The Apollo's Digital hub

A live performance exploring culture, mixed identity, and the power of being many things at once.

‍

What happens when who you are can't fit in a single box? When your skin doesn't match other people's expectations of your heritage, or when the communities you love aren't sure they claim you back?

‍

Black Gumbo is a story that starts there. It follows Mary Olivette Bookman, Mobile, Alabama-raised, New York-forged, racially ambiguous for her whole life . As she works through a deceptively simple school assignment: present your culture to the class. What unfolds is an honest, joyful, and deeply human reckoning with what it means to hold multiple identities at once, and to eventually stop asking permission to celebrate all of them.

‍

"I am Black, Native American, and French Creole of Color. Did you get all that just from looking at me?"

‍

‍

This isn't a lecture. It's an experience of a living collage of stepping, gospel, Indigenous dance, and Zydeco that mirrors the layered, irreducible texture of its creator. Each performance is its own ingredient. Together, they become something entirely new: Mary's gumbo- our collective Gumbo. And in building it in front of the audience, she invites every student in the room to start building their own.

‍

For students who have ever been asked "but what are you, really?"  and for those who've never had to answer that question at all, Black Gumbo offers a rare thing: a stage that says all of it counts, and all of it belongs here.

‍

Derek Lee McPhatter - Writer

Michael Przygoda - Composer

‍

When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? Apollo Works in Process: water riot  takes audiences on a journey of collective reflection on climate change and inspires action. Set in a near future Chicagoland, water riot follows an unlikely coalition of black activists, challenging an A.I. police state by staging a protest against the privatization of Lake Michigan.  

‍

With a soundtrack built around the legacy of Black voices as the foundation of rock, punk, experimental music, and the memories of moments of resistance and public protest; Derek Lee McPhatter’s water riot  invites audiences on a journey from anger, confusion, and despair towards determination, resilience and hope.

‍

Celebrate the 100th birthday of Miles Davis with a film and discussion honoring the man who transformed the sound of modern music. From groundbreaking albums like Kind of Blue to the electric experiments of Bitches Brew, Miles’ influence continues to echo through jazz, hip-hop, soul, and beyond. Relive Miles’ full 1970 performance at the Isle of Wight Festival in Electric Miles: Kind of Blue -- backed by legends Chick Corea, Carlos Santana, Dave Holland, Airto Moreira and more.

‍

The program will feature a dynamic conversation moderated by Antonio Hart, with insights from Vince Wilburn Jr. and Dr. Monica L. Miller, exploring the intersections of music, legacy, culture, and Black style. Join The Apollo for a screening and conversation that explores the genius and legacy of an artist who never stopped evolving.

‍

Presented with SummerStage, this evening brings together boundary-pushing voices in R&B and soul.  

‍

A foundational member of the loose late-’90s hip-hop/R&B collective the Soulquarians, Bilal has an effortless, understated swag. It oozes from every track of his 2001 debut 1st Born Second, a retro yet fresh take on soul music at the turn of the century. He’s gotten more experimental as he’s grown, collaborating with artists such as Kimbra, Otis Brown III, Kat Dahlia, Slum Village, and Kendrick Lamar on his third album To Pimp a Butterfly. Bilal’s latest release is Live at Glasshaus, a live recording from an intimate, career-spanning performance with Questlove, Robert Glasper, and Burniss Travis as his backing band.

‍

He’s joined by GENA, a new project from the dynamic R&B artist Liv.e and renowned drummer Karriem Riggins; their name stands for God Energy, Naturally Amazing, indicative of their improvisationally ordained approach to making music.  

‍

On the ones and twos is DJ Tara, a DJ, urban planner, and co-founder of Donuts are Forever, the annual J Dilla tribute and fundraiser.   

‍

Location: 670 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

‍

‍

Presented with SummerStage. Mavis Staples has been performing for eight decades. At 86 years old, she’s known as one of the most enduring figures in American music, earning inductions into multiple halls of fame (blues, rock, and gospel), was a Kennedy Center Honoree, and winner of numerous GRAMMY awards, including one for lifetime achievement. With her return to SummerStage, she’s sure to perform the hits alongside new tracks from her 15th solo album Sad and Beautiful World. She’s collaborated with nearly every major figure of her many eras, from Bob Dylan to Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Willie Nelson. Opening the evening is Brother Wallace, a force of modern soul and gospel sound. Most recently, he’s collaborated with The Heavy guitarist Dan Taylor to build a body of work built on his electrifying brand of soul music.

‍

Location: Rumsey Playfield, New York, NY, 10021

‍

Celebrate Pride at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria with an integral conversation on representation of Black gay men in media with A Visible Life.  

‍

Join social-media creator and comedian Lavelle Dontae and artist-educator Dr. John-Martin Green with artist-scholar williambryantmiles for an intimate discussion featuring short film excerpts, performances, and fellowship. A Visible Life  invites audiences to think about how both watching and crafting performance shapes and defines who they are, and who they aspire to be.

‍