9/19/14 O&A Shall We Dance Friday: Michael Jackson- Smooth Criminal

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Smooth Criminal is the seventh single from Michael Jackson’s 1987 Bad album. The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson’s lyrics. It was released as a single on October 24, 1988, and peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Continue reading

9/5/14 O&A Shall We Friday: After The Rain- Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

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After the Rain is a ballet choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon and originally performed New York City Ballet. The work is set to the music of Arvo Pärt, Tabula Rasa (first movement, Ludus) and Spiegel im Spiegel. After The Rain premiered on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center. The final pas de deux is often performed separately from the remainder of the ballet. In this performance Damian Smith and Yuan Yuan Tan dance the duet at the 2010 Fire Island Dance FestivalDancers Responding To Aids. A series of outdoor performances that take place the third weekend in July on Fire Island with proceeds benefiting Dancers Responding To Aids. Continue reading

(Repost) 10/9/20 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Sammy Davis Jr.- The Original Triple Threat

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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

Shall We Dance Friday: Les Twins – San Diego 2010 World of Dance

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Les Twins are identical twin brothers Laurent and Larry Bourgeois, born on December 6, 1988, are French dancers, choreographers, and models. This self-taught dance duo were born and raised in Sarcelles, France. They became the darlings of the French audience in 2008 as finalists on the popular television show Incroyable Talent. Continue reading

Shall We Dance Friday: Giselle featuring Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov

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Giselle, Second Act Grand Pas de Deux featuring Natalia Makarova is Giselle, Mikhail Baryshnikov is Albrecht, Martine Van Hamel is Myrtha with American Ballet Theater, John Lanchbery conducts. The production was filmed at the Metropolitan Opera House on June 2, 1977.  Continue reading

Shall We Dance Friday: John Bubbles- Cabin In The Sky

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Cabin in the Sky is a 1940 American musical with music by Vernon Duke, Lyrics by John La Touche, and a musical book by Lynn Root. The musical premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on October 25, 1940. It closed on March 8, 1941 after a total of 156 performances. It was directed by Albert Lewis and staged by George Balanchine. The Broadway production starred Ethel Waters as Petunia Jackson, Dooley Wilson as Little Joe Jackson, Katherine Dunham as Georgia Brown, Rex Ingram as Lucifer Junior, and Todd Duncan as The Lawd’s General. Continue reading

9/1/17 (REPOST) O&A NYC Shall We Dance Friday: Jennifer Gelfand in Vortex Section from Alvin Ailey’s The River

 Shall We Dance

Jennifer Gelfand performs the Vortex section of Alvin Ailey’s The River. Originally set on American Ballet Theatre in 1970 the work was performed by Gelfand during a tour entitled  Vortex section of Alvin Ailey’s The RiverFernando Bujones and Stars of the Boston Ballet in 1993. The work was set to music by Duke Ellington.  Continue reading