The singer-songwriter, producer, and keyboardist has built her reputation at the intersection of pop, alt-R&B, and soul, but her current chapter feels less like a genre shift and more like a philosophical one. After years of commanding major stages as a musician-for-hire — including serving as a lead vocalist in JC Chasez’s former mega girl group and performing as part of America’s Got Talent’s house band , Nyla XO is stepping fully into the spotlight on her own terms.
On February 20 and 21, the Joffrey Concert Group marked its 45th anniversary with In My Art, an evening of new and commissioned works performed at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater. The milestone was celebrated not only onstage but off, with an opening-night fundraising reception supporting the organization’s Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative (CMCI), a program designed to champion the next generation of dance makers.
“For 45 years, this organization has stood for rigorous training, bold choreography, and a belief that young artists deserve both opportunity and excellence,” said Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Bradley Shelver. “As we celebrate the past, I’m equally focused on the next 45 years. The future of dance depends not only on innovation in choreography, but on sustainability in the lives of the artists who bring that work to life. Our CMCI is central to that future. It’s about authorship, voice, and giving the next generation of makers the space to experiment and to lead.”
The program opened with When the Water Breaks, a meditation on aquatic life and environmental fragility. Set to an original score by David K. Israel and commissioned by Vildwerk, a company dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness through movement, the piece drew inspiration from the mission of the World Wildlife Fund. Dancers in vivid leotards moved through a soundscape of bubbling water and spare piano, their choreography fluid yet sharply defined, evoking both the serenity and volatility of the natural world. Company members were joined by select trainees from the Joffrey Ballet School, reinforcing the evening’s intergenerational spirit.
Ken Ossola’s Of Light, his first collaboration with JCG, shifted the atmosphere toward the digital present. The work probed society’s growing intimacy with artificial intelligence and technology. Our fascination with systems that simulate emotion and connection. Through stark staging and deliberate movement, the dancers embodied both the allure and unease of forming relationships with entities that were never human to begin with.
In By Any Other Name, choreographer Clifford Williams turned inward, offering an exploration of love in its many forms. The piece unfolded as a study in emotional duality—joy and betrayal, curiosity and heartbreak—mirroring the complexities of lived experience. It was a portrait of love “by any other name,” suggesting that while labels may change, the core impulses of longing and acceptance remain constant. The dancers navigated vulnerability with restraint, allowing silence and stillness to amplify the emotional stakes.
The evening concluded with Stolen Moments, a sweeping meditation that felt like paging through the memoirs of countless lives. The choreography examined how easily one’s spark can be dimmed by circumstances. How isolation can persist even in crowded rooms. There was an undercurrent of quiet resilience as bodies reached for connection in shared darkness. The work left the audience suspended in collective stillness, seen and seeing at once.
At its core, the Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative is more than a development program. By focusing on contemporary, modern, and contemporary ballet choreographers from New York and the tristate area, it strikes a deliberate balance between accessibility and artistic rigor. Unlike many emerging artist initiatives that end in workshop showings, CMCI guarantees its choreographers a professional stage and a live audience which is an essential step toward artistic credibility and career momentum.
By intermission, the necessity of such work felt undeniable. In a world marked by technological acceleration and social fragmentation, art that engages directly with the present moment is not a luxury but a need.
Across two nights, In My Art became more than an anniversary program. It was a reflection on empathy, humanity, and the sustaining power of movement. In championing bold and diverse voices, JCG affirmed that the future of dance depends not only on innovation, but on investing in the artists courageous enough to shape it.
Major League Soccer’s new primetime showcase made its Los Angeles debut as Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire transformed Dignity Health Sports Park into a destination event for fans and media alike. Designed as a weekly ritual under MLS’s “Sundays Are Made for This” campaign, the February 22 matchup between the LA Galaxy and New York City FC delivered a nationally broadcast spectacle on Apple TV, pairing high-stakes soccer with immersive fan experiences that extended beyond the pitch.
Photo by Tommie Battle / NYCFC
Photo courtesy of MLS
The match opened at a blistering pace when João Klauss struck in the opening two minutes, stunning the home crowd and setting the tone for a physical, high-pressure contest. Momentum shifted late when LA Galaxy defender Carlos Garcés received a red card in the 64th minute, forcing the Galaxy to close the match short-handed. New York found its equalizer just two minutes later as Nicolas Fernández converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute. Despite late pushes and a charged stadium atmosphere, the match concluded in a 1–1 draw, a gritty result that underscored the intensity of the season opener.
It was an amazing 75 degree day at Dignity Health Sports Park Sunday, drawing supporters in with photo opportunities, merchandise giveaways, and a curated interactive set that mirrored a stylish soccer watch party. Headlining the weekends’ activations was Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Sydney Leroux, who participated in media interviews and captured original content onsite. Leroux’s presence energized fans and reinforced MLS’s commitment to growing the game’s visibility across both men’s and women’s soccer communities. Her appearance bridged sport and storytelling, extending the reach of Sunday Night Soccer beyond the stadium through digital and broadcast channels.
Photo courtesy of MLS
Photo courtesy of MLS
With a dramatic draw on the field and fan-friendly activations outside the gates, Sunday Night Soccer’s Los Angeles launch delivered on its promise: transforming Sunday evening into a communal soccer experience and setting the tone for a season built around connection, spectacle, and the global reach of the beautiful game.
Photo by Tommie Battle / NYCFC
The night of Feb 20th, 2026, the Ailey Citigroup theater opened its doors and welcomed guests of all kinds to an evening of appreciation, dance, and emotion presented by the Joffrey Concert Group. An exuberating program filled with messages the world needs to hear. The show itself emulates a powerful presence of societal undertones. From our love affair with AI to what it means to love someone. This showcase was a demonstration of humanity itself in art form.
The Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative 2026, presented by the Joffrey Concert Group and the Joffrey Ballet Center, stands out as a meaningful and forward-thinking investment in the next generation of dance makers
One of the most compelling aspects of the initiative is its scale. Selected choreographers will create a substantial 12–17-minute work for the Joffrey Concert Group, a program that challenges artists to think expansively. This is not a workshop showing or a short experimental sketch; it is a fully realized commission developed over a dedicated 40-hour rehearsal process across four weeks.
The opening piece, “When the Water Breaks,” held a theme of aquatic nature. Colorful leotards, a soundtrack of bubbles and piano, movements fluid yet sharp. Choreographed by Bernard Gaddis, a principal dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the piece was a beautiful notion of fluidity.
The second piece, “Of Light,” formed discussion and callouts on AI and technology. Our love affair with the digital age and how we continue to form these artificial relationships with intelligent forms that were never human to begin with. The following dance was titled “By any other name,” and that’s exactly what it portrayed. It was an exhibition of love “by any other name”. The wonders of life. Love and deceit. Happiness, heartbreak, and curiosity of emotions. It was a true representation of life itself and the pain, acceptance, and joy that come with it.
At its core, the initiative is more than just a choreographic opportunity; it is a launchpad for emerging voices. By specifically targeting contemporary and modern ballet choreographers in the New York and tristate area, the program strikes a thoughtful balance between accessibility and artistic rigor.
The importance of the initiative became obvious towards the intermission. That, art with relevance to the current world is needed now more than ever in today’s growing society.
The ending piece- “Stolen Moments” felt like watching a memoir of a million lives. A commentary on how easy it is to lose your spark to be changed by your surroundings. To feel lonely in a room full of people. Choreographed by Clifford Williams, a moving force within the dance world who has been featured in works like NETFLIX’S Debbie Allen’s “Nutcracker Dreams” as well as “In The Heights” Motion picture. The work not only made you feel seen in a room of darkness, but it also made you feel along with an audience in stillness.
The “In My Art” performances on February 20 and 21, 2026, created conversations of empathy. Questions of what it means to be human, and answers to hold on to through the movement of beautiful dancers within the Joffrey Ballet Company. Too often, emerging choreographers are given development opportunities without guaranteed visibility. By contrast, Creative Movers ensures that the finished works reach an audience in a professional performance setting, an essential step in building artistic credibility and career momentum.
Overall, Creative Movers is a thoughtfully designed program that bridges opportunity and artistry. It provides structure without constraint, support without limitation, and visibility without compromise, making it a powerful incubator for the dance makers of tomorrow. It offers not just a commission but a vote of confidence, affirming that the future of dance lies in cultivating bold, diverse, and evolving creative voices.
The Edison ballroom hosted one of our favorite Fashion Week events of the season: HiTechModa’s biannual runway shows. We stopped by for Friday night’s Premier Designers showcase, featuring collections ffrom Alonso Maximo Design, Victoria Amerson, Marc Defang, Suave Suits by Wajahat Mirza, Karen Gold, Paaie, and Jus10n by Justin Hayes.
Known for reimagining fashion production through diversity, sustainability, and innovation, hiTechMODA delivered an energetic, tightly produced program. Designers from across the globe – emerging voices alongside established names -brought distinct points of view rooted in culture, craft, and modern luxury. As founder and executive producer Pamela Privette articulated, hiTechModa’s mission is “to open doors and expand the definition of who belongs on the runway,” and to “bring together designers whose work reflects innovation, culture, and the future of fashion.” That’s an objective we can unequivocally applaud.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 13: Models walk the runway wearing Alonso Maximo Design during the HITECHMODA New York Fashion Week Season 15 production at Edison Ballroom on February 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for hiTechMODA)
The depth and variety of design perspectives embodied that mission. From Victoria Amerson’s 1950s-inspired silhouettes and playful prints to Paaie’s modern South Asian glamour, the lineup on the runway felt like a true crossroads: different aesthetics, inspirations, and communities, but united by the belief that fashion is a global language.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 13: A model walks the runway wearing Paaie during the HITECHMODA New York Fashion Week Season 15 production at Edison Ballroom on February 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for hiTechMODA)
Now, the show itself.
Alonso Maximo Design opened up the night with bold, formal attire featuring dramatic silhouettes such as bright red, ruffled sleeves, and low cut men’s shirting with midnight blue sequins.
Victoria Amerson followed with a soft, romantic nod to a bygone era: dainty blues, florals, bows, and long A-line skirts. One standout look paired a Tiffany-blue suit with an undone, berry-toned floral tie draped down the sides, plus a black button-down peeking through: elegant with an added flair.
Then Marc Defang reinvigorated the room: models ballet dancing up and down the runway in feathered white leotards to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” It pushed the boundaries of what we expect from a typical Fashion Week presentation, staying true to hiTechMODA’s spirit.
Suave Suits reimagined the suit through varied cuts, colors, and occasions, stretching the category far beyond the traditional definition.
Karen Gold brought bespoke formalwear with a contemporary edge. Unexpected waistlines, sculptural shoulder construction, and the rare combination of pieces that feel truly fresh and genuinely wearable.
Paaie, a contemporary South Asian occasionwear designer, brought out some of the most stunning, refreshing takes on lehengas, saris, and suits – their gilded pieces absolutely lit up the room. Glamorous without being
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 13: Models walk the runway wearing JUS10H by Justin Haynes during the HITECHMODA New York Fashion Week Season 15 production at Edison Ballroom on February 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for hiTechMODA)
overdone, modern while honoring heritage.
And finally, the featured guest designer Jus10n by Justin Haynes blew the crowd away with patchwork suiting, streetwear, and outerwear that highlighted creativity at its best. The energy was undeniable, each designer brought a distinct point of view, and the crowd stayed locked in from start to finish.
hiTechMODA’s New York shows also continue a bigger run of international momentum for the program, following showcases in Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and Cannes, while still keeping New York as its creative home base. NYFW is supposed to be the world meeting in one city, and hiTechMODA delivers on that feeling.
After a run in Broadway from 2022-2023 with the Leopoldstadt play, and a few projects later Erica Dasher is starring in Peacock’s new dark comedy and mystery tv series “The Burbs”. From Broadway and now back to television, Erica shares moments from the best of both worlds and her new role on the show.
Punxsutawney Phil proclaimed six more weeks of winter, but the food at Lin & Daughters will keep you warm.
From Feb. 12 to Feb. 14, FX hosted a series of pop-ups around New York City in honor of its newest release, “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.”
British pop sensation Charli XCX (Charlotte Emma Aitchison) reflects on the worldwide success of 2024 album ‘brat’ with a film that doubles as a mockumentary and insight into the singer’s life that examines the meaning of success and an artist’s struggle to preserve both their integrity and identity.
A new audio comedy is on the way, and it proves that life inside a senior living community is anything but quiet.
From Kenya Barris comes Big Age, a new Audible Original that brings humor, heart, and a new, refreshing take on aging. The series stars comedic actors Jenifer Lewis, Cedric the Entertainer, and Niecy Nash-Betts, and centers on Dot and Butch Watts, a married couple navigating life after retirement.
After relocating to Sunset Gardens, their new Florida home, Dot and Butch quickly realize retirement isn’t the laid-back chapter they imagined. The community is full of unforgettable personalities who challenge their patience, their relationship, and their definition of “settling down.” From old flames and hyper-competitive neighbors and couples who stay a little too busy, Sunset Gardens keeps the Watts on their toes.
Blending their natural comedic personalities with meaningful moments, Big Age explores what it really means to grow older without losing your spark. At its heart, it’s a story about love, reinvention, and second chances and a reminder that aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. Sometimes, it’s just a new chapter unfolding.