The Apollo Theater is an iconic establishment in New York’s Harlem neighborhood. Countless stars like James Brown and Gladys Knight have graced the stage since the doors opened in 1914. The Apollo Theater helped genres like jazz, R&B, blues, and soul become more mainstream. In 1934, Amateur Night began, allowing singers, dancers, and performers to take the stage and try to impress the audience.
Over 80 years later and the tradition is still going on every Wednesday night uptown and it’s a tradition you want you be a part us, trust us. The crowds are thick and the talent is incredible. The night begins by allowing the youngsters to take the stage first. You will be blown away by how talented some of these kids are. When we went, we saw several dances and a few singers, each better than the last. While you’re allowed to boo the adults off the stage, the kids are allowed to finish their entire performance, no matter what the crowd says — and who wants to boo a child anyways! Once the show moves onto the adults, the crowd is rowdy and ready for 5-start performances. Not gonna lie, it’s a little awkward and kind of sad when someone gets boo-ed off stage; you know they’re trying so hard and they obviously are braver than anyone in the audience, but hey- that’s part of the tradition. Luckily, the performers are so talented, you won’t need to boo very often! We were so impressed by the people we saw sing and dance, it was endlessly entertaining and such a fun thing to do with a group of friends. After just one show, you’ll understand how so many amateurs have gotten their start on the stage of the Apollo. The tickets are affordable- ranging from $15-35, so head uptown – maybe have dinner first at Red Rooster – grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the show!
