Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., Third Annual Spring Benefit Celebrating the Legend and Championing the Vision

Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., Third Annual Spring Benefit Celebrating the Legend and Championing the Vision

The Apollo pays tribute to James Brown with a star studded night featuring performance by Mos Def and the Dance Theater of Harlem. The 2007 Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Humanitarian Award will be presented onstage to Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.

HARLEM, N.Y., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., announced today that on Monday, June 11, 2007, it will host its third annual Spring Benefit -- a three-part affair that includes a glamorous red carpet and pre-show cocktail reception; 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 73-year legacy and its initiatives for emerging artists, education programs, and community outreach efforts in New York City and beyond.

This year's event will commemorate the life and music of the late Apollo Legend, James Brown, with a ceremony inducting Mr. Brown posthumously into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame. The awards ceremony will continue with the presentation of the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award to Kyra Sedgwick & Kevin Bacon and the corporate award to Lehman Brothers. 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 in tribute to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. The tribute concert will feature the incomparable Mos Def accompanied by his Big Band and other special guests, including Funk Legend Maceo Parker, James Brown's renowned saxophone player. There will also be a special performance to the music of James Brown by the internationally esteemed Dance Theatre of Harlem Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble. Chris Tucker will again serve as the evening's master of ceremonies. The event will culminate at the Apollo Supper Club -- a unique lounge atmosphere featuring the generous gourmet creations of celebrity chef, Alexander Smalls; plentiful libations, courtesy of Hennessy and Moet Hennessy USA; and late-night dancing to music spun by DJ Hollywood.

Jonelle Procope, president and CEO of the Apollo, explained that "it is our mission to preserve and develop our legendary Theater through the Apollo Experience of world-class live performances that honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists, as well as emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media. This year's Spring Benefit especially embodies this vision -- by presenting multigenerational entertainers who are legends on the one hand and some of the most unique, forward-thinking creative voices of our time, working in a variety of artistic genres on the other. This is our history -- it is our future and it is what the Apollo does best."

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 whose employees live and work in New York City 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."

Lead Sponsors for the event include American Airlines, Hennessy, The Coca Cola Company, Essence Magazine, Lehman Brothers, New York Daily News, Skadden Arps, Time Warner Inc., TV One, and W Hotels.

To purchase tickets to the event or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., call 800.618.3444. Press inquiries should contact Jake Spitz at 646.688.6379 or jake@expagency.com.

The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established in 1991 as a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and development of the world famous Apollo Theater, a New York City, New York State, and federally-dedicated historic landmark. The Apollo continues to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage and performance traditions of communities of color, honor the legendary artists who have played the Apollo, and provide a performance platform for future stars. While preserving and building upon the theater's rich history, the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., also serves as a cultural and educational resource for the community and the public at large.

CONTACT:
The Experiential Agency
Sasha Tcherevkoff (917) 554-1135
Sasha@expagency.com

Jake Spitz (646) 688-6379
Jake@expagency.com

Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.

Florene Wiley (212) 531-5308
Florene.Wiley@apollotheater.org

Nina Flowers (212) 531-5334
Nina.Flowers@apollotheater.org

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.

CONTACT: Sasha Tcherevkoff, +1-917-554-1135, Sasha@expagency.com, or
Jake Spitz, +1-646-688-6379, Jake@expagency.com, both of The Experiential
Agency; or Florene Wiley, +1-212-531-5308, Florene.Wiley@apollotheater.org, or
Nina Flowers, +1-212-531-5334, Nina.Flowers@apollotheater.org, both of Apollo
Theater Foundation, Inc.

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