Amateur Night At The Apollo Kicks Off 2010 Season

AMATEUR NIGHT 2010

Legendary Apollo Theater Opens the 2010 Season

of its Signature Show on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Featuring a Special Performance by Hip-Hop Legend

Doug E. Fresh

New Season Will Feature a Revamped Show With a New Apollo Amateur Night Theme Song, Themed Competition Nights, and Significant Cash Prizes to Winning Contestants

(New York NY, –The legendary Apollo Theater today announced details of the 2010 season of its signature program, Amateur Night, the world’s most famous and enduring amateur talent competition. After going on hiatus through the run of the production of Dreamgirls at the Theater last fall, Amateur Night will return bigger and better than ever for the 2010 season with a special Opening Night Show featuring new enhancements and hosted by the comedian Capone on Wednesday, January 27^th at 7:30pm. Opening Night will also feature a performance by the ultimate party starter – hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh. The Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night has long been revered by artists as a transformative experience where up and coming talent feels the power of the legendary performers who have come before them, and where audience response can help make or break a career.

For the past 75 years, the Apollo’s Amateur Night has reigned as one of New York City’s ultimate live entertainment experiences, attracting performers and audiences from all over the world and establishing the Apollo as a cultural anchor. While fans of the show can still expect the return of show staples like C.P. Lacey in the role of the “Executioner” (the character who sweeps unworthy contestants off the stage) and celebrated Music Director Ray Chew and his band “The Crew,” the opening night of Amateur Night will introduce several exciting new features designed by producer Marion J. Caffey to give the ever popular show a fresh look and feel. Highlights of the enhancements include: a pre-show jam fest led by one of New York’s hottest DJ’s – DJ Jess; a new Amateur Night theme song; and, a brand new segment that allows audience members to prove on the spot if they have what it takes to make it on the Apollo stage. The new season of Amateur Night will start Wednesday, January 27^th at 7:30pm and will occur every Wednesday through October, 2010. Amateur Night is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

“Amateur Night has always been about the connection between the audience and the artist, and about what’s next,” said Amateur Night producer Marion Caffey. “We decided to take a look at the show to find new ways to keep it fresh and exciting for performers and audiences alike. We think the enhancements we’re implementing will complement Apollo traditions like the executioner and the house band, and will only add to the freshness of the event.”

Enhancements include:

A new pre-show element, “Amateur Night Pre-Show Jam Fest” featuring DJ Jess, one of NY’s hottest DJ’s, who will be accompanied by a multimedia presentation incorporating footage of past Apollo performances and other historic Apollo moments;
A new segment entitled Now You Know about Apollo trivia;
A new segment called “Step Up to the Mic”, which will allow audience members to prove on the spot if they have what it takes to make it on the Apollo stage
A brand new Amateur Night Theme song entitled “Beautiful Music” written by NY native Dunn;
Special guest artist appearances throughout the season;
Theme Nights, including a Broadway, New York City Teachers, Latin, and Gospel;
Cash prizes totaling more than $40,000 for the ultimate season winners;
Fans will be able to follow their favorite Amateurs and keep track of their progress on the Apollo’s web site by viewing YouTube videos and other related content.

Additionally, along with its annual New York auditions and to open the competition to a wider pool of candidates, the Apollo held national auditions in Atlanta this past fall and plans to hold future auditions in Washington, DC. Dates to be announced.

Tickets and Information

Tickets for Amateur Night begin at $17 and are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305,

253 West 125^th Street

. Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171 or www.ticketmaster.com/venue/6

Amateur night 2010 Season runs from January 27, 2010 through October 2010 on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm.

About the Contest

“Show-Off” competitions happen every four weeks, bringing back the winners from the previous four Amateur Nights as they vie for a coveted spot in the final rounds of competition;
Quarterly “Top Dog” presents the top three performers from each of three “Show-Off” contests;
Annual “Super Top Dog” pits the “Top Dog” winners in a contest for the Annual Title.

About Amateur Night

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul and hip-hop. From its notoriously tough audience to the magic of the Tree of Hope, the Apollo Amateur Night story is the stuff that legends are made of - literally. Amateur Night has been the foundation for some of the world’s greatest artists including Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five and Lauryn Hill. Long before Ted Mack and the Amateur Hour and American Idol, Apollo Amateur Night was, and continues to be, a primary source for discovering new talent and spotlighting up-and-coming artists, all hoping that the hallowed stage and the approval of the notoriously discerning Apollo audience will launch their careers in the entertainment world.

About the Apollo Theater

Currently celebrating its 75^th anniversary, the Apollo Theater is one of Harlem’s, New York City’s, and America’s most iconic and enduring cultural institutions. The Apollo was one of the first theaters in New York, and the country, to fully integrate, welcoming traditionally African-American, Hispanic, and local immigrant populations in the audience, as well as headlining uniquely talented entertainers who found it difficult to gain entrance to other venues of similar size and resources. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in cultivating artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom on the Apollo’s stage. Based on its cultural significance and architecture, the Apollo Theater received state and city landmark designation in 1983 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org