Although it has opened and closed a few times, and changed its name, the Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighbourhood of Manhattan, has been an institution since 1914. It began its amateur nights performances in 1934, and some superstars rose out of those events, namely (among many others):
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Sarah Vaughan
- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Billie Holiday
- James Brown
For those of us outside New York, many of us first heard of the neo-classical Apollo couched in the lyrics of the Lou Reed song, “Walk on the Wild Side.” Seating about 1,500 audience members, the Apollo hosts music, comedy, performing arts, and events or celebrations like Barak Obama’s 2007 campaign fund-raiser and a tribute to Michael Jackson in 2009.
Home of American music like the blues, gospel, original R&B, jazz and swing, the Apollo Theater is now a not-for-profit venue, fully equipped to record (audio and video) events on its stage. It lists what’s on stage on its website, so plan ahead and get your tickets before you go.
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Map for Apollo Theater
Did You Know?
The Theater was listed on The National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and designated a New York City Landmark in 1985.
The Apollo Theater in Harlem is one of The most famous music halls in The United States, known for its pivotal role in The emergence of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, and soul music.
The Apollo launched The careers of many iconic artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, and Michael Jackson.
The Apollo Theater's Amateur Night is a renowned talent competition that has been a stepping stone for many famous artists.
Beyond music, The Apollo Theater also hosts a variety of shows, including comedy, dance performances, and special events, contributing to its status as a cultural cornerstone of Harlem.
Travel Information for
New York City Visitors
Time Zone: New York City operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-5).
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Verified & Trusted Contact Information for Apollo Theater
Contact: Official Website
Address:
253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
Website: apollotheater.org
Latitude: 40.81
Longitude: -73.9501
More Places and Things To Do in New York City Within 500 km/300 mi of Apollo Theater
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Distance from Apollo Theater to The Metropolitan Museum of Art is 3.6 KM / 2.2 MI
The American Museum of Natural History
The Distance from Apollo Theater to The American Museum of Natural History is 3.8 KM / 2.3 MI
The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
The Distance from Apollo Theater to The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is 5 KM / 3.1 MI
The Museum of Modern Art
The Distance from Apollo Theater to The Museum of Modern Art is 5.9 KM / 3.7 MI
The Madame Tussauds New York
The Distance from Apollo Theater to The Madame Tussauds New York is 6.8 KM / 4.2 MI
The One World Observatory
The Distance from Apollo Theater to The One World Observatory is 12 KM / 7.5 MI
