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In the heart of New York City, on
125th Street, there is a place that needs no introduction.
 Yesterday…A
place where thousands of young artists have stepped out into the spotlight
and launched their careers. A place "where stars are born and legends
are made." The legendary Apollo Theater is so much more than an
historic landmark - it is a source of pride and a symbol of the brilliance
of American artistic achievement. From 1934 when the Apollo first
introduced its world-famous Amateur
Night which launched the careers of legendary artists like Ella
Fitzgerald, James Brown, Michael Jackson, D'Angelo and Lauryn Hill, the
Apollo has maintained its position as the nation's most popular arena for
emerging and established black and Latino performers.
In 1983, the Apollo obtained federal, state and city landmark status.
Amateur Night was revived, and in 1985, the Apollo Theater celebrated its
50th Anniversary with a grand reopening gala and nationally broadcast
television special Motown Salutes the Apollo. Two years later,ShowTime
at the Apollo the television show based on the original Apollo Amateur
Night, began airing in syndication and now runs weekly on NBC affiliates
in 119 markets nationwide.
The State of New York acquired the theater in 1991. With support from
state and local governments and the private sector, a not-for-profit
organization- the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. - was established to
ensure the theater's ongoing success. The Foundation brought stability to
the theater's operations and focused its efforts on reinvigorating the
Apollo legend. Drawing 1.3 million visitors annually, Harlem is
Manhattan's third most popular tourist destination, and the Apollo remains
Harlem's top attraction.
 Today…During
the 2000-2001 period, the Apollo Theater Foundation developed a vision to
restore the Apollo's position as a leading performing arts venue and to
firmly establish the Apollo as a community-centered institution. The
Apollo has made a dramatic resurgence over the last year and a half with
the addition of a new executive management team; a rejuvenated Board of
Directors, including several top entertainment, business and civic leaders
like AOL/Time Warner CEO, Richard Parsons; music guru, Quincy Jones and
Atlantic music mogul, Val Azzoli. In addition, several other high profile
changes have occured, such as the opening of a major new Broadway style
musical, Harlem Song, directed by Tony Award winner, George C. Wolfe; the
regular headlining of major shows, and benefits with artists such as
Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, Salma
Hayek, Wynton Marsalis, Rosie Perez, The Strokes and David Byrne among
others.
The commencement of an ambitious
historical renovation of the 88-year old theater has already resulted in a
significant upgrading of the theatrical production values with the
installation of state-of-the-art lighting and audio systems. Finally,
there is the return of a new and improved season of Apollo Amateur Night
featuring greater diversity in talent and celebrity guest artists.
Other signs of the Apollo's
comeback are the strengthening of its community outreach programs such as
the Free
Films for Kids program, and concerts featuring the best of the
Harlem artistic and cultural society were staged free of charge for the
community. Over $10,000 was raised and donated by the Apollo to the Harlem
community Red Cross outreach program. Latin
Nites at the Apollo, a showcase for the global influence, multiple
genres and artistry of Latin musical styles debuted at the Apollo on 2001
and just commenced it's 2002 season at the theater. Dance Theatre of
Harlem's 2001 and 2002 inaugural seasons, Whoopi Goldberg's one-woman
show, and the Jazz Foundation of America's benefit, "A Great Night in
Harlem", with Bill Cosby have all played at the Apollo Theater
signifying the rise of a new cultural renaissance in Harlem.
Tomorrow…More
exciting events are ahead such as:
- The development and launch of the Grammy's
Sound Check program and the Apollo/Coca-Cola
Academy
- The conclusion of the final phases of the Apollo
Restoration project
- The development and launch of Apollo Records
- Development of an Apollo clothing line
- Development of new Apollo merchandise
No other institution has had a
greater impact on the entertainment industry and world culture as a whole.
Entertainers from Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, The Beatles and The
Rolling Stones to the modern rock bands of Korn and The
Strokes, have all been inspired by the legends who have emerged from
the Apollo Theater. Furthermore, all of them have welcomed the chance to
be part of the Apollo's legendary audience or to perform on its hallowed
stage. Long associated with innovation and creativity, the Apollo now has
the unique opportunity to set a new standard of excellence: Come share in
a new era of our legendary history…
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