12/25/17 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Nutcracker- New York City Ballet (1993)

The Nutcracker, also known as George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, is a 1993 American Christmas musical film based on Peter Martin’s stage production and directed by Emile Ardolino.  The film stars Darci Kistler, Damain Woetzel, Kyra Nichols, Bart Robinson Cook, Macaulay Culkin, Jessica Lynn Cohen, Wendy Whelan, Margaret Tracey, Gen Horiuchi, Tom Gold and the New York City Ballet.  Continue reading

12/24/17 O&A NYC FILM: The Nativity Story

The Nativity Story is a 2006 biblical drama film based on the nativity of Jesus, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac. The film was released on December 1, 2006 after it premiered in Vatican City November 27, 2006.

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11/11/17 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Paul Mooney- Jesus Is Black

Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra, a 2007 stand-up comedy film starring comedian Paul Mooney and directed by Bart Phillips; was filmed live at The Laugh Factory. Continue reading

11/7/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Bill Bojangle Robinson – Stair Dance from Harlem Is Heaven (1932)

The Stair Dance featured in Harlem Is Heaven (1932): one of the first movies to ever feature an all-black cast, this film also boasts one of the earliest recorded versions of Bill Robinson’s famous stair dance routine, where he tapped up and down two flights of five steps joined by a shared platform. Continue reading

11/6/17 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: From Dusk Till Dawn – Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek did not have a choreographer for her dance. Director Robert Rodriguez just told her to feel the music and dance to it. Rodriguez would later use the same tactic with Jessica Alba in Sin City (2005).  Continue reading

11/4/17 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Billie Jean Live 30th Anniversary 2001


Michael Jackson performs Billie Jean in Brazil on the South American leg of his 30th Anniversary tour (2001). Continue reading

10/30/17 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Coming To America (1988)- Paula Abdul Choreography

Paula Abdul talks about choreographing Coming To America, “This was one of my moments of having to really prove myself, because I was still pretty new in my career as a choreographer. John Landis, the director, wanted the person that choreographed Janet Jackson. I was still a Laker Girl. I went in and he looked at me and said, ‘What are you, a teenager?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I am!’ Continue reading

10/25/17 O&A NYC DANCE: Ailey Releases Short Film Created In Paris

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancers appear in Rue Montorgueila joyful short film shot on the Parisian streets.  Ailey company members performed with local dancers and people of different backgrounds, talents and nationalities and it was released on October 24- United Nations Day

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10/25/17 O&A NYC THE MORNING (WORLD SERIES) FUNNIES: Abbott and Costello- Who’s on First?

Abbott and Costello filmed Who’s on First? three times. Twice in their feature films, and once for their 1952 TV show. Continue reading