Apollo Theater
Famed Harlem venue
The Apollo Theater is a legendary music hall in Harlem, New York City, famous for launching African American performers and shaping popular music.
Since the 1930s, its Amateur Night has been a proving ground for emerging talent—Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, and Lauryn Hill all got early breaks there.
She dreamed of performing at the Apollo.
Soulful pop genre
- soulInnermost animating essence
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- funkDepression or groove music
- MotownDetroit's soulful moniker
doo-wop · blues · hip-hop · bebop · swing · jazz · Ella Fitzgerald · James Brown
Amateur performance contest
- competitionStruggle for supremacy
- boosShouts of disapproval
- cheersCasual toast or farewell
- audience voteSpectators' collective choice
discovery · breakout · hopefuls · contestants · debut · audition · spotlight · Wednesday night
Raised performance platform
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- balconyRaised exterior platform
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- box officeTicket sales revenue
seating · acoustics · backstage · orchestra pit · mezzanine · curtain · spotlight · house band
NYC's densest borough
- Harlem RenaissanceBlack arts explosion, 1920s
- uptownAffluent city area
- New York CityAmerica's largest city
- African AmericanU.S. Black ethnic identity
neighborhood · community · soul food · brownstones · block party · streetcorner
Notable point of reference
- historicOf lasting significance
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
trailblazing · influential · cultural · emblematic · timeless · venerated · illustrious · institution
Program mixing different performances
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- stand-upSolo comedic performance
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
- revueMusical variety entertainment
live music · acts · performers · showmanship · audience participation · call and response · entertainers · improv
R&B
Soulful pop genre
Motown · doo-wop · blues · hip-hop · bebop · swing · jazz · Ella Fitzgerald · James Brown · Stevie Wonder
talent show
Amateur performance contest
- competitionStruggle for supremacy
- boosShouts of disapproval
- cheersCasual toast or farewell
audience vote · discovery · breakout · hopefuls · contestants · debut · audition · spotlight · Wednesday night · tree stump
stage
Raised performance platform
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- balconyRaised exterior platform
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
box office · seating · acoustics · backstage · orchestra pit · mezzanine · curtain · spotlight · house band · emcee
Manhattan
NYC's densest borough
- Harlem RenaissanceBlack arts explosion, 1920s
- uptownAffluent city area
- New York CityAmerica's largest city
African American · neighborhood · community · soul food · brownstones · block party · streetcorner
landmark
Notable point of reference
- historicOf lasting significance
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
pioneering · trailblazing · influential · cultural · emblematic · timeless · venerated · illustrious · institution · legacy
variety show
Program mixing different performances
revue · live music · acts · performers · showmanship · audience participation · call and response · entertainers · improv · Steve Harvey
- Black CultureNAACP, HBCUs, Black churches, civil rights movement, Harlem Renaissance
- Black History SitesUnderground Railroad, MLK Memorial, Central High School, Tuskegee Institute, Howard University
- NYC AttractionsEmpire State Building, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Statue of Liberty
- Theatersmovie theater, cinema, playhouse, opera house, auditorium
- Famous VenuesMadison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks, Radio City Music Hall
- Black DiasporaAfrican American, African Americans, African diaspora, African heritage, African roots
Apollo TheaterCarnegie Hall
Prestigious Manhattan concert hall
Metropolitan Opera · Lincoln Center · Broadway · Kennedy Center · Radio City Music Hall
Apollo TheaterBroadway
Manhattan theatrical district
Times Square · Midtown Manhattan · downtown · Lincoln Center · Wall Street