The Apollo Theater continues its 2013-2014 season with a series of holiday programs designed to celebrate family, culture, music and community. Throughout its legendary history, the Apollo has consistently been a model of innovation and excellence, and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the nation. This year’s holiday programming represents the range and vibrancy of the Theater’s artistic offerings.
Highlights of Holidays at the Apollo include:
The Apollo’s weekly talent competition, Amateur Night at the Apollo, ends its 2013 season with the final showdown of the year Super Top Dog 2013. November 27th
Ellington at Christmas – This special holiday presentation will include excerpts from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite and Sacred Music Concerts. Ellington has a rich history at the Apollo, where he headlined frequently in the 1930s and 40s. The Ellington at Christmas program will feature tap phenomenon Savion Glover, Jazz vocalist Lizz Wright, Ellington historian and Music Director David Berger’s 16-piece jazz orchestra with solo vocalists, the 100-voice Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir and students from the Dance Theatre of Harlem School. December 7th
Apollo Amateur Night Holiday Special is the 4th annual event under the Theater’s signature program, Amateur Night, showcasing recent youth performers and winners of the show’s “Apollo Stars of Tomorrow” category. Performers range in age from 11-18. Special guest host: Bow Wow (host of BET’s 106 & Park). December 14th
Coca-Cola will provide some holiday fun under the Apollo’s iconic marquee offering a Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland – variety of holiday-themed activities, choir performances and a visit from Santa. Free and open to the public. December 14th
Kwanzaa Celebration Regeneration Night is the Apollo’s annual event, now in its 7th year, honoring the principles of Kwanzaa through music and dance. Featuring celebrated dance company Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. December 27th
Full Schedule:
Saturday, November 23rd – 7:30pm
Event: Ballet Hispanico: Apollo Premiere of Dia de los Muertos
The dance event of the holiday season on the legendary Apollo Theater stage includes a world premiere inspired by the beloved Mexican celebration Dia de los Muertos, and the premiere of an all-male dance that turns a playful eye on stereotypes. Celebrating 42 years of dance and culture, Ballet Hispanico is recognized as the nation’s premier Latino dance organization. Led by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, the Company boasts a rich and diverse repertory of over 100 works by the foremost choreographers and emerging artists of our time. The works expand on founder Tina Ramirez’s legacy of exploring the diversity of Latino culture through a fusion of classical, Latin, and contemporary dance powered by theatricality and passion. The Company has performed for an audience of nearly 3 million, throughout 11 countries, on 3 continents. For more information, visit www.BalletHispanico.org.
Tickets are $28, $38, $48, and $58. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.Tickets on sale now.
Wednesday, November 27th – 7:30 pm
Event: Amateur Night at the Apollo – Super Top Dog
Get ready for the final showdown of the 2013 Amateur Night season: Super Top Dog. Hundreds of up-and-coming musicians, dancers, comedians and other entertainers have vied all season for the opportunity to compete on the legendary Apollo stage, home to musical icons such as Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Lauryn Hill. The contestants competing in this Super Top Dog finale have won over the notoriously tough Apollo audience in three rounds of competitions to advance to this point. The winner will receive the title of Super Top Dog and a grand prize of $10,000.
Tickets are $25, $34, and $43. Groups & families (10 or more): $23, $31, and $43. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Tuesday, December 3rd – 7:30 pm
Event: Live Nation Presents This Christmas: An Evening of Holiday & Hits Featuring Michael McDonald
Two notes. That’s all it takes to recognize the voice of Michael McDonald. Distinctive and soulful, it is one of the most yearningly emotive instruments of our times. From ‘70s-era Doobie Brothers classics such as “What A Fool Believes” to “I Keep Forgettin. With this concert he brings his unmistakable voice to audiences in a special way—sharing some of his holiday favorites and best hits on the world famous Apollo stage.
Tickets are $59.50, $69.50, $99.50, and $149.50. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Friday, December 6th – 10pm (doors open for bar and food at 9 pm)
Event: Apollo Music Café: Alecia Chakour Band and Jason Walker
The New York Times calls this blues siren a “breakout young artist.” Armed with a gritty, bellowing voice, Alecia Chakour tells stories of love, heartbreak and struggle with the timelessness of an old soul reincarnate. Get ready for an enchanted performance by Jason Walker. With nine records charting Top 40 on the Billboard Music Chart, Jason Walker is a legend in the making. With DJ Hard Hittin Harry.
Tickets for Apollo Music Café are $20 and $15 in advance for the Apollo’s A-List (Sign up at www.apollotheater.org).Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Saturday, December 7th – 10pm (doors open for bar and food at 9 pm)
Event: Apollo Music Café: Gordon Chambers – Sounds of the Season
Award-winning singer-songwriter Gordon Chambers will perform holiday songs, soulful and jazzy unplugged renditions of songs from his three critically acclaimed independently released solo albums, as well as personalized renditions of the hits has written for the likes of Anita Baker, Brownstone, Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan. He will also tribute the legends that have inspired him–including Whitney Houston, Phyllis Hyman & Donny Hathaway. With DJ Hard Hittin Harry.
Tickets for Apollo Music Café are $20 and $15 in advance for the Apollo’s A-List (Sign up at www.apollotheater.org).Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Saturday, December 7th – 3 pm, 8 pm
Event: Ellington at Christmas
Apollo Legend Duke Ellington often headlined and performed at the Theater during a period that was considered the Apollo’s golden years (the 1930s and 40s). The Ellington at Christmas program at the Apollo will feature tap legend Savion Glover, David Berger’s 16-piece orchestra, actor Keith David as narrator, the 100-voice Abyssinian Baptist Choir, Jazz vocalist Lizz Wright, opera singer Priscilla Baskerville, and students from the Dance Theatre of Harlem School. This special holiday presentation celebrates that legacy and includes excerpts from Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite and his Sacred Music Concerts. Under the musical direction of David Berger and his orchestra.
Tickets are $35-$75. Groups $29.75-$63.75. Apollo Advantage $24.50-$38. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Saturday, December 14th – 7:30pm
Event: Apollo Amateur Night Holiday Special featuring Apollo Stars of Tomorrow
With Special Guest Host Bow Wow of BET’s 106& Park
Sponsored by Coca-Cola
The legendary Apollo Theater lights up this holiday season with the Apollo Amateur Night Holiday Special, the 4th annual event under its signature program Amateur Night, showcasing recent winners of the show’s “Apollo Stars of Tomorrow” category. Featuring an incredibly talented array of instrumentalists, singers and dancers from ages 11-18, this programcaptures the spirit of young performers all hoping to follow in the footsteps of Apollo Legends like Michael Jackson and Ella Fitzgerald, whose careers were launched on the stage of the Apollo.
Currently the host of BET’s 106 & Park, rapper and actor Bow Wow has been in the music industry since the tender age of five years old. Discovered by Snoop Dogg, he was featured on the iconic rapper’s groundbreaking Doggystyle album. For his solo debut, Bow Wow teamed up with Jermaine Dupri to release Beware of Dog in 2000, the kickoff to a string of platinum and gold albums that spawned six No. 1 singles and such platinum songs as “Let Me Hold You,” “Like You,” Shortie Like Mine” and “Outta My System.” He is the “Youngest Solo Rapper to Ever Hit No. 1,” as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Bow Wow has sold more than 10 million albums to date. He starred in the film “Lottery Ticket,” alongside Ice Cube and had a recurring role on the HBO’s beloved series “Entourage.”
Tickets are $20, $26, and $32. Groups & families (5 or more) are 50 % off. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Saturday, December 14th – 2pm to 6pm
Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland – Free
Before the show, the Apollo and Coca-Cola bring the magic of the holiday season to Harlem. Just before the Amateur Night Holiday Special, the Theater will offer a variety of holiday-themed activities and performances free and open to the public under the iconic Apollo marquee. Hosted by Billy Mitchell, Apollo Theater tour director, festivities include picture-taking with Santa Claus, prize giveaways, and performances Refining Faith and Acapella Soul. Additionally, in the spirit of giving, the Apollo will be a designated location for a toy drive to benefit STRIVE’s Strong Fathers, Stronger Families Program. Located in East Harlem, STRIVE services hundreds of unemployed or underemployed fathers who are trying to remain positive role models for their families.
This event is free and open to the public and located under the Apollo Marquee.
Friday, December 27th – 7:30pm
Event: 7th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night
The Apollo Theater celebrates Kwanzaa with its popular annual show, featuring the renowned New York-based dance company Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. Since 2006, the Apollo has established an annual show to celebrate this holiday tradition on one day of the Kwanzaa holiday. The Apollo’s celebration is a joyful evening of dance and music honoring the principles of Kwanzaa—family, community, and culture. Hosted by Imhotep Gary Byrd.
Special guests include: Michael C. Wimberly, Yacouba Sissoko, and F the Elemental.
Tickets are $18; Apollo Advantage $12; Groups (5 or more): $15. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Apollo Theater Information
Box Office Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday – 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday – 12:00 pm – 6:00pm
For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org. December 14th
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