Amateur Night at the World Famous Apollo Theater is the venue’s biggest attraction. Hosted by the original gangster of comedy, Capone, Wednesday’s Amateur Night was filled to capacity during this writer’s first visit to the more than 75-year-old show.
DJ Ness got the party started with a Pre-Jam Concert. Next, the Executioner, C.P. Lacey, performed dance moves backed by the Amateur Night’s four-piece band: Alex the bassist, Matt the guitarist/keyboardist, James the drummer and Onreé the musical director/keyboardist. The band also played live sets for most of the contestants.
It was a blast. I danced, I laughed and I almost booed the performers.
Even though we have the reality TV talent shows like “American Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Got Talent,” and the newly minted “X Factor,” it doesn’t take away from the fact that Amateur Night at the Apollo is one of the premier presentations to showcase the talents of ordinary people.
The Who’s Who of black talent have performed on the stages of the Apollo Theater to earn their stripes. James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday and even a few of our contemporaries Notorious BIG and Dave Chappelle, graced the stage at the Harlem jewel.
With talents ranging from Matrix-inspired, hip-hop moves to good ol’ R&B singing, the acts run the gamut. The seven acts that competed this evening for the chance to win the $10,000 grand prize will be presented at the Super Top Dog showdown on Oct.26, 2011, which is sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Good luck to Danielle from Brooklyn whose cover of Beyoncé‘s “If I Were a Boy,” brought the house down. Her show stopping performance opened with an a capella of “Best Thing I Never Had.” Sweet. Coming in second was Lauren who sang “Mama Knows Best;” and third was Jamaal with John Legend’s “Ordinary People.”
My inaugural amateur night experience, to say the least, was loads of fun. –yvette caslin
Amateur Night at the Apollo is held every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Apollo Theater is located at 253 West 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027. Visit apollotheater.org for more information.
