11/28/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Robert Battle’s Under the Rhythm – Paul Taylor Dance Company

By Walter Rutledge

When Robert Battle discussed Under the Rhythm prior to the Paul Taylor Dance Company New York season the poignant story of his upbringing was inspiring. Dessie Williams, his mother by choice, introduced him to the arts and encouraged his terpsichorean journey. The nonagenarian still plays the piano at the same church little Robert attended. Continue reading

11/15/25 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Paul Taylor Dancemaker (1998)

A look at Paul Taylor (1930-2018) and his dance company over several months in 1997. Preparation of Taylor’s piece, Piazzolla Caldera, from conception and rehearsals to opening night at City Center, frames the film.

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11/14/25 O&A Shall We Dance Friday: Promethean Fire- Paul Taylor Dance Company

Shall We Dancehudson-valley-dance-festival-2014-paul-taylor-dance-company-02-photo-by-daniel-roberts

Promethean Fire (2002) is danced to the music of three of Leopold Stokowski’s famous Bach transcriptions (Opus 116). The ensemble work is one of Paul Taylor’s six ballets set to the music of the baroque master. This excerpt is the first movement choreographed to the celebrated Toccata and Fugue in D minor.   Continue reading

11/4/25 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Paul Taylor Dance Company Sneak Preview

The Paul Taylor Dance Company opened its New York City season tonight in State Theater at Lincoln Center. I very really can just watch a performance without a critical eye. This evening the Taylor Company indulged me with a ticket to tonight’s performance. Review(s) will follow, but it would be remiss of me not to give you a sneak preview of the Taylor season. Continue reading

10/31/25 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: A Conversation with Robert Battle

Its Taylor Time! The Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to Lincoln Center’s State Theater November 4 through 23. The company will present a total of eighteen works including the New York premiere of choreographer Hope Boykin and world premieres by resident choreographers Lauren Lovett and Robert Battle. Out and About NYC Magazine Editor- in Chief Walter Rutledge and Battle sat down for a long overdue conversation about his new work Under the Rhythm, his second work for the Taylor Company. Continue reading

9/11/25 O&A NYC DANCE: 9/11 Tribute Table of Silence Project at Lincoln Center (2016)

Watch the sixth annual 9/11 Table of Silence Project Memorial Tribute with 150+ dancers on the Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center in New York City. Choreographed by Jacqulyn Buglisi, the 9/11 Table of Silence is a free, public performance ritual for peace from the New York City community of artists to the world. The event streamed live on September 11, 2016, beginning at 8:15am. Continue reading

9/1/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project – Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions.

By Walter Rutledge

It seems our narratives, our cultural and historic legacy, is being erased or altered to fit a new national fiction. It is becoming extremely important to tell our own stories and to share and protect our narratives. This was the mission of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project production Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions. The impressive and stylish sold-out presentation took place on Saturday, August 23 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

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8/9/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: The Beloved- Dance Theatre of Harlem

Dance Theatre of Harlem in Lester Horton‘s 1949 masterwork The Beloved the duet (based on a true story) performed by Cassandra Phifer and Hagues Magen. Continue reading

5/16/25 O&A NYC DANCE IN MEMORIAM: Ella Thompson Moore- May 31, 1939- May 13, 2025

“On behalf of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, it is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of Ella Thompson Moore, Artistic Director of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, Dance Matriarch to many, Queen to all. Ella went to join her beloved husband, Charles Moore on Tuesday May 13, days before her 96th birthday. Arrangements will be posted when finalized. Please keep her son Anthony and grandson Jalen, her dancers and drummers in prayer. Her presence, grace, wit and warmth will be greatly missed. We are eternally grateful for the impact she had in our lives.”- Faye Moore (with permission of the family) Continue reading

2/28/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: The View Celebrates Judith Jamison – Performs Cry

Shall We Dance FridayOn February 27th 2025 The View honored Black women who have broken barriers. The segment highlighted the accomplishments of Judith Jamison, choreographer Alvin Ailey‘s muse.  Constance Stamatiou a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs Right On Be Free an excerpt from Cry in honor of this Black History Month icon. Continue reading