4/5/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: A Conversation With Patrick Gamble- Ailey II

By Walter Rutledge

One of the most gratifying aspects of teaching and choreographing is the incredibly talented young people you encounter along your journey. For those ofttimes all to brief moments that your paths cross you hope you were able to share something- one small seed that will take root and grow. And if life affords us the good fortune to see the rewards gained by their hard work and determination; we take solace in watching the next generation take flight and soar. Patrick Gamble will “take flight” next week, along with the 12-member ensemble of the Ailey II, April 9th through 14th at the Joyce Theater.

We had the opportunity to reconnect recently to discuss the upcoming Ailey II season. Gamble shared insight into his artistic process, preparation for the season and his plans and dreams after his Ailey II tenure is complete.

A Conversation With Patrick Gamble

 

5/6/21 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Temptations- Papa Was A Rolling Stone (1972)



Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone is a song performed by Motown recording act The Undisputed Truth. It was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1971, and released as a single in May 1972. Later in 1972, Whitfield took Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone and remade it as a 12-minute track for the Temptations. Continue reading

2/9/19 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: Traditional Congolese Dance – Ballet Arumbaya Ndendeli

Ballet Arumbaya Ndendeli showcases the traditional dancing, singing, and musical instrument performances of Democratic Republic Of The Congo. Continue reading

12/12/18 O&A NYC REVIEW: Lazarus- Ailey American Dance Theater

By Walter Rutledge

Rennie Harris has achieved two “firsts” during the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 60th anniversary season. Harris has become the first year-long Ailey Artist-in-Residence and his ballet Lazarus is the first two act ballet commissioned by the company. The hour-long work shows significant artistic growth and is less hip-hop and more Harris. Continue reading

12/6/18 O&A NYC 19 DAYS OF NUTCRACKER: DAYS OF NUTCRACKER: Anna Nikulina- Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ( Bolshoi Ballet 2014)

Bolshoi ballet principal dancer Anna Nikulina performs the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Continue reading

10/19/18 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary

Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary– a ballet rendition of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel Dracula performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The work was filmed in a style reminiscent of the silent expressionistic cinema of the early 20th century. Continue reading

10/3/18 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: Traditional Future- Anuang’a Fernando

Kenyan Dance Legend Fernando Anuang’a showcasing the best of African contemporary dance. Continue reading

9/11/18 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Alvin Ailey: Awassa Astrige / Ostrich by Asadata Dafora

Sierra Leone-born choreographer Asadata Dafora blended his vision of a traditional African dance with Western staging in this groundbreaking 1932 solo set to Carl Riley’s score of African drumming and flute and performed Ailey dancer by Antonio Douthit-Boyd.  Continue reading

4/8/18 O&A NYC IN MEMORARIUM: Donald McKayle (July 6, 1930 – April 7, 2018)- Rainbow Round My Shoulder with Mary Hinkson

Dancer, choreographer, educator and author Donald McKayle passed on April 7, 2018 at age 87.  In honor of this dance icon O&A NYC posts his 1959 masterwork, Rainbow Round My Shoulder. Continue reading

12/16/17 O&A NYC BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: Cardi B “Bodak Yellow” Afrobeat Remix

By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.

NYC based DJ Boston Cherry drops a fresh Afro-Cuban vibe to remix Cardi B’s Bodak Yellow for the Manifesto NYC festival High Power. Chery mixes things up using the sinister instrumental, she adds a creative flare of afrobeat conga drums and salsa giving Cardi B more fire to her lyrics. Continue reading