By Walter Rutledge
On Thursday, June 11, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater presented the world premiere of The Pleasure of the Lesson by choreographer Robert Moses. The work is a rich, sumptuous erotic adventure danced with an unbridled fervor by an ensemble of ten dancers. Continue reading
George Carlin’s best-known routine, Seven Words You Can Never Can Never Say On Television, was arrested after performing this routine at Milwaukee’s Summerfest and charged with violating obscenity laws. The case prompted Carlin to refer to the words as The Milwaukee Seven. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
Outstanding performers have always been the hallmark of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dancers that consistently test the technical and artistic boundaries of modern dance remain a fundamental part of founder Alvin Ailey’s continuing legacy. Artists Carmen DeLavalallade, Dudley Williams, Judith Jamison, Miguel Godreau, Linda Kent, Sara Yarborough, Sarita Allen, Gary deLoatch, Desmond Richardson, and Renee Robinson all possessed an innate ability beyond technique, a God given gift that unfortunately cannot be taught. When the stage lights hit these special individuals it is refracted into dazing, flawless, pure light that pulls you in… moth to flame. Celeste Linda Sims is pure light. Continue reading
Artist And Model by Romare Bearden
Happy Father’s Day! The day always brings back great memories of my Dad. One of my favorite stories I call My Dad And The Naked Lady. Continue reading
Blind Boys of Alabama are a five-time Grammy Award winning gospel group from Alabama. They first sang together in 1944. Since then, the group’s output has spanned seven decades of tours and appearances, and produced a successful discography.
By Walter Rutledge
The annual Apollo Gala has become one of the premiere uptown events. The star studded casts and celebrity laden audience recalls the glamor of the original Harlem Renaissance. This year the format was slightly different; instead of paying homage to a music legend, we were invited to honor the legendary Apollo Theater on the concert hall’s 80th anniversary. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for 15 performances beginning, Wednesday, June 11. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
The Apollo Theater 2014 annual Spring Gala will take place on Tuesday, June 10, at 7pm. The Gala will depart from its tradition of inducting legends into the Apollo Hall of Fame, this year’s Gala will celebrate the eight decades of artistic brilliance that has been presented on the Apollo stage since 1934. The evening will include special tribute performances by the some of the music industry’s biggest artists, including Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, The Isley Brothers, and more. Wayne Brady returns as the Gala host, this is the Emmy Award-winning and Grammy nominated entertainer’s second consecutive year as host.
Proceeds from the 80th anniversary bash will support the Apollo’s year-round performing arts programming, innovative education initiatives, and community programs. To purchase Gala tickets or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater, call 212-531-5347. For more information, visit apollotheater.org.
By Walter Rutledge
The Dance Theatre of Harlem held their New York season at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center Wednesday, April 23 through Sunday, April 27. Two very ambitious programs were offered featuring works by five choreographers. The season, which had something for everyone, could best be described as uneven. Continue reading
Bill T. Jones choreographed D-Man in the Waters in 1989, when the mortal danger of AIDS was at a high tide. The work celebrates the buoyant spirit of dancer Demian Acquavella. He had AIDS and died in 1988, but “swimming in its waters” are many others, including Mr. Jones’s partner and company co-founder, Arnie Zane, who had died in 1988. The cast includes Miguel Anaya, Stefanie Batten Bland, Germaul Barnes, Eric Bradley, Catherine Cabeen, Christian Canciani, Rosine Leblanc, Toshiko Oiwa, and Daniel Russel Kubert. Continue reading
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The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid 
The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid 