2015 FALL/WINTER SEASON the Apollo Theater Launches
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2015 FALL/WINTER SEASON The Apollo Theater launches Apollo Comedy Club The new series marks the extension of the Theater’s late night programming and will kick-off with the Apollo Walk of Fame Induction of comedic legends Redd Foxx, Jackie “Moms” Mabley and Richard Pryor Other 2015 Season Highlights Include: The return of the global hip-hop dance theater festival Breakin’ Convention Just added celebrated French dance duo Les Twins Also featuring a new work developed at the Apollo by acclaimed choreographer Rennie Harris Irvin Mayfield, Dee Dee Bridgewater & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra For the New York Concert Premiere of Bridgewater and Mayfield’s New Album ‘Dee Dee’s Feathers’ A Festive Halloween Weekend Celebration To Include A New Orleans Masquerade Themed Concert and After Party World premiere of renowned Brazilian choreographer Fernando Melo’s latest work; A co-commission with Ballet Hispanico Apollo and Jazz à Vienne’s artistic and cultural exchange continues with Je Suis Soul: A Salute To French And African Jazz And Soul A Celebration for the 35th Anniversary of the Jazz à Vienne Festival featuring French soul’s leading artists The Legendary Manu Dibango, Ben l’Oncle Soul with the Monophonics and Les Nubians The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents The First Noel: A World Premiere Musical; Book, music and lyrics by Lelund Durond Thompson and Jason Michael Webb (Harlem, NY –September 21, 2015)—On the heels of the recently announced expansion of its daytime programming with the Billie Holiday hologram show, the Apollo Theater today announced another exciting new addition to its 2015 Fall/Winter season with the launch of a new comedy initiative – Apollo Comedy Club. The new series will see the iconic Theater returning to its comedic roots as it further expands its late night offerings. Presented in partnership with the legendary Bob Sumner (producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of LaffMobb on Aspire), the Apollo Comedy Club will take place on the Theater’s intimate Soundstage space and showcase some the best emerging talent in comedy today. Also to kick-off the series, the Theater will, for the first time, induct non-musical artists into its celebrated Apollo Walk of Fame. On October 1st, the Theater will hold a special ceremony to induct legendary comedians Redd Foxx, Jackie ―Moms‖ Mabley and Richard Pryor into its Walk of Fame and, following the ceremony, Apollo Comedy Club will officially open its doors. Additionally, the Apollo’s 2015 Season will include: Breakin’ Convention (October 13-18), a global celebration of hip-hop dance theater featuring celebrated French dance duo Les Twins and a new work by acclaimed choreographer Rennie Harris; The New Orleans Jazz Weekend and Masquerade Party (October 30&31), which marks the return of jazz musician Irvin Mayfield and his New Orleans Jazz Orchestra to Harlem for a celebration of the new collaboration album Dee Dee’s Feathers, with legendary jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater; a new ballet by renowned Brazilian choreographer Fernando Melo, co-commissioned with the Apollo and Ballet Hispanico (November 20&21); a celebration of the Jazz à Vienne Festival’s 35th anniversary with Je Suis Soul!: A Salute To French And African Jazz And Soul (December 4&5) featuring many of French soul’s leading artists Manu Dibango, Ben l’Oncle Soul with the Monophonics and Les Nubians; and The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents the world premiere of The First Noel (December 11-30) a new Harlem-based holiday musical, by Lelund Durond Thompson and Jason Michael Webb. The Fall/Winter calendar will also feature the 2015 season finale of the Apollo’s signature series Amateur Night: Super Top Dog on November 25th and the fifth season opener of Apollo Music Café, which showcases boundary-pushing, emerging and mid-career artists in an intimate club-like setting on the Theater’s Soundstage. As the cornerstone of the Harlem community, the Apollo will also present public conversations, education programs for students and families, and other community events to complement the season’s artistic offerings. APOLLO THEATER Fall/Winter 2015 APOLLO COMEDY CLUB October 2015 - January 2016 The Apollo Comedy Club will see the iconic Theater returning to its comedic roots as it further expands its robust programming offerings. Presented in partnership with the legendary Bob Sumner (producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of LaffMobb on Aspire), the 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 Del Harrison, 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 comedians 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. 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 (Stepin Fetchit), Eddie ―Rochester‖ Anderson, Pigmeat Markham, Mantan Moreland, Tim ―Kingfish‖ Moore, Butterbeans and Susie, Flournoy Miller, Timmie Rogers, Moms Mabley, Slappy White, Redd Foxx, Nipsey Russell, George Kirby, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, to name a few. 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. Upcoming performances include: Thursday, October 1, 2015 Del Harrison (DEL), Marshall Brandon and Davian Velez Thursday, November 5, 2015 Angelo Lozada, Hadiyah Robinson and Omar Thompson Thursday, December 3, 2015 GL Douglas, Dino Vigo and Rashaun Reese Thursday, January 7, 2016 John Moses, Shatara Curry and Eddie Bryant 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. Breakin’ Convention—An International Festival of Hip-Hop Dance Theatre Featuring: Les Twins (France), Rennie Harris Puremovement (Philadelphia/USA), BirdGang Dance Company (UK), NL2 Formerly known as Next Level Squad (Brooklyn/USA), Compagnie Phorm (France/Argentina), The Ruggeds (Holland), Tito Lockers from Soulsations! (New Jersey/USA), Antoinette Gomis (France), Klassic and Havoc (Brooklyn/US), Street Justice Crew (New York City/USA), Rep Your Style (New York City/USA) and Legendary Twins (Bronx/USA) October 13 - 18, 2015 The Apollo presents Breakin’ Convention, an International Festival of Hip-Hop Dance Theater and a Sadler’s Wells London project, for a week of hip-hop dance theater performances, workshops and other activities featuring the best dance artists and companies from New York City, the U.S., and around the globe. Curated and hosted by Sadler's Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D, Breakin’ Convention is a celebration of hip-hop culture and its global impact and is part of the international festival’s first U.S. tour. This year, popular French hip-hop dance duo Les Twins – comprised of twin brothers Larry and Laurent Bourgeois – will make their Apollo debut during Breakin’ Convention. Les Twins are known for their eclectic hip-hop style and having worked with mainstream music artists, including Beyoncé, Jay Z and Missy Elliott. Also, new to this year’s Festival is the inclusion of an original work commissioned for Breakin’ Convention by the Apollo and created by acclaimed choreographer Rennie Harris, in May 2015, as part of the Apollo’s new works incubation program - the Apollo Salon Series. The Philadelphia- based Rennie Harris Puremovement and the Brooklyn-based NL2, both standout participants in the Theater’s first Breakin’ Convention, will perform 100NAKEDLOCKS, a new piece inspired by the sci-fi genre. In addition to the Mainstage performances, Apollo’s Breakin Convention will also feature a variety of artistic, education and community events including a special Amateur Night at the Apollo performance, an Apollo Live Wire discussion along with workshops and an Apollo Master Class led by pioneers in the hip-hop dance field. The six-day Festival will bring a mix of renowned performers from around the globe, DJ’s spinning tunes and graffiti artists creating unique artwork. Additionally, the Festival will feature interactive dance lounges and other programs to take place on the Apollo’s Mainstage, Soundstage and under the iconic marquee. The Apollo Theater first presented Breakin’ Convention, its first global festival, in June 2013. The Festival provides a platform to celebrate the Theater’s hip-hop roots while highlighting the development of the culture around the world. (For more information on Apollo Live Wire and Master Class see EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS starting on page 9.) Tickets for Breakin’ Convention are $25 - $45.