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.
Tag: Dance Theater
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.
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1/3/25 O&A NYC DIVO ALERT: I Wanna Be Ready- Matthew Rushing
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
1/2/25 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Alte Zachen – Rocka My Soul In The Bosom of Abraham (Howard A. Robert Arrangement)
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
1/1/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Matthew Rushing- Sacred Songs
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 twist, is set to the music edited from the original version of Alvin Ailey’s and AAADT’s signature work Revelations. Sacred Songs it made its debut on December 20th, was the last of the four new works to premiere, and it was worth the wait. Continue reading
12/13/24 O&A NYC DANCE: A Conversation with Lloyd Knight -The Drama (A Self Portrait)
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 conjunction with Fall 2024 Studio Series and will have it official premiere on January 13th, 2025, 7pm, at the Guggenheim Museum. Continue reading
11/30/24 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Alvin Ailey’s Revelations (1960)
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.
11/23/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Claire De Lune Wows Taylor Audience
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 at the Paul Taylor Dance Company. But after seeing the performance it would be remiss of me not to briefly mention the ethereal Clair de Lune.
The well curated program opened with Taylor’s masterwork Arden Court and closed with his Bach signature piece Esplanade. Two additional works by female choreographers Jody Sperling and resident choreographer Lauren Lovette completed the program. It was Sperling’s visually mesmerizing homage to modern dance pioneer Loie Fuller’s 1891 Serpentine Dance that wowed the audience.
Pianist Margaret Kampmeier’s rendition of Debussy’s impressionist chestnut Claire De Lune summoned dancer Emmy Wildermuth to open her gossamer like wings. Billowing swirls of fabric provided a lulling comfort to the eye; then a burst of cyclonic energy created a centripetal cylinder of fabric seemingly ten feet high that left us in awe. The works beguiling elegance and courageous simplicity make this tribute timeless. The spirit of Loie Fuller’s groundbreaking modern dance work dances once again in Clair de Lune.
The last opportunity to see Clair De Lune is the Saturday November 23 matinee. Unfortunately, some of you will see this commentary after the mid-day performance. So, O&A NYC would like to share a 2013 performance of the work by choreographer/performer Jody Sperling.
Claire de Lune- Jody Sperling
The Taylor Company ends its 2024 New York season with a special dance reunion where former company members perform with the present company in Esplanade. For more information and or ticket information visit https://paultaylordance.org/performances/newyorkseason/.
In Photo: Emmy Wildermuth in Jody Spering’s “Clair de Lune”
Photo by Whitney Browne
11/10/24 O&A NYC IN MEMORIAL: Judith Jamison (1943- 2024) Revelations Excerpts (Hollywood Palace 1968)
O&A NYC celebrates the life and Legacy of Judith Jamison.
“She was a unique, spectacular dancer who was majestic and queenly. She danced with eloquence and integrity.”– Sylvia Waters The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performed two excerpts from his masterwork Revelations on the weekly television variety show The Hollywood Palace (1968). Continue reading
11/7/24 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Dear Quincy- Carmen De Lavallade and Wesley Fata
Carmen de Lavallade dancing to Quincy Jones’s “Soul Bossa Nova” with Wesley Fata on November 16, 1968. Ms. de Lavallade’s late husband, the great Geoffrey Holder, choreographed this piece This is jut an excerpt of a much longer dance. Continue reading