3/10/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: They Called Her Moses

They Called Her Moses is Donald McKayle‘s story of freedom fighter Harriet Tubman. The cast includes Jacqueline Walcott, Robert Powell, Sylvia Waters, Arthur Mitchell, Kathleen Stanford, Donald McKayle and Carmen DeLavallade. Continue reading

3/7/23 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Malawi Trip 2017 – Rhianna

In January 2017, the Global Partnership for Education, Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation and Global Citizen visited Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. The Clara Lionel Foundation has partnered with the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen to advocate for strong education systems that ensure the world’s poorest kids can get a quality education. Continue reading

3/6/23 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: SZA – Kill Bill

Kill Bill is by R&B artist SZA from her second studio album, S.O.S. The song gets its title from Kill Bill:Volume 1 and Volume 2 a martial arts film duology that focuses on an assassin named the Bride and her quest to exact revenge on her ex-boyfriend by murdering him. Continue reading

3/6/23 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY- WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Pam Grier Is Sheba, Baby


Fresh off her career defining roles in “Coffy” and “Foxy Brown,Pam Grier returned in cult filmmaker William Girdler’s (“The Manitou”) “Sheba, Baby.”  Continue reading

3/2/23 O& A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Anita Baker – No One In The World

No One In The World is by R&B artist Anita Baker. It was the fourth single from her multi-platinum album, Rapture. It had previously been released by  Dionne Warwick on her 1985 album Finder of Lost Loves and again on her 1987 album Reservation For Two. Continue reading

3/24/22 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Toni Braxton – Love Shoulda Brought You Home

Love Shoulda Brought You Home is the debut solo single by Toni Braxton. It was written by Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, Daryl Simmons and Bo Watson. The solo track was produced by Edmonds and Simmons along with L.A Reid. Lyrically the slow groove R&B song is saga of betrayal and infidelity that depicts a heartbroken Braxton. Continue reading

3/21/22 O&A NYC DANCE: Francesca Harper Sets New Direction For Ailey II

By Walter Rutledge

The Ailey II season begins March 23 and run thru April 3 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater 405 west 55th Street at the corner of Ninth Avenue This is not only the company’s return to the theater since the pandemic, but also the debut season for the company’s new Artistic Director Francesca Harper. During the two-week season the company will offer 10 performances and present works by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) Artistic Director Robert Battle, internationally renowned choreographer William Forsythe, AAADT principal dancer Yannick Lebrun, Andrea Miller, and Harper. Continue reading

3/20/22 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Sarah Vaughan – live Sweden ’58, Holland ’58, & Sweden ’64


The Divine One, Sarah Vaughan, winner of four Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Critic Scott Yanow wrote that she had “one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century. 
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3/18/22 O&A NYC FASHION SHOW: Schiaprelli | Haute Couture | Spring – Summer 2022

 

Elsa Schiaprelli loved by stars like Zendaya, Cardi B and Julia Fox is one of the few labels to kick off the season, with a space film-inspired collection by creative director Daniel Roseberry.The designer tells VOGUE that he’s been watching sci-fi titles like Dune, Interstellar and Arrival as a way to escape from the reality of the pandemic. Continue reading

3/18/22 O&A NYC FASHION: The Surrealist Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli

The surrealist fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli makes us think of fashion as an art medium. Elsa Schiaparelli’s fashion emerged in the 1930s, rivalling Coco Chanel. Schiaparelli’s friendships with surrealists like Jean Cocteau and Salvador Dali resulted in fashion partnerships. Continue reading