Category Archives: The Apollo Theater

Motown: The Broadway Musical has obvious ties to Harlem

Posted on February 18, 2013 | 2 Comments

20130218-130539.jpg
One can’t swing a bat without hitting the word Harlem. I say that all the time and it’s how I feel again when reading about the upcoming Broadway musical called Motown. I just came across a write-up in Vanity Fair and all I thought about is how this musical has a connection to Harlem.

Based on what I have read so far, Motown: The Broadway Musical will be very good. I will probably go see it. However, I can’t help but repeat myself on how the show obviously has a strong historical connection to Harlem. Most of the music and the artists that will be featured in the new musical, which opens in April, made their debut at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater, such as The Jackson 5, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and more.

I am guessing there will be one scene or at least a mention of Harlem in the show. We’ll find out soon since previews of Motown: The Broadway Musical begins March 11 and opening night is April 14.

See below the two stars of Motown: The Broadway Musical perform inside the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle or check out the musical on Instagram. They have very cool photos posted.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

See The 21st Annual Double Dutch Holiday Classic December 2 in Harlem

Posted on December 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

A reader recently commented on this site saying, how could you as the blogger list all the holiday events happening at Harlem’s Apollo Theater on 125th Street and not mention the Double Dutch Classic? This reader is  absolutely right. Major snafu on my part. So I am correcting my error and here is the info.

Tomorrow, December 2, the 21st Annual Double Dutch Holiday Classic will take place at the famous Apollo Theater. The event starts at 1 pm and tickets are $22, not including tax or service charge. Click here to purchase tickets.
articles_124

→ Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, Community, Events, Harlem, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Spend the Holidays at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater

Posted on November 28, 2012 | 2 Comments

20121128-120014.jpg
Harlem’s Apollo Theater recently announced their holiday schedule for December and its packed with a variety of fun events for all ages! And some of the events are free. See list of events below:

Saturday, December 15th – 2pm -6pm
Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland
The Apollo and Coca-Cola are partnering to bring the magic of the Holiday season to Harlem. Under the Apollo’s iconic marquee, Coca-Cola will offer a variety of holiday-themed activities and performances free and open to the public. The festivities include picture taking with Santa Claus, giveaways and performances by two of New York City’s best choirs, ARC Gospel Choir and Refining Faith. Additionally, in the spirit of giving, the Apollo will be a designated location for a toy drive benefiting HELPUSA, a non-profit dedicated to providing housing and the supportive services necessary for the homeless. Hosted by Billy Mitchell, Apollo Theater historian and tour director. This event is free and open to the public

Saturday, December 15th -7:30pm
Apollo Amateur Night Holiday Special featuring Apollo Stars of Tomorrow and Special Guest Artist: The OMG Girlz, which are a teenage girl singing group whose current members include Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, Breaunna “Baby Doll” W. and Zonnique “Star” Pullins. Tickets are $19, $25 and $29. Groups & families (4 or more): $9.50, $12.50, and $14.50. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets on Sale Now!

Thursday, December 20th – 8pm
Sweet Honey In The Rock: Celebrating The Holydays
This internationally renowned all-female a capella ensemble, will star in a one-of-a-kind holiday season concert on the legendary Apollo stage! Tickets are $25, $45, $65 and $75 Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

Friday, December 28th at 7:30pm
Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night
The Apollo Theater celebrates Kwanzaa with its popular annual show, featuring the renowned New York-based dance company Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, guest performances by the Songhai Djeli and Flute Visions and Queen GodIs and members of the Harlem Children’s Zone/Forces of Nature’s Youth Academy. Tickets are $16; Groups (5 or more): $13. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street and Ticketmaster.

For more information, go to the Apollo’s website.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in 125th Street, Community, Events, Harlem, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , ,

Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater to travel back in time

Posted on November 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

According to The New York Times, our beloved Apollo Theater plans to take a trip back in time or better yet, is going back to its core.  The Apollo Theater plans to transform our famous venue on 125th Street “into an old-fashioned nightclub for a new revue evoking the Harlem music clubs of the 1930s and 1940s”

In its heyday, the Apollo Theater was a venue that featured a “variety programs, such as big bands, singers, dancers, female impersonators, acrobats and comedians.” The Apollo aims to recapture that era and offer it up to consumers who are interested in experiencing this particular part of the Apollo’s history.  The article states “seats will be removed from the orchestra level and the audience will sit at cafe tables, tended by waiters and waitresses.”

Go back in time in Harlem at the Apollo Theater in February 2013 with three nights of shows: Feb. 18, Feb. 22 and Feb 23. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 19.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem, history, jazz, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Esperanza Spalding in photos performing at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater

Posted on October 27, 2012 | Leave a comment
Esperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the Apollo
Esperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the Apollo
Esperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the ApolloEsperanza Spalding at the Apollo
Esperanza Spalding at the ApolloThe owner of SugarHill Beer & Friends at East Harlem Harvest Festival!Whose ready to smoke a hookah pipe at East Harlem Harvest Festival? Compliments of The Kiosk!I'm hanging out here today, aka beer tent, at East Harlem Harvest Festival. Gonna drink some SugarHill Beer!Plenty of pumpkins at the East Harlem Harvest Festival...and a ghost!Bright red awning at Melba's Restaurant in Harlem!

I went to see jazz singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding Friday night (Oct 26) at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. It was fantastic. This was my first time seeing her perform. There is no question in my mind Esperanza Spalding, the Grammy award winner, is the full package: extremely talented, unique and so gorgeous. Hopefully these pictures give you a sense of that! Enjoy.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, entertainment, Harlem, jazz, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , ,

See Esperanza Spalding, a new show added at Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on September 11, 2012 | 1 Comment


If you were not able to purchase tickets to attend the October 26 performance of Esperanza Spalding, you’re in luck! There is another option! Due to overwhelming demand, a second show for Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society tour has been added on Saturday, October 27 at 8 pm at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater on 125th Street. The presale is happening now and ends Wednesday, September 12 at 10 pm. Use the code ALIST. Tickets, which are going for $40 and $60, will be available to the public Thursday, September 13 at 10 am. Click here to purchase tickets.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in 125th Street, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , ,

New York Comedy Festival 2012 coming to Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on August 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

The New York Comedy Festival 2012 is coming to Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater in November! There are two shows lined up in Harlem so far, according to a recent email sent out today (August 13) to subscribers.

The first show is scheduled for the evening of November 9 with comedian Aziz Ansari from the TV show ‘Parks and Recreation.’ The second show is scheduled the following evening (Nov 10) with Jim Gaffigan, who has appeared on Letterman and Conan shows many times.

To purchase tickets to either event, go to the New York Comedy Festival 2012 website.

20120813-132649.jpg

20120813-132659.jpg

→ Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, entertainment, Events, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Alicia Keys brings in wedding anniversary at familiar place, Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on July 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

Alicia Keys clearly never forgets where she came from, i.e. Harlem, or what inspires her. This afternoon Keys posted an adorable picture on Instagram and Twitter of her and her husband standing in front of Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater. I had to share it. Guess today, July 31, is their one or two-year wedding anniversary? Either way, so cool of them to come home to Harlem to start their special day. Love it!

20120731-183842.jpg

→ Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, entertainment, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Justin Bieber performing at Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on June 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

Tonight (June 18), teen superstar Justin Bieber will give a special private performance for his fans at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, according to an email by The Apollo Foundation sent to its members today. Tonight’s show will be taped by NBC for broadcast and is presented by Macy’s.

Harlemites, be on the lookout for a bunch of excited teenagers in the area! Yikes.
20120618-141308.jpg

→ Leave a comment

Posted in art and culture, entertainment, Events, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , ,

Grammy Award Winner Esperanza Spalding to perform in Harlem October 26

Posted on June 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Bassist, vocalist, composer and award winner Esperanza Spalding is coming to Harlem and she will be performing…where else, but the famous Apollo Theater, located on 125th Street between FDB and ACP Blvd. She is performing in Harlem October 26 and tickets go on sale to the public tomorrow, Friday, June 8. The presale is happening now for Amex cardholders and members of the Apollo Theater Foundation.

“Esperanza Spalding is an American multi-instrumentalist best known as a jazz bassist and singer.” Her latest release is Radio Music Society. Listen below to Black Gold from her new CD.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, Events, Harlem, jazz, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , ,