apollo theatre tour new york

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!

Appx 90 minutes – 2 hours with intermission

MEET OUR SUPPORTERS

Benefit chairs.

• Sherrese Clarke Soares
• Michelle Gadsden-Williams
• Aaron Holiday
• Karen and Charles Phillips
• Kwanza Jones
• Carlos Whitaker

VICE CHAIRS

• HarbourView Equity Partners
• Horowitz Family Foundation

PREMIER SPONSOR

• Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano Initiative

President & CEO, The Apollo

Leading benefactors.

• Fox Rothschild
• Derek Jones – GCM Grosvenor
• Natasha and Aaron Holiday
• JP Morgan Chase
• MAC Cosmetics
• Neuberger Berman
• Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
• Tishman Speyer
• Warburg Pincus
• Adora and Carlos Whitaker
• American Express

BENEFACTORS

• Bloomberg Philanthropies
• Blue Owl Capital
• Riva Horwitz and Josh Easterly
• Morgan Stanley
• Racquel Oden – HSBC Wealth & Private Banking
• Laura and Richard D. Parsons
• Schulte Roth & Zabel
• Virtu Global Advisors
• Wells Fargo
• Zilkha Family
• Avance Investment Management
• Fanatics Foundation
• Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
• Goldman Sachs
• JoAnn Price
• Latham & Watkins LLP
• TD Securities

BENEFIT COMMITEE

• Gwen and Gerald Adolph
• Jody and John Arnhold
• Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, LLP
• Marcie Cleary
• Columbia University, Office of Public Affairs
• Saundra Williams Cornwell and Don Cornwell
• DeNora and Mark Getachew
• Daisey Holmes
• Jo Carole and Ronald Lauder
• LaJwanne (LJ) & DeWayne Louis
• Lydia G. Mallett, Ph.D.
• Medical Link
• MetLife Foundation
• Norm Pearlstine and Jane Boon Pearlstine
• Prestige PEO
• Resnicow and Associates
• Shawna Rodgers
• Senator Investment Group LP
• Simpson Thatcher and Bartlett LLP
• Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
• Sony Music Publishing
• Donna and Richard Soloway
• Michael Spalter
• Alexandra Tockstein
• Kneeland Youngblood

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Half Off for Harlem

Harlem residents, employees, business owners, and students can save 50% on tickets to select performances throughout the season. We welcome our local community to experience our signature programs, returning audience favorites, and thrilling new works by artists who are pushing the boundaries of their art forms while expanding the cannon of African American works. Restrictions may apply.

Join THE A-LIST

The competition heats up as winners from the first round of Amateur Night return for a chance to advance one step closer to the $20,000 grand prize. 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 and Jazmine Sullivan.

Join 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. Keep a lookout for C.P. Lacey, the resident Executioner who sweeps bad talent off the stage!

This is the Amateur Night show you’ve been waiting for! Winners from the Semi-Finals return in this final competition for the title of Child Star of Tomorrow earning $5,000 while the Grand Finale winner receives $20,000. The talented performers return for one last chance to leave it all on the line with hopes of becoming the next Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R, Machine Gun Kelly or Jazmine Sullivan.Audiences have casted their vote to get them this far, but in the Grand Finale, you decide who will Be Good or Be Gone and win the triumphant grand prize. Don’t miss the final Amateur Night sponsored by Coca-Cola performance of the season hosted by the comedian Capone with a festive pre-party with DJ Jess and Set It Off Man Greginald Spencer.

Apollo Legend Smokey Robinson returns to The Apollo’s historic stage for the first time in almost 10 years for a night of soulful hits from his legendary discography including recent hits from his new album— GASMS. Provider of the soundtrack to our lives, GRAMMY® Living Legend — Smokey Robinson will give us a thrilling night to remember!

accessibility

Visitor information.

Accesibility

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 [email protected] or call the box office at (212)-531-5305 for assistance.

Apollo Theater in NYC

Where legends are made.

Add this and other places to your personal travel plan. We will then help you with further suitable suggestions: free of charge and straightaway!

The Apollo Theater in NYC is one of the world’s most famous theaters. Find out about its rich history and why this Harlem landmark is a beacon for locals and visitors. You will also learn where to get your Apollo Theater tickets.

Table of Contents

Apollo Theater History Recap

The now-famous music hall opened in 1913 as a burlesque theater. During the time period of Segregation in the United States, admission to the Apollo Theater was restricted to white patrons and performers as were many other theaters. However, the Apollo Theater in New York became the first theater to allow African-Americans not only visit but also perform. This allowed music genres like jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, and soul to proliferate among a more diverse audience.

Many successful performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, and Lauryn Hill started their careers at the Apollo Theater in New York. Over time, even legends like Michael Jackson and Prince performed here and earned a place in the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame.

Today, Apollo Theater in NYC still promotes black American performers and remains the premier venue for live entertainment in Harlem .

Amateur Nights at Apollo Theater

Apollo Theater in New York is particularly known for its Amateur Night where many famous performers made their debut. Apollo Theater Amateur Night’s live entertainment features a competition between performers who are rated by a tough judge – you. It’s the audience who will decide who has to go home and who will win the grand prize at the end of the night. Everyone is encouraged to verbally express their opinion of each performance, so cheer as loud as you can in support of your favorite rising star.

Apollo Amateur Nights used to be televised from 1987 to 2008. Now, you can only see it live at the Apollo Theater. Amateur Nights take place on Wednesday and tickets cost between $24 to $36.

Apollo Theater Tickets

Check out the show schedule to find all Apollo Theater events. Apollo Theater tickets aren’t even that expensive and start at $20 . If you want to be a part of the audience at Apollo Amateur Night, get your tickets for as little as $24 here .

What is the capacity of Apollo Theater in Harlem? The Apollo Theater in NYC can accommodate up to 1,506 people.

Where is the Apollo Theater? The Apollo Theater is located in Harlem, north of Central Park. The exact address is  253 W 125th St. If you decide to go on a hop-on hop-off bus tour in New York , you will pass the theater along the Uptown route.

Is the Apollo Theater still open? Yes, Apollo Theater is still open and you can see Apollo Theater shows on many days of the week.

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Tour the Apollo Theater in Harlem

If there's one place that Harlem is known for, it's the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Seeing a show here, especially attending Amateur Night at the Apollo, is something we think everyone visiting New York City should consider - it's a unique and memorable thing to do.

Some of our local guides have gone more than once -- it's just that much fun! (Read about getting tickets below ).

We also know how great this experience is from members of our popular NYC Travel Tips Facebook group with over 200k members.

We stop by the Apollo on our pay-what-you-wish guided tour of Harlem but we don't go inside.

If you want to see the inside and hear about the music and entertainment showcased here for nearly a century, you can take a tour with the resident historian!

Below we go over the tour information, and we share tips on planning your visit and getting tickets for performances.

• A Brief History of The Apollo
• Tours of the Apollo
• Tickets for Shows
• Plan Your Visit
• Legends Who Have Performed Here
• Things to Do in Harlem

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE APOLLO THEATER

The gorgeous neo-classical theater opened in 194 as the Hertig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theatre.

Like most theaters in the U.S. at that time, this theater was open only to white patrons and the owners offered opportunities only to white performers.

Nearly 20 years later, in 1934, New York's mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia, banned burlesque performances and the theater shut down.

The theater reopened as the Apollo Theater and began its new life in 1934 with new owners.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Harlem was a hotbed of culture, from music, arts, literature, poetry and activism. This era came to be known as the 'Harlem Renaissance".

The Apollo catered to New York City's African-American population, many of whom were beginning to move to Harlem in large numbers.

Given the make-up of the neighborhood and new patrons, the owners prioritized offering spots to African-American talent, though they booked white entertainment as well.

Within the next few years, future legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday would be introduced to Harlem audiences on the theater’s weekly Amateur Night.

As they say, the rest is history!

If you have time in your schedule and are here on a Wednesday, we highly recommend you go to Amateur Night (see below).

Many of our guides have been to see shows at the Apollo at least once. Take it from us, is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in New York City!

APOLLO THEATER TOURS

Apollo offers a 60-75 minute tour led by the resident historian of the Apollo Theater, Billy “Mr. Apollo” Mitchell.

It is offered to groups of 20 people or more, but if you are traveling alone or are with a group of fewer than 20, you can join an existing tour if one is scheduled for the date you want to visit.

The tour is not free but is well worth the cost for those who love music, culture, and African-American history.

Mr. Mitchell has been working for the Apollo Theatre since 1965 when he was hired as a teenager to be a backstage gofer for visiting celebrities.  

He has witnessed much of the Apollo's history and is full of stories about the legendary performers who have graced this venue.

His passion for the theatre is infectious. He loves his job so much, it is the only place he has ever worked!

• Monday: 11 am and 1 pm
• Wednesday: 11 am
• Saturday: 11 am and 1 pm

Ticket Prices

• Monday & Wednesday $15 per person
• Saturday $17 per person
• $17 per person

To book a tour, contact Billy Mitchell at 212-531-5337 or email at [email protected].

Read more about the tours here .

SEE A SHOW AT THE APOLLO

If you want to see a show at the Apollo Theater, look at the calendar of concerts here .

You can buy tickets online. Sometimes you may get a promo on Groupon .

If you don't see a performer that interests you, we recommend going to Amateur Night at the Apollo .

Before there was American Idol , before there was The Voice , before there was The X Factor ...there was Amateur Night at the Apollo.

Attending this talent competition is one of the most fun -- and unique! -- ways to spend a Wednesday night in New York City.

There is just no experience like it!

You'll see some really great performers and some not-so-good ones.

But that's ok because you get to boo them off the stage. You are encouraged to boo!

If the audience boos loud enough, the ''Executioner" escorts that performer off stage in not such a polite way.

Great talent gets loud cheers and applause. Some may get a one-way ticket to stardom.

Special Shows:

If you are in town in December, the Apollo hosts an Amateur Night at the Apollo - Holiday Edition .

In December, you can also see a special holiday show, Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Nigh t.

Read about them from our post, Best Christmas Shows in NYC .

Good to know when you attend a show:

• No outside food or beverage. Accommodations are made for patrons with medical needs.
• All persons and bags are subject to search.
• Bags must fit comfortably under your seat. Oversized bags are prohibited.
• Masks are optional but encouraged for all attendees while inside the theater.
• The Apollo has a seating capacity of 1,500.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

The Apollo tour is just over an hour. If you are already in Harlem, you may as well get to know the neighborhood!

Let one of our local guides show you around on our  pay-what-you-wish walking tour of Harlem , one of our most popular tours.

We also have a GPS-enabled audio tour version you can use to explore on your own.

Check out our post on things to do in Harlem .

How to Get to the Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater is located in the heart of Harlem at 253 West 125th Street.

You can use this link for directions to the Apollo Theater from anywhere in NYC.

The nearest subway stations are the 125th station for the A, B, C, or D trains and the 125th station for the 2 or 3 trains.

Be sure to read our posts on navigating the NYC subway system and choosing the right MetroCard . 

TIP: If you are considering a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, all the companies offer routes that stop at the Apollo Theater.

Find out more about the different bus tours of NYC .

Musicians Who Have Performed at the Apollo

These are just a handful of the legends of Jazz, Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel, Swing, Bebop, and Pop that have graced the Apollo stage.

• Michael Jackson
• Stevie Wonder
• Louis Armstrong
• Count Basie
• James Brown
• Duke Ellington
• Sarah Vaughan
• Luther Vandross
• Gladys Knight
• Diana Ross And The Supremes
• Dionne Warwick
• Aretha Franklin
• Lauryn Hill
• and so many more!

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Visit Apollo Theater

For over a century, the Apollo Theater has been the soul of American culture and the heart of American music genres, from jazz to soul to pop to rap. Attend a concert at this historic theater, both a cultural icon and a historic city landmark.

Reflect on the Apollo’s history, as interesting as its modern performances. The Apollo opened in 1914 as Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater, which like most theaters of the time, prohibited black performers or guests. Reopening as the 125th Street Apollo Theatre in 1934, the auditorium began marketing to African-American audiences and initiated a popular Amateur Night. Early winners included Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey.

Over the years, the theater welcomed many emerging and established artists, with Sarah Vaughn and Ruth Brown in the ‘40s, Dionne Warwick and James Brown in the ‘50s, Gladys Knight and Jimi Hendrix in the ‘60s, Aretha Franklin and B.B. King in the ‘70s, Diana Ross in the ‘80s and Prince in the ‘90s. Showtime at the Apollo presented rising talents to television audiences. Attend an Amateur Night performance today to help initiate the career of the next rising star in the music world. Audience members select winners for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places as well as a child star of tomorrow.

The theater hosts not only amateur singers, but also professional performers. Laugh over drinks at the Apollo Comedy Club. Dance groups such as Ballet Hispanico make regular stops. The Classical Theatre of Harlem has presented a holiday favorite The First Noel . Lectures, panel discussions and even election debates come to this famous stage.

Find the current schedule of events on the theater’s website. If you have talent, audition for a spot to compete on the stage. Amateur Night is every Wednesday and the Comedy Club occurs monthly. Purchase tickets online to be sure to get a seat. Stop at the gift shop for souvenir clothing and other items.

The subway and Metro North Railroad have stops within several blocks of the theater. Come to Harlem to see a performance at the Apollo Theater, truly a night to remember.

Plan a trip to see Apollo Theater

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The Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing an intimate show at the historic Apollo Theater

Here is how you can get tickets.

Legendary rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing a just-as-iconic venue in New York City on September 13: the Apollo Theater.

The intimate, one-night-only gig is in celebration of the launch of the group’s very own new SiriusXM channel (315) dubbed “Whole Lotta Red Hot.” 

"The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the most definitive bands in rock music that continue to innovate the genre with their musical craftsmanship and we are honored to present them as they make their debut at the Apollo Theater," said Scott Greenstein, president and chief content officer at SiriusXM, in an official statement. 

The super-exciting musical event is an invitation-only affair, but we're here to give you a few tips on how to actually snag a ticket. 

If you're a SiriusXM subscriber, scan the QR code here and listen to Whole Lotte Red Hot on the radio app any time from now through 11am on August 29. Watch out for a pop-up message that will instruct you on how to enter for a chance to win a pass.

If you're not a SiriusXM subscriber, you can still scan that QR code, then download the SXM app, follow the prompts to get a free month-long subscription and follow the above-mentioned guidance to maximize your chances of winning. 

You could also enter the competition by mail. To do so, get a postcard or a 3x5 card, legibly print your first and last name on it followed by your address, phone number, email, name and date of the event you want to attend if you are selected as a winner and then mail the whole thing no later than August 29 to SXM ENTRIES, PO Box 1948 South Hackensack, New Jersey, 07606.

Good luck, folks!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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The Apollo Theater celebrates 90th anniversary at star-studded spring benefit with Usher, Babyface

At Tuesday’s annual Spring Benefit at the legendary Apollo Theater, Usher was honored with an Icon Award. In addition, the event marked the 90th Anniversary of the legendary Harlem institution. (June 12)

This combination of photos shows Usher performing at Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2016 at Barclays Center in New York on Oct. 27, 2016, left, and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds performing during the Bourbon and Beyond Music Festival in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 17, 2023. Both Usher and Edmonds will be honored at The Apollo’s Spring Benefit on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Apollo Theater , a bastion of Black music and culture and one of New York City’s most storied venues, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

On Tuesday, the historic theater held its annual spring benefit — its largest annual fundraising effort, this year raising $3 million — with a star-studded event featuring Usher, Babyface , Big Daddy Kane, Jordin Sparks and more.

Sparks opened the night with an impressive medley of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” Then Kym Whitley emerged as a hilarious host, joking about the producer Babyface, who was being honored, arguing that he should now be known as “Grown-man-face, sexy-face, kiss-your-face.”

Later, she’d offer her own transformative story at The Apollo, sharing with the audience that it was on that stage where she first made an appearance as a stand-up comedian on television. “If you can make it at The Apollo,” she said, “You can make it anywhere.”

Speeches were given by a number of Apollo representatives, including President/CEO Michelle Ebanks , chairman of the board Charles Phillips, executive producer Kamilah Forbes as well as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

But it was the performances that really got the crowd on their feet. Dancers treated Usher to a choreographed medley of his own songs, from “Yeah!” to “Burn,” “Caught Up” to “Confessions Part II” and beyond.

Usher, who just a few months ago wowed audiences with his own career retrospective while headlining the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show , was presented with the Icon Award.

In his speech, he recalled watching “Showtime at The Apollo” with his late grandmother. “I remember thinking, ‘Man, someday I’m gonna make it to that stage,’ and ‘hopefully one day, I’ll get a standing ovation,’” he said as everyone in the audience stood. “I stand before you humbled by your appreciation.”

“You know, they say if you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere,” he continued, referencing Whitley’s comments from earlier. “Well, if you can make it to The Apollo, you can do anything.”

Fat Joe and Kwanza Jones, formerly winners of The Apollo’s famed Amateur Night, came out and led the crowd in a singalong of Babyface’s 1989 hit, “Soon as I Get Home.” They were tasked with introducing the super-producer, who had been presented the day prior with the inaugural legacy award at The Apollo Theater’s 2024 Walk of Fame ceremony.

“I never imagined I would get this,” Babyface said during Monday’s ceremony . “I never saw myself actually, you know, being here at The Apollo. I didn’t want to perform here because I didn’t want to get booed, but I didn’t get booed,” he laughed. “I’m so glad that I came here for The Apollo.”

On Tuesday, his acceptance speech mostly ditched the jokes to express gratitude. “To be here at The Apollo — what’s so hard for me to find the words, because if I’m honest, I just never saw myself as like being on The Apollo stage. I was always the guy behind the scenes and writing songs for everyone else,” he said. “I am just in awe to be considered as part of this.”

“I’m just going to thank everybody. Normally I stand up here, I’m funnier than this,” he continued, “Usually, I am. But I’m just, I’m really just so taken by this, and I just want to thank you for the bottom of my heart. I appreciate it.”

The night ended with a series of singers coming out on stage to serenade Babyface with some of the most famous songs he produced: Toxi Braxton ‘s “You Mean the World to Me,” Eric Clapton’s “Change the World,” Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and so on.

Standouts included Karyn White doing her own “Superwoman,” Johnny Gill getting everyone out of their seats for his “My, My, My” and of course, Babyface himself closing the night out with “Whip Appeal.” They’re called classics for a reason.

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Out & about

Kathy Hochul, Usher and Babyface Turn Out for the Apollo

More than 1,000 musicians, politicians and philanthropists gathered in Harlem on Tuesday night to celebrate the theater’s 90th anniversary.

Usher addressing the crowd onstage at the Apollo Theater’s annual spring benefit. Credit... Krista Schlueter for The New York Times

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By Sarah Bahr

Sarah Bahr reported for Out & About , a column that covers the events where notable, powerful and influential figures gather — and their outfits.

• June 12, 2024

Usher, an eight-time Grammy winner, has won many awards in his 30-year career. But the one he received on Tuesday night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem was special, he said.

“It’s the prestige,” said the R&B singer, who arrived in a black S.U.V. surrounded by phone-wielding fans to the red carpet outside the theater, which was celebrating its 90th birthday at its annual spring benefit.

Along with Babyface, Usher was at the Apollo, which opened in 1934 and has played host to numerous venerated musicians including Billie Holiday, James Brown and Aretha Franklin, for a celebratory concert and an awards ceremony. He and Babyface, the singer-songwriter and producer who has won 12 Grammy Awards, received Icon and Legacy awards from the organization, respectively, for their contributions to music.

Gov. Kathy Hochul; the Rev. Al Sharpton; Jordin Sparks, the singer and “American Idol” winner; Ava DuVernay; the filmmaker and screenwriter; and Big Daddy Kane, the rapper, were among the more than 800 musicians, philanthropists and elected officials who filled the 1,500-seat theater.

The gala, which raised $3 million for the organization, the largest African American performing arts presenting group in the country, comes at a critical time for the theater, which later this year will embark on a major project to fully renovate its 110-year-old building . Plans include new lighting and audio systems, additional seating, updates to the building’s exterior, along with a new lobby cafe and bar that will be open to the public.

(The main theater will be closed during at least part of the renovation, but programming will be presented at the Victoria theaters down the street, a pair of performance spaces with a combined seating capacity of nearly 300.)

“It will be restoring what we love and have cherished for nine decades, and then modernized,” said Michelle Ebanks, the Apollo’s president and chief executive, who assumed the role just under a year ago.

Excitement for that future was apparent Tuesday night. A crowd that included the R&B singer Karyn White, the Tony-nominated Broadway actress Kara Young and the comedian and actress Kym Whitley, the evening’s host, began the night posing for cameras on the red carpet, in floral gowns, sparkling clutches and gold-rimmed sunglasses.

Ms. Sparks, who wore a pink floral gown, said she was overwhelmed by the opportunity to perform on such a historic stage.

“I’m just really grateful to be following in the footsteps of so many incredible people that have been here before,” she said.

Ms. Whitley, in a glimmering black pantsuit, admitted to some preshow jitters. “The people that have come through these doors, that’s what scares me,” she said.

Around 7:15 p.m., the crowd funneled into the theater for the concert and awards presentation. Ms. Sparks kicked things off with a medley of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.”

Ms. Hochul then presented the Apollo with a 90-year anniversary plaque. “This is the heart and soul of Harlem culture, of Black culture, of American culture,” she said, to roaring applause.

But it was a choreographed dance tribute to Usher that got the crowd moving. Performing a medley of songs that included “Yeah!,” “Burn” and “Confessions Part II,” around three dozen dancers dressed in white filled the aisles as Usher, seated next to his wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, smiled and bobbed his head in appreciation.

As the R&B singer accepted his award onstage, he rubbed the Apollo’s famous Tree of Hope, a stump of an elm tree that stood outside the Lafayette Theater on Seventh Avenue until 1934 — and is believed to bring performers good luck.

Addressing the crowd, Usher, in a burgundy suit, a shimmering silver choker and white boots, recalled watching “Showtime at the Apollo,” the televised amateur talent show, with his late grandmother when he was growing up in Tennessee.

“I remember thinking, ‘Man, someday I’m going to make it to that stage,’ and ‘Hopefully one day, I’ll get a standing ovation,’” the musician said. (The audience, who was indeed standing, applauded.)

But not every performer had that kind of lifelong confidence. Babyface, the evening’s other award recipient, was astonished as he accepted the inaugural Legacy award from the rapper Fat Joe and the investor Kwanza Jones, both of whom are former winners of the Apollo’s Amateur Night, the weekly talent show for novice performers.

“I just never saw myself as being on the Apollo stage,” said Babyface, who had been inducted into the theater’s walk of fame at a ceremony the day before. “I was always the guy behind the scenes and writing songs for everyone else. I am just in awe to be considered as part of this.”

A series of singers performed a 20-minute musical tribute to Babyface featuring some of the most well-known songs he has written and produced. Ms. White performed her single “Superwoman,” and the musician Johnny Gill sang “My, My, My.”

And then a surprise.

“Oh my God, Babyface is going to perform!” one woman in the audience yelled as the musician, wearing a white suit over a white turtleneck and snakeskin boots, his eyes hidden behind gold-rimmed sunglasses, walked onstage.

Around 9:30 p.m., after Babyface closed the show with “Whip Appeal,” attendees joined a second-line procession to an after-party about a block away under a tent outside the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building.

Waiters floated around the room with trays of small bites like miniature tacos, and people lounged on yellow couches, munching on plates of braised short ribs and chicken from Charles Pan-Fried Chicken.

Partygoers stepped onto a black-and-white-checked dance floor and danced under a rotating gold disco ball to sets by the D.J. D-Nice. Under a canopy of red neon lights, he played funk and soul hits like “Nasty Girl” by Vanity 6 and “It’s a Love Thing” by The Whispers.

Guests took photos in front of a neon letter “A” and sipped turmeric-ginger lemon mules and vanilla espresso martinis.

The celebration continued until around midnight. The evening, Ms. White said, had been “incredible.”

Sarah Bahr writes about culture and style for The Times. More about Sarah Bahr

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Real estate | details, renderings unveiled for major restoration of apollo theater in harlem.

New details were shared by the Apollo’s preservation team during a Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting .

First announced in 2022, Tuesday’s presentation provided a glimpse at the “extensive” proposed facelift to the famous facade and interior, some of which require approval from the Commission.

According to the presentation , the landmarked Apollo would replace and refurbish all of its seating, expand the lobby, overhaul the HVAC system, upgrade the main auditorium’s acoustics, add new signage, fix the lighting, improve bathrooms and more.

The famous red “Apollo” signs above the marquee and attached vertically to the side of the building will have their neon lighting replaced with LED. The lettering itself would remain intact but the neon tubing would be switched.

Cas Stachelberg, of preservation firm Higgins Quasebarth & Partners, said the change is badly needed because the current neon letters often short out due to humidity and have to be repaired at great expense.

“For the period of a day or two when the letters are out, that makes the building just look like it’s not being cared for, which really couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said.

Most of the upgrades will be inside, including enlarging the lobby, adding a dramatic new carpet and a new cafe and bar. The auditorium would get a big new central chandelier, 29 additional orchestra-level seats and new carpeting and audio systems.

Built in 1913, the theater first opened its doors as the Apollo in 1934. Celebrated as the beating heart of Black artistry in New York City and beyond, the institution celebrated its 90th anniversary in January and is expanding its programming to include the Victoria Theater next door in March.

COO Aldo Scrofani said the plan marks the Apollo’s “first fully comprehensive renovation and restoration,” though it got a makeover in 2006 and was modified throughout the 20th century.

Tuesday’s plan was met with a largely warm reception from the commissioners, who offered several suggestions before the Apollo’s next presentation.

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Usher, Babyface showcase icon and legend status at Apollo 90th anniversary

NEW YORK – Icon and legend are some of the many words to describe Usher and Babyface , and on Tuesday, they were given the official titles from the Apollo Theater .

The historic theater in New York's Harlem neighborhood celebrated its 90th anniversary with the two music moguls at their annual spring benefit.

"We're thrilled to honor Usher with the Icon Award and Babyface with the Legacy Award," Apollo Theater CEO and President Michelle Ebanks told USA TODAY on the red carpet. "These are transformational artists. They've had a global impact."

The benefit included tribute performances from the next generation of Black talent, including a dance routine to Usher's hit songs from nearly 50 young performers that took over the theater and singers Saint Harison, Leon Thomas, Avery Wilson and Karyn White lending their voices to various Babyface songs.

"There's room for all of us. We have to encourage (prospective artists) and speak life into the youth. 'Gatekeeping' … that word should be thrown out the window," Jordin Sparks told USA TODAY ahead of her performance, with the " American Idol " alum adding that she would "love" to be considered as a judge in a singing competition to help the next generation.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

To kick off the night, Sparks performed a musical medley of "Superstition," "Respect" and "I'm Every Women" as a nod to the legacy acts that have previously graced the Apollo stage.

After Sparks got the crowd dancing, the night's host Kym Whitley breathed laughter into the air with jokes about Harlem's signs of gentrification (French vanilla lattes for sale on the same street as incense) and quips about how she's been trying to hunt Usher down for a serenade at his Las Vegas residency .

'American Idol' Jordin Sparks wants a judge gig: 'I've been in their shoes'

Usher talks about being 'the youngest of the legends' while accepting the Apollo's Icon Award

Usher was first to take the stage to accept his award, recalling his early memories of being at the Apollo, including seeing former Apollo Amateur Night host Kiki Shepherd. "They say if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. But if you can make it to the Apollo, you can do anything," he said. "Everything that the Apollo has done has motivated me in so many different ways."

The " Good Good " singer praised his mother Jonnetta Patton for allowing him to dream big. "I was always talking about the reality that I would be able to make it and she believed it," he said. "She was daring enough to support my vision and support me as an artist and as a man and as a philanthropist.

"Incredible moments have happened on this stage. Tonight I'm able to join a legacy of incredible people, like Harry Belafonte," Usher continued. "I feel like I'm the youngest of the legends, but for some reason, I also feel like I might be the oldest of the pioneers of this time. Someway, somehow this puts me in this very new and classic space. I'm so happy that I could have this moment."

Usher wished he "got a chance to meet Kiki Shepherd, but I never became an amateur because I became a major," he joked to a roaring crowd. He later quipped, "By the way, Kym Whitley, you didn't come back out here to get me to serenade you. You know I like 'em older."

The performer ended with a note to his newly minted wife and "best friend" Jennifer Goicoechea : "I'm so happy that we get to do this together."

Usher talks Super Bowl show, reveals most 'personal' song on new album: 'Oh, I'm ruined'

Babyface says he never imagined being on The Apollo stage

Babyface, who was awarded a star on the Apollo's Walk of Fame Monday, lamented to the crowd that he's "usually a lot funnier" in his acceptance speeches but was at a loss for words when it came to the inaugural Legacy Award.

"If I'm honest, I just never saw myself as being on the Apollo stage," the 12-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer said. "I was just always the guy behind the scenes, writing songs for everybody else and looking at people like my little brother Usher … You knew he was going to get here, and he knew he was going to get here. I am just in awe to be considered a part of the group."

Babyface added that he hasn't been on this journey in music alone. "I was being pushed. God was living through me and said, 'This is what you gotta do, this is what you're going to do.'"

Babyface delivers soulful performance, honors Whitney Houston in NPR Tiny Desk Concert: Watch

"People always ask me, 'How are you so humble?' I never feel like I do it all, I never feel like it's just me doing it," he added, giving praise to his fans. "I need every one of you to do what I do."

The musician ended by not only getting on the stage to accept his award but closing the night with a surprise performance of his 1989 song "Whip Appeal" as the theater sang along.

Apollo Theater celebrates 90th anniversary at star-studded event honoring Usher, Babyface

The Apollo Theater, a bastion of Black music and culture and one of New York City’s most storied venues, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

On Tuesday, the historic theater held its annual spring benefit — its largest annual fundraising effort, this year raising $3 million — with a star-studded event featuring Usher, Babyface, Big Daddy Kane, Jordin Sparks and more.

Sparks opened the night with an impressive medley of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” Then Kym Whitley emerged as a hilarious host, joking about the producer Babyface, who was being honored, arguing that he should now be known as “Grown-man-face, sexy-face, kiss-your-face.”

Later, she’d offer her own transformative story at The Apollo, sharing with the audience that it was on that stage where she first made an appearance as a stand-up comedian on television. “If you can make it at The Apollo,” she said, “You can make it anywhere.”

Speeches were given by a number of Apollo representatives, including President/CEO Michelle Ebanks, chairman of the board Charles Phillips, executive producer Kamilah Forbes as well as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

But it was the performances that really got the crowd on their feet. Dancers treated Usher to a choreographed medley of his own songs, from “Yeah!” to “Burn,” “Caught Up” to “Confessions Part II” and beyond.

Usher, who just a few months ago wowed audiences with his own career retrospective while headlining the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, was presented with the Icon Award.

In his speech, he recalled watching “Showtime at The Apollo” with his late grandmother. “I remember thinking, ‘Man, someday I’m gonna make it to that stage,’ and ‘hopefully one day, I’ll get a standing ovation,’” he said as everyone in the audience stood. “I stand before you humbled by your appreciation.”

“You know, they say if you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere,” he continued, referencing Whitley’s comments from earlier. “Well, if you can make it to The Apollo, you can do anything.”

Fat Joe and Kwanza Jones, formerly winners of The Apollo’s famed Amateur Night, came out and led the crowd in a singalong of Babyface’s 1989 hit, “Soon as I Get Home.” They were tasked with introducing the super-producer, who had been presented the day prior with the inaugural legacy award at The Apollo Theater’s 2024 Walk of Fame ceremony.

“I never imagined I would get this,” Babyface said during Monday’s ceremony. “I never saw myself actually, you know, being here at The Apollo. I didn’t want to perform here because I didn’t want to get booed, but I didn’t get booed,” he laughed. “I’m so glad that I came here for The Apollo.”

On Tuesday, his acceptance speech mostly ditched the jokes to express gratitude. “To be here at The Apollo — what’s so hard for me to find the words, because if I’m honest, I just never saw myself as like being on The Apollo stage. I was always the guy behind the scenes and writing songs for everyone else,” he said. “I am just in awe to be considered as part of this.”

“I’m just going to thank everybody. Normally I stand up here, I’m funnier than this,” he continued, “Usually, I am. But I’m just, I’m really just so taken by this, and I just want to thank you for the bottom of my heart. I appreciate it.”

The night ended with a series of singers coming out on stage to serenade Babyface with some of the most famous songs he produced: Toxi Braxton ‘s “You Mean the World to Me,” Eric Clapton’s “Change the World,” Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and so on.

Standouts included Karyn White doing her own “Superwoman,” Johnny Gill getting everyone out of their seats for his “My, My, My” and of course, Babyface himself closing the night out with “Whip Appeal.” They’re called classics for a reason.

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The apollo at 90: harlem legend leslie uggams recalls doing ‘29 shows a week’ at the iconic theater.

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When a 9-year-old Leslie Uggams made her debut at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater in 1952, she instantly won over the notoriously tough crowd as the “extra added attraction” on a bill with jazz great Louis Armstrong as headliner.

“It was terrific … They loved me,” Uggams, now 81, told The Post about her 20-minute act, which included singing, tap-dancing and impressions. “I remember one of the songs was ‘When You’re Smiling.’ And another song was ‘Exactly Like You.’ And also ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street.’ ”

The Harlem native — who earned her coveted spot on the Apollo stage by repeatedly winning a radio contest — wasn’t even nervous about not getting the local love when she was known as “Little Leslie Uggams.”

“I was a ham,” she said with a laugh. “I loved singing and performing. So, you know, I wasn’t really shy when I came out.”

Seventy-two years later, Uggams — a Tony-winning star of stage and screen, from the groundbreaking ’70s miniseries “Roots” to the blockbuster “Deadpool” movie franchise — has earned her velvet seat as an Apollo legend as the iconic institution celebrates its 90th anniversary.

Nine decades after the landmark theater opened on Jan. 26, 1934 — with a “Jazz a La Carte” performance featuring singer Aida Ward, Benny Carter and His Orchestra, and future “Amateur Night” emcee Ralph Cooper — the Apollo will salute 90 years of soul-lifting showtimes with its annual spring benefit on Tuesday night. 

Babyface — who on Monday joined the likes of Little Richard, James Brown and Aretha Franklin with his induction into the Apollo Walk of Fame — will be honored with the inaugural Legacy Award. Meanwhile, Usher — hot off his Super Bowl halftime performance in February — will receive the 2024 Icon Award. “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, New Edition’s Johnny Gill and “The Wiz” actor Avery Brooks will be among the performers raising money for the vaunted venue , which became a nonprofit organization in 1992.

“It feels very inspired … the fact that you can look back over nine decades and just appreciate the story and history and the impact of the artists and the voices on the entire world,” said Michelle Ebanks, the Apollo’s president and CEO. 

“There are few institutions that can talk about that level of global influence, that degree of being a cultural architect for us.”

While the impact of the Apollo has stretched across the world, far beyond 125th Street, it has been a mecca — a home — for African American artists since its opening in the location that was previously a burlesque theater.

Building upon the Harlem Renaissance, it was a seismic cultural shift “to open up the stage for access to African Americans, to performers who couldn’t play anywhere else, perform anywhere else,” said Ebanks. “You have ‘Amateur Night’ discovering Ella Fitzgerald. And then you go into the ’50s, where you have the big bands … the popular artists such as Billy Eckstine, Dinah Washington, Johnny Mathis. You move on to another era, you have Gladys Knight , Jimi Hendrix, the Jackson 5 .”

Uggams says that it was the ultimate showbiz education watching — and being mentored by — her elder masters as she performed at the Apollo from ages 9 to 16. “There was a little place in the backstage area where I could stand and watch every show,” she said. “I always tell people the Apollo was school for me. I learned a lot working with great people.”

And those special relationships in the Apollo family extended from the professional to the personal. “Louis Armstrong was really like my pops. He was very generous to my mom and I,” Uggams recalled. 

“ Ella Fitzgerald was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” she added. “I was in and out of her dressing room. There was always a lot of food, because she had relatives that would always bring you something … And I worked with her during the summer, so I would go outside and play hopscotch, and she’d bring her chair and sit out there to watch me.

“Dinah Washington — she was another one that took me under her wing and everything,” Uggams continued. “She was very, very special as well.”

But perhaps Uggams’ biggest lesson learned at the Apollo was all about work ethic.

“I mean, we did 29 shows a week, so you got a lot of experience,” she said. “We did five shows on Sundays, and we started later than the other [days] because of church. The Apollo wouldn’t open till church was over, and then we’d cram in all these shows. So I learned a lot about stamina as well.”

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Apollo Theater inducts Babyface into Walk of Fame

By Jessi Mitchell

June 10, 2024 / 7:28 PM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK -- The Apollo Theater on Monday welcomed a new name to its Walk of Fame, Grammy-winning singer and producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

Behind the mic or in the booth, Babyface has made his mark for decades with hit after hit. Actor Craig Robinson and rapper Fat Joe were among those joining star-signing music executive Clive Davis to credit Babyface, his label and producing partner L.A. Reid for their incredible impact on the industry.

"To produce hit records is very different than discovering new hit artists," Davis noted, "with TLC, with Usher, with OutKast, with Pink, with Toni Braxton, it really made history."

"It is only fitting that some of the greatest names in entertainment are here to celebrate one of the greatest names in entertainment." said Michelle Ebanks, the Apollo Theater president and CEO.

Also in attendance was Mary J. Blige, a previous Apollo Walk of Fame inductee and the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, who worked with Babyface on one of the biggest songs of her career.

"When he presented 'Not Gon' Cry' to me I couldn't believe my ears because it was talking about everything, exactly what I was feeling and dealing with," Blige said.

In accepting the honor, Babyface recognized everyone else who collaborated with him on his path of success.

"I never imagined that I would get this," Babyface said. "I never saw myself actually being here at the Apollo. I didn't want to perform here because I didn't want to get booed, but I didn't get booed, so I'm so glad that I came here for the Apollo."

His name will now live forever among greats, his peers and friends.

The 90th anniversary celebration culminates Tuesday with the Apollo's annual spring benefit.

Have a story idea or tip in Harlem? Email Jessi by  CLICKING HERE .

• Apollo Theater

Jessi Mitchell joined the CBS New York team as a multi-skilled journalist in October 2021, focusing her reporting in Harlem.

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