4/21/18 O&A NYC DANCE/REVIEW: newsteps- a choreographer’s series

By Walter Rutledge

The Chen Dance Center began the 34th consecutive newsteps; the semi-annual emerging choreographers’ series, Thursday, April 19 at the Chen Dance Center, 70 Mulberry Street in New York’s Chinatown. This season the three-performance spring showcase, which runs through Saturday, April 21, selected works from “non- dancers”. Professional artists, actors, musicians, singers, photographers, who applied their expertise of their respective art forms to the choreographic process. The five choreographers selected through an open audition for the April concerts are Kate Douglas, Bryndon Cook, Lauren Oliver, Alec Funiciello, and Sophia Zukoski. Each choreographer is given rehearsal space, an honorarium, mentoring from a member of the selection panel, and multiple (three) performances to give the works time to “find its own voice”. Continue reading

4/18/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Afternoon Of A Faun- Tanaquil LeClercq and Jacques d’Amboise

In Afternoon Of A Faun (1953) Jerome Robbins‘ genius take on the old Debussy/Nijinsky ballet. A 1955 Canadian broadcast of the two legends of the NYC Ballet (and the original ballerina in this) Tanaquil LeClercq and Jacques d’Amboise (Francisco Moncion original danseur). Continue reading

3/4/18 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Mary Lou’s Mass-Excerpt Featuring The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Alvin Ailey’s collaboration with jazz pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams, two artists who shared roots and memories in the southern church, is a deeply spirited theatrical experience.
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12/15/17 O&A NYC 10 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

12/14/17 O&A NYC 11 DAYS OF NUTCRACKER: California Philharmonic Dancers – The Nutcracker Live 2015

California Philharmonic Dancers CalPhil with “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Best Dance Crew” dancers/choreographers Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer, James “BDash” Derrick and Kevin “Konkrete” Davis are featured on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, op. 71 (1892) movements March, Dance Of The Sugarplum Fairies (Spencer/Derrick/Davis), Spanish Dance: Chocolate (Davis), Chinese Dance: Tea (Spencer) and Russian Dance: Trepak (Derrick). Maestro Victor Vener conducts the California Philharmonic Orchestra on Christmas Concert Spectacular finale at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA December 12, 2015.

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12/7/17 O&A NYC DANCE: NewSteps 2017 Begins Tonight- Meet The Choreographers- Keith Comley

By Walter Rutledge

Newsteps begins their 35th bi-annual emerging choreographers showcase December 7 through December 9 at the Chen Dance Center, 70 Mulberry Street in Chinatown. Newsteps offers new and emerging dance makers the opportunity to develop and present works in a low pressure, nurturing environment. Each choreographer is given rehearsal space, an honorarium, mentoring from a member of the selection panel, and multiple (three) performances to give the works time to “find its own voice”. Continue reading

11/11/17 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Paul Mooney- Jesus Is Black

Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra, a 2007 stand-up comedy film starring comedian Paul Mooney and directed by Bart Phillips; was filmed live at The Laugh Factory. Continue reading

11/5/17 SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Shirley Horn– Here’s To Life

Shirley Horn performs Here’s To Life at North Sea Jazz Festival with Het Metropole Orkest, 1994 Continue reading

11/5/17 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Travis Greene – You Waited

Travis Greene’s new single You Waited from his 2017 album Crossover: Live From Music City. Continue reading