or


[09/27/23 - 01:51 PM]
"Why Not Us: Grambling Dance" to Debut October 4 Exclusively on ESPN+
The new, eight-episode original will take fans beyond the performances of one of the most well-respected HBCU dance lines in the country - the Orchesis Dance Company at Grambling State University.

[via press release from ESPN]

Why Not Us: Grambling Dance To Debut October 4 Exclusively on ESPN+

Why Not Us: Grambling Dance, the fifth season of the acclaimed Why Not Us series from Andscape and executive produced by NBA All-Star and entrepreneur Chris Paul, premieres Wednesday, October 4, exclusively on ESPN+. The new, eight-episode ESPN+ Original will take fans beyond the performances of one of the most well-respected HBCU dance lines in the country - the Orchesis Dance Company at Grambling State University. Trailer:

Marching band performances at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are unparalleled - the thunderous beats and syncopated steps of the band invigorating the crowd, the choreography of the dance line bringing each song to life. Each element creates an experience that is unique to HBCU culture. This season will follow former captain J'aime Griffith as she takes over the program from a legendary director of 38 years, while also re-establishing the work ethic needed from every dancer to uphold the elite status of the Orchesis Dance Company (ODC) at Grambling State University. Step into the practices, classrooms, and communities of this treasured sisterhood and explore what it takes to epitomize the Orchesis.

"Marching Band performances are a fundamental element of life at HBCUs as the center of culture shaping the HBCU experience," said Paul. "Dancers bring the HBCU culture to life and demonstrate school pride through unity and showmanship. This season on Why Not Us, the talented Grambling Dance program will show audiences the drive and focus it takes to come together and breathe life into those performances."

Presented by Andscape, Why Not Us: Grambling Dance is produced by Roadside Entertainment, Paul's Ohh Dip!!! Productions, and ESPN+. Like previous seasons Why Not Us, which followed the North Carolina Central men's basketball team, FAMU's football program, Southern University's dance team, and Howard University's golf program, Why Not Us: Grambling Dance will examine the distinct culture, experiences and challenges of an HBCU athletic program. The series spotlights the importance of these remarkable schools and how they have done more with less.

The debut schedule for this season is as follows:

Episode 1: Everybody is Somebody

As the new director of the Orchesis Dance Company, J'aime Griffith looks to continue her predecessor's legacy of excellence. First on the agenda, choosing a captain.

Debuts Wednesday, October 4

Episode 2: Earning Your Spot

The Orchesis have their first auditions for a pep rally performance at Grambling. Essence contemplates her future with the dance company.

Debuts Wednesday, October 11

Episode 3: A Clean Five

It's the first game of the season, and nerves impact the Orchesis during auditions. J'aime overextends herself as she juggles her responsibilities.

Debuts Wednesday, October 18

Episode 4: The Energy Enforcer

J'aime brings in an Orchesis alum to inject some energy into the team. Gaja hopes to perform in her hometown, but it doesn't go as planned.

Debuts Wednesday, October 25

Episode 5: That's Orchesis' Style

For the first home game, J'aime hopes to wow the crowd by adding challenging elements to the Orchesis' performance. Ebony gets an opportunity to choreograph a future routine for the Orchesis.

Debuts Wednesday, November 1

Episode 6: Commit Fully

During a week jam packed with three performances, some veteran dancers struggle with time management, and suffer the consequences. J'aime depends on an inexperienced group to take the field.

Debuts Wednesday, November 8

Episode 7: Happy Homecoming

It's homecoming week at Grambling, and the Orchesis alumni return to share wisdom and celebrate the current members. Expectations are high for a stellar performance, and Laila hopes her growth will secure her first game day selection.

Debuts Wednesday, November 15

Episode 8: No Half Stepping

The biggest performance of the season goes down in New Orleans against rival Southern University. J'aime sends shockwaves through the Orchesis and forgoes tradition to determine the final roster for Bayou Classic.

Debuts Wednesday, November 22

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the No. 1 sports streaming platform, serving fans in the U.S. with exclusive access to more than 27,000 live sports events each year, an unmatched library of on-demand replays and acclaimed original content, and premium written articles by the top reporters and analysts from ESPN.com. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or in the ESPN App on mobile and connected devices. For more visit the ESPN+ Press Kit.

-30-





  [september 2023]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· WHY NOT US (ESPN PLUS)





[02/05/25 - 01:20 PM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Los Angeles Lakers Host Indiana Pacers on February 8 in Luka Doncic's Expected Lakers Debut
This matchup replaces the previously scheduled Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns game on Friday.

[02/05/25 - 12:05 PM]
NBC Announces "Come Together for Nature" Impact Campaign & Strategic Partnerships Centered Around Epic Nature Documentary Series "The Americas," Narrated by Tom Hanks
The impact campaign aims to encourage viewers to reconnect with nature wherever they are by spending more time outside and taking steps to make a difference in their communities.

[02/05/25 - 11:10 AM]
Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier Join the Cast of Amazon MGM Studios' "The Greatest"
They'll play Muhammad Ali's parents in the first authorized scripted series about his life.

[02/05/25 - 11:04 AM]
Oxygen True Crime's "Fatal Family Feuds" Returns for a Second Season Beginning Sunday, Feb. 16 at 7 P.M. ET/PT
The show delves into cases where a person lost their life at the hands of someone they should have been able to trust the most, their family.

[02/05/25 - 11:01 AM]
Fan-Favorite Crime Drama, "Murdoch Mysteries," Returns to Acorn TV Monday, February 10
Set in Toronto in the early 1900s during the age of invention, Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) uses radical forensic techniques to solve some of the city's most gruesome murders.

[02/05/25 - 10:30 AM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Returns to the Oscars Stage for Massive "After the Oscars Show" Special
The fan-favorite "After the Oscars Show" will air live from the famed Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in front of thousands of fans, sitting in the very seats that Hollywood's elite warmed mere hours before, winning their golden statuettes.

[02/05/25 - 10:01 AM]
Oscar Winners Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Emma Stone Return to "The Oscars" Stage
Hosted by Conan O'Brien, "The Oscars" will air live on ABC and stream live on Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official live red-carpet show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

[02/05/25 - 10:00 AM]
TNT Sports and HBO Sports Documentaries Present "We Beat the Dream Team," Debuting February 17 on HBO and Max
The film reveals the little-known story of a group of college basketball players who were tasked with preparing Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan and the rest of the legendary "Dream Team" for their Olympic debut in 1992.

[02/05/25 - 09:30 AM]
Prime Video Debuts New Stand-Up Comedy Special "Iliza Shlesinger: A Different Animal"
The one-hour special will premiere March 11 on Prime Video.

[02/05/25 - 09:18 AM]
CBS "FBI" Line Up Wins Tuesday Night
"FBI" was the #1 show of the night with 5.83 million viewers, winning its hour by +1.33 million viewers.

[02/05/25 - 09:02 AM]
Holland America Line and The History Channel Introduce Multi-Year Partnership Featuring Exclusive Historically Focused Itineraries and Immersive Shore Excursions
These worldwide itineraries are rich in destinations that have played a part in historical moments or have a deep-rooted history.

[02/05/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: "Benefits with Friends" - Official Trailer - Hulu
Bia (Bruna Marquezine) and Victor (Sérgio Malheiros) are best friends. While he lives in a relationship that has gotten boring, she has fleeting relationships, without believing in love.

[02/05/25 - 09:00 AM]
We TV Renews Ground Breaking Music Competition Reality Series, "Deb's House," for a Second Season
The eight episode, hour-long reality series, is currently filming in New York and New Jersey and slated to premiere this summer, airing exclusively on We TV and streaming exclusively on ALLBLK.

[02/05/25 - 08:02 AM]
HGTV Orders Revamped Season of "Love It or List It" with Page Turner Stepping into the Popular Series' Designer Role
In the eight newly ordered hourlong episodes, Page will go head-to-head with the series' longtime real estate agent, David Visentin, to help homeowners who are fed up with their digs.

[02/05/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Toxic Town" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When dozens of babies in Corby are born with disabilities, their mothers embark on a battle to hold those responsible to account. Based on a true story.