3/15/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Firebird- Dance Theatre of Harlem

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic Firebird places the Russian folk tale about a magical bird that triumphs over evil in an exotic Caribbean setting. John Taras’ choreography to Stravinsky’s familiar score was further enlivened by sets and costumes by Geoffrey Holder. The 1982 DTH production was a tremendous worldwide success. Continue reading

1/17/21 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: MLK’s Promised Land (1967–1968 America’s Civil Rights Movement)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stakes out new ground for himself and the rapidly fragmenting civil rights movement. Continue reading

5/3/21 O&A NYC LOCKDOWN LEARNING: The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow Episode 1 Promises Betrayed

The premiere episode begins with the end of the Civil War and Reconstruction, periods that held so much promise for free black men and women. But as the North gradually withdrew its support for black aspirations for land, civil and political rights, and legal due process, Southern whites succeeded in passing laws that segregated and disfranchised African Americans, laws that were reinforced with violence and terror tactics. Continue reading

3/9/21 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Marian Anderson Lincoln Memorial Concert- Voice of Freedom American Experience PBS

Marian Anderson stepped up to a microphone placed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and stared out at a crowd of more than 75,000 people. She had been barred from performing at Constitutional Hall, but thanks to clever advocacy by Walter White of the NAACP and the aid of high-powered allies like Eleanor Roosevelt, the concert was now set to make history. Continue reading

12/8/20 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Hallelujah (1993) Charles Lane, Dennis Haysbert, Phylicia Rashad and James Earl Jones

Hallelujah is the extremely rare third feature by filmmaker Charles Lane (Sidewalk Stories) was produced for the 11th season of PBS’ American Playhouse. This drama focuses on one Christmas at the Messiah Church in Washington D.C., when a young preacher and, later in the day, a mysterious pregnant girl arrive at the church doors looking to begin new lives. Continue reading

7/31/20 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Leo Holder discusses Dougla- Bonus 1977 DTH Performance of Dougla

Leo Holder, son of the choreographer Geoffrey Holder, and Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson discuss the origins of Dougla. This is followed by a special presentation of Dougla from a 1977 PBS Broadcast.

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6/26/20 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: A Hymn for Alvin Ailey- A Documentary Film

The documentary film A Hymn for Alvin Ailey goes behind the scenes of Judith Jamison’s Hymn and gives you a look at Alvin Ailey’s life from the perspective of those who knew him best. Continue reading

(Repost) 1/11/24 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin- A Ballet By John Parks (Act 1)

Martin Act 1 SHEILA ROHAN

Martin: A Ballet by Gordon Parks Act 1 Introduces John Jones as Martin Luther King, Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks and James E Murphy as the Assassin. Continue reading

1/10/24 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING!: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks (Prelude)

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Martin: a ballet by Gordon Parks, an original five-movement ballet chronicling the struggles of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Filmed in 1990 the work stars John Jones as Dr. King and Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks, featuring choreography by Real Lamb. “Martin” (PBS, 1990),  about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Parks served as executive producer, director, composer, keyboardist and documentary photographer for this boldly ambitious project. Continue reading

2/18/18 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Lena Horne Documentary (1996)

The 1996 PBS American Masters biography of icon Lena Horne. Continue reading