11/6/21 O&A NYC AFTER THE CONVERSATION: Elisa Monte, Sarita Allen, Lloyd Knight, Marzia Memoli

The Martha Graham Dance Company concluded its New York fall performances at the Joyce Theater. O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge sat down with Treading choreographer Elisa Monte, Graham dancers Lloyd Knight and Marzia Memoli, and “dance Icon” former Ailey principal Sarita Allen for a spirited conversation about Monte’s signature work. After the interview ended the the conversation continued.   Continue reading

10/27/21 O&A NYC DANCE: Treading With Elisa Monte, Sarita Allen, Lloyd Knight, Marzia Memoli

By Walter Rutledge

The Martha Graham Dance Company will has began their fall 2021 Joyce Theater season. The season, which runs October 26 thru October 31, will present two programs featuring Graham classics, new works and revivals. Elisa Montes signature duet Treading, originally commissioned by Martha Graham in 1979, will have its anticipated return to the repertoire tonight at the Joyce Theater. O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge sat down choreographer Elisa Monte, former Ailey principal dancer Sarita Allen and present cast Lloyd Knight and Marzia Memoli for a fun and informative conversation.   Continue reading

10/22/21 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: A Conversation With Lloyd Knight

By Walter Rutledge

Martha Graham Dance Company begins it’s fall season on Tuesday, October 26 through October 31 at the Joyce Theater. Principal dancer Lloyd Knight discussed the upcoming season, working through the pandemic, and all things Graham with O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge Continue reading

4/1/19 O&A NYC DANCE: A Converstion with Lloyd Knight

By Walter Rutledge

The Martha Graham Dance Company will begin their New York City season April 2 through April 14 at the Joyce Theater. Continue reading

4/9/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Lloyd Knight- In His Zone

Lloyd Knight, principal dancer with Martha Graham Dance Company, is in his zone. He  joined the Graham Company in 2005 and was promoted to soloist in 2009. In 2014 hard work, diligence and appreciation for choreography Knight simply defines as, “art” was rewarded with a promotion to principal dancer.  On Wednesday April 11th the Martha Graham Dance Company will begin a four performance New York City season at New York City Center. O&A NYC Editor in Chief Walter Rutledge sat down with Lloyd for what has become our annual pre-season chat. 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

4/15/16 O&A NYC DANCE: Lloyd Knight Talks Night Journey

By Walter Rutledge

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Lloyd Knight will make his debut in the role of Oedipus in Martha Graham’s masterwork Night Journey on Friday April 15, 2016 during the New York City season of the Martha Graham Dance Company. O&A NYC Magazine had an opportunity to sit down with Knight, who will be the first African-American to dance the role, and talk to him about his preparation for the role.  Continue reading

8/21/15 O&A NYC Shall We Dance Friday- REVIEW: Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance presented Hearts of Men Celebrates Dudley Williams

By Walter Rutledge

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Earl Mosley’s Hearts of Men Celebrates Dudley Williams August 10 and 11 at the Manhattan Movement Arts Center. The evening was a testosterone charged tribute to modern dance’s Lyric Crown Prince- Dudley Williams. Mosley presented fourteen works and vignettes. The large cast was predominantly male with the right “dash “of female performers, similar to the wisp of vermouth in William’s trademark classic dry Bombay Blue Sapphire Martini.

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Mosley’s mission in many ways echoes the Black Live Matters movement. He has chosen to empower young people by developing artists of color. This noble undertaking included both neophytes and professional dancers and choreographers; the combination produced an evening rich in aesthetic integrity and artistry, and was a fitting tribute to the legacy of Dudley Williams.

Dyane Harvey- Salaam opened the evening by sharing her memories of Williams.  Eleo Pomare (Williams high school friend) introduced the two. Harvey-Salaam and Pomare had a long-standing relationship; he was one of her mentors, and she his muse. Harvey ended with the audience calling Dudley Williams’ name multiple times in a chant to honor his memory.  

Throughout the evening there were works that encapsulated the essence of Williams, an artist whose technical prowess was only superseded by his stage presence. It was his ability to touch an audience, and communicate with a single perfectly phrased gesture that allowed him to perform until months before his passing at age 76.

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Germaul Barnes’ solo I Was Young Once conveyed a thoughtful yet bittersweet elegy to Williams. Using a montage of music for the soundtrack with the focal point consisting of edited excerpts from his 2014 Clark Center conversation with Jennifer Dunning. Barnes’ well-crafted work referenced signatures images from Williams’ performance repertoire including I Want To Be Ready (Ailey/Revelations) A Song For You (Ailey) Toccata (Talley Beatty) and Horton and Graham shapes from movement studies. Shawn Hawkins performed with great sensitivity and a sense of imbued reverence.  

Audrey Lynch choreographed and performed Soul Space. The solo also used dialog and ambient music to tell a story of love and friendship. In this work Lynch narrated, and his soothing voice provided a gentle and profound accompaniment. The work used a strong upper body gestural vocabulary, which had an unabashed honesty and completeness. His presence and deportment was so strong he almost did not need the occasional (and well executed) extension, turn and jump Lynch sprinkled throughout the choreography.

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Jamal/Darius, a duet choreographed by Mosley and performed by Jamal Story and Darius Crenshaw was a true delight. The two seemed to awake from a peaceful sleep and then perform a loving “good morning” dance. The work possessed a subtle sophistication, it was intimate as opposed to sexual. This was not an encounter, but a relationship. The duet was void of the expected angst and overt sexuality, instead these two accomplished artists communicated affection and mutual respect. This quality transcended gender and evoked the words of Nat King Cole “Just to love and be love in return”.

Joshua Beamish’s solo Adoration for Martha Graham Dance Company Principal dancer Lloyd Knight was art in motion. Set to Haydn’s Concerto in C Major for Cello and Orchestra the choreography seemed to emanate from the performer, fitting him like a tailor-made Savile Row suit. We never saw the choreography, we only saw the message expressed through the performer’s body. It was also refreshing to see Knight perform without his Graham armor; we got a chance to experience the versatility of this truly gifted artist. 

The group works featured the young performers of Diversity of Dance with additional guest artists. These works ranged from vignettes, which expressed simple ideas and movement themes, to complete textural choreographic statements. Many of the works had strong Hip-Hop and vernacular dance influences. These works brought freshness to the performance and received immediate approval from the audience.

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The most memorable ensemble work was Mosley’s Breaths set to a score by Eddie James. Clifton Brown (former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) principal dancer) and Matthew Rushing (Former Ailey principle and presently AAADT guest artist and rehearsal director) lead a cast of 18 dancers. Brown technical prowess and crystalline attack did not disappoint. Rushing, the central figure, performed in the role originated by Dudley Williams.

The male ensemble danced with a unified spiritual verve. And Rushing, a consummate artist, seemed to channel the late Williams. His performance was not an imitation rather an homage; honoring Williams in his own voice. Throughout, Mosley’s abstract narrative displayed strong choreographic structure and originality.

The concert was a celebration of the male dancer, and featured a bevy of young men honing their craft. Three standouts were Randall Riley, Isaiah Harvey and Daniel Moore. Riley’s physical appearance and height made him impossible not to notice, but his physicality made him a pleasure to observe. Isaiah Harvey’s clean line and technical proficiency was well-balanced by his on-stage intensity. And Moore’s assured and committed execution allowed his movement intent to immediately communicate to the audience. 

In addition to the strong male presence there were also female performers who distinguished themselves. Imani Johnson has a powerful earth women quality that was equally effective in the Hip Hop material and the West African based movement. Aqura Lacey provides the perfect juxtaposition with her effervescent demeanor that charmed the audience without ever becoming overt.

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Fana Tesfagiorgis is in her own stratosphere. Tesfagiorgis possesses that rare on-stage quality I describe as pure light. In Homer’s Iliad it is the quality that made King Menelaus launch his armada to retrieve Helen of Troy. She has an innate ability to make you want to watch her, even when she is doing nothing. This quality cannot be learned- it is a birthright, a gift from God.

The performance proceeds went to establish the Dudley Williams Scholarship Fund for student of the Hearts of Men and Manhattan Youth Ballet. This is a fitting tribute to Williams, passing on the gift of dance to the next generation of movers. If you had ever met Dudley Williams you soon realized he was a humble servant of dance.

Williams lived most of his life dancing, teaching and sharing his gift with anyone with an appetite for learning. A genuinely good and gentle soul Williams would have been proud of this celebration in his honor. And I am sure he is still dancing somewhere above the clouds.

Hearts of Men will hold a Summer Dance Intensive August 23 through September 6 as part of The Ailey Extension. The workshop is open to the public. For more information visit EMIAdance.org or email info@EMIAdance.org. 

In Photo: 1) Dudley Williams 2)Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance 3) Shawn Hawkins 4) Darius Crenshaw and Jamal Story 5)Cameron Evans and Randall Riley 6) Fana Tesfagiorgis 

Photo by: 2-5) Saya Hishikawa 6) Andrew Eccles

5/18/15 O&A Review: The Reinvention of the Martha Graham Dance Company- Part One: Lamentation Variations

By Walter Rutledge

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The Martha Graham Dance Company is demonstrating how America’s oldest continuous modern dance company remains cutting edge. Under the direction of Artistic Director Janet Eilber the company has put into play new initiatives to attract a wider and more diverse dance following. Restaging abbreviated versions of Graham classic such as Clymenestra, seasons based around a central theme, and commissioning new works, including the Lamentation Variations have been part of the Graham Company’s 21st century reinvention. Continue reading