Dance

Zilla Madness is back! With High Level Street Dancers entering the danger zone, going head to head putting there careers on the line to maintain bragging rights.Witness Terry and Hamlet battle in Zilla Madness 6! Hamlet representing Zilla Boys showed Terry who’s the boss. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The Dance of the Village Elders is returning to St. Philips Church, 204 W 134th Street beginning Thursday October 16th, at 2:30pm. The senior wellness classes, which uses dance as the primary medium was a mainstay in the Harlem community. The participates learned choreography, in addition to the… Continue reading

Watch Kanye West and Jamie Foxx in a battle of the bands HBCU style perform Gold Digger / Touch The Sky live at 48th Grammy Awards (2006).  Continue reading

Excerpts from the Third Act of Swan Lake starring Rudolph Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. Nureyev choreographed this 1967 version especially for film.  Continue reading

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A dance battle between Les Twins and Alvin and Mighty Jimm occurred during the Sziget Festival’s x Cypher Town All Stars Battle, which was part of the 2025 festival that took place in August. Continue reading

Zilla Madness is back! With High Level Street Dancers entering the danger zone, going head to head. Putting there careers on the line to maintain bragging rights. Witness an intense street dance battle between Brixx and Finesse at Zilla Madness 6. The high-energy showdown features two skilled dancers competing before… Continue reading

James Brown, The Godfather Of Soul, leads his flock through a spirited version of The Old Landmark (look for an angelic Chaka Khan is the choir).  Continue reading

Augustine Miles Kelechi Okechukwu (born 17 December 1992), popularly known as Tekno, a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. Continue reading

That’s Reelblack Entertainment brings us another classic scene of Black entertainment excellence from the 1943 The Harlem Sandman. The venerable cast included Nick Stewart, Count Basie, Jack Williams, Dorothy Dandridge, Ernest Morrison and Pops & Louie as featured in Hit Parade of 1943. Continue reading

Watch the sixth annual 9/11 Table of Silence Project Memorial Tribute with 150+ dancers on the Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center in New York City. Choreographed by Jacqulyn Buglisi, the 9/11 Table of Silence is a free, public performance ritual for peace from the New York City community of artists… Continue reading

DING DONG ft. DFT – Dancehalll Vibes refers to a recently released song by Dancehall artist Ding Dong, featuring the dance crew DFT. The track is also known as Dancehall Vibes, and its accompanying dance routine went viral on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok in August 2025. Continue reading

Ciara has unleashed fresh heat with the video for her summer anthem Low.The track, a collaboration with Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz, arrived as part of the deluxe edition of the GRAMMY winner’s latest studio album, CiCi. Continue reading

All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm featuring Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers is from the movie A Day at the Races (1937). The singer in the segment is Ivie Anderson from Duke Ellington’s Orchestra. The list of dancers is including Troy Brown, Dorothy Miller, Johnny Smalls, Norma Miller, Leon James, Snooky Beasley, Willa… Continue reading

After taking over the Kennedy Center Donald Trump has decided to make Swan Lake great again. The president will take over the role of the Black Swan.  Continue reading

This compelling documentary follows pop icon Michael Jackson during the days leading up to his untimely death as he prepares for a series of 50 shows.  Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge It seems our narratives, our cultural and historic legacy, is being erased or altered to fit a new national fiction. It is becoming extremely important to tell our own stories and to share and protect our narratives. This was the mission of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy… Continue reading

In Liquid Flow, a 2019 mini-documentary produced for the Oakland Museum of California featuring the Turf Feinz and directed by YAK Films, Darrell D-Real Armstead says, Oakland is a city of artists. Layer on layer. That pressure, the need to express yourself? It’s everywhere.  Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Lights! Camera! Action! The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project’s Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions is finally here. This Black dance extravaganza will that place tonight, August 23, 6pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) 2025 presentation, Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions will grace the stage of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance this Saturday, August 23, 6pm. This unprecedented dance/theatre event showcases ten of Chicago’s most dynamic and diverse dance companies. The event… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Out and About NYC Magazine (O&A NYC) will embed with the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) for the Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions performance on Saturday, August 23, 6pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The magazine has begun to document the artists from… Continue reading

Tyler D Creator and Daisy VMZ had a dance-off in the first bracket of battles at the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style USA National Finals. Daisy VMZ continued to advance through the bracket, but in the end, SonLam won the crowd! Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) will present Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions on Saturday August 23, 6pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Co- Directors Kevin Iega Jeff and Mashaune Hardy in coordination with co-curators Gary Abbott and Jeff… Continue reading

Sammy Davis Jr. plays Big Daddy in Sweet Charity, performing the iconic hit “Rhythm of Life” as Charity (Shirley MacLaine) and Oscar (John McMartin) join the strange new church! Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Los Angles urban dance warriors perform Krump, Memphis dancers have the Juke, New Yorkers are Flexn and Chicago homies dance Footwork. Footwork music began evolving in Chicago in the early 90s, drawing on Ghetto House and Juke but adding complex layers of odd, almost compulsively frenetic rhythms;… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Life is an ever changing, ever evolving adventure. On the adventure life requires us to react, adapt and hopefully reinvent. Sadly, when we stop making history we become a part of history. Kevin Iega Jeff continues to make history. His latest adventure is the Chicago Black Dance… Continue reading

The Flex Dance Program, a nonprofit uses dance and music to positively transform youth in challenging circumstances. It aims to offer an alternative to conflict by transforming physical energy into positive non-verbal self-expression.  Continue reading

Dance Theatre of Harlem in Lester Horton‘s 1949 masterwork The Beloved the duet (based on a true story) performed by Cassandra Phifer and Hagues Magen. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Who would defile the sacred world of ballet (the last bastion of “pure” euro-centric dance and culture) by adding a healthy dose of urban flair? Move over Swan Lake and make way for the Hiplet Ballerinas. The Chicago – based dance company, whose unique style has taken… Continue reading

Maya Plisetskaya, Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Bolshoi Ballet, danced Maurice Bejart’s Bolero set to the famous Ravel score in 1975. Plisetskaya created a stunning theatrical experience. What makes the piece so compelling is that although Plisetskaya may be accompanied by dozens of other dancers mirroring her movement, the first and… Continue reading

The Jackson 5 performed Body Language on the Carol Burnett Show in July 1975  and again on January 21, 1976. Continue reading

An amazing song and tap routine from Carolina Blues (1944) – with a huge cast of dancers and singers, and headed up by the wonderful Harold Nicholas. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) presented A Ramp To Paradise at the Ailey Citicorp Theater on June 27th and 28th. The two-day spring performance season showcased the third rendition of the dance theater narrative. The story begins in 1985 at the now celebrated underground nightclub-… Continue reading

Roundz Of Flame had a dance battle in which consist of two dancers come from dancing fathers. Mu World (Flexn) versus XO Wavy (Lite Feet).This particular dance arena is ROF Gotham and only the strong shall survive. Continue reading

Parkour Pat (Flexn) versus Sly Mazin (Lite Feet) was an interesting battle due to the fact of seeing a lot influences of acrobatic and hat tricks movements. Roundz Of Flame always introduce all style of dance to the floor. Continue reading

Following a groundswell of excitement and anticipation, Harlem-born trailblazing artist, auteur, actress, and visionary Teyana Taylor shares a new single and music video entitled Long Time out today via Def Jam Recordings. Continue reading

Charles Lil Buck Riley is a dancer, actor and model from Memphis, Tennessee, who specializes in a style of street dance called Jookin. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge DanceAfrica 2025- Mozambique: Movement! Magic! Manifestation! is the crown jewel of the annual four-day celebration of African and African influenced culture. The festivities coincide with the Memorial Day holiday weekend May 23rd thru May 26th at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House. Now in… Continue reading

The sensational DWP Academy performs at the 2023 Ghana Dance Festival. Watch how DWP Academy  move the crowd with their amazing dance performance. Continue reading

“On behalf of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, it is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of Ella Thompson Moore, Artistic Director of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, Dance Matriarch to many, Queen to all. Ella went to join her beloved husband, Charles Moore on Tuesday May… Continue reading

Bedstuy Villians Dance Crew of Brooklyn, NewYork presents BSV God Of Bruk Up Dance Cypher with POBA, The Ghost, Storyboard P and Bookworm. Continue reading

 The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) will present A Ramp To Paradise on June 27 and 28, 2025 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater,405 west 55th Street. The dance theater work is the brainchild of THPAC executive chairman Alex Smith, Jr. and is based on the short story A Ramp… Continue reading

EJ from Special Ops Crew (Brooklyn) versus Static (Connecticut) battle it out at Beastmode Dance League.  Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge For those of us that believe “Hell has no fury like a women scorned”. And for those of us who know firsthand you do not mess with a Black woman who “ain’t feeling it”. Leave your Elizabethan mindset at home and head to the Harvey Theater to… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) presented their New York City season April 10th through April 14th at New York City Center. The four-day four-performance season featured works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Jodi Gates, and DTH Artistic Director Robert Garland. The evening presented four abstract works… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Houston, Texas native Micah Bullard is living his dream. The twenty-six-year-old dancer will perform with the Dance Theatre of Harlem April 10 through April 14 at New York City Center. This New York City season begins his fourth year with the company.  Recently O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge… Continue reading

The Royal Family a dance crew from The Palace Dance Studio in New Zealand, performed a guest performance at the Hip Hop International New Zealand Nationals in 2018, choreographed by Parris Goebel.  Continue reading

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

The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) is conducting a search for three choreographers for the upcoming 2025 season June 27th and 28th at the Ailey Citicorp Theater. THPAC will present A Ramp to Paradise an original work based on a short story by THPAC Executive Chairman Alex Smith Jr.… Continue reading

In the groundbreaking black version of Carmen Jones there is a wonderful club scene Gypsy Song -Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum featuring three sepia divas, Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll. But there are at least three more present and future stars in the scene. As Carmen enters the club, the stunning… Continue reading

Tekno who has just dropped the official dance video for Pounds and Dollars we’re picking up some new dance moves. Continue reading

Stormy Weather is a 1943 film musical produced and released by 20th Century Fox. The movie is considered one of the best Hollywood musicals with an all African-American cast and serve to  showcase of some of the top African-American performers of the time. Continue reading

Wizkid keeps the Morayo album party going with the video for Kese (Dance).Boasting choreography aplenty and vibes in earnest, the clip adds an electrifying new chapter to Wizkid’s impressive videography.Boasting choreography aplenty and vibes in earnest, the clip adds an electrifying new chapter to Wizkid’s impressive videography. Continue reading

On February 27th 2025 The View honored Black women who have broken barriers. The segment highlighted the accomplishments of Judith Jamison, choreographer Alvin Ailey‘s muse.  Constance Stamatiou a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs Right On Be Free an excerpt from Cry in honor of this Black… Continue reading

Dorian BluPrint Hector was a contestant on season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance. His genre is Animation. Continue reading

Based on book series Black Boys Dance Too: Darnell Enters A Talent Show. In Black Boys Dance Too, 9-year-old Darnell faces the stigma surrounding dance as a girl’s only activity within his community. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Camille A. Brown and Dancers presented an all too short New York season Wednesday February 5th thru Sunday February 9th at the Joyce Theater. The sold-out five-day seven performance run presented I AM the third installment in her Black Joy trilogy. As the curtain rose, and as… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet (JGCO) presented their New York City season February 13 thru 15 at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Bam Fisher Fishman Space. The seventy minute audience friendly one act was more than a celebration of Black History Month; it is also a fitting tribute to… Continue reading

Amos Machanic, Jr. joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1996. During his 15 years with the company, Amos had the pleasure of traveling and performing across the globe and in 2010, he performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge  Keeping in the spirit of his credo, “create to communicate”, Kevin Iega Jeff has choreographed Homage for the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet. Homage will be presented during Remembering, the company’s 30th anniversary season celebration February 13, 14, 15 at BAM Fisher Fishman Space in downtown Brooklyn. The… Continue reading

Harold Lloyd Nicholas (March 17, 1921 – July 3, 2000) was a tap dancer specializing in tap. Nicholas was the younger half of the tap-dancing pair the Nicholas Brothers, known as two of the world’s greatest dancers.  Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The applause has subsided, curtain fallen and the house lights are at half during a brief pause between dances. Instinctively we peruse the program to find the bio of that one standout performer. In many cases that dancer’s initial training and nurturing did not happen in one… Continue reading

  Choreographer Alex Miedzinski presents Mercy, featuring the senior students (age 17-18 years) of the Performance Training Program. The work was performed at their 2023 End of Year Concert at Brent Street one of Australia’s premiere dance academies. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet will commemorate the company’s 30th anniversary with a three-day New York City season Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 15 at BAM Fisher Fishman Space. The season will offer Remembering, a program that reflects Gaines continued commitment to educate and enlighten the next… Continue reading

Hope, choreography by Paris Cavanagh presents dancers from Elite Company from the performance training program. The company is comprised of students aged 14-18 years. This performance took place during the 2023 end of year annual concert. Continue reading

Cardi B has launched a new series called Cardi Tries …., on Facebook Messenger and Instagram. In each episode, Cardi attempts to learn a new skill. In the premiere episode, world renowned choreographer Debbie Allen tries to teach Cardi ballet. At one point, Allen asks Cardi if she’s ever done… Continue reading

Nigeria 10 Most Incredible African Traditional Dance Moves. Nigeria has one of the best dance moves in Africa. These African traditional Dances refers mainly to the dances performed by the cultural communities found in Africa; Nigeria in this case. Continue reading

The final act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks takes place after the death of Dr. King . John Jones (Dr Martin Luther King) Sheila Rohan (Rosa Parks) and James E. Murphy (Assassin). Continue reading

Ailey Celebrates Ellington premiered in 1974 on CBS. Narrated by R&B legend Gladys Knight the television special showcases the collaborative bond between choreographer Alvin Ailey and jazz music royalty Duke Ellington. Continue reading

The Fourth Act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks starring John Jones as Dr. King, Sheila Rohan as Rosa Park and James E. Murphy as the Assassin. Continue reading

Martin Act III: Letter From The Birmingham Jail – Dr. King (John Jones) is arrested and while in jail he writes the now historic letter from the Birmingham Jail. With the help of Rosa Parks (Sheila Rohan) King is able to disseminate his message to the masses. Continue reading

House Party is a comedy film directed by Reginald Huldin. It stars Christopher Kid Reid and Christopher Play Reid of the hip hop duo Kid n Play in their film debut with Full Force and Robin Harris. Continue reading

Act II from Martin: A ballet by Gordon Parks depicts the violent encounter with police during the march on Selma. Continue reading

Martin: A Ballet by Gordon Parks Act 1 Introduces John Jones as Martin Luther King, Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks and James E Murphy as the Assassin. Continue reading

Martin: a ballet by Gordon Parks, an original five-movement ballet chronicling the struggles of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Filmed in 1990 the work stars John Jones as Dr. King and Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks, featuring choreography by Real Lamb. “Martin” (PBS, 1990),  about the life of Dr.… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Happy Birthday to one of the dance world’s icons Debbie Allen. We had the opportunity to talk to Ms. Allen about a wide range of her life experiences from segregated dance classes in her native Texas, to heartless rejection and finally coming into her own in New… Continue reading

Directors Charlie Di Placido and J.Lloyd and choreographer Shay Latukolan bring you Keep Me Satisfied a fun music and dance video. Continue reading

Newcleus was an Electro and Hip Hop group that gained popularity in the early 1980s.The group was based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.This dance clip is two crew battling out of a style called Break dancing. Continue reading

Gotan Project is a musical group specializing in neotango, electronica, and tango. Based in Paris (France), the trio features musicians Eduardo Makaroff  (Argentina), Philippe Cohen Solal  (French) and Christoph H. Muller  (Swiss), a former member of Touch El Arab. Their music inspires dance. Continue reading

Earl “Snakehips” Tucker  was an African American dancer and entertainer. Also known as the “Human Boa Constrictor”, he acquired the nickname “snakehips” via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the “snakehips” Continue reading

OG Regg Roc of the Ringmasters Dance Crew presents a dance short film Ivre Moine featuring Suzie Q. Regg Roc uses his style “Pauzn” within the Flexn community to tell a story of sanity vs insanity. Out and About NYC Magazine commends D.R.E.A.M Ring for an informative dance short film… Continue reading

Morgan Freeman introduces honoree Judith Jamison at the 22nd Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. Continue reading

Today, January 5 is the 94th birthday of choreographer Alvin Ailey. O&A NYC shares rare video footage from a 1985 interview. The one-way dialogue between Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater took place in Cairo, Egypt. (Note: We only hear Ailey’s answers; not questions asked). He… Continue reading

Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing premiered his fifth ballet, Sacred Songs, for the Alvin Ailey American dance Theater (AAADT) on December 20, 2024.  Today Friday, January 3, is the last opportunity this season to see this new work which uses the deleted music from the original production of Revelations. Continue reading

Nureyev- Ballet’s Most Incredible Story is a striking and moving documentary from BAFTA nominated directors Jacqui and David Morris traces the extraordinary life of Rudolf Nureyev. From his birth in the 5th class carriage of a trans-Siberian train, to his dramatic leap to freedom in the West at the height of… Continue reading

Alte Zachen, Choreography by Nadav Zelner featuring dancers Réginald Lefebvre and Alessio Marchini set to Howard A. Robert renowned arrangement of Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham with costumes by Ofir Hazan.Ofir Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The 2024 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT’s) New York City Center fall season presented four premieres by two former company members Hope Boykin and Jamal Roberts, master choreographer Lar Lubovitch, and AAADT Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing. Rushing’s Sacred Songs, an ensemble work with an interesting… Continue reading

Hope your Santa hat was fastened, because Beyoncé gave us the ultimate Cowboy Carter gift this Christmas. The superstar spread holiday cheer during Wednesday’s Halftime Show at the Christmas Day Texans-Ravens NFL game in her hometown of Houston, Texas, marking the first time Beyoncé performed songs from her hit 2024… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Happy Birthday Joan Myers Brown! The nonagenarian dance icon was born on Christmas Day ninety three years ago in her beloved Philadelphia. Even as a child Brown understood the disparities between American of African decent and the local whites; and she wanted to shatter the social barriers… Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is now halfway through their 66th New York season at New York City Center. In the 18 remaining performances this season, which runs until January 5, the company will present 19 works by 12 choreographers. The fall/winter Ailey season has become… Continue reading

 The 2024 New York City Ballet’s production of  The Nutcracker has cast Charlotte Nebres, a black dancer, to play Marie for the first time in the productions 70 year history. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge Lloyd Knight’s solo dance work, The Drama will have its preview public performances Friday, December 13, 7pm, and Saturday, December 14, 6pm, at the Martha Graham Studio Theater, 55 Bethune Street, 11th Floor, in Manhattan’s West Village/Meatpacking district. Commissioned by the Guggenheim’s Works & Process The Drama is being presented on… Continue reading

During the 1977 Christmas season, CBS brought Mikhail Baryshnikov’s highly acclaimed American Ballet Theatre production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker to television. The production has remains the most popular and most often shown television production of the work in the U.S.  Mikhail Baryshnikov performed the title role, with Gelsey… Continue reading

During the 1977 Christmas season, CBS brought Mikhail Baryshnikov’s highly acclaimed American Ballet Theatre production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker to television. The production has remains the most popular and most often shown television production of the work in the U.S.  Mikhail Baryshnikov performed the title role, with Gelsey… Continue reading

Two similar style of dance within the Flexn community. Hat Tricks are being battled out between the two individuals Dru Da Barber and SoundCloud. Evil Xmas 10 is an event presented by Killed Or Be Killed League brought to you by King Hypa. Continue reading

Alvin Ailey’s masterwork Revelations (1960), remains one of the cornerstones of modern dance works. It remains a powerful testament to the human spirit. This cast includes Marilyn Banks, April Berry, Kevin Brown, Gary DeLoatch, Ralph Glenmore, Deborah Manning, Renee Robinson and Dudley Williams.  Continue reading

This historic performance from 1968 captures choreographer/performer Rudolf Nureyev at the peak of his career. Filmed at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the ballet features artists of the Royal Ballet including Wayne Sleep, Jillian Gibbs and Merle Park as Clara. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge There is no greater pleasure than attending a performance as just an audience member. No notes, no critique. I am one of many enveloped in a communal cocoon of darkness enthusiastically sharing the wonderment and power of the creative collective. Tuesday November 19th was one such occasion… Continue reading

  Christine Shevchenko is Odile the black swan seductress and Calvin Royal is the poor duped Prince Siegfried  in excerpts from Swan Lake Act 3. Continue reading

Memphis Jookin is a dance style that originated in Memphis, Tennesse in the 1980s and 1990s. It’s a blend of hip hop and modern dance that’s known for its intricate footwork, slides, glides, and toe stands. Continue reading