11/27/23 HOLLYWOOD MONDAY- REVIEW: RUSTIN

By Alex Smith Jr.

I went to an advance screening of the film RUSTIN last night (Oct. 12, 2023). It was opening the 35th Anniversary of the LGBTQ+ Annual Film Festival here in NYC. This film is a triumph plain and simple. I am trying to hold back from using to many superlatives to lavish on this film. Continue reading

10/6/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Alvin Ailey’s “Mary Lou’s Mass” and “Hidden Rites” Excerpts

Mary Lou’s Mass (1971) with John Parks, Dudley Williams and Clive Thompson and Hidden Rites (1973) with John Parks and Judith Jamison Continue reading

9/16/23 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WALESTYLEZ: Joshua Maponga on Africa and the Bible

Joshua Maponga (born in Zimbabwe) is a popular motivational speaker, social entrepreneur, and musician. The renowned personality is also a philosopher and leader. He is passionate about community development which has led him to work with several big organizations. 
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9/8/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Empathy (Part One)- A Conversation with Debbie Allen

By Walter Rutledge


In 2015 O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge interviewed Debbie Allen at the Faison Firehouse Theater for Dance Noir Magazine (DNM). The print article would discuss her relationship with Katherine Dunham. The video was produced as visual notes for the upcoming Dunham article. When the magazine suspended publication, out of respect for DNM Founder/Editor-in-Chief Carol Lloyd, we held the material with hopes of eventually printing the article for DNM. After eight years Ms. Allen’s words remain relevant, inspiring and informative and should be shared. We call this first installment Empathy. Continue reading

8/13/23 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Delta Rhythm Boys – Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho

Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho performed by the Delta Rhythm Boys resemble many other spirituals who dual propose. The song  alluded to eventual escape from slavery – in the case of this song, “And the walls came tumblin’ down. The lyrics refer to the old testament verses Joshua 6:15-21, which tells the story of the Battle of Jericho in which Joshua led the Israelites in battle against Canaan.  Continue reading

6/18/23 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Tramaine Hawkins – Praise The Name of Jesus


Tramaine Hawkins sings Praise The Name of Jesus from the Tramaine Live Album (1990) Continue reading

 5/29/23 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez- FASHION: 10 Most Unique Dark Skin African Men

10 most unique dark skin African men you never seen before. Are you tired of seeing the same old representation of black men in media? Look no further than this video. 
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5/17/23 O&A NYC WaleStylez DANCE PARTY: Lil Buck & LoJoWerkz Tulsa Race Riot Memorial -T21 Preview (2014)

Lil Buck teams up with LoJoWerkz to launch their T21 Project. This is an excerpt of a performance commemorating Black Wall Street and the Tragedy of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, performed on the anniversary of the Riot (May 31st) on the historic grounds where the events took place.
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4/10/23 HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Ruby Dee- Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railroad (1964) |


The excellent Ruby Dee plays the escaped slave Harriet Tubman and her attempts to rescue enslaved family members and friends through the pre-Civil War Underground Railroad. aka “Go Down Moses.” With Brock Peters, Ossie Davis, Isabel Cooley and Ethel Waters Continue reading