11/29/19 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: It’s a Wonderful Trump Cold Open – SNL

Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) gets his wish to have never been president granted and sees how the lives of Michael Cohen (Ben Stiller), Brett Kavanaugh (Matt Damon), Robert Mueller (Robert De Niro) and more have changed in an alternate reality.
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11/28/19 O&A NYC THANKSGIVING MORNING FUNNIES: First Thanksgiving – SNL

Pocahontas’ (Melissa Villaseñor) boyfriend, John Smith (Beck Bennett), comes over for Thanksgiving dinner with her family (Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen).
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11/28/19 O&A NYC DANCE: A Conversation With Khalia Campbell- Her Journey Continues

By Walter Rutledge 

In the early 2000’s the Uptown Dance Academy was located in the large loft space above a discount department store in East Harlem. After climbing the steep double flight of stairs, I met a  group of young dancers warming up in a small subdivided studio. Director Robin Williams introduced me to the cherubic faced girls and boys; whose youthful exuberance and joy of endless possibilities filled the room. Williams and I had a brief conversation, which ended in a private joke. In the corner a girl stretching on the floor responded to my comment with a hearty “ole soul” laugh; that doe-eyed precocious eleven-year old was Khalia Campbell. Continue reading

11/24/19 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Tramaine Hawkins Sings Changed At Donnie McClurkin’s 60th Birthday Celebration!

During the culmination of Pastor Donnie McClurkin’s 60th Birthday all Star Tribute Concert, and Celebration; Pastor McClurkin began singing “Changed”, in homage to the legendary Tramaine Hawkins. This lead to a mic toss of epic proportion, featuring Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Pastor Marvin L Winans, Erica Campbell, and Kierra Sheard! Continue reading

12/23/19 O&A NYC DANCE: A Conversation With Masazumi Chaya- The Golden Age Of Ailey

By Walter Rutledge

Masazumi Chaya, affectionately called Chaya, has been a part of Ailey organization for almost half a century. Chaya joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1972 during an era we refer to as the Golden Age of Ailey. During Chaya’s fifteen years as an Ailey dancer he distinguished himself as an intense performer; who excited audience with an almost effervescent abandon. Continue reading

11/22/19 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Diana Ross & Donald McKayle – Soulful Strut at the Hollywood Palace [3/8/69]

Diana Ross and Donald McKayle perform Soulful Strut at the Hollywood Palace March 8, 1969 

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11/13/19 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: All the Way Home (1957) (When A Black Family Moves Next Door)

All the Way Home: an examination of what happens in a community when a Negro family stops in front of a ‘FOR SALE’ sign. Dramatizes the unreason and prejudice which bar a solution to the integration problem in housing. – From the Prelinger Archive.
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11/8/19 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ballet Eloelle- Teaching Diversity With Laughter

By Walter Rutledge

The Leslie-Lohman Museum For Gay and Lesbian Art Gala took place on October 22 at one of the first venues for modern dance the Judson Theater. The celebration/ raised funds and awareness to the many projects and exhibitions directly effecting the LGTBQ community. One of the true highlights of this festival fundraising evening was the internationally acclaimed dance company Ballet Eloelle.

A five-member ensemble from the all- male comedy ballet company entertained and enlightened the audience; sharing the message of diversity and tolerance through humor. The company is one of only a handful of professional “gender bending” dance companies in the world (Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo being the most recognizable). Founded and directed by Victor Trevino the New York City based Ballet Eloelle has an extensive internationally touring portfolio, delighting audiences and receiving rave reviews throughout Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and the United States. 

The dancers are a collective of veteran comic male ballerinas and new faces from around the globe; a hallmark of this very special band of globetrotting troubadours. The Dying Swan performed by Nina Minimaximova (aka Trevino) with brilliant self- effacing comedic timing that brought the house down!  

Ballet Eloelle- Harliquenade Pas de Deux

Another standout was principal dancer Marianel Moarorles (aka Walter Battistini). The diminutive powerhouse performed Harliquinade Pas de deux with male lead Tetsushi Segawa. Battisini’s strong fleet-footed allegro perfectly balanced his comedic and oft-times coquettish partnering style; making the duet and variations one of the evening’s high points.

 
Ballet Eloelle- Pas de Quatre

Battisini was also featured in Pas de Quatre, a spoof on the renowned divertissement choreographed by Jules Perrot in 1845. Dancing as famed nineteen century ballerina Franni Cerrito, he was joined onstage with three other divas: Tamara Verde (Roberto Forleo) as Marie Taglioni, Palomina Carrera (Jonathan Mendez) as Carlotta Grisi, and Teresa Carino (Estefano Gil) as Lucille Grahn. Together this fearsome foursome was electric as they parodied this Romantic ballet classic.  

Ballet Eloelle brought the right amount of humor, satire and solid dance technique to the Leslie-Lohman Museum Gala. The troupe definitely are dancing ambassadors helping all of us leap in to a more tolerate and inclusive world. And they are doing it with laughter- one bourree at a time.