Category Archives: The Apollo Theater

Remembering Whitney Houston: Watch ‘Greatest Love of All’ music video at Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on February 12, 2012 | Leave a comment


A very good friend of mine texted me Saturday evening (February 11) immediately after hearing of Whitney Houston’s passing saying “I am sure there is a connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem-after all she was a gospel singer to start.” My good friend was right. There is a connection between Whitney and Harlem. I discovered online that “the music video for Whitney’s hit single, ‘Greatest Love of All,’ a song first recorded by George Benson for the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest, was filmed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The video features a cameo by Whitney’s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston.” Watch the video below. It is very clear she is singing on the big stage at the Apollo in New York City’s Harlem.

If you know of any other connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem, please tell us here so that we can celebrate her and her history to Harlem, and the world.

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

My photos of President Obama appearing at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem

Posted on January 20, 2012 | Leave a comment



I had the privilege and delight of attending a fundraiser to re-elect President Obama at Harlem’s Apollo Theater (read actual tweets here). The event was filled with great entertainment from Lin-Manuel Miranda MCing, to India Arie performing, to the Rev. Al Green blessing us with his singing sermon. And yes, POTUS Obama sang too, i.e. Let’s Stay Together. Here are a few photos from the Jan. 19 event at the Apollo. Hope you like them! Enjoy!

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , ,

More tickets available to see President Obama at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater, January 19

Posted on January 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

I just checked out the Facebook page of Harlem4Obama and its says there are more $100 tickets available to the January 19 event, which is The Obama Victory Fund Concert. Go to this link here and get your $100, $300 or $5000 tickets. They just added more this evening.

I am going with another fellow Harlemite. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t want to miss it! Hope you will join me in seeing President Obama at the Apollo!

Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Remember Michael Jackson on his birthday, visit West 122nd Street or The Apollo Theater in Harlem

Posted on August 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

West 122nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue


Today is the King of Pop’s birthday-Michael Jackson. He would have been 53 years old. He passed away two years ago. If you want to remember Michael Jackson and his connection to Harlem, there are two ways to pay tribute to him.

First suggestion is to stop by the Apollo Theater. They have their own Walk of Fame, which features Michael Jackson.

Another suggestion is to take a stroll down West 122nd street between 8th Avenue and 7th Ave, also known as Frederick Douglass Blvd and Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Blvd. There you can see the actual place where the ‘Bad- The Full Version’ video was filmed. There is a sign hanging on a fence on that street, which states, “Michael Jackson spent a few days on our block.”

If you haven’t seen the full version of Bad, which was filmed in Harlem, take a look here. It shows an entire different chapter of Harlem’s history.

And let’s take a moment to remember the person who brought us magical music for several decades, Michael Jackson!

Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, film, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , ,

It’s the Harlem re-shuffle says UK-based The Independent

Posted on August 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Our beloved Harlem is featured bright and big again in the media, but this time in the UK’s travel section of The Independent. According to the article the reporter/ photographer visited Harlem recently and took direction from Thelma Golden, the Director of Studio Museum Harlem, on what to see in Harlem.

Per Golden’s instructions, Chris Coplans stayed at The Aloft Harlem and he raves about it in the article. He also went to the Apollo Theater, El Museo del Barrio, Studio Museum Harlem, and more. Golden encouraged the reporter to visit the Duke Ellington sculpture and to try Senegalese food at Les Ambassades.

What’s interesting about this article is the reporter covered a lot of Harlem ground-from East to West. He also gives Lenox Avenue big props by saying, “If 125th St is the traditional Harlem, then Lenox Avenue between 125th and 126th is very much the emerging “New Harlem”, with an arty vibe and “Village” sidewalk culture.”

To read the full article, click here. To see additional photos on Harlem from the reporter, go here.

Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Bars, business, commercial real estate, Community, drinks, education, entertainment, fashion, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, history, jazz, Lenox Avenue, music, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, shopping, spending, The Apollo Theater

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

Ron Perelman raises a cool million for Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on August 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

It is showtime at The Apollo Theater, but in the Hamptons…to raise money! Ron Perelman, who joined the Apollo Theater board last year, has been throwing quite the fundraising shin-dig at his Hampton’s estate and packed with celebrity power.

Last year, Jon Bon Jovi came out for the first fundraiser and he attended again this year, along with Jaime Fox and Alicia Keys. Apparently, the event that happened this past weekend in the Hamptons raised more than $1 million for Harlem’s famous music venue versus last year where the event did not even reach a million dollars. And guess who donated food to the event? Yup, you guessed it! Marcus Samuelsson.

If this fundraiser happens again and keeps charging guests $2500 a ticket, Ron Perelman will probably reach $2 million dollars next year. Must be nice. And good for the Apollo Theater that their board works for them. The more dinero for our beautiful venue, the better! Ron go for two next year!

Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, business, entertainment, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, spending, The Apollo Theater

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