The world’s famous Apollo Theater returned to its former glory last night with a gala fete that brought out some of the biggest and brightest of the entertainment and business communities.
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary, the historic venue – widely recognized as one of the nation’s greatest cultural treasures – hosted its annual spring gala with a three-hour-plus concert and awards gala. With Steve Harvey as the master of ceremonies, the event was jam packed with heartfelt tributes to Quincy Jones, Bill and Camille Cosby, and Patti LaBelle, tour-de-force performances from promising newcomers Chanj and Zaccheus Denwiddie, memorable speeches from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Coca Cola Company executive Ingrid Saunders Jones and surprise guests, which included Prince, Fantasia and The O’Jays.
Produced by Ron Weisner of Ron Weisner Entertainment, the show’s musical directorRay Chew kept audience members delighted with a full orchestra capable of performing anything from big band standards to groovy R&B.
According to Apollo Theater Foundation President and CEO Jonelle Procope, the evening’s festivities – which were sponsored by TV One, Belvedere Vodka, American Airlines and Coca Cola, among other major corporate entities, raised funds that exceeded its the organizations goal of $1.3 million. “As we celebrate our 75-year legacy, we are also enhancing our role as a center of artistic innovation, education, and discovery for the next 75 years,” she said. “The artists we’re honoring today provide irrefutable proof of the Apollo’s continuing power as a transformative cultural force in America and around the world.”
Some of the evening highlights:
- Steve Harvey cracking jokes about Apollo’s chairman of the board Richard Parsonslack of humor during his lengthy introduction to Bloomberg.
- Award presenter Jamie Foxx doing impersonations of Bill Cosby, Quincy Jones,Gayle King, Ray Charles and President Barack Obama.
- Award honoree Quincy Jones reminiscing of first coming to the Apollo theater in 1951 with Lionel Hampton at the age of 19.
- Fantasia jumping in the audience while performing an R&B medley including Aretha Franklin‘s ‘Rock Steady,’ Rufus featuring Chaka Khan‘s ‘Tell Me Something Good’ and Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’
- Award presenter Phylicia Rashad glowing as she presented Bill and Camille Cosby with the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award.
- The stage going dark, dramatically, then when the lights rose: Prince appeared in tribute to Patti LaBelle, who he referred to as his sister, mother, cook, stylist and teacher.
- Mariah Carey tearing up as she introduced LaBelle, referring to her as a “headliner’s headliner.”
- LaBelle joining the band in singing ‘If Only You Knew’ after the end of her speech about being “no better than any other singer out there” and embracing her blessings.
- Harvey admitting to having a “punk ass moment” when he saw Prince standing in front of him – and then breaking out into song (Prince’s 80s ballad ‘Adore’).
- The O’Jays closing out the show with a string of their hits, including ‘For The Love of Money.’
“The Apollo Theater shares a unique relationship with everyone who walks through its doors-from the generations of stars whose careers were launched on our stage to our world-famous, international audience to the thousands in Harlem who are served by our programs,” Parsons said. “With the support of businesses combined with commitments from civic-minded individuals, this milestone event will go far in helping to guarantee the future of the Apollo and its programs.”
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