Octavia St. Laurent, famously known as Heavenly Angel Octavia St. Laurent, was a towering figure in New York City’s ballroom culture and a breakout star of the seminal 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning. Continue reading
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Tag: Film
4/20/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Cell Block Tango – Chicago
Chicago (2002) the musical comedy-drama film adapted from the satirical stage Bob Fosse musical of the same name. Both the movie and the stage play explore themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Jazz Age Chicago. The film stars Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere and Catherine Zeta-Jones and also features Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, Mya Harrison and Desmond Richardson. Continue reading
4/13/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Locks-( Ryan Coogler’s First Short Film While at USC)
Before Black Panther and Creed, Ryan Coogler made this short film at USC. This was the first collaboration between director Coogler and composer Ludwig Goransson. Both attended USC Film School at the same time. Continue reading
3/30/26 O&A NYC HOLLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Harlem Sandman (1943) From Hit Parade of 1943
The Harlem Sandman features Nick Stewart, Count Basie, Jack Williams, Dorothy Dandridge, Ernest Morrison and Pops & Louie from Hit Parade of 1943. Continue reading
3/30/26 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Sinners Parody w/ King Bach and Taye Diggs
King Bach released a parody of Ryan Coogler‘s film Sinners in May 2025. The sketch was written and directed by King Bach and features a guest appearance by Taye Diggs, who also served as an executive producer for the project.
3/30/26 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Whitney Houston – I Have Nothing (The Concert for a New South Africa Durban – LIVE)
In 1994, Whitney Houston took the stage in Durban, South Africa, making her the first major Western musician to visit the newly unified, post-apartheid nation following President Nelson Mandela’s winning election. This performance was more than a concert; it was a celebration of freedom, hope, and unity. Whitney’s powerhouse voice and emotional delivery brought joy and inspiration to a country newly liberated. Continue reading
3/23/26 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Lena Horne – The Lady Is A Tramp
Lena Horne performed by The Lady Is a Tramp from the musical Babes in Arms (1937). The musical features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Continue reading
3/19/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY – WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Ella Fitzgerald A-Tisket-A-Tasket
A-Tisket, A-Tasket is the 1938 breakout hit that catapulted Ella Fitzgerald to national stardom. Co-written by Fitzgerald and arranger Al Feldman (Van Alexander), the song is a playful jazz adaptation of a 19th-century children’s nursery rhyme. Ella famously performed the song in her 1942 film debut, Ride ‘Em Cowboy. Continue reading
3/18/26 O&A NYC THE ARTS WITH ALEX SMITH JR.: About the Oscars
By Alex Smith, Jr.
Sunday night was the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ (AMPAS) 98th Oscar Awards at the Dolby Theatre, in Los Angeles, CA. I have watched the Oscars for decades now. I have found some Oscar programs better than others. I can’t remember any of them being spectacular except maybe the year The Godfather I won best picture-1973. Continue reading
3/4/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Cotton Comes To Harlem- Iris, Officer Jerema and the Paper Bag
Cotton Comes to Harlem was the beginning of short period in American film that featured black actors in leading roles and the themes dealt with issues from the African-American microcosm. With a screenplay by Arnold Perl and Ossie Davis, and directed by Davis this action drama represents the black perspective. Much of the film’s humor is urban black comedy, which was groundbreaking in 1970.
