6/17/20 O&A NYC WaleStylez DANCE PARTY: Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray and the D.R.E.A.M. Ring- The Shed

Watch Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray and the D.R.E.A.M. Ring dancers in a virtual performance inspired by the desire to rediscover self in this moment of isolation and confinement. Continue reading

6/14/20 O&A NYC DANCE: Meet James “Banks” Davis- Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company of Brooklyn

By Walter Rutledge

James “Banks” Davis is a real New York success story. Banks grow up in the urban environment of Queens and Brooklyn and as a teenager found acceptance and recognition as an urban street dancer. A natural athlete Banks quickly excelled in dance and gymnastics. He loved entertaining people often turning a street corner into a stage.

Then on Halloween night 2009, gun fire erupted on a crowded Brooklyn street and Banks was shot in the knee- another innocent victim of a random shooting. His injuries would have been a death knell for anyone pursuing a career in dance. Instead, Banks treated this not as a detour, but the course appointed.

The original diagnosis was amputation; but miraculously sensation returned to his leg and Banks immediately turned his attention toward recovery. Through mediation, prayer, dedication and hard work Banks was able to return to dance. Banks broaden his aesthetic horizons through his association with Jamel Gaines and his dance company

For over 26 years Gaines has used dance to inspire inner city youth to achieve; and often his prodigy has aspired beyond their own expectations. Gaines has the unique gift of working with dancer from many diverse disciplines. And Banks (whose specialty was the L.A. street dance style called Krump) developed his art under Gaines holistic approach to dance.  

Banks combines the refined, codified styles of modern and jazz with the raw edginess of Krump. In 2014 Banks stole the hearts of many on social media as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance Season 11. Banks played the role of the angel Gabriel in the English National Opera’s The Gospel According To Mary and toured New Zealand with the Park Avenue Armory’s production FLEXN. In 2019 Banks was featured in the groundbreaking Revelation of Proverbs Reggie “Regg Roc” and the D.R.E.A.M. Ring at The Shed.

Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Behind The Scenes

On June 19 Creative Outlet and Summerstage will present Hanging Tree, an on-line celebration of the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth. The virtual presentation will take place on June 19, 7-8pm on Summerstage YouTube. In addition to Banks the production (choreographed, staged and conceived by Gaines) also features vocalist Marcelle Davies Lashley, poet Carl Hancock Rux, and musician Talu Green. The performance will be followed by a panel discussion entitled The Importance of Juneteenth’s History & How It Affects Our Community’s Lives Today. The panel will feature RestorationArt Executive Director Dr. Indira Etwaroo, Gaines and Rux.

For more information about Creative Outlet’s programs, classes and upcoming event visit jgcodance.org.

8/12/19 O&A NYC REVIEW: Maze At The Shed

By Walter Rutledge and Adewale Adekanbi Jr.

Maze made its world premiere at The Shed’s Griffin Theater, 545 West 30th Street on July 24.  The production explores “the puzzles and poetry of human existence” taking on issues including the school to prison pipeline and systemic racism in the justice system. This new street dance presentation, commissioned by The Shed for its inaugural season, features sixteen dancers from The D.R.E.A.M. Ring and two performers from The Shed’s FlexNYC program. Continue reading

5/21/19 O&A NYC WHATS HAPPENING THIS WEEK: May 20- May 27, 2019

It’s here! Memorial Day weekend- the official start of summer. We have an African-diaspora cultural festival in Brooklyn, and Afrobeats in Midtown. A genie grants big screen wishes and Love In Bloom on Staten Island. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps, guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading

5/13/19 O&A NYC WHATS HAPPENING THIS WEEK: May 13- 20, 2019

Its mid- May great walking weather. The dark heavy jackets have been replaced by light sweaters and floral prints as New Yorkers stroll down bustling streets in the world’s cultural Mecca. Art and dance are everywhere from Midtown to Brooklyn; we have Latin jazz in Harlem and Shakespeare and the Temptations are both on Broadway. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps, guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading