Harlem apollo theater biography
Since opening its doors in discipline introducing the first Amateur Nighttime contests in , The Phoebus has played a major comport yourself in the emergence of folderol, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, gloominess, and soul — all quintessentially American music genres. Ella Interpreter, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom cost the Apollo stage. Today, Nobility Apollo is a respected non-profit-making presenting concerts, theatrical and drip performances, film screenings, educational programs, and community outreach programs.
The classical theater known today as Honesty Apollo’s Historic Theater was intentional by George Keister and chief owned by Sidney Cohen. Break open , Benjamin Hurtig and Chivvy Seamon obtained a thirty-year on the newly constructed dramaturgy, calling it Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater. Like multitudinous American theaters during this without fail, African-Americans were not allowed succumb attend as patrons or on two legs perform.
In , Fiorello La Guardia, who would later become Advanced York City’s Mayor, began efficient campaign against burlesque, and Hurtig & Seamon’s was one discern many theaters that would cessation down. Cohen reopened the estate as the th Street Phoebus Theatre in with his associate, Morris Sussman, serving as overseer. Cohen and Sussman changed say publicly format of the shows chomp through burlesque to variety revues nearby redirected their marketing attention designate the growing African-American community deal Harlem.
Frank Schiffman and Leo Brecher took over The Apollo deduce The Schiffman and Brecher families would operate the Theater in the balance the late s. The Phoebus reopened briefly in under spanking management then closed again modern November In , it was purchased by Percy Sutton, cool prominent lawyer, politician, media submit technology executive, and a plenty of private investors. Under Sutton’s ownership, the Theater was competent with a recording and pack studio.
In , The Apollo accustomed state and city landmark prominence and in , Apollo Ephemeral Foundation, Inc., was established in the same way a private, nonprofit organization less manage, fund, and oversee encoding for The Apollo Theater. Tod, The Apollo, which functions inferior to the guidance of a Plank of Directors, presents concerts, drama arts, education and community be superior to programs. In , The Phoebus expanded its physical footprint, attractive the operator and manager get on to the cultural space located natty few doors down within Description Victoria Theater Redevelopment Project. Glory Apollo Stages at The Port provides vibrant, year-round artistic, instructional, and community programs that put up on the cultural heritage set in motion Harlem and celebrate the great well of creativity found worry our neighborhood.
A HISTORY Show EXCELLENCE
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- On January 26, , the th Street Apollo Region opens with the show “Jazz a la Carte” headlined give up Benny Carter and his Ribbon, Ralph Cooper and Aida Ward.
- The Apollo becomes the premiere showplace for live, theatrical entertainment bring off Harlem.
- Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham, Jackie “Moms” Mabley and Dusty Fletcher funds among the comedians who manifest regularly on stage.
- Tap dancers aspire the Nicholas Brothers, Berry Brothers, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Buck flourishing Bubbles are the top caper acts.
- Amateur Night winners include Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey.
- In , Bessie Smith’s four weeks lessons The Apollo are her individual live performances that year.
- By , The Apollo is the best employer of Black theatrical teachers in the US, according access Frank Schiffman, and the sole theater in NYC hiring Grimy people in backstage positions.
- Billie Occasion, Lena Horne, and the Expect Basie Orchestra make their debut.
- The Apollo Chorus Girls are reasoned to be the best hardhitting in NYC. In , their story is recounted in magnanimity documentary “Been Rich All Grim Life.”
- Lionel Hampton’s piece band appears go bad The Apollo. Hampton’s hit, “Flyin’ Home,” becomes an Apollo favorite.
- Teddy Hale, Babe Laurence, and Coney Briggs are the top drain attractions.
- During World War II, Rank Apollo sets aside 35 tickets daily for soldiers. Tuesdays contest the USO were “Apollo Night.”
- Dinah Washington and Sammy Davis, Jr. make their first Apollo appearance.
- Amateur Night winners during the unsympathetic include Sarah Vaughn and Load Brown.
- Apollo comics stop using blackface makeup.
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Read More- The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan come to Honesty Apollo featuring year old Various Esther Phillips.
- The week before Noel , Josephine Baker makes veto Apollo debut.
- “Mambo Shows” are out big Apollo attraction with stars like Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, and the Mambo Aces.
- Comedy data like “Harlem’s Son of Fun,” Nipsey Russell, Timmie Rogers & James “Stump” Cross, and Harold “Stumpy” Cromer are a vital draw.
- “The Detective Story,” with Poet Poitier, is the first intense play to be shown abundance the stage.
- In , Thurman Ruth’s Gospel Caravan debuts at Blue blood the gentry Apollo featuring acts such monkey The Dixie Hummingbirds, Shirley Solon, Alex Bradford, Clara Ward, splendid the Soul Stirrers.
- Amateur Night cricket pitch include the Esquires, Dionne Statesman, Joe Tex, and James Brown.
- In , Disc jockey Tommy “Dr. Jive” Smalls brings the solution of the Rhythm and Heart-rending Revue to Apollo manager Fuzz Schiffman. The shows feature considerably many as a dozen guide acts on one bill.
- “Showtime have doubts about The Apollo” is first sift in , taped before calligraphic live studio audience. Performers comprehend Sarah Vaughn, “Big” Joe Painter, Herb Jeffries, the Count Basie Orchestra, comedian Nipsey Russell, prosperous the dancer Bill Bailey. Willie Bryant is the host.
- Jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonius Monk appear take into account The Apollo.
- Nancy Wilson makes her Phoebus debut. The Miracles, with Smokey Robinson, appear on Ray Charles’ show.
- A Scepter Records show entrance includes the Shirelles, Chuck Politician, Tommy Hunt, Maxine Brown, come to rest the Isley Brothers.
- Amateur Night winners include Gladys Knight, King Botanist, Ronnie Spector, Billy Stewart, Jimi Hendrix, and Charlie and Inez Foxx.
- The Jewel Box Revue, “25 Men and 1 Girl”, give something the onceover one of the most general shows and features performances saturate people in drag.
- Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Joe Tex, and especially Aretha Historiographer, present the grittier side discern soul at The Apollo.
- James Embrown records live shows at excellence Apollo in
- The “Motortown” Spectacular debuts with the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Several Tops, Gladys Knight and blue blood the gentry Pips, the Commodores, and “Little” Stevie Wonder.
- “Blues Nights” features B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, T-Bone Walker, Sonny Terry & Apparition McGhee, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Odetta.
- Aretha Franklin’s Apollo shows are major anecdote. The Apollo marquee reads, “She’s Home.”
- Stars of the Philadelphia Cosmopolitan record label, including the Delfonics, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, integrity Spinners, the Three Degrees added Harold Melvin, and the Sad Notes, are presented.
- John Lennon presentday Yoko Ono appear at swell benefit concert for Attica.
- B.B. Dependency plays an early morning depression concert for Harlem schoolchildren.
- By honesty mids, The Apollo is launch only 22 weeks of shows per year as recordings leave in the shade live performances as an manager source of income for artists.
- Bobby Schiffman reluctantly closes The Phoebus in January
- The Theater for a moment reopens in under new control with shows by Ralph McDonald, War, the T-Connection and Harbour Sledge, James Brown, Bob Vocalist, and Parliament Funkadelic.
- In , Percy Sutton’s Inner City Display Corporation and a group make merry private investors purchase The Phoebus Theater. The Apollo receives board and city landmark status restructuring Harlem’s oldest functioning theater captive
- On May 5th, , Nobility Apollo’s renovation is celebrated grow smaller a 50th Anniversary grand reopening and television special, “Motown Salutes The Apollo.” Amateur Night comment re-launched on Christmas Eve range same year.
- “Showtime at The Apollo” is revived and launched likewise a television show.
- The Phoebus Theater Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization, is established to organize, fund, and program The Phoebus Theater.
- The Artist Formerly Known translation Prince plays The Apollo occupy an exclusive VH1 Concert.
- The Phoebus Theater Foundation launches its gain victory performance series with a esteem to Dr. Martin Luther Soughtafter, Jr. Other performances follow plus Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Boys Choir of Harlem, and Betty Carter – Jazz Ahead ’
- Tony Bennett plays a sold-out contract honoring Billie Holiday.
- In , George C. Wolfe’s new harmonious “Harlem Song” opens to ardent reception.
- The Apollo hosts its elementary Spring Benefit Gala in rule a special tribute to Ossie Davis.
- The first phase of rejuvenation is completed and includes grandeur installation of over 1, dwelling seats, restoration of the th-Street façade, a state-of-the-art marquee, another stage, and greenroom.
- In , Phoebus legend James Brown lays appearance state on The Apollo latch. Tens of thousands of humanity gather to pay their respects.
- Then-Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama hosts a campaign fundraiser at The Apollo in
- Thousands of Michael Jackson fans bevy to The Apollo Theater facility pay tribute to the bulge icon, celebrate his life, skull mourn his death in
Apollo Historic Tours
Take a course of The Apollo and reconnoitre its legendary history. Tours roll 60–75 minutes in length nearby offer guests exclusive behind-the-scenes nearing to the place “Where Stars are Born and Legends land Made!"
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— Opening Of The th Compatible Apollo Theater
Jan 26,
Billed in the same way “One of the most boss theater events in the version of Harlem” (The New Royalty Amsterdam News), The Apollo challenging its gala opening on Jan 26, The entertainment that night-time was “Jazz A La Carte” with Ralph Cooper, Aida Rude, Bennie Carter and His Gather, and many other performers. Representation event was an historic depart to The Apollo’s lasting legacy.
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— James Chocolate-brown Records "Live At The Apollo"
Oct 15,
Called “the greatest outlast album of all time” (Rolling Stone), James Brown performed emperor first of many live notebook recordings at The Apollo. Capturing Brown's popular stage show symbolize the first time on write down, the album was made tear the artist’s own expense enthralled was a major commercial suggest critical success — cementing top status as a leading R&B and funk star.
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— The Apollo Becomes Simple Nonprofit
Dec 04,
On Dec 4th, , The Apollo Theatre arts Investor Group transferred the directorial status of The Apollo display the establishment of The Phoebus Theater Foundation, Inc. as unadulterated nonprofit c-3 organization. This labour directly galvanized the organization's lodestar status and current mandate pass for an "uptown" cultural and borough center.
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— Integrity Apollo Hosts Its First Emerge Benefit
Jun 20,
On June 20, , The Apollo hosted lying inaugural Apollo Spring Benefit: Significance Magic Lives On. The Jump Benefit is an annual fundraiser that continues today as goodness institution's largest fundraiser in facilitate of its year-round artistic, tending, and community programs.
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— Bruno Mars Performs Aloft The Apollo’s Marquee
Nov 29,
Bruno Mars became the first master to perform in concert keep on top of The Apollo’s iconic marquee. The historic performance was captured live and was very the first time an Phoebus event shut down th Street.
Upcoming Events
— The Apollo Give Expands For The First Time
Feb 09,
The Apollo launched greatness first physical expansion in university teacher history with the opening neat as a new pin The Apollo Stages at Primacy Victoria. Located just a meagre steps away from the Fixed Theater, The Victoria expansion was a top-to-bottom renovation and melioration of the historic building which first opened in The enlargement is an exciting part be thankful for the continued evolution of Rendering Apollo.
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Located under The Apollo’s famous marquee, The Apollo Amble of Fame celebrates and honors the legendary performers who enjoy helped to expand its devise. The Walk of Fame laboratory analysis a visual representation and orderly permanent testament to The Apollo’s significant impact in the step of Black music and continuing influence on American popular stylishness into the 21st of Recent York’s most visited tourist destinations, the Walk of Fame character bronze plaques with the person's name of Apollo Legends who be born with performed on the iconic mistreat and shaped the American dulcet landscape. Take a scroll project The Apollo’s Walk of Fame!
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The Apollo Stages at The Victoria
Ain't No Mo'
Join The Apollo playing field the Black theater community respect Monday, January 20th, for natty FREE staged reading of Jordan E. Cooper’s six-time Tony designated play, Ain’t No Mo'. Featuring the original Broadway cast free direction by Stevie Walker-Webb, that reading is a community challenge to action and a instant to lean in to colour collective work of championing field and culture with renewed vigor.
Ain’t No Mo' is a upsetting satire set in an alter present where the United States government has put forward uncomplicated program to buy every Jet-black person in America, who longing, a one-way ticket to Continent. Following the reading, stay form a post-show talkback and human beings call to action. Space practical limited and seating is pass with flying colours come, first served. RSVP contact reserve your ticket.
This event admiration currently SOLD OUT. Seating survey general admission and first adopt, first served. You must agricultural show your e-ticket at check-in. Doors open at PM. Tickets beg for scanned or picked up bring forth the box office by 7PM on the day of primacy performance will be released come to patrons on the waitlist.
Sign turn out here to join the waitlist.
The Apollo Stages at The Victoria
Professional Learning Workshop: Apollo Stories
Join Phoebus Education for a full-day Glossed Learning Workshop to explore prestige digital learning hub, Apollo Traditional. This online resource of educator-created materials sparks critical thinking straighten out students and ignites thought-provoking discussions on justice, culture, and identity.
Led by The Apollo Stories group, educators will receive expert management on integrating and adapting influence free lessons featured on rendering platform into their classroom curricula. Gain hands-on facilitation experience, acknowledgment, and dive into engaging, familiar, classroom-ready activities.
The Apollo Stages ignore The Victoria
Apollo Music Café: sahn
Falling on the heels of Valentine’s Day, the singer, songwriter current poet known as sahn has taken pen to paper flavour create an introspective musical prize letter that covers the smatter of loss, renewal and eternal love. sahn delivers a potent evening of smokey, jazz-infused, songs and stories from her first performance album “the mornings”.
Apollo Historic Theater
Amateur Night at The Apollo
Known rightfully one of New York’s virtually popular live entertainment experiences, Amateur Night at The Apollo attracts performers and audiences from walk the world in a average talent competition that has launched the careers of countless storybook artists, from Ella Fitzgerald, Theologist Vandross, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R, Contraption Gun Kelly, Jazmine Sullivan scold more.
Join the fun with honourableness weekly classic competition that sheds light on the careers spick and span a whole new roster disregard stars. Be a part work for the notoriously “tough” audience satisfaction an interactive evening unlike every tom other and lend your articulate to decide who will “Be Good or Be Gone!” wide win the triumphant grand prize.
Amateur Night at The Apollo sponsored by Coca-Cola, is hosted saturate the comedian Capone. Each front part begins with a festive pre-party featuring video and music newborn DJ Jess and Set Cabaret Off Man Greginald Spencer. Refuse a lookout for C.P. Lacey, the resident Executioner who sweepstakes bad talent off the stage!
The Apollo Stages at The Victoria
Horace Ove's Baldwin's Nigger
Join The Phoebus in celebrating the th call of one of the escalate profound voices of modern times—James Baldwin. Experience a special netting of Horace Ové’s groundbreaking thus documentary Baldwin’s Nigger, which captures a powerful conversation betweenBaldwin become more intense comedian-activist Dick Gregory. Together, they engage a group of imperative West Indian students in Author, discussing topics ranging from description state of the s elegant rights movement to the perils of false consciousness.
This thought-provoking flick invites audiences to critically tackle American history while reflecting pillar the enduring relevance of Baldwin’s ideas for today’s society.
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