Dance

2/11/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Kevin Iega Jeff Creates to Communicate With Homage

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

210/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Harold Nicholas – Mister BeeBe (1944)

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

2/7/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Jamel Gaines Frontline Mentor

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

2/1/24 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Mercy by Alex Miedzinski for Senior Lyrical 2023

  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

1/31/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Educates Through Dance

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

1/29/25 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Hope By Paris Cavanagh For Elite Company 2023

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

1/26/25 O&A NYC THE SUNDAY MORNING FUNNIES: Cardi Tries Ballet

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

1/25/25 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WALESTYLEZ: Nigeria: 10 Most Incredible African Traditional Dance Moves 🇳🇬

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

1/25/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks Act V- Mourning Place

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

1/24/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Ailey Celebrates Ellington

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

1/24/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks ( Act IV The Assassin)

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

1/23/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin Act III Letter From The Birmingham Jail

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

1/22/25 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY SPECIAL: House Party – Dance Off – Ain’t My Type Of Hype

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

1/22/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin- A Ballet by Gordon Parks- Act II March On Selma

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

1/21/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin: A Ballet By John Parks- Act 1

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

1/20/25 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING!: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks (Prelude)

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

1/17/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Debbie Allen!!!

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

1/16/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Jungle – Keep Me Satisfied

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

1/15/25 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ DANCE PARTY: Newcleus – Jam On It 1984

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

1/11/25 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY: Gotan Project – Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)

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

1/10/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Earl “Snake Hips” Tucker

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