The final act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks takes place after the death of Dr. King . John Jones (Dr Martin Luther King) Sheila Rohan (Rosa Parks) and James E. Murphy (Assassin). Continue reading
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Tag: History
1/22/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin- A Ballet by Gordon Parks- Act II March On Selma
Act II from Martin: A ballet by Gordon Parks depicts the violent encounter with police during the march on Selma. Continue reading
1/21/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin: A Ballet By John Parks- Act 1
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
1/5/25 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVIN AILEY!: Alvin Ailey 1985 Cairo Interview- Historic Stock Video Footage
Today, January 5 is the 94th birthday of choreographer Alvin Ailey. O&A NYC shares rare video footage from a 1985 interview. The one-way dialogue between Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater took place in Cairo, Egypt. (Note: We only hear Ailey’s answers; not questions asked). He talks about his life, his dance school, the motivational forces behind his choreography and theories of dance. Continue reading
11/5/24 O&A NYC ELECTION DAY 2024: America Keep Your Word !
A soliloquy from a Black man from the 1960’s about the injustice of the American system. He makes a simple yet poignant request “America needs to keep its word”. Liberty and justice for who? You? Me? Continue reading
(REPOST) 9/10/24 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: From Stutterer To Star: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice
James Earl Jones, the 92-year-old acting legend who in 2014 made his return to Broadway in the play You Can’t Take It With You, discusses the highs and lows of his six-decade-long career, from his modest beginnings suffering from a stutter to a celebrated star of stage and screen with one of the most recognizable voices in the world. Continue reading
4/30/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: The Martha Graham Dance Company
By Walter Rutledge
The Martha Graham Dance Company presented their 98th season April 17 thru 20th at New York City Center. The season offered only four performances featuring works by Agnes DeMille, Martha Graham, Jamar Roberts and Hofesh Shechter. The Thursday night program featured two Graham masterworks Rite of Spring (1984) and her icon Appalachian Spring (1944) and We The People, a new work by Roberts. The audience was treated to a season of live music (a former dance staple now a luxury) by the Mannes Orchestra and the Gabe Witcher Sextet. Continue reading
4/4/24 O&A NYC HISTORY- ON THIS DAY: A Firsthand Account of The Assassination of Dr. King
The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the most prominent leader of the American civil rights movement, happened on April 4, 1968, as he stood on the second floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. He had come to Memphis to lead a march by striking sanitation workers. In response to King’s death, more than 100 American inner cities exploded in rioting, looting, and violence. James Earl Ray, a career small-time criminal who became the object of a more than two-month manhunt before he was captured in England, pled guilty to the shooting. Continue reading
3/16/24 GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: Why Black People Aren’t Mourning Queen Elizabeth
Black twitter has been very, very vocal about why the passing of Queen Elizabeth is something they will not mourn. We look at the top 5 reasons why. Continue reading
3/15/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Firebird- Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic Firebird places the Russian folk tale about a magical bird that triumphs over evil in an exotic Caribbean setting. John Taras’ choreography to Stravinsky’s familiar score was further enlivened by sets and costumes by Geoffrey Holder. The 1982 DTH production was a tremendous worldwide success. Continue reading
