For one legendary night, The Root—the foremost digital media publisher covering Black news and Black views—takes center stage at the Apollo’s Historic Theater for a star-studded evening of comedy, music, and inspiring speeches celebrating the brilliance and beauty of Blackness.
The night will feature performances by two-time Emmy-winning comedian Loni Love, Grammy award-winning gospel singer Naomi Raine, and emerging hip-hop artist SΔmmus along with special appearances by Questlove and Chlöe Bailey.
An annual newsroom ranking of the most influential African Americans across entertainment, sports, politics, and science, this year’s Root 100 goes live 12/1. And for the first time in the list’s 13-year history, the event is open to the public as a ticketed event.
Please contact the Apollo Box office at [email protected] or (212) 531-5305 if any other special assistance is required for your visit. Learn more about our accessibility options here.
For the safety of our artists, audiences and staff, face coverings are optional but encouraged for all attendees while inside the theater. Click here for more information about our COVID safety policies.
Important Information:
For the safety of our artists, audiences and staff, face coverings are optional but encouraged for all attendees while inside the theater. Click here for more information about our COVID safety policies.
For one legendary night, The Root—the foremost digital media publisher covering Black news and Black views—takes center stage at the Apollo’s Historic Theater for a star-studded evening of comedy, music, and inspiring speeches celebrating the brilliance and beauty of Blackness.
The night will feature performances by two-time Emmy-winning comedian Loni Love, Grammy award-winning gospel singer Naomi Raine, and emerging hip-hop artist SΔmmus along with special appearances by Questlove and Chlöe Bailey.
An annual newsroom ranking of the most influential African Americans across entertainment, sports, politics, and science, this year’s Root 100 goes live 12/1. And for the first time in the list’s 13-year history, the event is open to the public as a ticketed event.
Please contact the Apollo Box office at [email protected] or (212) 531-5305 if any other special assistance is required for your visit. Learn more about our accessibility options here.
For the safety of our artists, audiences and staff, face coverings are optional but encouraged for all attendees while inside the theater. Click here for more information about our COVID safety policies.
Important Information:
For the safety of our artists, audiences and staff, face coverings are optional but encouraged for all attendees while inside the theater. Click here for more information about our COVID safety policies.
The Apollo celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble, Urban Bush Women with a stunning visual exhibition in the Laura and Frank Baker Gallery. With special pop-up performances on select dates, Legacy, Lineage and Liberation: An Examination of Urban Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxis contains rare photographs, performance footage, manuscripts, costumes and memorabilia from the groundbreaking ensemble’s 40-year history.
Lead Curators
Chanon Judson, Co-Artistic Director
Mame Diarra Speis, Co-Artistic Director
Curatorial Team
Jonathan D. Secor, Producer
Laura Stewart, Curatorial Consultant
Pia Monique Murray, Associate Producer
Burkindy, Visual Artist
Vince Ballantine, Visual Artist
Eddie Ballard, Installer
Jean Barberis, Lead Installer
Lizzy Cooper Davis, Scholar/Writer
Andrew Gordon, Installer
Nick Hussong, Video Compilation & Projection Design
Teya Juarez, SUNY Buffalo Research Assistant
Camille Lawrence, UBW Archivist
Nina Angela Mercer, Scholar/Writer
Makeda Smith, Marketing Director
Presented in Partnership with Urban Bush Women
ABOUT URBAN BUSH WOMEN:
Urban Bush Women is a groundbreaking Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble, founded in 1984 by visionary choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar as an engine and an amplifier for the unheard stories of Black Women+. Today, under the artistic leadership of Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis, UBW combines revolutionary performance, deep-healing community engagement, and ancestral knowledge from the African diaspora into a cultural force that is urgent, forward-looking, and essential.
UBW embraces the power of radical storytelling to activate social change. Whether creating genre-defying work for the stage, guiding the development of Black Women+ choreographers and producers, organizing for justice through art-making, or inspiring leaders across generations, UBW is an innovator, operating at the vanguard.
Urban Bush Women 40th Anniversary leadership funding is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Additional funding is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation.
Legacy, Lineage, and Liberation: An Examination of Urban Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxis was made possible with additional support from the University at Buffalo.
The Apollo is seeking the best singers, dancers, comedians, rappers, spoken word artists, variety acts, and musicians to compete in the 2024-2025 season of Amateur Night at the Apollo.
Known as one of New York’s most popular live entertainment experiences, Amateur Night at the Apollo attracts performers and audiences from around the world in a classic talent competition that has launched the careers of countless legendary artists, from Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder to Lauryn Hill, H.E.R, and Machine Gun Kelly.
Those chosen from the audition will have the chance to perform and compete for the grand prize of up to $20,000.
Renowned DJ, artist, and photographer D-Nice returns home to New York for an iconic 5th Anniversary Celebration of Club Quarantine. A multigenerational and multi-genre experience, Club Quarantine is a global celebration of music, life, and love. Since its inception, CQ has been a cultural linchpin, serving as a catalyst for innovation in music and social media to create a wholly unique event.
Now, Club Quarantine Live returns to The Apollo’s Historic Theater for a once-in-a-lifetime evening with D-Nice at home in Harlem. Join The Apollo, BrandNice, and legendary DJ D-Nice in celebrating five years of community, connection, and culture.
Apollo Education presents the musical adaptation of Jason Reynolds’s bestselling graphic novel, Stuntboy, In the Meantime. Step into the world of Portico Reeves in this inspiring family musical that captures the highs and hurdles of growing up, friendship, and the courage to overcome fears. This special School Day Live performance brings you on a heartfelt journey through the eyes of Portico, a middle schooler whose “superpower” is keeping his loved ones safe. But when his parents face divorce, Portico’s worries give him “the frets”—or what his Gran calls anxiety. Will his courage and imagination be enough to see him through?
Adapted from Jason Reynolds and Raúl the Third’s best-selling graphic novel, this musical features the award-winning writing of Melvin Tunstall (2018 Best Family Show Off-Broadway Alliance Award) and original music by South African songwriter and producer Greg Borowsky. Stuntboy, In the Meantime shows that everyone, young and old, has the power to conquer their “frets” and find strength in family, friendship, and self-belief.
Bring your class or family to The Apollo Stages at The Victoria and experience a story of resilience and love that will stay with you long after the final bow. Don’t miss out—reserve your seats today!
After the show on March 25th, stay for a Q&A with Stuntboy author Jason Reynolds.
Known as one of New York’s most popular live entertainment experiences, Amateur Night at The Apollo attracts performers and audiences from around the world in a classic talent competition that has launched the careers of countless legendary artists, from Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R, Machine Gun Kelly, Jazmine Sullivan and more.
Join the fun with the weekly classic competition that sheds light on the careers of a whole new roster of stars. Be a part of the notoriously “tough” audience in an interactive evening unlike any other and lend your voice to decide who will “Be Good or Be Gone!” to win the triumphant grand prize.
Amateur Night at The Apollo sponsored by Coca-Cola, is hosted by the comedian Capone. Each show begins with a festive pre-party featuring video and music by DJ Jess and Set It Off Man Greginald Spencer. Keep a lookout for C.P. Lacey, the resident Executioner who sweeps bad talent off the stage!
Take your family on an inspiring adventure at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria with STUNTBOY: In the Meantime! This heartwarming musical School Day Live tells the story of Portico Reeves, a middle schooler who faces everyday challenges with a “superpower” that helps him keep his friends and family safe. When life gets tough, Portico learns how to overcome his “frets” and finds strength in those he loves. Based on Jason Reynolds’s popular graphic novel, this show will resonate with every family member, young and old. Join The Apollo for a story of resilience, courage, and connection.
Apollo New Works artist, vocalist, composer Martha Redbone teams up with longtime collaborator composer, pianist, producer Aaron Whitby to celebrate the words of bell hooks in their developmental work-in-process Guardian Spirit: The Poetry of bell hooks, a multidisciplinary musical exploration of bell hooks’ landmark work, Appalachian Elegy: Poetry and Place. Known for their powerful and award-winning settings of poets Ntozake Shange in for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuff, Drama Desk Award 2019; Broadway revival 2022 and William Blake, album The Garden of Love: Songs of William Blake, Redbone and Whitby channel bell hooks’ meditative, confessional, and political lyricism into a genre-defying soundscape that echoes the spirit of her Kentucky roots and heritage she shares with Redbone.
Known as one of New York’s most popular live entertainment experiences, Amateur Night at The Apollo attracts performers and audiences from around the world in a classic talent competition that has launched the careers of countless legendary artists, from Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R, Machine Gun Kelly, Jazmine Sullivan and more.
Join the fun with the weekly classic competition that sheds light on the careers of a whole new roster of stars. Be a part of the notoriously “tough” audience in an interactive evening unlike any other and lend your voice to decide who will “Be Good or Be Gone!” to win the triumphant grand prize.
Amateur Night at The Apollo sponsored by Coca-Cola, is hosted by the comedian Capone. Each show begins with a festive pre-party featuring video and music by DJ Jess and Set It Off Man Greginald Spencer. Keep a lookout for C.P. Lacey, the resident Executioner who sweeps bad talent off the stage!
Presented in partnership with Bob Sumner (producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of Laff Mobb on Aspire), the Apollo Comedy Club celebrates these rich comedic roots with an evening of comedy at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria to serve as a late-night hotspot featuring the best emerging talent in comedy today.
The Apollo has a long history of launching the careers of countless legendary artists and performers in a variety of genres, including comedy. Comedic legends Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Monique, Jamie Foxx, and Jackie Mabley (a.k.a. Moms) have all delighted audiences from The Apollo Stage.
Harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet plays an instrument many have owned, but few have mastered. Originally from France, Yonnet is regarded as one of the most talented and innovative harmonica players on the international music scene.
Upright bassist Endea Owens headlines the Apollo Music Café with her red-hot smoking band, The Cookout. For all you jazz lovers looking for a feast, this night at the café is a banquet.
The Apollo Theater Academy Technical Stage Production Internship provides high school students with opportunities for professional and personal development as they explore careers in Technical Stage Production. Interns learn how to apply technical elements of theater such as lighting design, videography, audio engineering, carpentry, and production design to live and recorded stage productions. Over six (6) weeks, interns are trained by and assigned to work with members of The Apollo’s production crew to learn what goes into creating events at the Apollo Theater.
Accessibility
The Apollo is here for everyone. Artists, audiences, and all supporters should be able to experience The Apollo fully and in a way that is comfortable for them.
The Apollo has taken comprehensive steps to ensure that entrances, seating, restrooms, and more are as accessible and compliant as possible. Learn more about accessibility options and support services that might be right for you.
All persons and bags are subject to search. Bags that have passed inspection must fit comfortably under your seat. Oversized bags are prohibited.
No outside food or beverage. Accommodations are made for patrons with medical needs. Please email access@apollotheater.org or call the box office at (212) 531-5305 for assistance.
