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Home , Bernie Mac, Club Harlem, Comedy club, Def Comedy Jam, Flip Wilson, Kirby Dick

The in Partnership with Bob Sumner Presents The Apollo Club Series

New Comedy Series Marks the Extension of the Theater’s Late Night Offerings

Apollo Comedy Club to Kick-Off With The APOLLO WALK OF FAME INDUCTION of JACKIE “MOMS” MABLEY, and

Thursday, October 1st, 2015

(, NY October 1, 2015) - The Apollo Theater will launch a new comedy initiative – Apollo Comedy Club – in partnership with the Bob Sumner (producer of , creator of LAFFMOBB on Aspire). The new series will see the iconic Theater returning to its comedic roots as it further expands its robust programming offerings. Apollo Comedy Club will feature an evening of comedy on the Apollo’s intimate Soundstage starring the best up-and-coming talent in comedy today including Davian Velez, Omar Thompson and Dino Vigo. Hosted by Harlem native Smokey Suarez and with music by the renowned DJ Qool Marv, the comedy shows will precede the Theater’s weekend music series, Apollo Music Café, extending the Theater’s late night offerings.

Apollo Comedy Club will open its doors on Thursday, October 1, 2015. Directly preceding opening night, the Theater will induct non-musical artists into the Apollo Walk of Fame, for the first time. Groundbreaking Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor, all of whom had a longstanding relationship with the Theater and are considered Apollo Legends, will officially be inducted into the Walk of Fame to kick off the comedy series. The Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame honors legendary performers who have helped shape the American music landscape and built the Apollo into one of the world’s most enduring cultural institutions. The plaques will be installed underneath the Apollo’s marquee on 125th street, alongside plaques for numerous Apollo legends including , , Smokey Robinson, , and Patti Labelle, among others.

Recognized primarily for its role in launching the careers of some of the world’s biggest music artists, the Apollo also has a long and storied history with comedy. Since the Theater first opened its doors in 1934, comics were a central part of the Theater’s variety shows. From the 1930’s through the early 1950’s, comedy at the Apollo consisted of situational, sketch humor and evolved to include stand-up monologues and social commentary from the mid-1950’s and on. The Apollo’s roster of comic artists who graced its legendary stage, adding to its already rich legacy include: Lincoln Perry (), Eddie ―Rochester‖ Anderson, Pigmeat Markham, , Tim ―Kingfish‖ Moore, Butterbeans and Susie, Flournoy Miller, , Jackie ―Moms‖ Mabley, , Redd Foxx, , George Kirby, , , Richard Pryor, , to name a few.

―Comedy is very much a part of the Apollo’s DNA and we have been talking about how to reintroduce it into our mix of programming for a few years now. As with everything we do, we always want to make sure that we honor the Theater’s legacy and present programming that is new and fresh and examines the legacy through a contemporary lens. Bob is the perfect partner to help us do that with comedy because he understands that space inside and out,‖ said Mikki Shepard, the Apollo’s Executive Producer. ―We are very excited to be partnering with him and to be able to give emerging and established comedians a nurturing forum that allows them to experiment and hone their craft.‖

―The launch of Apollo Comedy Club and my involvement is a very meaningful thing. The Apollo was in the fabric of my household. I would visit the Theater as a kid and see Jackie ―Moms‖ Mabley and it was an exciting experience that is embedded in me,‖ said Bob Sumner, Apollo Comedy Club Curator, Producer of Def Comedy Jam and Creator of LAFFMOBB. ―The Apollo is known to be the launching pad for many of the biggest stars in entertainment, both in music and comedy. So for me to now have an opportunity to come to the Apollo and curate Apollo Comedy Club, I feel that I have come full circle. Since the early 90s I've been instrumental in launching the careers of many of today's superstars in comedy. Now being able to continue to identify the best up and coming comedians, I know this great relationship will take these emerging comedians to the next level in their careers. It's all in the formula, and we both have it.‖

Apollo Comedy Club’s first season will run from October 2015 to June 2016. Doors open for bar, food and music by DJ Qool Marv at 9pm and the show begins at 10pm with host Smokey Suarez.

Apollo Comedy Club line up (October 2015 – January 2016)

APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring Marshall Brandon, Del Harrison (DEL) and Davian Velez Thursday, October 1, 2015 (doors open for bar and food at 9 pm)

Marshall Brandon has been making people laugh since he was a kid. After earning a B.A. in Criminal Justice, he went on to pursue a career in comedy. Brandon he has gone on to win first place in the Connecticut and earned an Emmy nomination from the Boston /New England Chapter of the National Academy of Arts & Sciences. He has appeared on BET’s Comic View and opened for many of today’s well-known comedians including , D.L Hughley, , Talent and A.J. Johnson.

Del Harrison (DEL) is a stand-up , writer, actress and host known for being the creator of Another Show, an online sketch web series that opened its season with a spoof of fellow comedian Mo’Nique. The skit was well received and DEL was invited to appear on the Mo’Nique Show. Since then DEL’s sketches have reached over 2 million views. Some of DEL’s career highlights include Fox’s standup show Laughs, ’s Laffapalooza, ’s Open Mic Fight, MTV’s MADE and ABC’s The Revolution.

Davian Velez is a New York native with over 15 years of industry experience. He has been seen on popular Latino TV shows such as Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got , Que Loco and Viva . Velez is also known as a producer and host of comedy events in including the Championship Comedy Series at Yankee Stadium and Comedy Con Salsa.

APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring Angelo Lozada, Hadiyah Robinson and Omar Thompson Thursday, November 5, 2015; 10 pm (doors open for DJ, bar and food at 9 pm)

Hailed as one of the top 50 Latino comics in the United States, Angelo Lozada attributes his upbringing in the Bronx for his comedic styling. Housed at the famed Nuyorican Poet’s Café for twelve years, Lozada’s career highlights include performances on Showtime at the Apollo, BET’s Comic View, SiTV’s Latino Laugh Festival and Presents: First Amendment on the STARZ cable television network.

Hadiyah Robinson has been performing across the country for the past 10 years. Robinson has made TV appearances on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, Centric’s According to Him & Her, Oxygen’s Celebrities Undercover and BET’s Comic View. Before making the leap into comedy, Robinson made a living as an Associate Producer at MTV, producing such shows as True Life and P.Diddy’s Making the Band.

Omar Thompson is a standup comedian, writer and actor from Harlem, New York. He attended Post University where he would host student talent nights and open for various comedians that performed at the University. After earning his degree, Thompson turned to comedy full-time where he began writing and producing sketches on his YouTube channel, which has generated over 800,000 views. Thompson has performed as a headliner at various comedy clubs including Standup NY, , Improv, FunnyBone, Gotham Comedy Club and Caroline’s on Broadway.

APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring GL Douglas, Rashaun Reese and Dino Vigo Thursday, December 3, 2015; 10 pm (doors open for DJ, bar and food at 9 pm)

G.L. Douglas’s brand of clean and wholesome comedy has taken her all over the country. The self- proclaimed ―Good Girl‖ has performed at various comedy clubs, on live television, in Off-Broadway plays, independent films and on various comedy showcases as host. Douglas’s talents have led her to share the stage and tour with many well-known artists including Marvin Sapp, LeAndria Johnson, Tye Tribbett, Small Fry, John Gray and Rickey Smiley. G.L. has been blessed to have found God's favor in her career pursuits.

Rashaun Reese is an actor, writer and stand-up comedian whose brand of comedy is often described as honest, hilarious and uncut. Reese has appeared on BET’s Comic View and starred in the 2007 , Gold Digger Killer.

Dino Vigo is a skilled writer and performer with a minimalist approach to comedy. Dino’s mixed-race has influenced his comedic palate and his uncompromising . The Long Island native has performed at Caroline’s on Broadway, Laugh Factory NYC and Stand Up NYC.

APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring Shatara Curry, John Moses, and Leonard Outz Thursday, January 7, 2016; 10 pm (doors open for DJ, bar and food at 9 pm)

New Jersey native, Shatara Curry has performed at multiple comedy clubs throughout the U.S. and U.K. Her conversational style of comedy has no range, as her routine covers multiple topics including family, relationships, hair, her passion for food and her sobering addiction to shopping. Some of Curry’s career highlights include a leading role in the independent film Gold Digger Killer, appearances on NBC Comedian Diversity and MSNBC Today Show. John Moses has been on the comedy scene for more than 10 years. He is always a standout at comedy festivals including, The Boston Comedy Festival, The Asheville Comedy Festival and most recently the Dark Comedy Festival in his hometown of Toronto. Moses’s 2012 debut album, On the Edge, was voted one of Laughspin.com’s ―10 Best Comedy Albums of 2012. Another career highlight came in 2015, when he made his second appearance on Gotham Comedy Live and received high praise from the show’s host, the iconic Dom Irrera.

Leonard Outz is a native of South Carolina who started doing comedy in 2001. His routine involves topics such as family, current events and the things he notices while walking down the street. Leonard takes an approach to comedy that is real and thought provoking.

Tickets for Apollo Comedy Club are $20 and $15 in advance for the Apollo’s A-List. There is a $10 drink/food minimum for each show. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531- 5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are on sale now.

Apollo Theater Information Box Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 10:00am - 6:00pm Wednesday – 10:00am - 8:30pm Saturday – 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Get social! For exclusive photos, updates and more use the hashtags #ApolloComedyClub #ApolloWalkofFame

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About the Apollo Theater The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents 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.

With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more. This includes the October 2014 premiere and 2015 international tour of the dance celebration project - James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, the annual Africa Now! Festival, Apollo and the upcoming New York premiere of the opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. The Apollo is a presenting organization that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works organized around a set of core initiatives: Apollo Music Signature Programs—Amateur Night, Salon Series, Apollo Music Café; Legacy Series - work that celebrates and extends the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and Breakin’ Convention, international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and Special Projects, multidisciplinary work with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater 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 D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Miri Ben Ari, D’Angelo, Ella Fitzgerald, , , James Brown, Michael Jackson, , Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.

The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization and currently in the midst of fundraising for its 21st Century Apollo Campaign, created to extend the institution’s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.

About Bob Sumner Bob Sumner, co-creator of HBO's ' Def Comedy Jam is a recognized force in the world of comedy, with over 20 years of experience discovering many of the top gifted comedians that grace the stage and big screen around the world.

Before joining Russell Simmons’ company, Rush Communications, Bob was an independent club promoter for musicians and comedians in the tri-state area. Originally from Roselle, , Bob graduated from Seton Hall University leaving behind the college radio station of all stations after single handedly taking it to the number one spot.

As co-executive producer and talent scout for Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, Bob is definitely the man comedians want to know—he has made superstars out of many of today’s most sought-after comedians. He is the unseen force behind the comedians who appear on the critically-acclaimed Def Comedy Jam series. With more than 20 years of experience producing comedy, Sumner is one of the most adored producers in the world of comedy. During Def Comedy Jam’s first season in the 1990s, he traveled across the country in search of undeniably, talented comedians to shine on the show. Sumner has discovered such talent as , Dave Chapelle, , Bill Bellamy, , Mike Epps, Mo'Nique and a multitude of other undiscovered comedians. He is often referred to as the black (creator of ) of African American comedy because he has helped to launch the careers of many of today’s most successful comedians. Bob also served as Vice-president of talent for Simmons Lathan Entertainment (A Subsidiary of Rush Communications) and Producer/Talent Scout Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam. Currently, Bob is Executive Partner in his venture, Laff Mobb, with music and comedy management titan Arthur Spivak. In addition to ―Laff Mobb’s We Got Next‖, Laff Mobb has produced specials that have aired on Showtime.

The Apollo's 2015-2016 season is made possible by generous support from American Airlines, BNY Mellon, Citi, Coca-Cola, Troy and Keisha Dixon, EmblemHealth, Frederick Wildman, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Carla A. Harris, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, JoAnn Price, Earl W. and Amanda Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee New Works Fund, the Apollo Board of Directors and many other generous donors.

Lead annual support is also provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

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For more information, please contact: Nina Flowers Cynthia Tate Apollo Theater Foundation Apollo Theater Foundation 212-531-5334 212-531-5340 [email protected] [email protected]

Chelsea Bruck Isabel Sinistore Resnicow + Associates Resnicow + Associates 212-671-5164 212-671-5175 [email protected] [email protected]