Patti Labelle and the Bluebells changed their name and their musical style and reinvented themselves as Labelle in 1971. The group is remembered as a trio featuring Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx, but originally the group also included Cindy Birdsong. Their funk rock recordings of that period were cult favorites and gained notoriety for their brash interpretation of rock and roll and for dealing with subject matter that was not touched by black groups. Continue reading
Three Black Kings was the last dance and music collaboration between choreographer Alvin Ailey and composer/musician Duke Ellington. The work premiered during the 1976 Ailey season with a cast that included Elbert Watson as King Balthazar, Clive Thompson as King Solomon and Dudley Williams as Martin Luther King Jr. King was a close friend of Ellington and his widow Coretta Scott King attended the première. In this 2011 interview Dudley discusses his role and Ailey’s choreographic process. Continue reading
Love is All You Need?– imagine a world where being gay was the norm. Where children are born and raised in a society that sends the message that being straight is disgusting and a sin. Ashley Curtis, a girl born to two mothers discovers her opposite-sex attraction as a girl and constantly hears from everyone her parents, religious leaders and school officials that she cannot love a boy. Continue reading
Israel & New Breed featuring Yolanda Adams sings “It’s Not Over (When God Is in It)” from the album “Jesus At the Center” at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. (2012) Continue reading
Nina Simone, singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist, the High Priestess Of Soul was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; 21 February 1933, Tryon, North Carolina. Her musical style arose from a fusion of Gospel and Pop songs with Classical Music, in particular with influences from her first inspiration and father of all modern music, Johann Sebastian Bach, and accompanied with her expressive Jazz-like singing in her characteristic contralto.
Nina Simone, candid interview from the legendary Singer plus concert footage.
The Legend- Nina Simone
Next Level Squad, a Brooklyn-based group of élite dancers who specialize in Bone Breaking. The dance style has roots, as a technique, in flexing; but in recent years it has flourished as its own distinct dance form. Next Level Squad has not only brought Bone Breaking to the attention of the urban public, it has gained an international following. Another art-form “Made In America”. Continue reading
Minnie Riperton, singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single Lovin’ You. She was one of the first celebrities to go public with her breast cancer diagnosis, but did not disclose she was terminally ill. In 1977, she became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. She received the American Cancer Society’s Courage Award in 1978, which was presented to her at the White House by President Jimmy Carter. She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in 1979. They had two children: music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya Rudolph. She died at age 31 on July 12, 1979. Continue reading
Betty Bower, America’s Best Christian is an award-winning parody with over 100,000 hits a week. Mrs. Betty Bowers will tell you how many shopping days until the Apocalypse and offer advise to the biblically uniformed. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
PS Dance!, an inspiring documentary showcasing the profound effects of dance education in NYC public schools, will air on tri-state public television station NJTV on May 26 at 10:00 p.m. The television program has already aired May 15 on WNET (THIRTEEN), and May 17 on WLIW21. The full film will also be available for online streaming at THIRTEEN.org/specials. Continue reading
“Do not go where the path may lead, but go where there is no path and leave a trail” Continue reading
Ghanaian artist Paa Joe has brought some of New York City’s most iconic motifs to life. As part of Superhouse NYC’s inaugural “Celestial City” exhibition, the multidisciplinary artist served up a handful of lifesize sculptures of the city’s signature signage, including pizza boxes, taxi cabs, bagels and of course, rats. 120 Walker Street, 6R
The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid Ghanaian artist Paa Joe has brought some of New York City’s most iconic motifs to life. As part of Superhouse NYC’s inaugural “Celestial City” exhibition, the multidisciplinary artist served up a handful of lifesize sculptures of the city’s signature signage, including pizza boxes, taxi cabs, bagels and of course, rats. 120 Walker Street, 6RGhanaian artist Paa Joe has brought some of New York City’s most iconic motifs to life. As part of Superhouse NYC’s inaugural “Celestial City” exhibition, the multidisciplinary artist served up a handful of lifesize sculptures of the city’s signature signage, including pizza boxes, taxi cabs, bagels and of course, rats. 120 Walker Street, 6R
The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid 