Apollo Theater Fourth Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Apollo Theater Fourth Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The Apollo pays tribute to 2008 inductee Smokey Robinson and 2008 Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award recipients Pauletta & Denzel Washington

Hosted by Comedienne and Actress Wanda Sykes

Evening will feature performances by Earth Wind & Fire, India.Arie and Nnenna Freelon with additional appearances by Janet Jackson, Ruby Dee and Terrence Howard

HARLEM, N.Y., May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., announced today that on Monday, June 2, 2008, it will host its fourth annual Hall of Fame Induction & Gala -- a magnificent affair that includes a glamorous red carpet, 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 74-year legacy and its initiatives for emerging artists, education programs and community outreach efforts in New York City and beyond.

Hosted by comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes, this year's event, in preparation for the Apollo's 75th Anniversary, will commemorate the life and music of Apollo Legend Smokey Robinson with a ceremony inducting the performer into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame where he will join predecessors Gladys Knight, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and Little Richard. The awards ceremony will continue with the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award given to Pauletta and Denzel Washington as well as appearances by the presenters of the evening including Oscar nominated actress, Ruby Dee, Oscar nominated actor, Terrence Howard and Grammy-Award winner, Janet Jackson. The corporate award will be presented to Verizon for their ongoing commitment to the community. 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 by the Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter India.Arie, Nnenna Freelon, and Earth Wind & Fire. The event will culminate with the Apollo Supper Club -- a stylish lounge atmosphere featuring the generous gourmet creations of celebrity chef, Alexander Smalls prepared by Great Performances, plentiful libations courtesy of Belvedere and late-night dancing to music spun by DJ D-Nice.

Jonelle Procope, president and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation, explained that, "As the Apollo prepares to enter into its 75th Anniversary next year, we continue to champion the mission of honoring the history of our much revered Theater as well as securing its future. This is more than a venue. The Apollo is an experience and this year's Spring Benefit, in particular, completely embodies that sentiment. This is the one event where everyone from the business community to the entertainment world to the Harlem community -- can come and celebrate and help preserve their Apollo Theater."

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 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."

Time Warner Cable is the Title Sponsor for the event. Lead Sponsors include American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hearst Corporation, Skadden Arps, Time Warner, TV One, Verizon and W Hotels.

Tickets are available for $1,000. To purchase tickets or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., call 800.618.3444. Press inquiries contact Jake Spitz at 646.688.6379 or jake@expagency.com.

About the Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem, New York City, and America's most iconic and enduring cultural institutions. The Apollo was one of the first theaters in New York, and the country, to integrate, welcoming traditionally African-American, Hispanic, and local immigrant populations, as well as headlining uniquely talented entertainers who found it difficult to gain entrance to other venues of similar size and resources. For that reason, the Apollo has been a pioneer in presenting the cultural contributions of black and Latino communities and played a central role in the development of American music into the 21st century. The Apollo has launched and nurtured the careers of seemingly countless legendary performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sara Vaughan, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, and Alicia Keys.

The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established as a nonprofit, charitable organization in 1991 and is dedicated to the preservation and development of the Apollo Theater. The Foundation brought stability to the Theater's operations and focused its efforts on reinvigorating the Apollo legend. Over the past few years, the Apollo has roughly tripled its operating budget, full-time staff, annual audience, and weekly programs.

The Apollo's mission is to honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists and advance emerging creative voices across cultures and artistic media through the Apollo Experience of world-class live performances and educational programs. The Apollo reigns as one of New York City's premiere uptown attractions and is the cultural anchor of the current reinvigoration of the 125th Street corridor.

For more information, visit http://www.apollotheater.org/.

CONTACTS:

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

Sasha Tcherevkoff
(917)554-1135
Sasha@consilium-ventures.com

Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.
Nina Flowers (212) 531-5334
Nina.Flowers@apollotheater.org

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.

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

Web site:

http://www.apollotheater.org/

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