8/8/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

By Walter Rutledge

What better way to conclude the Joyce Theater spring/summer 2026 season than with a ballet festival curated by dance treasure Misty Copeland. The two-week, fourteen performance series began Tuesday August 4 and runs through Sunday August 16. Two programs will be presented, one each week. Continue reading

8/7/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Desmond Richardson – Imprint/Maya – Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Complexions Contemporary Ballet‘s co-founder Desmond Richardson performs Imprint/Maya.  Choreographed by Dwight Rhoden and set to words by Maya Angelou with music by the jazz composer David Rozenblatt the work was part of Ballet Across America — programs curated by Misty Copeland and Justin Peck –– on April 17, 2017 at the Kennedy Center. Continue reading

8/3/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium August 3 though August 16. Former American Ballet Principal Dancer Misty Copeland has curated a stellar festival featuring outstanding choreography performed by an impressive roster of world class artists. Each night will feel like a gala performance. Choreographers Kyle Abraham, Bob Fosse, Alonzo King, José Limón, Dwight Rhoden, Rudolf Nureyev, John Taras, Ingrid Silva, Houston Thomas and a new work by Aleisha Walker commissioned by the Joyce complete the roster – and that’s just the roster for the first week! Continue reading

7/26/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival 2026 returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium for a two-week, fourteen performance season August 4th through August 16th. Former American Ballet Theater Principal Dancer Misty Copeland will curate the festival and will offer an international showcase of world class performers, outstanding classic and contemporary choreography, and rarely seen masterworks. The festival will offer two programs (one each week) with artists from some to the most prestigious companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and other leading companies. Continue reading

3/16/26 O&A NYC DIVA ALERT: Misty Copeland Performs In Sinners Musical Number At Oscars

The musical tribute to Sinner at the 98th Academy Awards featuring a special appearance by former American Ballet Theatre principal dance Misty Copeland. Continue reading

12/20/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Meet The First Black Star Of New York City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’

Shall We Dance Friday

 The 2024 New York City Ballet’s production of  The Nutcracker has cast Charlotte Nebres, a black dancer, to play Marie for the first time in the productions 70 year history. Continue reading

5/6/24 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: A Ballerina’s Tale

Ballerina Misty Copeland made history becoming the first African-American Woman to earn the position of Principal Dancer with the world renowned American Ballet Theater. Continue reading

9/30/23 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Roberto Bolle and Misty Copeland – Romeo and Juliet


Misty Copeland (Juliet) and Roberto Bolle (Romeo) are joined by a stellar cast of dancers from the Teatro alla Scala in the 2016 production.
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9/26/23 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Misty Copeland: It Took 10 Years Before I Could Tell This Story

Famed ballerina Misty Copeland looks back on her poverty-stricken childhood, as her mom applied for food stamps and they were living in a “dingy” motel. Misty says her mom could no longer support her passion for ballet, until Misty’s ballet teacher invited the dancer to live with her and her family, in an effort to continue dancing. Continue reading

11/26/21 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Misty Copeland- Black Ballerinas Work Harder

In 2015, Dancer Misty Copeland made history by becoming the first African American female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. Fast forward to 2021, and she has been on Time magazine’s 100 list and one Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year.” Now, the New York Times bestselling author and trailblazer is releasing a new book, “Black Ballerinas.” The illustrated nonfiction collection celebrates dancers of color who have influenced her on and off the stage. Continue reading