11/13/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Michael Jackson Dance Evolution (1968 – 2009)

From the of the beginning of his meteoric rise to fame Michael Jackson has been dancing to the delight of his audiences worldwide.  Continue reading

10/27/24 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ: Jill Scott (Live at North Sea Jazz Festival 2008)

Jill Scott delivered an unforgettable performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival on July 11, 2008. Held at the Ahoy Hall in Rotterdam, Netherlands, her set was part of the festival’s rich lineup that year. Continue reading

10/13/24 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ: George Duke & Chaka Khan (Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2009- Full Concert)

George Duke and Chaka Khan perform live at the 2009 North Sea Jazz Festival on Saturday July  11, 2009 at Ahoy Hall in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Continue reading

6/15/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: DanceAfrica 47

By Walter Rutledge

Memorial Day weekend maybe the unofficial start of summer, but in the Fort Green section of Brooklyn that weekend was the official start of DanceAfrica 47! The four-day festival celebrates the diverse cultures of Africa and their diasporic descendants. The area surrounding the historic Brooklyn Academy of Music was transformed into the DanceAfrica Bazaar- a global marketplace. The bazaar features over one hundred and fifty vendors from around the world, offering African, Caribbean, and African American food, crafts, and fashion. Continue reading

3/16/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Mary j. Blige- Strength Of A Woman Festival 2023 Celebrates Hip-Hop 50 With Friends

Mary J. Blige Jazmine Sullivan and Miguel top the bill for the 2023 Honeyland Festival. Presented by IMG and Live Nation Urban, the inaugural, two-day music and culinary event will take place at Crown Festival Park in Sugar Land, Texas, just outside Houston, on November 11-12. Continue reading

1/15/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Dallas Black Dance Theatre

By Walter Rutledge

The Black Dallas Dance Company (BDDC) began a two-day performance series at the Joyce theater on January 11th, 2024. The series was part of the Joyce Theater‘s eighth annual American Dance Platform. Jacob’s Pillow Associate Curator Melanie George presented a trilogy of performances and performers with a roster including Jazz at the Joyce (1/9 and 1/10) Soles of Duende (1/11 and 1/14) and Dallas Black Dance Theatre (1/12 and 1/13). 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

11/16/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Big Mama Thornton – Hound Dog and Down Home Shakedown (1965)

Willie Mae Thornton better known as Big Mama Thornton because of her height (nearly 6 feet), and weight (200 pounds), was an American singer and songwriter of the Blues and R&B.  Continue reading

10/1/23 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ballet X At The Joyce

By Walter Rutledge

Philadelphia based Ballet X returned to New York City’s Joyce Theater for a five-day six performance season. The expectations were high for this ethnically diverse contemporary ballet company and the talented dancers rose to the occasion. It was unfortunate that the choreography and the programming were not able to support the performers despite their valiant efforts. Continue reading

9/25/23 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Mariah Carey ft. Jadakiss,Style P – We Belong Together Remix: Global Citizen: NYC

Five-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Mariah Carey performs  We Belong Together a Desert Storm Remix with Jadakiss and Styles P at Global Citizen Festival: NYC in Central Park on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Continue reading