10/13/20 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Diana Ross – Marvin Gaye Tribute At The 12th American Music Awards (1985)

American music superstar Diana Ross host a moving tribute to her  friend and fellow Motown legend Marvin Gaye at the 1985 12th American Music Awards. Continue reading

10/12/20 O&A NYC DIVA ALERT!: Knight, Labelle and Warwick- Sisters In The Name Of Love (1986)

R&B divas Gladys Knight, Pattie LaBelle, and Dionne Warwick share an evening of music and girl talk in this 1986 television special.  Continue reading

10/12/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Hello, Dolly!- Louis Armstrong & Barbra Streisand (1969)

HelloDolly!” won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1965, and Armstrong received a Grammy for Best Vocal Performance, Male. Louis Armstrong also performed the song (together with Barbra Streisand) in the popular 1969 film HelloDolly! Continue reading

10/8/20 O&A NYC LOCKDOWN LEARNING: Kingdom of Kush – History Of Africa with Zeinab Badawi [Episode 4]

Zeinab Badawi travels to the country of her birth and the very region of her forefathers northern Sudan. Continue reading

10/8/20 O&A NYC WaleStylez DANCE PARTY: FlexN Manchester – (Highlights film full)

For the final film about FlexN, hear from the dancers as they discuss their involvement and what the trans-atlantic collaboration meant to them. Following a call-out in January 2015, dancers from across the city-region worked with Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray and other Flexers from Brooklyn to co-create the show – visiting the New York premiere of FlexN at the Park Avenue Armory along the way and culminating in seven sell-out performances at Granada Studios.

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10/3/20 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Tina Turner – The Girl From Nutbush (1992)

Turner is noted for her energetic stage presence, powerful vocals, career longevity, and trademark legs.One of the best-selling recording artists of all time, she has been referred to as The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll and has sold more than 200 million records worldwide. Continue reading

9/28/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: New Orleans (1947) Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Woody Herman- Musical Movie

It’s the Lowdown of Wicked Old Basin Street! And the Music That Made It Wicked! A gambling hall owner relocates from New Orleans to Chicago and entertains his patrons with hot jazz by Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Woody Herman & his Orchestra, and others. Continue reading

9/27/20 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Mahalia Jackson Down By The Riverside

Down by the Riverside (also known as “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More” and “Gonna lay down my burden”) is a Negro spiritual. Its roots date back to before the American Civil War.  
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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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