1/18/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING!: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks (Prelude)

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Martin: a ballet by Gordon Parks, an original five-movement ballet chronicling the struggles of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Filmed in 1990 the work stars John Jones as Dr. King and Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks, featuring choreography by Real Lamb. “Martin” (PBS, 1990),  about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Parks served as executive producer, director, composer, keyboardist and documentary photographer for this boldly ambitious project. Continue reading

1/15/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Fade – featuring Teyana Taylor

Fade featuring Teyana Taylor is an iconic 2016 music video from the album The Life of Pablo, by Kayne West. Continue reading

1/5/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Life of Alvin Ailey (January 5, 1931 – December 1, 1989)

Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience, but his journey was not without its struggles. O&A NYC Magazine honors the memory of one of dance’s most prolific pioneers on the anniversary of his 95th birthday. Continue reading

1/5/26 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVIN AILEY!: Alvin Ailey 1985 Cairo Interview (Historic Stock Video Footage)

Today, January 5 is the 95th birthday of choreographer Alvin Ailey. O&A NYC shares rare video footage from a 1985 interview. The one-way dialogue between Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater took place in Cairo, Egypt. (Note: We only hear Ailey’s answers; not questions asked). He talks about his life, his dance school, the motivational forces behind his choreography and theories of dance. Continue reading

11/28/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Robert Battle’s Under the Rhythm – Paul Taylor Dance Company

By Walter Rutledge

When Robert Battle discussed Under the Rhythm prior to the Paul Taylor Dance Company New York season the poignant story of his upbringing was inspiring. Dessie Williams, his mother by choice, introduced him to the arts and encouraged his terpsichorean journey. The nonagenarian still plays the piano at the same church little Robert attended. Continue reading

8/22/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project’s Artists Speak

By Walter Rutledge

Shall We Dance Friday

The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) 2025 presentation, Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions will grace the stage of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance this Saturday, August 23, 6pm. This unprecedented dance/theatre event showcases ten of Chicago’s most dynamic and diverse dance companies. The event is more than a dance concert. The production is a collective of Chicago-based artists celebrating the continued historic contributions of the Black dance community on the city’s cultural landscape. Continue reading

8/21/25 O&A NYC DANCE: O&A NYC Embeds With CBDLP for Chicago Dance Event

By Walter Rutledge

Out and About NYC Magazine (O&A NYC) will embed with the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) for the Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions performance on Saturday, August 23, 6pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The magazine has begun to document the artists from the ten dance companies performing in this unprecedented evening of Black dance excellence. The event is being documented with written commentary, video interviews and a review of the performance. The historic and cultural importance of this “consortium of the creative” needs to be brought to the attention of the theater going public. Not just in the great city of Chicago but to our international audience. Continue reading

8/19/25 O&A NYC DANCE: The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project And Dr. King’s Beloved Community

By Walter Rutledge

The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) will present Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions on Saturday August 23, 6pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Co- Directors Kevin Iega Jeff and Mashaune Hardy in coordination with co-curators Gary Abbott and Jeff have assembled a cast of ten of Chicago’s most exciting and progressive dance companies. This production will put meaning/message to movement for a transformative evening celebrating the city’s Black dance excellence. It will also emphasize the historic impact of Black dance on the cultural identity of the city of Chicago. Continue reading

8/16/25 O&A NYC DANCE: The Era Footwork Crew – Chicago’s Urban Terpsichoreans

By Walter Rutledge

Los Angles urban dance warriors perform Krump, Memphis dancers have the Juke, New Yorkers are Flexn and Chicago homies dance Footwork. Footwork music began evolving in Chicago in the early 90s, drawing on Ghetto House and Juke but adding complex layers of odd, almost compulsively frenetic rhythms; it grew hand in hand with the athletic, high-octane dance style that shares its name.

The dance/theatre urban storytelling style is accompanied by original lyrics and music tracks that reflect social justice, inequality and systemic racism. For over ten years Chicago’s Era Footwork Crew has introduce Footwork to the urban “dance battles” and the greater international dance community. Era Footwork Crew continues to make the urban dance style as synonymous to Chicago’s cultural identity as Deep-Dish Pizza. These Urban Terpsichorean will be part of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) in Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions, which will premiere Aug 23, 2025, 6:00pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Continue reading

3/21/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: They Called Her Moses

Shall We Dance Friday

They Called Her Moses is Donald McKayle‘s story of freedom fighter Harriet Tubman. The cast includes Jacqueline Walcott, Robert Powell, Sylvia Waters, Arthur Mitchell, Kathleen Stanford, Donald McKayle and Carmen DeLavallade. Continue reading