The Apollo pays tribute to 2008 inductee Smokey Robinson and 2008 Ruby Dee
& Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award recipients Pauletta & Denzel
Washington
Hosted by Comedienne and Actress Wanda Sykes
Evening will feature performances by Earth Wind & Fire, India.Arie and
Nnenna Freelon with additional appearances by Janet Jackson, Ruby Dee and
Terrence Howard
HARLEM, N.Y., May 12 -- The Apollo Theater Foundation,
Inc., announced today that on Monday, June 2, 2008, it will host its fourth
annual Hall of Fame Induction & Gala -- a magnificent affair that includes
a glamorous red carpet, a tribute concert and awards ceremony and a grand
tented after-party. The star-studded event will bring together the best and
brightest in business and entertainment to raise funds in support of the
Apollo's 74-year legacy and its initiatives for emerging artists, education
programs and community outreach efforts in New York City and beyond.
Hosted by comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes, this year's event, in
preparation for the Apollo's 75th Anniversary, will commemorate the life
and music of Apollo Legend Smokey Robinson with a ceremony inducting the
performer into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame where he will join
predecessors Gladys Knight, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and Little
Richard. The awards ceremony will continue with the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis
Arts and Humanitarian Award given to Pauletta and Denzel Washington as well
as appearances by the presenters of the evening including Oscar nominated
actress, Ruby Dee, Oscar nominated actor, Terrence Howard and Grammy-Award
winner, Janet Jackson. The corporate award will be presented to Verizon for
their ongoing commitment to the community. The much-anticipated evening
will commence in the historic, legendary Apollo Theater where guests will
be entertained with a wide range of performances and appearances by the
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter India.Arie, Nnenna Freelon, and
Earth Wind & Fire. The event will culminate with the Apollo Supper Club --
a stylish lounge atmosphere featuring the generous gourmet creations of
celebrity chef, Alexander Smalls prepared by Great Performances, plentiful
libations courtesy of Belvedere and late-night dancing to music spun by DJ
D-Nice.
Jonelle Procope, president and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation,
explained that, "As the Apollo prepares to enter into its 75th Anniversary
next year, we continue to champion the mission of honoring the history of
our much revered Theater as well as securing its future. This is more than
a venue. The Apollo is an experience and this year's Spring Benefit, in
particular, completely embodies that sentiment. This is the one event where
everyone from the business community to the entertainment world to the
Harlem community -- can come and celebrate and help preserve their Apollo
Theater."
Richard Parsons, chairman of the Apollo's board of directors, expressed
the significance of the evening and the institution as, "The Apollo Theater
shares a unique relationship with everyone who walks through its doors --
from the countless stars that were born on its stage to its world-famous,
international audience to the thousands in Harlem's communities served by
its programs. 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."
Time Warner Cable is the Title Sponsor for the event. Lead Sponsors
include American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hearst
Corporation, Skadden Arps, Time Warner, TV One, Verizon and W Hotels.
Tickets are available for $1,000. To purchase tickets or to make a
donation to the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., call 800.618.3444. Press
inquiries contact Jake Spitz at 646.688.6379 or jake@expagency.com.
About the Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem, New York City, and America's most
iconic and enduring cultural institutions. The Apollo was one of the first
theaters in New York, and the country, to integrate, welcoming
traditionally African-American, Hispanic, and local immigrant populations,
as well as headlining uniquely talented entertainers who found it difficult
to gain entrance to other venues of similar size and resources. For that
reason, the Apollo has been a pioneer in presenting the cultural
contributions of black and Latino communities and played a central role in
the development of American music into the 21st century. The Apollo has
launched and nurtured the careers of seemingly countless legendary
performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sara Vaughan, James
Brown, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, and Alicia Keys.
The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established as a nonprofit,
charitable organization in 1991 and is dedicated to the preservation and
development of the Apollo Theater. The Foundation brought stability to the
Theater's operations and focused its efforts on reinvigorating the Apollo
legend. Over the past few years, the Apollo has roughly tripled its
operating budget, full-time staff, annual audience, and weekly programs.
The Apollo's mission is to honor the influence and advance the
contributions of African-American artists and advance emerging creative
voices across cultures and artistic media through the Apollo Experience of
world-class live performances and educational programs. The Apollo reigns
as one of New York City's premiere uptown attractions and is the cultural
anchor of the current reinvigoration of the 125th Street corridor.
For more information, visit http://www.apollotheater.org.
CONTACTS:
The Experiential Agency
Jake Spitz (646) 688-6379
Jake@expagency.com
Sasha Tcherevkoff
(917)554-1135
Sasha@consilium-ventures.com
Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.
Nina Flowers (212) 531-5334
Nina.Flowers@apollotheater.org
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