12/12/14/ O&A Shall We Dance Friday: Radio City Rockettes

Shall We Dance

The Rockettes in the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" in the Radi

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an annual musical holiday stage show presented at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The show features over 140 performers, lavish sets and costumes and an original musical score. Since the first version was presented in 1933, the show has become a New York Christmas tradition seen by more than a million visitors a year. The 2014 show is scheduled to run from November 7 to December 31, 2014. Continue reading

11/25/14 O&A Dance: Complexion Contemporary Ballet …In The Beginning (Part 3) An Interview With Christina Johnson

By Walter Rutledge

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As Complexions Contemporary Ballet begins the second week of their two-week season tonight at the Joyce Theater we continue our conversation with Christina Johnson. The season commemorates the 20th anniversary of the company, Out and About NYC Magazine looks back through the eyes of artists who there at the beginning. Continue reading

11/21/14 O&A Its Saturday Anything Goes: Vivienne Westwood’s New Fashion Video On Climate Change- featuring Eric Underwood Choreographer/Model

It is Saturday

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Fashion’s Godmother of Punk Vivienne Westwood, director Casey Brooks and choreographer/model Eric Underwood combine fashion, film and dance to bring attention climate change. Continue reading

11/18/14 O&A Dance: Complexions Contemporary Ballet Celebrates 20 Years (Part One)

Complexions Contemporary Ballet begins a two-week season tonight at the Joyce Theater. The season commemorates the 20th anniversary of the company. This week Out and About NYC Magazine would like to take a look back through the eyes of artists who there at the beginning.

By Aubrey Lynch II unnamed

Founder and Artistic Director, Aubrey Lynch Extra Essential Arts, ALEEArts

Desmond Richardson and I have been best friends since he was about 15. We all knew even back then that he would be a star. When Desmond, Dwight and I were in Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater together doing Alvin Ailey’s Sinner Man all over the world, we became very close, sharing our dreams and the other art forms that interested us. Continue reading

10/14/14 O&A NYC: A Conversation with Philadanco Founder Joan Myers Brown and Author Brenda Dixon Gottschild (Repost)

By Walter Rutledge

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In The Art of War author Sun Tzu reveals, “…When people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain – this is force.” This statement also applies to Philadelphia’s unstoppable force- Joan Myers Brown. Joan Myers Brown and The Audacious Hope of the Black Ballerina, a Biohistory of American Performance by Brenda Dixon Gottschild chronicles the evolution of African-American dance and culture in Philadelphia.

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8/7/17 (REPOST) O&A NYC DANCE: Dance Theatre Of Harlem- Troy Game (1985)

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Robert North’s Troy Game is one of Dance Theater of Harlem’s happiest dances. Set to a stylishly syncopated, Brazilian-flavored score by Bob Downes, Troy Game is a funny and sexy romp with a special wit by the dancers.  Continue reading

9/16/14 Reflections on Katherine Dunham and Lavinia Williams (part two)

By Noel Nantambu Hall

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On her passing Mme. Williams was recognized by the Haitian government with an official national funeral and a posthumous award, Grand Officer De L’ Ordre National Honneur et Merite. She is survived by daughters Sharon and Sara, both of whom are active in the dance field. Sharon, a master percussionist and Sara, a former leading dancer with the Harkness and Atlanta ballets, the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Continue reading

(Repost) 10/9/20 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Sammy Davis Jr.- The Original Triple Threat

Shall We Dance

Sammy Davis Junior

Samuel George “Sammy” Davis, Jr. was born on December 8, 1925. He was an African- American entertainer who broke many barriers and paved the way for entertainers in all  disciplines. Davis was primarily a dancer and singer, but he also received acclaim as an actor of stage and screen, musician, and impressionist. Davis died at age 64 in 1990, after spending 61 years in the profession he loved.  Continue reading