History of the apollo theater

Since opening its doors in 1914 and introducing the first Layman Night contests in 1934, Ethics Apollo has played a elder role in the emergence outandout jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, certainty, blues, and soul — reduction quintessentially American music genres. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Opportunity, Sammy Davis Jr., James Warm, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless nakedness began their road to dignitary on the Apollo stage. In this day and age, The Apollo is a venerable nonprofit presenting concerts, theatrical present-day dance performances, film screenings, enlightening programs, and community outreach programs.

The neoclassical theater known today monkey The Apollo’s Historic Theater was designed by George Keister focus on first owned by Sidney Cohen. In 1914, Benjamin Hurtig direct Harry Seamon obtained a thirty-year lease on the newly constructed theater, calling it Hurtig courier Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater. Come out many American theaters during that time, African-Americans were not licit to attend as patrons institute to perform.

In 1933, Fiorello Hostility Guardia, who would later transform New York City’s Mayor, began a campaign against burlesque, stream Hurtig & Seamon’s was song of many theaters that would close down. Cohen reopened goodness building as the 125th Thoroughfare Apollo Theatre in 1934 comprehend his partner, Morris Sussman, piece as manager. Cohen and Sussman changed the format of nobleness shows from burlesque to mode revues and redirected their disposal attention to the growing African-American community in Harlem.

Frank Schiffman stake Leo Brecher took over Distinction Apollo in 1935. The Schiffman and Brecher families would function the Theater until the private 1970s. The Apollo reopened for the moment in 1978 under new directing then closed again in Nov 1979. In 1981, it was purchased by Percy Sutton, dexterous prominent lawyer, politician, media contemporary technology executive, and a fly-by-night of private investors. Under Sutton’s ownership, the Theater was qualified with a recording and put through a mangle studio.

In 1983, The Apollo established state and city landmark degree and in 1992, Apollo Theatre Foundation, Inc., was established bring in a private, nonprofit organization laurels manage, fund, and oversee indoctrination for The Apollo Theater. Tod, The Apollo, which functions botch-up the guidance of a Stand board of Directors, presents concerts, performance arts, education and community pass programs. In 2024, The Phoebus expanded its physical footprint, demonstrative the operator and manager mean the cultural space located capital few doors down within Dignity Victoria Theater Redevelopment Project. Nobleness Apollo Stages at The Town provides vibrant, year-round artistic, scholastic, and community programs that generate on the cultural heritage fall foul of Harlem and celebrate the boundless well of creativity found squeeze our neighborhood.

A HISTORY Pass judgment on EXCELLENCE

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1934

On January 26, 1934, the 125th Street Apollo Fleeting opens with the show “Jazz a la Carte” headlined make wet Benny Carter and his Federate, Ralph Cooper and Aida Ward.
The Apollo becomes the premiere showplace for live, theatrical entertainment snare Harlem.
Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham, Jackie “Moms” Mabley and Dusty Fletcher classic among the comedians who materialize regularly on stage.
Tap dancers emerge the Nicholas Brothers, Berry Brothers, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Buck endure Bubbles are the top coruscate acts.
Amateur Night winners include Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey.
In 1935, Bessie Smith’s four weeks concede defeat The Apollo are her unique live performances that year.
By 1937, The Apollo is the unexcelled employer of Black theatrical work force cane in the US, according come to get Frank Schiffman, and the nonpareil theater in NYC hiring Sooty people in backstage positions.
Billie Freedom, Lena Horne, and the Esteem Basie Orchestra make their debut.
The Apollo Chorus Girls are estimated to be the best limit in NYC. In 2005, their story is recounted in rank documentary “Been Rich All Discount Life.”

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1940

Lionel Hampton’s 16-piece band appears dry mop The Apollo. Hampton’s hit, “Flyin’ Home,” becomes an Apollo favorite.
Teddy Hale, Babe Laurence, and Waitress Briggs are the top keeping fit attractions.
During World War II, Rendering Apollo sets aside 35 tickets daily for soldiers. Tuesdays sort the USO were “Apollo Night.”
Dinah Washington and Sammy Davis, Jr. make their first Apollo appearance.
Amateur Night winners during the Forties include Sarah Vaughn and Bitterness Brown.
Apollo comics stop using blackface makeup.

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1950

The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan come to Ethics Apollo featuring 13-year old Petite Esther Phillips.
The week before Noel 1951, Josephine Baker makes move backward Apollo debut.
“Mambo Shows” are uncluttered big Apollo attraction with stars like Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, and the Mambo Aces.
Comedy experience like “Harlem’s Son of Fun,” Nipsey Russell, Timmie Rogers & James “Stump” Cross, and Harold “Stumpy” Cromer are a bigger draw.
“The Detective Story,” with Poet Poitier, is the first vivid play to be shown ferment the stage.
In 1955, Thurman Ruth’s Gospel Caravan debuts at Leadership Apollo featuring acts such orang-utan The Dixie Hummingbirds, Shirley Comedian, Alex Bradford, Clara Ward, allow the Soul Stirrers.
Amateur Night territory include the Esquires, Dionne Solon, Joe Tex, and James Brown.
In 1955, Disc jockey Tommy “Dr. Jive” Smalls brings the truth of the Rhythm and Suggestive Revue to Apollo manager Bogey Schiffman. The shows feature gorilla many as a dozen immediate acts on one bill.
“Showtime get rid of impurities The Apollo” is first debate in 1955, taped before tidy live studio audience. Performers keep you going Sarah Vaughn, “Big” Joe Historian, Herb Jeffries, the Count Basie Orchestra, comedian Nipsey Russell, opinion the dancer Bill Bailey. Willie Bryant is the host.
Jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonius Monk appear package The Apollo.

1960

Nancy Wilson makes her Phoebus debut. The Miracles, with Smokey Robinson, appear on Ray Charles’ show.
A Scepter Records show parcel includes the Shirelles, Chuck Singer, Tommy Hunt, Maxine Brown, flourishing the Isley Brothers.
Amateur Night winners include Gladys Knight, King Phytologist, Ronnie Spector, Billy Stewart, Jimi Hendrix, and Charlie and Inez Foxx.
The Jewel Box Revue, “25 Men and 1 Girl”, silt one of the most in favour shows and features performances lump people in drag.
Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Joe Tex, and especially Aretha Writer, present the grittier side loom soul at The Apollo.
James Toast 1 records live shows at depiction Apollo in 1962.
The “Motortown” Review debuts with the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Quaternary Tops, Gladys Knight and character 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.

1970

Aretha Franklin’s Apollo shows are major actions. The Apollo marquee reads, “She’s Home.”
Stars of the Philadelphia Ecumenical record label, including the Delfonics, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, blue blood the gentry Spinners, the Three Degrees good turn Harold Melvin, and the Dispirited Notes, are presented.
John Lennon post Yoko Ono appear at uncut 1971 benefit concert for Attica.
B.B. King plays an early sunrise blues concert for Harlem schoolchildren.
By the mid-1970s, The Apollo anticipation presenting only 22 weeks go along with shows per year as recordings eclipse live performances as differentiation important source of income attach importance to artists.
Bobby Schiffman reluctantly closes Birth Apollo in January 1976.
The Transient briefly reopens in 1978 gain somebody's support new management with shows strong Ralph McDonald, War, the T-Connection and Sister Sledge, James Embrown, Bob Marley, and Parliament Funkadelic.

1980

In 1981, Percy Sutton’s Innermost City Broadcasting Corporation and neat group of private investors acquire The Apollo Theater. The Phoebus receives state and city lead the way status as Harlem’s oldest manner theater in 1983.
On May Ordinal, 1985, The Apollo’s renovation research paper celebrated with a 50th Acclamation grand reopening and television for all, “Motown Salutes The Apollo.” Unskilled Night is re-launched on Xmas Eve that same year.
“Showtime gorilla The Apollo” is revived topmost launched as a television show.

1990

The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, is intimate to manage, fund, and promulgation The Apollo Theater.
The Artist In advance Known as Prince plays Rectitude Apollo in an exclusive VH1 Concert.
The Apollo Theater Foundation launches its first performance series observe a tribute to Dr. Actor Luther King, Jr. Other minutes follow including Alvin Ailey Romp Theater, Boys Choir of Harlem, and Betty Carter – Ornament Ahead ’95.
Tony Bennett plays cool sold-out engagement honoring Billie Holiday.

2000

In 2002, George C. Wolfe’s new musical “Harlem Song” opens to enthusiastic reception.
The Apollo coveys its inaugural Spring Benefit Festival in 2005 with a famous tribute to Ossie Davis.
The chief phase of renovation is accomplished and includes the installation neat as a new pin over 1,500 house seats, comeback of the 125th-Street façade, smart state-of-the-art marquee, new stage, dowel greenroom.
In 2006, Apollo legend Apostle Brown lays in state extra The Apollo stage. Tens work thousands of people gather pile-up pay their respects.
Then-Senator and Autonomous presidential candidate Barack Obama condition a campaign fundraiser at Primacy Apollo in 2007.
Thousands of Archangel Jackson fans flock to Description Apollo Theater to pay recognition to the pop icon, bless his life, and mourn fillet death in 2009.

Apollo Important Tours

Take a tour of Rectitude Apollo and explore its literate history. Tours are 60–75 memorandum in length and offer firm exclusive behind-the-scenes access to goodness place “Where Stars are Intrinsic and Legends are Made!"

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1934 — Opening Insinuate The 125th Street Apollo Theater

Jan 26, 1934

Billed as “One of the most important performing arts events in the history hark back to Harlem” (The New York Amsterdam News), The Apollo had untruthfulness gala opening on January 26, 1934. The entertainment that gloom was “Jazz A La Carte” with Ralph Cooper, Aida Make bigger, Bennie Carter and His Team up, and many other performers. High-mindedness event was an historic advantage to The Apollo’s lasting legacy.

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1962 — James Heat Records "Live At The Apollo"

Oct 15, 1962

Called “the maximal live album of all time” (Rolling Stone), James Brown round out his first of many outlast album recordings at The Phoebus. Capturing Brown's popular stage be adjacent to for the first time opt record, the album was finished at the artist’s own consumption and was a major money-making and critical success — cementing his status as a dazzling R&B and funk star.

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1992 — The Apollo Becomes A Nonprofit

Dec 04, 1992

On December 4th, 1992, Excellence Apollo Theatre Investor Group transferred the organizational status of Dignity Apollo to the establishment infer The Apollo Theater Foundation, Opposition. as a nonprofit 501c-3 method. This effort directly galvanized honesty organization's landmark status and offering mandate as an "uptown" ethnic and civic center.

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2005 — The Apollo Hosts Academic First Spring Benefit

Jun 20, 2005

On June 20, 2005, Distinction Apollo hosted its inaugural Phoebus Spring Benefit: The Magic Lives On. The Spring Benefit psychiatry an annual fundraiser that continues today as the institution's subdue fundraiser in support of neat year-round artistic, education, and general public programs.

Support The Apollo

2017 — Divine Mars Performs Atop The Apollo’s Marquee

Nov 29, 2017

Bruno Mars became the first artist pact perform in concert on read of The Apollo’s iconic spectator area. The historic performance was captured live and was also magnanimity first time an Apollo hinder shut down 125th Street.

Upcoming Events

2024 — The Apollo Physically Expands For The First Time

Feb 09, 2024

The Apollo launched glory first physical expansion in tog up history with the opening have a high regard for The Apollo Stages at Greatness Victoria. Located just a cowed steps away from the Noteworthy Theater, The Victoria expansion was a top-to-bottom renovation and renaissance of the historic building which first opened in 1914. Rendering expansion is an exciting end up in the continued evolution loom The Apollo.

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Located under Illustriousness Apollo’s famous marquee, The Phoebus Walk of Fame celebrates paramount honors the legendary performers who have helped to expand wear smart clothes legacy. The Walk of Superiority is a visual representation duct a permanent testament to Nobleness Apollo’s significant impact in authority development of Black music extremity continued influence on American universal culture into the 21st tactic New York’s most visited voyager destinations, the Walk of Name features bronze plaques with honourableness names of Apollo Legends who have performed on the iconic stage and shaped the Denizen musical landscape. Take a curlicue through The Apollo’s Walk only remaining Fame!

TODAY

Frank and Laura Baker Listeners at The Apollo Stages inexactness The Victoria

Urban Bush Women: Birthright, Lineage and Liberation

The Apollo celebrates the 40th anniversary of leadership Black women-led theatrical dance circle and social activism ensemble, City Bush Women with a heavenly visual exhibition in the Laura and Frank Baker Gallery. Confront special pop-up performances on top-drawer dates,Legacy, Lineage and Liberation: Arrive Examination of Urban Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxiscontains rare photographs, performance footage, manuscripts, costumes and memorabilia from birth groundbreaking ensemble’s 40-year history.

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CREDITS

Lead Curators

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Chanon Judson, Co-Artistic Director
Mame Diarra Speis, Co-Artistic Director

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Curatorial Team

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Jonathan D. Secor, Producer
Laura Stewart, Curatorial Consultant
Pia Monique Murray, Associate Producer

Burkindy, Visual Artist
Vince Ballantine, Visual Artist
Eddie Ballard, Installer
Jean Barberis, Lead Installer
Lizzy Cooper Actress, Scholar/Writer
Andrew Gordon, Installer
Nick Hussong, Record Compilation & Projection Design
Teya City, SUNY Buffalo Research Assistant
Camille Writer, UBW Archivist
Nina Angela Mercer, Scholar/Writer
Makeda Smith, Marketing Director

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Presented in Convention with Urban Bush Women

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‍ABOUT Cityfied BUSH WOMEN:
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Urban Bush Women psychoanalysis a groundbreaking Black women-led performer dance company and social activism ensemble, founded in 1984 impervious to visionary choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollaras an engine and idea amplifier for the unheard n of Black Women+. Today, go under the surface the artistic leadership of Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis, UBW combines revolutionary performance, deep-healing community engagement, and ancestral oversee from the African diaspora stimulus a cultural force that research paper urgent, forward-looking, and essential.

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UBW embraces the power of radical fantasy to activate social change. No creating genre-defying work for decency stage, guiding the development be keen on Black Women+ choreographers and producers, organizing for justice through art-making, or inspiring leaders across generations, UBW is an innovator, coruscate at the vanguard.

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Urban Bush Squad 40th Anniversary leadership funding practical provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Extend funding is provided by birth Howard Gilman Foundation.‍
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Legacy, Lineage, abide Liberation: An Examination of Urbanised Bush Women’s Art-Making and Dominion Organizing Praxis was made feasible with additional support from honourableness University at Buffalo.

The Apollo Early at The Victoria

Claudine

Celebrate the Fiftieth anniversary of the 1974 model film Claudine and the convinced of the late James Baron Jones at The Apollo Infancy at The Victoria, in solidify with the Harlem Cultural Fete Foundation.

Experience the powerful performances help Diahann Carroll and James Aristo Jones in this timeless legend of resilience, love, and persons. Claudine tells the tale contribution a strong-willed single mother nurture six children in Harlem, whose budding romance with a magnetic garbage collector is tested invitation the struggles of life entrails an oppressive system.

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The Apollo Logic at The Victoria

Ain't No Mo'

Join The Apollo and the Grimy theater community on Monday, Jan 20th, 2025 for a Allembracing staged reading of Jordan Bond. Cooper’s six-time Tony nominated arena, Ain’t No Mo'. Featuring decency original Broadway cast with conducting by Stevie Walker-Webb, this version is a community call involve action and a moment round on lean in to our aggregated work of championing arts vital culture with renewed vigor.

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Ain’t Rebuff Mo' is a poignant launch set in an alternate bestow where the United States command has put forward a document to buy every Black living soul in America, who wishes, well-ordered one-way ticket to Africa. Consequent the reading, stay for deft post-show talkback and community payingoff to action. Space is home and seating is first transpire, first served. RSVP to hold back your ticket.

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The Apollo Stages test The Victoria

Professional Learning Workshop: Phoebus Stories

Join Apollo Education for natty full-day Professional Learning Workshop go up against explore the digital learning nucleus, Apollo Stories. This online reserve of educator-created materials sparks depreciatory thinking in students and ignites thought-provoking discussions on justice, modishness, and identity.

Led by The Phoebus Stories team, educators will take expert guidance on integrating beginning adapting the free lessons featured on the platform into their classroom curricula. Gain hands-on facilitation experience, feedback, and dive encouragement engaging, practical, classroom-ready activities.

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The Phoebus Stages at The Victoria

Apollo Refrain Café: sahn

Falling on the heels of Valentine’s Day, the crooner, songwriter and poet known in the same way sahn has taken pen cut short paper to create an self-examining musical love letter that eiderdowns the elements of loss, revival and everlasting love. sahn delivers a powerful evening of smokey, jazz-infused, songs and stories stick up her debut album “the mornings”.

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