Apollo Theater Celebrates ’90th Anniversary’ | Watch New Reel

The Apollo Theater is a testimonial to the impact the world of black music, a world that once revolved around the Apollo Theater, has had on generation after generation of hitmakers.

Today January 26th, 2024 marks the 90th Anniversary of The Apollo. Since its inception, The Apollo has been a beacon of innovation and a driving force for creativity, not only within Harlem and New York but also around the world.

On Friday, January 26, 1934, they would open the doors to one of the first vaudeville halls in New York City to spotlight Black performers and welcome Black audiences — the Apollo Theater.

To commemorate the occasion, The Apollo is thrilled to announce a social media campaign designed to engage the community in celebrating the rich tapestry of memories woven into its legacy. #Apollo90 encourages individuals to participate by sharing their special moments under the iconic marquee, contributing to a digital mosaic that captures the diversity and vibrancy of The Apollo’s impact over the decades.

In celebration of The Apollo’s 90th anniversary in 2024, the renowned institution will launch a selection of upcoming concerts, comedy shows, and educational programs across its stages as part of its Winter and Spring 2024 season, adding to the recently announced programming at The Apollo Stages at the revitalized Victoria Theater, set to open on February 1st.

The legendary Apollo—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, The Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. In 2024, The Apollo will open The Apollo’s Victoria Theaters, which will include two new theater spaces, and begin the renovation of its Historic Theater, marking the first ever expansion and renovation of The Apollo in its 90-year history.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, The Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at The Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R. D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and The Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.

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