2/28/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Wattstax Concert (1972)

Wattstax was a benefit concert organized by Stax Records  to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the 1965 riots  in the African American community of Watts, Los Angeles. The concert took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 20, 1972. The concert’s performers included all of the Stax’s prominent artists at the time. The genres of the songs performed included soul, gospel, R&B, blues, funk and jazz. The film stars Isaac Hayes, The Staples Singers, Luther Ingram, Johnnie Taylor, The Emotions, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Albert King and others special guest star Richard Pryor. Continue reading

2/23/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Liberation of L.B. Jones- Roscoe Lee Browne – Introducing Lola Falana

In the 1970 film drama The Liberation of L.B. Jones a wealthy Black undertaker, Lord Byron (L.B.) Jones performed by Roscoe Lee Browne, seeks to engage a respected lawyer to represent him in a divorce action against Emma (Lola Falana), his young wife who’s having an affair with Willie Joe Worth (Anthony Zerbe), a white cop. Jones is seeking a divorce from his considerably younger Emma, alleging she had an affair with white police officer Willie Joe Worth, whom he suspects is the biological father of her unborn child. Continue reading

2/23/26 O&A NYC LOCKDOWN LEARNING: The Real Story of Jean-Michel Basquiat

The Real Story of Jean-Michel Basquiat, often focusing on his transition from a homeless graffiti artist to a global art icon. This YouTube mini-documentary titled The Real Story of Jean-Michel Basquiat was released in 2023. Continue reading

2/20/26 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

2/14/26 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Lady Sings the Blues

Lady Sings the Blues is a biographical musical drama starring Diana Ross in her Academy Award-nominated film debut as the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. Continue reading

2/4/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Big Ben – Lady Sings The Blues

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Lady Sings The Blues is the story of jazz singer Billie Holiday and is loosely based on her 1956 autobiography. The name of the film was taken from one of Holiday’s most popular songs.

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1/28/26 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mikhail Baryshnikov – Le Jeune Homme et La Mort From White Nights (1985)

Happy Birthday to the dance legend Mikhail Baryshnikov (January 27, 1948) in honor of your 78th birthday O&A NYC Magazine decided to share one of balletomanes favorite cinematic dance moments. Continue reading

1/22/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin – A Ballet by Gordon Parks – Act III Letter From The Birmingham Jail

Martin Act III Letter

Martin Act III: Letter From The Birmingham Jail – Dr. King (John Jones) is arrested and while in jail he writes the now historic letter from the Birmingham Jail. With the help of Rosa Parks (Sheila Rohan) King is able to disseminate his message to the masses. Continue reading

1/19/26 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING: Martin: A Ballet By John Parks- Act 1

Martin Act 1 SHEILA ROHAN

Martin: A Ballet by Gordon Parks Act 1 Introduces John Jones as Martin Luther King, Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks and James E Murphy as the Assassin. Continue reading

1/12/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Sounder – Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield and Kevin Hooks

Sounder (1972) is a film drama based on the 1969 novel by William H. Armstrong about a black depression era sharecropper family in Louisiana. The movie starred Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, and Kevin Hooks. Musician Taj Mahal composed the film’s blue-inspired soundtrack and appears in a supporting role. Continue reading