The Apollo Theater Archives

KWANZAA: A Regeneration Celebration at The Apollo Theater December 30, 2022

Image courtesy of The Apollo Theater. Image Credit: Shahar Azran Photography

The Annual Kwanzaa celebration returns to The Apollo Theater as an in-person event for the first time in two years, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the cultural importance and collective Black joy that characterize the holiday. Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebration will take place on Friday, December 30 at 7:30pm EST, anchored by performances from renowned New York-based dance company Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre—the creative force behind the 40-year tradition which blends contemporary modern, West African, house, and hip-hop dance styles—as well as special guest artist, Haitian American singer Pauline Jean. Also featured will be the young people of the Forces of Nature/Harlem Children’s Zone Youth Arts Academy of Dance and Wellness, performing under the direction of Jae Ponder.

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CEO Jonelle Procope Set to Step Down in 2023 as Historic Apollo Theater Moves Forward with $70M Capital Campaign

Harlem, Preservation, The Apollo Theater

Jonelle Procope. Photo Nicole Mondestin Photography

Jonelle Procope, President and CEO of the Apollo, announced today that after two decades of leading the iconic cultural and civic non-profit dedicated to providing a platform for Black creativity, she will step down on June 30, 2023. Ms. Procope’s leadership, first as a member of the board and then as president and CEO, has transformed a venue that was in disrepair into an internationally recognized cultural institution, expanding it into the largest African American performing arts presenting organization with one of the most diverse boards and audiences in the country. Throughout her tenure, the Apollo has also served as an anchor for the revitalization of legendary 125th Street in Harlem and as a center for community and national discourse.

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The Apollo Theater Launches Fall/Winter 2022 Season: ‘The Next Movement’

Harlem, The Apollo Theater

Today, the legendary Apollo announced its upcoming fall/winter 2022 season, featuring a variety of offerings from conversations with prominent figures and acclaimed dance works to Grammy-winning vocalists, emerging comedians, and more.

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The Apollo Theater Unveils 2022 Winter/Spring Season!

Harlem, The Apollo Theater

The Apollo announced details of its Winter/Spring 2022 season, with an array of free and ticketed programming in-person at the Apollo’s historic theater and online on the Apollo’s Digital Stage Highlights include the long-anticipated return of the Amateur Night at the Apollo competition on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30pm EST; Apollo Master Artist-in-Residence Ta-Nehisi Coates and The Roots’ Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, in conversation; the Lyricist Lounge 30^th Anniversary Concert featuring hip-hop trailblazers to be announced; the premiere of The Gathering: A Collective Ring Shout, co-presented by the American Composers Orchestra and the Apollo and co-curated by National Black Theatre; the return of Africa Now! featuring East African jazz vocalist and Grammy nominee Somi; and more. The non-profit Apollo’s season centers Black artists and voices from the African Diaspora with myriad opportunities for artists and audiences to come back together at the iconic theater.

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A Fabulous Fall/Winter 2021/2022 Season Announced at The Apollo Theater

Harlem, The Apollo Theater

The Apollo today announced details of its fall 2021 season, taking place in-person at the Apollo and online on the Apollo’s Digital Stage. The season features a broad range of free and ticketed events and programs, paying tribute to the Apollo’s legendary community of artists and highlighting new works and commissions. Highlights include in-person auditions for Amateur Night at the Apollo in October ahead of the long-anticipated February 16, 2022 return of the original, legendary talent show; a preview of upcoming projects from an array of Apollo New Works artists; an Apollo Film Presents: ImageNation Cocktails & Sol Cinema virtual screening of the rarely seen documentary Devil’s Pie: D’Angelo about the singer’s rise to stardom, sudden disappearance, and return to music; the beloved Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night featuring Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theater returns to the Digital Stage, and more.

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The Apollo Theater Announces Spring 2020 Season

Harlem, The Apollo Theater

Today, the iconic nonprofit Apollo Theater announced details of its spring 2020 season featuring genre-spanning performances—from music, dance, and theater to comedy and film screenings—that continue the theater’s strong mission of articulating African American narratives through cultural programming. Season highlights include the Apollo’s Africa Now! and African Film Festival 30^th Anniversary Celebration presenting the legendary Oumou Sangaré; Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber performing Isaac Hayes’ Academy Award-winning score Shaft, alongside a screening of the film; the Apollo Salon Series presentation of A Time to Love, a musical theater collaboration with National Black Theatre; and the signature series that brings patrons to the Apollo year-round, Amateur Night at the Apollo, Apollo Music Café, and Apollo Comedy Club.Through its programming, educational, and community initiatives, the Apollo continues to advance its commitment to creating a 21^st century performing arts canon, providing a home to artists and the community, while tackling important social issues for Harlem, New York, and the nation.

Here it is ~ The exciting Apollo Theater 2020 Spring Season.

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The Apollo Theater Celebrates Harlem Week 2019

Harlem Week, The Apollo Theater

On Monday, July 29, 2019 the Apollo Theater announced special programs and offers to celebrate Harlem and HARLEM WEEK throughout the month of August. HARLEM WEEK is an annual celebration of the best of Harlem which began in 1974 as HARLEM DAY, a one-day event of encouragement and fellowship in Harlem for New Yorkers. Given the huge success of the celebration, additional days were added to showcase the community’s rich economic, political and cultural history. HARLEM WEEK now offers over 110 events throughout the summer to over 2 million attendees, including participants and visitors from around the world. HARLEM WEEK celebrates the many wonders of the historic neighborhood – including the world famous Apollo Theater.

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Celebrating the 85th Anniversary of the Famed Apollo Theater’s Fall/Winter 2019 Season

by AFineLyne, Harlem, The Apollo Theater

What better way to kick-off an 85th anniversary than to announce a spectacular Winter/Spring/Fall/Winter 2019 Season ~ at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.

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Progress on Victoria Theatre + Harlem Marriott Renaissance Hotel + The Victoria Tower Residences + The Apollo Theater Expansion ~ 125th Street in Harlem

Architecture, Harlem

Loew’s Victoria Theatre, 233 West 125th Street. Image via nycago.org

Designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb, the structure was said to be one of the largest, and most beautiful theaters in the New York area. Built in 1917 at a cost of $250,000, it had a seating capacity of over 2,400 and it is located on the same block as the historic Apollo Theater.

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