/6/21 O&A NYC AFTER THE CONVERSATION: Elisa Monte, Sarita Allen, Lloyd Knight, Marzia Memoli
The Martha Graham Dance Company concluded its New York fall performances at the Joyce Theater. O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge sat down with Treading choreographer Elisa Monte, Graham dancers Lloyd Knight and Marzia Memoli, and “dance Icon” former Ailey principal Sarita Allen for a spirited conversation about Monte’s signature work. After the interview ended the the conversation continued. Continue reading
