Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience, but his journey was not without its struggles. Continue reading
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Tag: History
8/29/23 O&A NYC DANCE: Sneek Peek at THPAC Documentary- To The Souls of Our Feet
By Walter Rutledge
On August 18 and 19 the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) began two days of interviews with dancers, choreographers and directors about their experiences with Thelma Hill and THPAC for the upcoming documentary To The Souls of Our Feet. The two days of filming captured the experiences of six artists, (George Faison, Alfred Gallman, Dyane Harvey Salaam, Abdel Salaam, Edisa Weeks, Jill Williams and Lakai Worrell), who lives and careers were directly impacted by Ms. Hill and/or THPAC.
THPAC Documentary Preview
Here is an excerpted from the upcoming documentary with the one and only dance and theater legend George Faison. The final filming will take place in the fall and we will keep you inform as our documentary “To The Souls of Our Feet” get one step closer to coming to a theater near you. For more information about the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center and/or to make a donation to the “To The Souls of Our Feet” documentary project visit https://www.thelmahill.org/. An additional filming date will take place later in the fall.
8/8/23 O&A NYC DANCE/FILM: Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center Bringing Its Groundbreaking History To The Screen
By Walter Rutledge
Please excuse my self indulgent opening digression. It is the perfect example of history being rewritten and romanticized to create propaganda more palatable to the American founding fathers myth. . Continue reading
2/14/24 O&A NYC ST. VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE: Dudley Williams- Alvin Ailey’s Love Songs
In 1972, Alvin Ailey created the elegiac solo Love Songs for dancer Dudley Williams. The sixteen minute solo, composed in three sections includes A Song for You by Donny Hathaway; Poppies by Nina Simone; and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother by Donny Hathaway. Many thought of the work as the male equivalent of the female solo Cry (1971). Continue reading
5/3/23 O&A NYC MILESTONES- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES BROWN: Live at the Boston Garden, April 5, 1968
On April 5th 1968, James Brown gave a free concert at The Boston Garden which became a thing of legend. Only 24 hours earlier civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated resulting in widespread violence across the United States. The mayor of Boston was persuaded to let the concert go ahead and it was broadcast live across the city by WGBH-TV. Continue reading
4/30/23 O&A NYC DANCE HISTORY: The Life of Alvin Ailey
Dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience. Unfortunately his personal journey was not without its struggles.
Continue reading
4/6/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Missing You- Diana Ross Tribute To Marvin Gaye
Missing You performed by Diana Ross and written, composed and produced by Lionel Richie as a tribute to Marvin Gaye shortly after his untimely death. Continue reading
4/3/23 O&A NYC MORE HARKNESS STORIES: Claudia Folts- Beauty Is Never Easy, But Always Worth Striving Toward
Beauty Is Never Easy, But Always Worth Striving Toward
By Claudia Folts
I was late to the party. By the time I walked through those beautiful doors at 4 East 75th St. in 1975/76 the decline had already begun. Of course, I did not yet know this. To me, it was a magical place – beautiful studios, art, elegant marble staircase, and everyone there was beautiful. As with all art, there is often darkness underneath, supporting the beauty. That was Harkness. Continue reading
HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Sidney Poitier- To Sir with Love (Happy Birthday Mr. Poitier)
A novice teacher faces a class of rowdy, undisciplined working-class punks in this classic film that reflected some of the problems and fears of teens in the 60s. Sidney Poitier gives one of his finest performances as Mark Thackeray, an out-of-work engineer who turns to teaching in London’s tough East End. Continue reading
2/13/23 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Brown Sugar: The History of the Black Female Entertainer (1985/1990)
Brown Sugar: The History of the Black Female Entertainer (1985/1990) is a 1985 documentary based on film historian Donald Bogles’ book Brown Sugar. One of the best docu-film about black female entertainers hosted by actor Billy Dee Williams. Continue reading
