9/21/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Hellzapoppin’ (Lindy Hop Scene In Full Color) 

Lindy hop is the granddaddy of all swing dances, a blend of African and European dance influences that is both uniquely American… and now spans the globe.  Lindy hop takes its name from the Charles Lindbergh’s flight to Paris in 1927. 

If Tango is sultry, and Ballroom dancing is aloof, lindy hop is joyful and playful.  Lindy has a grounded, flowing style that closely reflects its music — from the late 20s hot jazz to the early 40s big bands. Harlem, New York, and in particular the Savoy Ballroom (“The Home of Happy Feet”) is where the dance was developed and innovated from the 1920s onward. Based on earlier dances such as the Charleston, the Black Bottom and the Breakaway, the dance evolved and spread over the decades along with the new swing music. 

Hellzapoppin’ (In Full Color) 

And while the dance continues to evolve today, contemporary lindy hoppers still strive for that same spirit, inventiveness, and musicality of the pioneers of lindy hop like Norma Miller, Dean Collins, Frankie Manning and many more.

9/10/20 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY ON THURSDAY: James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party – SNL

On Nov. 5, 1983, James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party wound up becoming one of the most famous sketches of Eddie Murphy‘s time on the show.
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9/10/20 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Billie Holiday And Her All-Star Band ” Fine And Mellow ” (1957)

Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan (April 7, 1915 — July 17, 1959) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Continue reading

9/1/20 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Chadwick Boseman’s Howard University 2018 Commencement Speech

When Chadwick Boseman returned to his alma mater, Howard University, to give the 2018 commencement speech, he was already fighting for his life, which lends new weight to his encouragement to find purpose and hold on to integrity.
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8/31/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Pie Pie Blackbird (1932) | Eubie Blake Nina Mae McKinney Nicholas Brothers

Pie Pie Blackbird, like a lot of classic shorts from the time is nothing more than an excuse to spotlight some great music from the period. Continue reading

8/22/20. O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY- ANYTHING GOES: The Queen (1968)

The Queen is a 1968 documentary film directed by Frank Simon and narrated by Flawless Sabrina. It depicts the experiences of transgender woman and “female illusionists” organizing and participating in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest held at New York City’s Town Hall. Continue reading

8/13/20 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Prince and Beyoncé perform Prince Medley (2004 Grammy Awards)

Beyoncé had a very good Feb. 8, 2004. She won five out of the six Grammy awards for which she’d been nominated, including Best R&B Song with “Crazy In Love” — and she spent five spirited minutes performing with Prince.
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8/11/20 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Barbershop Stories with Jon Batiste and Congressman John Lewis

Jon Batiste chats with Congressman John Lewis about civil rights comic book March while getting a haircut from his barber Chad.
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8/11/20 O&A NYC LOCKDOWN LEARNING: The Buffalo Soldiers (1992 Documentary)

For every Buffalo Soldier, regardless of regiment or rank, there were always two enemies waiting to strike: prejudice and discrimination. This cable television documentary shares the history of the Buffalo Soldiers by Bill Armstrong. Continue reading

8/10/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Panther (1995)

Panther is a 1995 cinematic adaptation of Melvin Van Peeble’s novel Panther, produced and directed by Mario Van Peebles. The drama film portrays the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, tracing the organization from its founding through its decline in a compressed timeframe. It was the first narrative feature-film to depict the Black Panther Party. Continue reading