8/25/26 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: A Choreographer’s Brief But Spectacular Take On Life And Movement

In his Brief But Spectacular feature on PBS NewsHour, visionary choreographer Alonzo King shares his profound perspective that movement and sound are everywhere and fundamentally identical. As the founder of the San Francisco-based Alonzo King LINES Ballet, King explains how dance makes thought visible, rooted heavily in his upbringing by prominent civil rights activist parents. Continue reading

8/21/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Meet Guilluame Diop – The Paris Opera Ballet’s First Black Danseur Etoile

Guillaume Diop is a French ballet dancer who made history in March 2023 by becoming the first Black dancer promoted to “Danseur Étoile” (star dancer)—the highest, principal rank within the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet. Born in Paris in 2000 to a French mother and a Senegalese father, he is celebrated globally as a technical prodigy and a prominent cultural symbol of modernization and diversity in classical arts. Continue reading

8/19/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival – Week Two

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival finished its second week of performances on Sunday August 16, 2026. As we observed in week one the festival was an evening of short, well-crafted vignettes that had the look and elan of a gala event. The ambience continued in week two with a rich duet by a European master, a story ballet classic, and inspiring works by contemporary choreographers and emerging dance makers. The sophomore week did not have the same build as week one. This was most apparent in Act One which featured three cleanly crafted works and Roland Petit. Continue reading

8/8/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

By Walter Rutledge

What better way to conclude the Joyce Theater spring/summer 2026 season than with a ballet festival curated by dance treasure Misty Copeland. The two-week, fourteen performance series began Tuesday August 4 and runs through Sunday August 16. Two programs will be presented, one each week. Continue reading

8/7/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Desmond Richardson – Imprint/Maya – Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Complexions Contemporary Ballet‘s co-founder Desmond Richardson performs Imprint/Maya.  Choreographed by Dwight Rhoden and set to words by Maya Angelou with music by the jazz composer David Rozenblatt the work was part of Ballet Across America — programs curated by Misty Copeland and Justin Peck –– on April 17, 2017 at the Kennedy Center. Continue reading

8/3/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium August 3 though August 16. Former American Ballet Principal Dancer Misty Copeland has curated a stellar festival featuring outstanding choreography performed by an impressive roster of world class artists. Each night will feel like a gala performance. Choreographers Kyle Abraham, Bob Fosse, Alonzo King, José Limón, Dwight Rhoden, Rudolf Nureyev, John Taras, Ingrid Silva, Houston Thomas and a new work by Aleisha Walker commissioned by the Joyce complete the roster – and that’s just the roster for the first week! Continue reading

7/31/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Philadanco – A Must See

By Walter Rutledge

Question: What do you get when you combine strong performers, stellar choreography and exceptional production elements? 
Answer: You get Philadanco! Continue reading

7/18/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Carmen de Lavallade and John Butler – Portrait of Billie (1960)

Portrait of Billie (1960) is an iconic modern dance duet choreographed by John Butler as a poignant tribute to the legendary jazz and blues singer Billie Holiday portrayed by Carmen de Lavallade. Continue reading

6/10/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Agon Pas de Deux – Diana Adams and Arthur Mitchell

The Agon pas de deux, choreographed by George Balanchine in 1957 to a score by Igor Stravinsky, is a revolutionary milestone in 20th-century ballet. Its original cast paired Arthur Mitchell, the first Black principal dancer at the New York City Ballet, with Diana Adams, a caucasian ballerina.

Continue reading

6/17/26 O&A NYC BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Hymn Conversation

By Walter Rutledge

On June 4 at a group of former Ailey dancers sat down to discuss the recent reconstruction of Judith Jamison’s Hymn for the Ailey company’s four-day spring series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The dancers were part of the original cast of Hymn and had participated in the new remounting of the work, while also coaching the dancers in the present Ailey company. What was apparent from the beginning of the discussion was their willingness, enthusiasm and what can only be described the sheer joy in sharing their experiences with the dancers and now the public. Continue reading