Almanac Travel: Travel Shorts NYC #10

 

 

Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre Harlem

 

Thursday 3^rd September 9am. Not even cold Maccas on Penn Station at midnight could dampen what was a truly magnificent night at the historic Apollo Theatre. Not the most salubrious way to finish the night especially when we bought it from the dirtiest Maccas EVER, with customer service standards befitting the condition of the place.

 

Lynda and I were lucky enough to see Yes Prime Minister in Soho London a few years ago at another Apollo Theatre and that was very old and beautiful, but this Apollo is engrained with black musical history that has seeped into the woodwork.

 

Stuck dead centre in the heart of Harlem, it’s walls are adorned with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Otis Redding, Wilson Picket, The Jacksons..they’ve all been here, and had to prove themselves here if they stood any chance of making it in big bad white corporate world. Remember most of these superstars didn’t even have the right to vote until the late 60s and if you were from the south wanting to make it in the big time, you were subjected to outright segregation until you got to NYC.

 

We went to see the famous Wednesday Amateur Night. This has been going a long time, way before any reality shows and the acts take it very seriously, one because they get to perform at the Apollo and secondly there is a big chance someone’s watching. There are two parts to the acts. The 9-15 year olds and the adults. You are not allowed to boo the kids but if you’re not happy with any adult acts you can boo!

 

A couple of the adult acts got some boos but they ploughed on with the help of those in the crowd who liked them and they got a rousing reception from everyone at the end. Last night was like a semi final so the acts were pretty polished and some were downright breathtaking. There were even three contestants that performed spoken word which you don’t normally see at a talent quest. All three were brilliant and didn’t receive one boo, rather the whole place was hushed and hanging off every word.

 

At the start of the night there is a warm up singer and an old guy in classic 30’s suit and hat who dances. They played for about half an hour with the backing band until everyone gets to their seats. The MC, comedian Capone was hilarious. Very Richard Pryor –like and he kept the energy levels up 100% of the time. After witnessing an incredible saxophone performance by an 11 YO kid, Capone walked out and said, “Makes me feel like goin’ home and punchin’ my son. He’s useless. I’ve gotta trick him into doin’ the sweeping at home”.

 

At intermission a DJ come out and at some stage he played a song that was saying something like “Bag it” as the chorus. It was very catchy and he invited anyone on stage to dance. Well about 12 black people of all ages got up and just seamlessly started shaking their booties in perfect unison to this modern version of ‘The bus stop’. I remarked to Lynda that perhaps I should get up and give it a go. She replied, “Baby your hips don’t work that way and you only know one dance. I don’t think the Apollo is ready for a white “fridge-like object” pogo-ing across the stage taking out unsuspecting dancers.” 

 

A totally uplifting night we will never forget. Highly recommended.

 

This is Capone strutting his stuff at The Apollo Amateur Night.  At the left of screen on the stage you might see the famous wishing tree trunk which the contestants all rub for good luck when they appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off to The Bronx today for the zoo and the Yankees. Hope all’s well. Love Willow and Lynda.

 

 

To read more from Ian Wilson click here.

 

 

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