Apollo Theater Announces Cancellations and Postponements Through June 30
In response to ongoing concerns related to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and in keeping the health and well-being of Apollo Theater audiences, staff, artists, community, and visitors a top priority, the Theater is extending the cancellation of all Apollo-produced public programs such as Amateur Night at the Apollo, School Day Live, Professional Learning seminars, Historic Tours, Live Wire, Apollo Comedy Club, and Apollo Music Café events through Tuesday, June 30.
While its stages are dark, the Theater has launched the Apollo Digital Stage (www.apollotheater.org/digitalstage), where Apollo audiences can stay connected and enjoy footage from past Apollo events and performances. On Friday, April 10 the Digital Stage will feature How I Got Over: The Spirit of Gospel Music, a panel discussion about the history and influence of gospel music, originally presented in 2017 as part of the Apollo’s Live Wire program. The Apollo will post digital content regularly to bring the excitement of the Apollo’s live events online for all to enjoy.
In addition, every Music Monday, Apollo staff members will be sharing a new #ApolloFam playlist on the Digital Stage. This week, the Theater celebrates Apollo Live Wire with Shirley Taylor, Senior Director of Education, and Live Wire moderator Judith Casselberry in a playlist inspired by the gospel music in How I Got Over.
While Amateur Night will not take place on the Apollo stage until the theater reopens, as previously announced, for the first time in its 86-year history the Apollo’s Amateur Night auditions will be conducted exclusively through online submissions as the nonprofit fills the coveted slots for the summer and fall 2020-21 season. Contestants who can sing, dance, rap, play an instrument, and perform stand-up or spoken word can submit a pre- recorded audition up to five-minutes in length in the hopes of being selected to perform on the world-famous Apollo stage later this year and compete for the Grand Prize of $20,000. Those under the age of 17 can also submit their digital audition for a spot to compete in the Child Star of Tomorrow category and a $5,000 prize. For more details on this year’s submission process, please see guidelines listed on the Apollo Theater’s website.
The Apollo Theater and Ticketmaster will continue to reach out directly to ticket holders for all events in the coming weeks. Theater leadership will continue to monitor information from the Center for Disease Control, New York City Department of Health, and the New York State Department of Health and adapt protocols as directed. Please visit apollotheater.org for additional updates.
# # #
For more information, please contact:
Alexander Droesch / Julie Danni / Josh Balber Resnicow and Associates
ADroesch@resnicow.com / JDanni@resnicow.com / JBalber@resnicow.com 212-671-5154 / 212-671-5173 / 212-671-5175
About The Apollo
The Apollo is an American cultural treasure. It is a vibrant non-profit organization rooted in the Harlem community that engages people from around New York, the nation, and the world. Since 1934, The Apollo has celebrated, created, and presented work that centers Black artists and voices from across the African Diaspora. It has also been a catalyst for social and civic advocacy. Today, The Apollo is the largest performing arts institution committed to Black culture and creativity.
The Apollo is a commissioner and presenter; catalyst for new artists, audiences, and creative workforce; and partner in the projection of the African American narrative and its role in the development of American and global culture.
The Apollo envisions a new American canon centered on contributions to the performing arts by artists of the African diaspora, in America and beyond.
