Tag: Walter Rutledge

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8/19/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival – Week Two

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By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival finished its second week of performances on Sunday August 16, 2026. As we observed in week one the festival was an evening of short, well-crafted vignettes that had the look and elan of a gala event. The ambience continued in week two with a rich duet by a European master, a story ballet classic, and inspiring works by contemporary choreographers and emerging dance makers. The sophomore week did not have the same build as week one. This was most apparent in Act One which featured three cleanly crafted works and Roland Petit. Continue reading

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

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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

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7/29/26 O&A NYC STOP THE PRESSES: Tommie-Waheed Evans Talks Philadanco

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By Walter Rutledge

The Philadelphia Dance Company aka Philadanco begins their New York City Season tonight July 29th at the Joyce Theater. The five day, six performance season will feature works by four choreographers Thang Dao, Rennie Harris,  Christopher Huggins and Co-Artistic Director Tommie-Waheed Evans. O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge caught up with Evans during the afternoon rehearsal to discuss the New York City season.

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

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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

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7/21/26 O&A NYC !!! STOP THE PRESSES !!!: Danni Gee Talks! – Summerstage Tomorrow A One Night Only Event

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 By Walter Rutledge

 
Summerstage in association with the Joyce Theater will present a one night only dance and live music event tomorrow July 22nd at Central Park’s The Rumsey Playfield. Doors open at 7 pm and the performance starts promptly at 8pm. A tribute to the legendary women of jazz, the two hour presentation will feature LaTasha Barnes’ The Jazz Continuum, Paul Taylor Dance Company and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Joyce Theater Director of Programming Danni Gee graciously sit down with O&A NYC Magazine Editor-in Chief Walter Rutledge to discussed tomorrow’s concert.

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7/10/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: A Tribute to Erick Hawkins

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By Walter Rutledge

A Tribute to Erick Hawkins, an informal showing of two solos by Gloria McLean and a work by Vienna based dancer/choreographer Bert Gstettner will take place on July 16, 8pm at the Joan Weill Center for Dance, 405 West 55th Street in Studio 5D. These works are literal love letters expressing their admiration to a mentor dubbed by the dance community as “the great poet of modern dance”. Continue reading

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6/26/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Amina – A Day In The Life Of A Dancer

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By Walter Rutledge

One of the more rewarding aspects of being a cultural commentator is the opportunity to observe so much young talent. People from all walks of life converge on New York City with their dreams wrapped in the invincibility of youth. It’s amazing! It’s like seeing Geese flying south, Salmon swimming upstream and sometimes Lemming to the sea. Regardless, many have sacrificed with the hope of fulfilling their destiny, of living their dream. Amina Konaté is living her dream. Continue reading

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6/21/26 O&A NYC A FATHER’S DAY STORY BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: My Dad And The Naked Lady

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By Walter Rutledge

             Artist And Model by Romare Bearden

Happy Father’s Day! The day always brings back great memories of my Dad. One of my favorite stories I call My Dad And The Naked Lady. Continue reading

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6/21/26 O&A NYC A FATHER’S DAY STORY BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: My Dad And The Naked Lady

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By Walter Rutledge

             Artist And Model by Romare Bearden

Happy Father’s Day! The day always brings back great memories of my Dad. One of my favorite stories I call My Dad And The Naked Lady. Continue reading

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6/17/26 O&A NYC BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Hymn Conversation

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By Walter Rutledge

On June 4 at a group of former Ailey dancers sat down to discuss the recent reconstruction of Judith Jamison’s Hymn for the Ailey company’s four-day spring series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The dancers were part of the original cast of Hymn and had participated in the new remounting of the work, while also coaching the dancers in the present Ailey company. What was apparent from the beginning of the discussion was their willingness, enthusiasm and what can only be described the sheer joy in sharing their experiences with the dancers and now the public. Continue reading