4/8/20 O&A NYC MAGAZINE: Remembering Louis Johnson

By Walter Rutledge

Louis Johnson’s passing marks the end of an era in Black dance. Johnson was the last of the of his generation of 20th century American choreographers of African descent and International renowned. His contemporaries, Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Geoffrey Holder, Donald McKayle, and Arthur Mitchell, all forged through the restrictive Jim Crow era of hatred and segregation; that unfortunately included the arts- and dance. Continue reading

3/16/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY- WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Excerpt of Banda with Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder (1957)

By Walter Rutledge

Shall We Dance

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Geoffrey Holder’s Banda dance debuted in the 1954 Truman Capote/Harold Arlen musical House Of Flowers. Holder the Baron of The Cemetery (based on the Haitian Loa of Death Baron Samedi) received both a performer and choreographer credit in the program. The Broadway musical takes place somewhere in the West Indies during Mardi Gras weekend. Continue reading

4/6/18 (REPOST) O&A NYC LIFESTYLE/DANCE: Geoffrey Holder A True Renaissance Man

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Congratulation to Dance Theatre Of Harlem, Carmen de Lavallade and Leo Holder, Dougla was “simply marvelous”. This video honors Geoffrey Holder- a true renaissance man. It also includes rare footage and interviews with wife Carmen de Lavallade and son Leo Holder.  Continue reading

4/4/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Dougla Returns to Dance Theatre of Harlem Tonight

Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) begins their four performance New York season tonight at New York City Center. One of the season highlights is the much-anticipated revival of choreographer/Renaissance Man Geoffrey Holder’s Dougla. Dougla captures the pageantry, beauty and ritual of a the wedding day of a young Dougla couple from Trinidad. They are the offspring of Africans who were brought to the Caribbean as slaves and Indians who were brought as low cost labor after the abolition of slavery. Continue reading

4/1/18 O&A NYC OUT AND ABOUT- WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK: Spring Break!!!!

Spring Break is here! And the city is abounding with activity “24- 7- 365”. We have art celebrating popular culture in Harlem. Ballet, modern and more throughout the city. Blockbuster and Indie film share the silver screen,  jazz to Motown grooves Midtown and the world’s most exotic cars hit the westside. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading

3/28/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Da’Von Doane- Living The Dream

By Walter Rutledge

The Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) begins their New York City season April 4th through 7th at New York City Center. The company will present a varied and diverse program including three New York premieres: George Balanchine’s Valse-Fantaisie, Harlem on My Mind by Darrell Grand Moultrie, and Christopher Wheeldon’s duet This Bitter Earth. The season highlight will be the much-anticipated return of Dougla by choreographer/Renaissance man Geoffrey Holder. Continue reading

12/29/17 O&A NYC DANCE: Carmen de Lavallade- Kennedy Center Honoree

Carmen de Lavallade, the legendary ballet dancer, choreographer and teacher, who is among the honorees feted for their illustrious careers by the Kennedy Center on Sunday December 24th. de Lavallade talks with correspondent Rita Braver about bringing modern dance to new levels; her marriage to dancer-director Geoffrey Holder; and the bittersweet memories of a life danced to the fullest. Continue reading

12/5/17 O&A NYC DANCE: A Conversation With Michael Jackson Jr.

By Walter Rutledge

Michael Jackson, Jr. has spent his career working in the Black dance genre. The gifted dancer, choreographer, teacher, and this season’s Ailey “poster God” began his dance training at age 14 at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. under the direction of Charles Augins. His irrepressible curiosity, athletic physique and pliant musculature help Jackson Jr. quickly excel. Continue reading

8/4/17 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Carib Gold- Featuring Geoffrey Holder

Carib Gold (1956) featuring the first known film roles for both Geoffrey Holder and Cicely Tyson.   The film was filmed almost entirely in Key West, Florida, with locally-cast musicians, extras and largely African-American cast headlined by Ethel Waters. Continue reading

2/20/17 O&A NYC DANCE: Geoffrey Holder- A True Renaissance Man (REPOST)

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Geoffrey Holder- a true renaissance man. Includes rare footage and interviews with wife Carmen de Lavallade and son Leo Holder.  Continue reading