2/4/24 O&A NYC WITH WALESTYLEZ FASHION: Balmain Men’s Fall Winter 2024 Fashion Show

Relive Olivier Rousteing‘s  Balmain triumphant return to Paris Men’s Fashion Week: a feast of vibrant colors, opulent gold, and exquisite couture. Continue reading

2/3/24 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Jeroboam Bozeman- The Philadanco Years (part 3)

By Walter Rutledge

Jeroboam Bozeman is a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The 10 year veteran of the Ailey Company has distinguished himself not only as a more than capable technician and partner but as a dramatic performer of merit. Bozeman cut his performing chops with the Philadanco (Philadelphia Dance Company), one of his first professional regional dance commitments.  Continue reading

2/1/24 O&A NYC BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURSDAY : Cab Calloway- Minnie the Moocher

Minnie the Moocher is a jazz-scat song first recorded in 1931 by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra, selling over a million copies.”Minnie the Moocher” is most famous for its nonsensical ad libbed (“scat”) lyrics (for example, “Hi De Hi De Hi De Ho”). Continue reading

1/22/24 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Claudine (1974) Starring Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones

Claudine is a 1974 American romantic comedy-drama film, directed by John Berry. Claudine was written by Lester Pine and Tina Pine, starring James Earl Jones, Diahann Carroll and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.  The film was released on April 22, 1974, grossing about $6 million, a modest hit for the times. It was praised for showing a new dimension in black cinema during the height of blaxploitation. Continue reading

1/21/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ronald K. Brown /Evidence

By Walter Rutledge

Ronald K. Brown /Evidence presented their 2024 New York season January 16 through 21 at the Joyce Theater. The nine-member ensemble offered two works Walking Out the Dark (2001) and Torch (2012). The program provided an overview of the range and diversity of choreographer Brown and his company in what is best described as an American artist’s declaration of his diasporic roots. Continue reading

  1/15/24 O&A NYC INSPIRATION TUESDAY: How Lenny Kravitz Discovered He’s Black

Lenny Kravitz shares that he never thought about his parents being of different ethnicities until a pivotal moment in first grade. From that day forward Lenny realized he was Black, and that society would see him as only that. Continue reading

1/6/23 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Cynthia Erivo Live- The Royal Albert Hall London (August 2022)


Cynthia Erivo said she was “overwhelmed” by the audience’s ecstatic response during her 2022 concert at  Royal Albert Hall, London. “I’ve done the Hollywood Bowl, the Grammys, but this was the biggest, here in my home town,” 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