8/1/24 O&A NYC DIVA ALERT: Vanessa Williams, Trixie Mattel and Lion Babe – BOP!

Vanessa Lynn Williams is a R&B artist, actress, model, producer and dancer. She gained recognition as the first Black woman to receive the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984 but resigned her title amid a media controversy surrounding nude photographs of her being published in Penthouse magazine.  Continue reading

3/18/24 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN ON HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Trip to Bountiful- Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Vanessa Williams, Keke Palmer

Unable to drive, Carrie (Cicely Tyson) begs her son (Blair Underwood) to take her on a visit to her hometown of Bountiful. When he refuses, Carrie makes an escape to the bus station, where she meets Thelma (Keke Palmer) in The Trip to Bountiful. Vanessa Williams also stars in this film. Continue reading

1/12/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Vanessa Williams – Dreamin

In 1988, actress and R&B artist Vanessa Williams recorded the song Dreamin and released it as the third single from her debut studio album, The Right Stuff.On the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, Dreamin peaked at number eight. Continue reading

12/30/21 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Vanessa Williams- Happy Days Are Here Again

What better way to start our New Year’s Eve Celebration then with Vanessa Williams rendition of Happy Days Are Here Again.  Continue reading

10/5/20 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Stompin’ at the Savoy (1992) Starring Lynn Whitfield Jasmine Guy- Debbie Allen director

As the Harlem Renaissance flourishes in jazzy New York City, Pauline (Vanessa Williams), Esther (Lynn Whitfield) and Alice (Jasmine Guy) struggle to survive. By day, they toil at dreary jobs, dreaming of stardom, riches and happiness. By night, they dance their troubles away at the famous Savoy Ballroom. But when World War II appears on the horizon, the girls find their fortunes unfolding too unevenly to reconcile, and they inevitably begin to drift apart. Continue reading

9/28/19 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Motown Returns to The Apollo (1985)

Motown Returns to The Apollo (1985) a star studded celebration of the 50th anniversary and re-opening of The Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York. Proceeds from the concert went to the Africare/Ethiopian Relief Fund. The program received a 1985 for Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Program. Continue reading

12/27/15 O&A NYC Gospel Sunday: Hallelujah Chorus- Various Artists at the 1992 Stellar Awards

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 The Hallelujah Chorus (Hallelujah!) from Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, performed by various artists at the 1992 Stellar Awards. Arranged and produced by Take 6 alumnus Mervyn Warren, Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 1992, and a Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. Continue reading

12/11/23 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: Vanessa Williams – Go Tell It On The Mountain/ Mary Had A Baby (1993)

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Vanessa Williams sings a medley of “Mary Had a Baby” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” on the TV special David Foster’s Christmas Album musical staging choreography by Walter Painter dancers Paula Brown and Darrel Wright  (NBC, December 10, 1993).  Continue reading