Apollo Theater

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. The theater is located on 125th Street and designated by its famous yellow sign with the red letters. The theater seats little more than 1,500 people but had an ornate early twentieth century design with red velevet covered seats and two balconies. The tour guide for the theater is Billy Mitchell, who is just as much a part of the Apollo's history as the building itself. He has worked in many capacities with the theater since 1964 and has witnessed much of the history of the venue itself as he will tell you. The Apollo still hosts concerts, musicals, and its most famous event Amateur Night. The television show that most people are familiar with ended two years ago. The Apollo is definitely a must see if you are visiting New York or taking a trip up to Harlem. In this day and age where many buildings are torn down too quickly and then memorialized with a marker, the Apollo has survived thankfully due to the foresight from those who treasured its history and importance to the community and to American music and culture. This is the place that launched the careers of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, James Brown, The Jackson 5, Jimi Hendrix, Dionne Warwick, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and many others. This year in particular is a special year because the Apollo celebrates it's 75th anniversary! And it's still going strong!

After you go to the Apollo go have some soul food at famed restaurant Sylvia's just a block and a half north to the left on Lenox Ave (Malcolm X Blvd).

To get there just take the 2 or 3 going Uptown and get off at 125th Street or take the 1 get off at 72nd Street and switch to the 2 or 3.

Don't forget to rub the Tree of Hope for good luck!

Apollo Theater
253 125th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
(212) 531-5300
http://www.apollotheater.org/