3/24/23 O&A NYC MORE HARKNESS STORIES: Patricia Williams- Creating Beauty Is Not An Accident.

Foreward by Walter Rutledge

Patricia Williams is the founder and executive chef of 10 Chairs NYC, the Hell’s Kitchen boutique dining concept developed and presented by Chef Williams. But did you know this culinary diva actually received  her first  New York reviews as a ballet dancer? Starting at the Harkness School for Ballet Arts, Williams performed with the Harkness Ballet of New York, Ruth Page’s Chicago Ballet, and culminated her performance career with the New York City Opera. From her years of training she learned one universal truth, “Creating beauty does not take form as an accident. It comes by design and hard work.”  

She applied this truth as she began her career in the world of food. As executive chef, she gained two stars from the New York Times. Along the way, Chef Williams has frequently appeared on nearly all National morning talk shows demonstrating her brilliance in combining fresh seasonal unique multicultural flavors at affordable prices.

Continue reading

3/20/23 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: How the British copied good morning from the Yoruba language- Faabu Yoruba Folktale Cartoon

By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.

Faabu A Yoruba Folktale on how British men derived good morning from the Yoruba language. Continue reading

2/28/23 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: The Wade’s Fight For Human Rights at the NAACP Image Awards ’23

Truth speaking to power and the world Dwanye Wade and his wife Dabrielle Union share their admiration for their daughter Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade while receiving the President’s Award  at the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards ’23.  Continue reading

2/11/24 O&A NYC MOST MEMORABLE SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SCANDAL: Nipplegate-Janet Jackson And Justin Timberlake

Janet Jackson set off a 2004 Super Bowl firestorm when her right breast was bared during her nationally televised  halftime show.  The incident became known as Nipplegate and had a severe effect on Jackson while her partner Justin Timberlake tried to distance himself from the “wardrobe malfunction” .  Continue reading

2/7/23 O&A NYC MORE HARKNESS STORIES: Keith Lee- First Black Soloist at ABT (American Ballet Theater)

Keith Lee describes his early Harkness experiences as a story book tale. While a student at the High School for the Performing Arts (aka Fame High) this dance phenom received a full scholarship to the Harkness House for Ballet Arts. This experience had a lasting impact and helped shape his own unique artistry as a dance, director, teacher and choreographer. In 1970 Lee made history when he became the first American of African descent to earn soloist status at American Ballet Theater. 

Continue reading

1/29/23 O&A NYC DANCE HARKNESS BALLET- MORE STORIES ABOUT “AN AMERICAN BALLET STORY”: Kathryn Sullivan

An American Ballet Story takes us into the stages and studios of the Harkness Ballet through the stories of the dancers who were there. On April 20th 2023 A live screening of An American Ballet Storyat the New York Public Library Performing Arts – Bruno Walter Auditorium. O&A NYC Magazine Editor in Chief Walter Rutledge will moderate the post screening Q and A. If you have a stories you would like to share about your Harkness experience please send your articles (250- 500 words recommended) and a photo to walt.harkness@gmail.com.

Continue reading

1/18/23 O&A NYC REVIEW: Ronald K. Brown/Evidence

By Walter Rutledge

Ronald K. Brown/Evidence began its New York season at the Joyce Theater on Tuesday January 17 and runs through Sunday, January 22. The six-day, seven performance offering presents three ensemble works spanning twenty-four years of Brown’s artistry. The season provides an insight into the thirty-eight-year journey of Brown and Evidence. Continue reading

12/29/22 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Lena Horne- Believe In Yourself- From The Wiz 


“This movie is a big part of why I’m where I am today. THE WIZ! Sometimes I have to go back and remind myself to believe in what I feel in my heart in my mind and in my soul. I have to listen to God’s voice and not let the troubles of the world drown it out. ‘We’ve come this far by faith” Keep believing in yourself y’all and keep moving toward you dreams and being the best you can be.”- Phillip Boykin 

Lena Horne- Believe In Yourself- From The Wiz 

 

12/10/22 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker (1968)

Shall We Dance

0

This historic performance from 1968 captures choreographer/performer Rudolf Nureyev at the peak of his career. Filmed at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the ballet features artists of the Royal Ballet including Wayne Sleep, Jillian Gibbs and Merle Park as Clara. Continue reading

11/27/22 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: CeCe Winans: Believe For It- A Live Worship Experience

The best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time, CeCe Winans, has cemented her status as one of the most accomplished and celebrated women in modern music history. Continue reading