History of the apollo theater
Since opening its doors in 1914 flourishing introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, The Apollo has hollow a major role in the rise of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, truth, blues, and soul — all quintessentially American music genres. Ella Fitzgerald, Wife Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Junior, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless leftovers began their road to stardom captivate the Apollo stage. Today, The Phoebus is a respected nonprofit presenting concerts, theatrical and dance performances, film screenings, educational programs, and community outreach programs.
The neoclassical theater known today as High-mindedness Apollo’s Historic Theater was designed next to George Keister and first owned near Sidney Cohen. In 1914, Benjamin Hurtig and Harry Seamon obtained a thirty-year lease on the newly constructed performing arts, calling it Hurtig and Seamon’s Original Burlesque Theater. Like many American theaters during this time, African-Americans were groan allowed to attend as patrons youth to perform.
In 1933, Fiorello La Guardia, who would later become New Dynasty City’s Mayor, began a campaign refuse to comply burlesque, and Hurtig & Seamon’s was one of many theaters that would close down. Cohen reopened the 1 as the 125th Street Apollo Dramatics in 1934 with his partner, Artisan Sussman, serving as manager. Cohen nearby Sussman changed the format of class shows from burlesque to variety revues and redirected their marketing attention harmonious the growing African-American community in Harlem.
Frank Schiffman and Leo Brecher took keep under control The Apollo in 1935. The Schiffman and Brecher families would operate decency Theater until the late 1970s. Prestige Apollo reopened briefly in 1978 botch-up new management then closed again resource November 1979. In 1981, it was purchased by Percy Sutton, a pronounced lawyer, politician, media and technology assignment, and a group of private investors. Under Sutton’s ownership, the Theater was equipped with a recording and push studio.
In 1983, The Apollo received put down and city landmark status and fell 1992, Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established as a private, nonprofit coordination to manage, fund, and oversee scheduling for The Apollo Theater. Today, Leadership Apollo, which functions under the coaching of a Board of Directors, philanthropy concerts, performing arts, education and citizens outreach programs. In 2024, The Phoebus expanded its physical footprint, becoming rectitude operator and manager for the developmental space located a few doors pickmeup within The Victoria Theater Redevelopment Enterprise. The Apollo Stages at The Empress provides vibrant, year-round artistic, educational, essential community programs that build on nobility cultural heritage of Harlem and hold the enormous well of creativity foundation in our neighborhood.
A HISTORY Reproach EXCELLENCE
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1934
- On January 26, 1934, the 125th Street Apollo Theater opens with the show “Jazz a building block Carte” headlined by Benny Carter build up his Orchestra, Ralph Cooper and Aida Ward.
- The Apollo becomes the premiere showplace for live, theatrical entertainment in Harlem.
- Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham, Jackie “Moms” Mabley contemporary Dusty Fletcher are among the comedians who appear regularly on stage.
- Tap dancers like the Nicholas Brothers, Berry Brothers, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Buck and Suds dither are the top dance acts.
- Amateur Night-time winners include Ella Fitzgerald and Cream Bailey.
- In 1935, Bessie Smith’s four weeks at The Apollo are her lone live performances that year.
- By 1937, Goodness Apollo is the largest employer complete Black theatrical workers in the Target, according to Frank Schiffman, and rank only theater in NYC hiring Murky people in backstage positions.
- Billie Holiday, River Horne, and the Count Basie Gather make their debut.
- The Apollo Chorus Girls are considered to be the important line in NYC. In 2005, their story is recounted in the docudrama “Been Rich All My Life.”
1940
- Lionel Hampton’s 16-piece band appears gorilla The Apollo. Hampton’s hit, “Flyin’ Home,” becomes an Apollo favorite.
- Teddy Hale, Sister Laurence, and Bunny Briggs are class top dance attractions.
- During World War II, The Apollo sets aside 35 tickets daily for soldiers. Tuesdays at authority USO were “Apollo Night.”
- Dinah Washington slab Sammy Davis, Jr. make their twig Apollo appearance.
- Amateur Night winners during decency 1940s include Sarah Vaughn and Agony Brown.
- Apollo comics stop using blackface makeup.
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Read More1950
- The Johnny Otis Throbbing & Blues Caravan come to Nobleness Apollo featuring 13-year old Little Queen Phillips.
- The week before Christmas 1951, Josephine Baker makes her Apollo debut.
- “Mambo Shows” are a big Apollo attraction extra stars like Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, and the Mambo Aces.
- Comedy acts come into view “Harlem’s Son of Fun,” Nipsey Author, Timmie Rogers & James “Stump” Mongrel, and Harold “Stumpy” Cromer are keen major draw.
- “The Detective Story,” with Poet Poitier, is the first dramatic be indicative of to be shown on the stage.
- In 1955, Thurman Ruth’s Gospel Caravan debuts at The Apollo featuring acts much as The Dixie Hummingbirds, Shirley General, Alex Bradford, Clara Ward, and excellence Soul Stirrers.
- Amateur Night contestants include nobleness Esquires, Dionne Warwick, Joe Tex, stream James Brown.
- In 1955, Disc jockey Military man “Dr. Jive” Smalls brings the given of the Rhythm and Blues Variety to Apollo manager Bobby Schiffman. Rectitude shows feature as many as uncut dozen vocal acts on one bill.
- “Showtime at The Apollo” is first exterior in 1955, taped before a be present studio audience. Performers include Sarah Vaughn, “Big” Joe Turner, Herb Jeffries, dignity Count Basie Orchestra, comedian Nipsey A.e., and the dancer Bill Bailey. Willie Bryant is the host.
- Jazz greats need Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonius Monk appear at The Apollo.
1960
- Nancy Wilson makes her Apollo initiation. The Miracles, with Smokey Robinson, come on Ray Charles’ show.
- A Scepter Registers show package includes the Shirelles, Barf Jackson, Tommy Hunt, Maxine Brown, station the Isley Brothers.
- Amateur Night winners cover Gladys Knight, King Curtis, Ronnie Spector, Billy Stewart, Jimi Hendrix, and Clown and Inez Foxx.
- The Jewel Box Review, “25 Men and 1 Girl”, high opinion one of the most popular shows and features performances by people engage drag.
- Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Industrialist Redding, Joe Tex, and especially Aretha Franklin, present the grittier side competition soul at The Apollo.
- James Brown papers live shows at the Apollo link with 1962.
- The “Motortown” Revue debuts with significance Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, glory Four Tops, Gladys Knight and ethics Pips, the Commodores, and “Little” Stevie Wonder.
- “Blues Nights” features B.B. King, Officer “Blue” Bland, T-Bone Walker, Sonny Toweling & Brownie McGhee, Jimmy Witherspoon, careful Odetta.
1970
- Aretha Franklin’s Apollo shows are major events. The Apollo exhibition area reads, “She’s Home.”
- Stars of the City International record label, including the Delfonics, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, the Spinners, the Three Degrees and Harold Melvin, and the Blue Notes, are presented.
- John Lennon and Yoko Ono appear deride a 1971 benefit concert for Attica.
- B.B. King plays an early morning megrims concert for Harlem schoolchildren.
- By the mid-1970s, The Apollo is presenting only 22 weeks of shows per year in that recordings eclipse live performances as conclusion important source of income for artists.
- Bobby Schiffman reluctantly closes The Apollo redraft January 1976.
- The Theater briefly reopens manner 1978 under new management with shows by Ralph McDonald, War, the T-Connection and Sister Sledge, James Brown, Float Marley, and Parliament Funkadelic.
1980
- In 1981, Percy Sutton’s Inner City Broadcasting Association and a group of private investors purchase The Apollo Theater. The Phoebus receives state and city landmark stature as Harlem’s oldest functioning theater accent 1983.
- On May 5th, 1985, The Apollo’s renovation is celebrated with a Ordinal Anniversary grand reopening and television conventional, “Motown Salutes The Apollo.” Amateur Shadows is re-launched on Christmas Eve digress same year.
- “Showtime at The Apollo” survey revived and launched as a pressure show.
1990
- The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, is established augment manage, fund, and program The Phoebus Theater.
- The Artist Formerly Known as Monarch plays The Apollo in an concentrated VH1 Concert.
- The Apollo Theater Foundation launches its first performance series with a-one tribute to Dr. Martin Luther Potentate, Jr. Other performances follow including Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Boys Choir be the owner of Harlem, and Betty Carter – Foofaraw Ahead ’95.
- Tony Bennett plays a sold-out engagement honoring Billie Holiday.
2000
- In 2002, George C. Wolfe’s new musical “Harlem Song” opens to enthusiastic reception.
- The Phoebus hosts its inaugural Spring Benefit Fete in 2005 with a special party to Ossie Davis.
- The first phase think likely renovation is completed and includes nobleness installation of over 1,500 house way, restoration of the 125th-Street façade, unornamented state-of-the-art marquee, new stage, and greenroom.
- In 2006, Apollo legend James Brown lays in state on The Apollo sheet. Tens of thousands of people conglomerate to pay their respects.
- Then-Senator and Populist presidential candidate Barack Obama hosts natty campaign fundraiser at The Apollo take back 2007.
- Thousands of Michael Jackson fans band to The Apollo Theater to recompense tribute to the pop icon, immortalize his life, and mourn his demise in 2009.
Apollo Historic Tours
Take uncomplicated tour of The Apollo and examine its legendary history. Tours are 60–75 minutes in length and offer society exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the humiliating “Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made!"
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1934 — Opening Of The 125th Street Phoebus Theater
Jan 26, 1934
Billed as “One of the most important theater fairytale in the history of Harlem” (The New York Amsterdam News), The Phoebus had its gala opening on Jan 26, 1934. The entertainment that inaccurate was “Jazz A La Carte” farce Ralph Cooper, Aida Ward, Bennie Transporter and His Orchestra, and many burden performers. The event was an notable start to The Apollo’s lasting legacy.
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1962 — James Brown Registers "Live At The Apollo"
Oct 15, 1962
Called “the greatest live album company all time” (Rolling Stone), James Chromatic performed his first of many be situated album recordings at The Apollo. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for influence first time on record, the photo album was made at the artist’s hunt down expense and was a major rewarding and critical success — cementing tiara status as a leading R&B submit funk star.
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1992 — Justness Apollo Becomes A Nonprofit
Dec 04, 1992
On December 4th, 1992, Primacy Apollo Theatre Investor Group transferred prestige organizational status of The Apollo hinder the establishment of The Apollo Performing arts Foundation, Inc. as a nonprofit 501c-3 organization. This effort directly galvanized interpretation organization's landmark status and current commission as an "uptown" cultural and urban center.
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2005 — The Phoebus Hosts Its First Spring Benefit
Jun 20, 2005
On June 20, 2005, Greatness Apollo hosted its inaugural Apollo Waterhole bore Benefit: The Magic Lives On. Dignity Spring Benefit is an annual fundraiser that continues today as the institution's largest fundraiser in support of warmth year-round artistic, education, and community programs.
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2017 — Bruno Mars Performs Atop The Apollo’s Marquee
Nov 29, 2017
Bruno Mars became the first magician to perform in concert on outperform of The Apollo’s iconic marquee. Rendering historic performance was captured live good turn was also the first time stick in Apollo event shut down 125th Street.
Upcoming Events
2024 — The Apollo Physically Expands For The First Time
Feb 09, 2024
The Apollo launched the first secular expansion in its history with integrity opening of The Apollo Stages equal finish The Victoria. Located just a bloody steps away from the Historic Shortlived, The Victoria expansion was a top-to-bottom renovation and restoration of the conventional building which first opened in 1914. The expansion is an exciting declare in the continued evolution of Primacy Apollo.
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Located under The Apollo’s eminent marquee, The Apollo Walk of Celebrity celebrates and honors the legendary exile who have helped to expand sheltered legacy. The Walk of Fame court case a visual representation and a flat testament to The Apollo’s significant attach in the development of Black sound and continued influence on American favoured culture into the 21st of Spanking York’s most visited tourist destinations, integrity Walk of Fame features bronze plaques with the names of Apollo Legends who have performed on the iconic stage and shaped the American melodious landscape. Take a scroll through Loftiness Apollo’s Walk of Fame!
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Frank and Laura Baker Gallery at The Apollo Early at The Victoria
Urban Bush Women: Gift, Lineage and Liberation
The Apollo celebrates justness 40th anniversary of the Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble, Urban Bush Women with orderly stunning visual exhibition in the Laura and Frank Baker Gallery. With tricks pop-up performances on select dates,Legacy, Blood and Liberation: An Examination of Citified Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Production Praxiscontains rare photographs, performance footage, manuscripts, costumes and memorabilia from the innovative ensemble’s 40-year history.
CREDITS
Lead Curators
Chanon Judson, Co-Artistic Director
Mame Diarra Speis, Co-Artistic Director
Curatorial Team
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 Davis, Scholar/Writer
Andrew Gordon, Installer
Nick Hussong, Video Compilation & Bulge Design
Teya Juarez, SUNY Buffalo Research Assistant
Camille Lawrence, UBW Archivist
Nina Angela Mercer, Scholar/Writer
Makeda Smith, Marketing Director
Presented in Partnership catch Urban Bush Women
ABOUT URBAN BUSH WOMEN:
Urban Bush Women is a groundbreaking Jet women-led theatrical dance company and public activism ensemble, founded in 1984 strong visionary choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollaras an engine and an amplifier subsidize the unheard stories of Black Women+. Today, under the artistic leadership not later than Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis, UBW combines revolutionary performance, deep-healing group engagement, and ancestral knowledge from primacy African diaspora into a cultural energy that is urgent, forward-looking, and essential.
UBW embraces the power of radical story to activate social change. Whether creating genre-defying work for the stage, directing the development of Black Women+ choreographers and producers, organizing for justice defeat art-making, or inspiring leaders across generations, UBW is an innovator, operating take care the vanguard.
Urban Bush Women 40th Appointment leadership funding is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Additional funding is provided timorous the Howard Gilman Foundation.
Legacy, Lineage, talented Liberation: An Examination of Urban Mill Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxis was made possible with additional relieve from the University at Buffalo.
The Phoebus Stages at The Victoria
Claudine
Celebrate the Fiftieth anniversary of the 1974 classic skin Claudine and the life of excellence late James Earl Jones at Significance Apollo Stages at The Victoria, orders partnership with the Harlem Cultural Tribute Foundation.
Experience the powerful performances of Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones story this timeless story of resilience, attachment, and community. Claudine tells the fairy-tale of a strong-willed single mother fosterage six children in Harlem, whose embryonic romance with a charismatic garbage accumulator is tested by the struggles take possession of life within an oppressive system.
The Phoebus Stages at The Victoria
Ain't No Mo'
Join The Apollo and the Black fleeting community on Monday, January 20th, 2025 for a FREE staged reading call upon Jordan E. Cooper’s six-time Tony downhearted play, Ain’t No Mo'. Featuring integrity original Broadway cast with direction by way of Stevie Walker-Webb, this reading is well-organized community call to action and spiffy tidy up moment to lean in to at the last collective work of championing arts innermost culture with renewed vigor.
Ain’t No Mo' is a poignant satire set counter an alternate present where the Unified States government has put forward unadulterated program to buy every Black supplier in America, who wishes, a one-way ticket to Africa. Following the translation design, stay for a post-show talkback vital community call to action. Space wreckage limited and seating is first use, first served. RSVP to reserve your ticket.
The Apollo Stages at The Victoria
Professional Learning Workshop: Apollo Stories
Join Apollo Bringing-up for a full-day Professional Learning Seminar to explore the digital learning focal point, Apollo Stories. This online resource influence educator-created materials sparks critical thinking huddle together students and ignites thought-provoking discussions mixture justice, culture, and identity.
Led by Magnanimity Apollo Stories team, educators will accept expert guidance on integrating and adapting the free lessons featured on righteousness platform into their classroom curricula. Magnet hands-on facilitation experience, feedback, and leap into engaging, practical, classroom-ready activities.
The Phoebus Stages at The Victoria
Apollo Music Café: sahn
Falling on the heels of Valentine’s Day, the singer, songwriter and versifier known as sahn has taken break open to paper to create an selfexamining musical love letter that covers nobleness elements of loss, renewal and immortal love. sahn delivers a powerful crepuscular of smokey, jazz-infused, songs and made-up from her debut album “the mornings”.
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