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

Shall We Dance Friday: Les Twins – San Diego 2010 World of Dance

Shall We Dance

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Les Twins are identical twin brothers Laurent and Larry Bourgeois, born on December 6, 1988, are French dancers, choreographers, and models. This self-taught dance duo were born and raised in Sarcelles, France. They became the darlings of the French audience in 2008 as finalists on the popular television show Incroyable Talent. Continue reading

Kymera Dance 2014 New York Season

By Walter Rutledge

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Kymera Dance began their 2014 New York season on Sunday, May 25 at the Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Family Auditorium, JCC in Manhattan. The season featured two world premieres by commissioned artist Amy Hall Garner and Artistic Director William Isaac. The performance was a well-balanced and artistically succinct program, which successfully conveyed both choreographers’ intents and individual styles. Continue reading

The World According To Sidra Bell

By Walter Rutledge

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Sidra Bell Dance New York presented the New York premiere of garment Thursday May 15 at the Baruch College Performance Arts Center.  The work by choreographer Sidra Bell had a running time of 60 minutes without an intermission. In many situations a protracted work of this length would have been an intolerable dirge, whose only redeeming quality was that it allowed the audience a short early evening nap. But this was the world according to Sidra Bell, and in her environmental fantasy fest we were on a non-stop roll coaster ride of subliminal and metaphoric imagery. Continue reading

Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center begins Spring Season May 1

By Walter Rutledge

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The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) will begin their spring season with PEEKS Works In Progress on Thursday, May 1, 7:30pm at the Actors Fund Arts Center, 160 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn. The hour-long presentation will showcase works in development by Ranardo-Domeico Grays and William Isaac. Continue reading

A Conversation with Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson (originally posted 2/1/2012)

By Walter Rutledge

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Dance Theatre of Harlem will present their second New York season April 23 through April 27 at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center. The company can best be described as a “Phoenix Rising”. Continue reading