Latest news with #ApolloTheater
Time Out
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Harlem's historic Apollo Theater is closing for a year for its $65 million makeover
The show's on pause, but the legacy is getting a serious glow-up. Harlem's iconic Apollo Theater officially closed its doors on July 1 for a $65 million, yearlong renovation—the most ambitious in its 91-year history. The lights on the famous marquee may be dimmed, but the vision for the future is anything but. Opened in 1914 and rebranded in 1934, the Apollo became a cornerstone of Black American culture, launching the careers of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill. Now, the 1,500-seat landmark is undergoing a comprehensive facelift, featuring a restored façade, upgraded LED marquee, expanded lobby, new seating and modern AV systems. Crucially, historic elements, such as the performer-signed 'signature wall,' will be preserved. 'It is the first large‑scale renovation of the historic theater in our 91‑year history,' Joy Profet, the Apollo's chief growth officer, told NY1. While work on the lobby began earlier this year, 'July 1 is really the full-scale.' The final in-house show before the closure was last Wednesday's grand finale of Amateur Night at the Apollo. Neverson Cadesca, performing under the name Nev, closed out the night. The $20,000 prize went to saxophonist Emanuel Garilus from Gainesville, Florida. While the main auditorium is shuttered, performances will temporarily relocate to the Apollo Stages at the Victoria, just down 125th Street. That complex includes two smaller theaters, part of the Apollo's ongoing expansion. Scaffolding is already up along the 125th Street exterior and temporary guest access is now rerouted through a covered entrance on 126th Street. A pop-up box office under the marquee is now serving guests. According to architects Beyer Blinder Belle, the renovation aims to make the Apollo feel more open and community-connected. A café and new street-facing windows will anchor the expanded lobby and the Wall of Fame is going digital. Work is expected to wrap by mid-2026. Until then, Amateur Night is on hold, but the Apollo's spirit is just down the block—still shaking things up, still center stage.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The Apollo Theater's Home, 108 Years Old, Gets a Refresh
Good morning. It's Tuesday. Today we'll get details on a $65 million renovation of the Apollo Theater in Harlem. We'll also find out why public defenders from the Legal Aid Society are threatening to strike. Neverson Cadesca, a singer who performs under the name Nev, figures in a footnote about the storied Apollo Theater in Harlem. He was the last performer at the last Amateur Night before the Apollo closed for a $65 million renovation. It won't reopen until sometime next year. How did his set go? 'Performing-wise, I felt really good,' he said later. He wasn't booed off the stage by a crowd that was as raucous as Amateur Night crowds always are. But he didn't win, either. The $20,000 prize went to Emanuel Garilus, a saxophonist from Gainesville, Fla. Even Cadesca was impressed. 'I want to play with that guy,' he said. 'Be good or be gone' has long been the slogan of Amateur Night, the competition that propelled careers long before 'American Idol' came along. It started in 1934 and eventually gave rise to the television program 'Showtime at the Apollo.' Over the years Ella Fitzgerald, the Jackson Five, James Brown and Stevie Wonder all survived Amateur Night. So did Luther Vandross, although he was booed off a couple of times before he won. But now Amateur Night itself will be gone — except perhaps for a special or two — while the Apollo is reconfiguring seats, removing a wall or two and repainting nearly everything. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The National
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
When a young candidate for New York mayor refuses to take a pro-Israel line
The Democratic mayoral primary in New York City on Tuesday is bound to garner eyeballs in the coming days and weeks. One reason why the results will be interesting is for the outsize role New York plays in American life. New York is home of some of America's defining cultural symbols: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the World Trade Centre, Times Square, Broadway, and Harlem's Apollo Theater. It's also the country's most populous and demographically complex city, with its five unique boroughs that surprisingly co-exist in the same political entity. The City is also beset by many of the challenges confronting America, writ large: crime, housing, drugs, immigration, racial and ethnic tensions, problems with policing, gentrification, the high cost of living and political polarisation. And yet, New York remains a magnet, drawing hundreds of thousands of new immigrants from all over the world and young people from across the US to settle there, attracted by its allure and its promise of opportunity. With all of New York's complexity and problems, it's a wonder that any politician would want to take on the Herculean task of governing it. And yet, here we are, at New York's primary elections with nine major candidates vying to be the Democratic Party's nominee to compete in November's general election. It's notable that despite Cuomo and establishment Jewish organisations making a big issue of Mamdani's refusal to take a solidly pro-Israel line, he is running closer than expected to Cuomo in the competition for the Jewish vote The multiple layers of subtext that define this contest make it even more compelling. Of the nine major Democrats in the race for their party's nomination, one is a former governor, two are city-wide elected officials, one is a former city-wide official, and four are elected state legislators. At this point, the two leaders are former Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Representative Zohran Mamdani. Mr Cuomo, age 67, served 10 years as governor until he was forced to resign under a cloud of charges ranging from the vindictive way he dealt with staff and other officials, to corruption, mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic in nursing homes, and most significantly, credible charges of sexual harassment by a dozen women. Mr Cuomo has the endorsement of much of the state's Democratic establishment and the financial support of billionaire-funded political action committees that are spending millions on his behalf. He is running a campaign focused on his experience – a double-edged sword – and emphasising his centrist approach to politics, which in this polarised political environment is attractive to some New Yorkers and divisive to others. Mr Cuomo's major opponent, Mr Mamdani is a 33-year-old who has been in the state legislature for a scant four years. Despite his youth and inexperience, his progressive agenda and charismatic style have catapulted him into a near-tie for the lead. Mr Mamdani is running with the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America and other left-leaning organisations in New York. His grassroots-led campaign has made him a leader in individual donations and provided his effort with a record number of volunteers. Both come from markedly different yet prominent family backgrounds. Mr Cuomo is the son of former Governor Mario Cuomo, a revered figure in the Italian American community. Before running for governor, he served as his father's chief of staff and 'fixer'. Mr Cuomo later served as former US President Bill Clinton's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Mr Mamdani is a Ugandan-born Muslim of Indian descent, who also has prominent parents. His father Mahmood is a world-renowned progressive intellectual and professor at Columbia University. His mother, Mira Nair, is an award-winning filmmaker. Mr Mamdani came to the US with his parents at the age of seven and became a US citizen in 2018. He was a student activist and after graduating was active in a number of progressive causes and campaigns. Because of his history of activism and compelling personality, some have compared his meteoric rise to that of Barack Obama. Last week, different polls showed Mr Cuomo up by 10 or by four, and another putting Mr Mamdani up by two. Beyond the horse race, the polls also tell another story – one that puts in stark relief some of the divisions plaguing today's Democratic Party. Mr Cuomo leads decisively among voters who are Black, Catholic or Protestant, non-college educated, and those holding moderate or conservative views, poorer, and older. While Mr Mamdani leads or is tied with Mr Cuomo among White, Latino, college-educated, wealthier, liberal and younger voters, Mr Mamdani leads among one of the largest groups of New York Democrats: those who have no religious affiliation. It's also notable that despite Mr Cuomo and establishment Jewish organisations making a big issue of Mr Mamdani's refusal to take a solidly pro-Israel line, he is running closer than expected to Mr Cuomo in the competition for the Jewish vote – which may get even closer as the candidate in third place, Brian Lander, who is Jewish and also critical of Israel, has 'cross-endorsed' Mr Mamdani in the primary contest. The polls lay bare the same problems Democrats have on the national level, the divisions that exist among the various component groups that have made up their coalition: young versus old, white versus non-white, religious versus non-religious, wealthier college-educated versus working class. As this election features what is called 'ranked-choice voting' – in which voters pick their top five candidates in order and then votes are tallied, weighted by preference – it is still too close to call. A prelude to November's race, the Democratic nominee will face New York's current mayor, Eric Adams, who is running as an independent candidate, and may also include the runner-up from the primary, as both Mr Cuomo or Mr Mamdani could run on a third-party slate. It's the final layer in a fascinating contest.
Black America Web
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Apollo Theater Raises Record Breaking Millions at Gala, Honors Legends
Source: Daniel Zuchnik / Getty The nation's iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem announced a record breaking $3.2 million raised at its 2025 Spring gala. The funds will support year-round programming that amplifies artistic excellence, youth education, community engagement and a major renovation of the over 100 year old theater that has launched the careers of thousands of African American artists from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown to Gladys Knight, H.E.R. D'Angelo, and Lauryn Hill. Its Amateur Night is the genesis for popular shows like American Idol It was a night filled with purpose and praise, honoring music industry titan Clive Davis with the Legacy Award and inducting him into the Apollo's Walk of Fame. Rising from the very same stage she first stepped on as a child, Harlem-born artist and multi-hyphenate Teyana Taylor received the inaugural Innovator Award. Radio/TV personality Jazmyn Summerswas there for Radio One to bring you the tea. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Clive Davis: Reviving Icons and Shaping Sound Few figures in the music industry have shaped careers as profoundly—or resuscitated them as masterfully—as Clive Davis. The legendary executive, founder of Arista Records, famously revitalized the careers of two vocal powerhouses: Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. After Aretha Franklin's chart presence had faded by the late 1970s, Davis signed her to Arista in 1980. With an ear toward contemporary production, he paired her with rising producers like Luther Vandross, resulting in the chart-topping Jump to It and the Grammy-winning Freeway of Love . Franklin's resurgence under Davis's leadership marked one of the most celebrated comebacks in music. Equally powerful was Davis's role in returning Dionne Warwick to the top. After a career lull, he signed her to Arista in 1979. Warwick was unsure of her future in music—until Davis stepped in. 'You may be ready to give the business up,' Davis told her, 'but the business is not ready to give you up.' That encouragement led to I'll Never Love This Way Again —a platinum-selling hit—and the landmark anthem ' That's What Friends Are For.' Decades later, Warwick recounted: 'His words still ring in my ear… 'Uh‑uh, young lady. You may be ready to give this industry up, but the industry is not ready to give you up.' RELATED STORY: Usher Shows Mad Love to Wife at Apollo Theater 90th Anniversary RELATED STORY: Red Carpet Rundown: Doechii, Halle Bailey, Ciara & More Slay Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala Teyana Taylor: From Harlem Kid to Culture Shaper For Teyana Taylor, the night was a homecoming. Having first performed at the Apollo at just 8 years old, she returned now as a bold and boundary-breaking artist, director, and fashion visionary. Receiving the Innovator Award, Taylor offered heartfelt thanks to the institution that shaped her beginnings: 'Thank you for the village you have placed in my life. I'm filled with so much gratitude.' Her evolution from neighborhood prodigy to industry innovator reflects the very soul of the Apollo's mission—to nurture, elevate, and honor Black brilliance. Source: Shahar Azran / Getty A Starry Celebration of Sound and Legacy Hosted by comedian Kym Whitley, the gala unfolded with a vibrant lineup of performers, including Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Deborah Cox, Shoshana Bean, The Baylor Project, Avery Sunshine, and Camille A. Brown & Dancers—all brought to life under the direction of musical maestro Adam Blackstone. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton presented a moving tribute to longtime Apollo supporter entrepreneur Richard Parsons, recognizing his visionary leadership and dedication. And when the formal program ended, Harlem kept dancing—thanks to the return of DJ D-Nice, who transformed 126th Street into a star-studded party pulsing with joy, rhythm, and community love. The Apollo's Next Act: Restoration and Renewal Apollo President and CEO Michelle Ebanks unveiled a bold vision for the theater's future, including an expansive renovation of the historic venue: 'Our education program is reaching more young people than ever… this renovation is part of an evolution set in motion more than a decade ago.' Updates will include new orchestra seating, modern acoustics and lighting, upgraded dressing rooms, and a full restoration of the iconic Apollo marquee—ensuring the venue remains as powerful visually as it is spiritually. The 2025 Apollo Spring Gala was more than a fundraiser—it was a resounding testament to the resilience and ongoing influence of Black music, art, and community. Its success in raising over $3.2 million positions the theater for its next phase, ensuring the Apollo remains a beacon for future generations of artists. Check out carpet interviews, Clive spilling the real tea on Aretha's and Dionne's comeback, Teyana's speech, and some of the dynamic performances BELOW. Source: Jazmyn Summers / Jazmyn Summers Article by Jazmyn Summers. Photos and video by Melissa Nyomi Stoll of MelshotyaYou can hear Jazmyn every morning on 'Jazmyn in the Morning 'on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz . Subscribe to J azmyn Summers' YouTube . Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
San Francisco Chronicle
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘We had our own Lauryn Hill': Raphael Saadiq goes off about Lucy Pearl bandmate Dawn Robinson at Oakland show
Raphael Saadiq did not hold back during the final night of his 'No Bandwidth: One Man, One Night, Three Decades of Hits' tour, which concluded in his hometown of Oakland. The special one-man show, which kicked off on May 31 at the historic Apollo Theater in New York before subsequent stops in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, wrapped up with two consecutive performances at the Fox Theater over the weekend that were as revealing as the crowds were rowdy. The format was reminiscent of 2020's 'Beastie Boys Story' on Apple TV+, though even more sparse and not as technically tight (certain sound and video cues didn't quite sync up). Saadiq on a sparse stage featuring a couple of stools, two guitars, a bass, a turntable and a piano as he shared personal stories about the triumphs and tragedies of his life growing up as a scrawny boy in East Oakland to becoming the co-founder of the 1990s hitmakers Tony! Toni! Toné! and a Grammy-winning producer. Fans were instructed to seal their electronic devices in Yondr pouches when they arrived at the venue, allowing Saadiq to speak openly without fear of a video of him and his comments going viral. As a reward, he gave the crowd an unfiltered account of the fallout that ended Lucy Pearl, the supergroup he formed with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest and Dawn Robinson, of the Oakland-founded R&B troupe En Vogue. 'Since this is my last show, I'm going to tell y'all,' he said, with a laugh. 'This is why you don't have your phones.' He specifically addressed longstanding tensions with Robinson, whom he called 'our own Lauryn Hill,' referring to the Grammy-winning 'Ex-Factor' singer notorious for being late to her own concerts and the one blamed for canceled reunion tours with the popular '90s hip-hop trio known as the Fugees. 'Actually, I'd rather have Lauryn,' Saadiq said to audible gasps. And he didn't stop there. Reflecting on Lucy Pearl's abrupt dissolution in late 2001, just about two years the group formed, Saadiq recalled a tour stop in Amsterdam — their last — where he learned Robinson wanted to leave the band. 'I couldn't believe it. We did an album in six months, but toured for less than a month,' he said, referring to their self-titled debut that had dropped just a year before. At one point, Saadiq started singing the hook from the Lucy Pearl hit 'Dance Tonight,' which was sung by Robinson. 'See! I didn't need her. I could've sang it myself,' he quipped. To end the segment about what he called his 'Lucifer's Pearl' era, he dismissed recent reports of Robinson living in her car, saying bluntly, 'That sh— about her living in her car is not real.' This rare openness added gravity to a night that was as chaotic as it was thrillingly insightful. Fans showered Saadiq with a deafening outpouring of love, but their exuberance occasionally cut through his storytelling. A woman in the front repeatedly declared her undying love, and another went so far as to flash the musician. Saadiq's connection to Oakland — the city where his career began — only fueled the hooting and hollering throughout the venue. From namedropping his buddy and school 'bodyguard' Huston Lillard, father of NBA star Demian Lillard, to his alma maters Elmhurst Middle School and Castlemont High School as well as a slew of Oakland landmarks, he received rapturous cheers, many shouting out their connections to each he listed off. Saadiq appeared amused, every so often blowing kisses to fans, but also annoyed. He jokingly scolded and shushed the crowd, threatening to randomly name spots in Walnut Creek or Pinole because, he quipped, 'I know y'all don't leave to go out there.' Of course, the audience was most electrified when Saadiq sang his biggest hits with Tony! Toni! Toné! like 'Feels Good,' "Anniversary" as well as his solo tracks, 'Me and You' and 'Ask of You.' He later rattled off stories about working with the biggest names in the movie and music industry, from filmmakers John Singleton ('Boyz in the Hood') and Oakland's own Ryan Coogler ('Sinners') to Beyoncé and her sister Solange Knowles, the latter whom he called 'one of my favorites.' 'What makes me a great collaborator is that I'm a great listener,' he said, throwing shade at the show's main heckler. 'Not like you. I. Am. A. Listener.' He noted that while he never received awards for his solo work, he got his wins for his collaborations. Most recently, Saadiq won his third Grammy for his contributions to Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter," which won album of the year at the 67th Grammy Awards. Nostalgia and controversy intertwined as Saadiq mentioned working with Kendrick Lamar ('Why would Drake mess with that dude? And I like Drake!') and while reminiscing about the influence the Isley Brothers had on his music, which led him to bring up that group's frequent collaborator, R. Kelly. 'Kell's a bad boy,' he acknowledged, referring to the disgraced R&B singer convicted of multiple sex crimes. 'They should have gotten him some help.' It was a truly raw, unapologetic look into the 59-year-old's life and career. Just before wrapping up at 11:30 p.m. with anecdotes about his late big brother D'Wayne Wiggins, who died of bladder cancer at 64 in March, he wanted to make sure he made good with the crowd. 'I didn't mind the noise,' he told the packed theater. 'It was all love.'
