A soliloquy from a Black man from the 1960’s about the injustice of the American system. He makes a simple yet poignant request “America needs to keep its word”. Liberty and justice for who? You? Me? Continue reading
No comments
Category: History
10/31/24 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Michael Jackson – Thriller
Thriller, Michael Jackson’s 1984 music video directed by John Landis and written by Landis and Jackson. Continue reading
(REPOST) 9/10/24 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: From Stutterer To Star: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice
James Earl Jones, the 92-year-old acting legend who in 2014 made his return to Broadway in the play You Can’t Take It With You, discusses the highs and lows of his six-decade-long career, from his modest beginnings suffering from a stutter to a celebrated star of stage and screen with one of the most recognizable voices in the world. Continue reading
10/13/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: I Surrender All and Medley ft. Cece Winans, Whitney Houston and Shirley Caesar
I Surrender All and Gospel medley featuring CeCe Winans, Whitney Houston and Shirley Caesar performed at the 1996 Grammy Awards. Continue reading
8/2/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Geoffrey Holder- Banda
By Walter Rutledge
Happy Birthday renaissance man Geoffrey Holder. The dancer, actor, choreographer, director, visual artist and all around force of nature was born on August 1st, 1930 in Port of Spain; the capital city of the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Continue reading
4/30/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: The Martha Graham Dance Company
By Walter Rutledge
The Martha Graham Dance Company presented their 98th season April 17 thru 20th at New York City Center. The season offered only four performances featuring works by Agnes DeMille, Martha Graham, Jamar Roberts and Hofesh Shechter. The Thursday night program featured two Graham masterworks Rite of Spring (1984) and her icon Appalachian Spring (1944) and We The People, a new work by Roberts. The audience was treated to a season of live music (a former dance staple now a luxury) by the Mannes Orchestra and the Gabe Witcher Sextet. Continue reading
4/7/24 O&A NYC DANCE: I Am Julie Caprio, Always and Forever a Harkness Dancer.
By Julie Caprio
Inspired by An American Ballet Story
It is truly amazing to me how Harkness continues to be a huge part of my life. After the NYC screening of An American Ballet Story, a documentary by Leslie Streit and Robin McCain about the Harkness years, my Facebook friend Keith Lee and I began this project. Keith, an extraordinary artist who has had a beautiful career including being a soloist with American Ballet Theatre was also a Harkness Trainee. Continue reading
4/4/24 O&A NYC HISTORY- ON THIS DAY: A Firsthand Account of The Assassination of Dr. King
The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the most prominent leader of the American civil rights movement, happened on April 4, 1968, as he stood on the second floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. He had come to Memphis to lead a march by striking sanitation workers. In response to King’s death, more than 100 American inner cities exploded in rioting, looting, and violence. James Earl Ray, a career small-time criminal who became the object of a more than two-month manhunt before he was captured in England, pled guilty to the shooting. Continue reading
3/16/24 GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: Why Black People Aren’t Mourning Queen Elizabeth
Black twitter has been very, very vocal about why the passing of Queen Elizabeth is something they will not mourn. We look at the top 5 reasons why. Continue reading
3/15/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Firebird- Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic Firebird places the Russian folk tale about a magical bird that triumphs over evil in an exotic Caribbean setting. John Taras’ choreography to Stravinsky’s familiar score was further enlivened by sets and costumes by Geoffrey Holder. The 1982 DTH production was a tremendous worldwide success. Continue reading
