Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater has been Harlem’s leading space for concerts and political rallies since 1914. Virtually every major black artist of note in the 1930s and ’40s performed here, including Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. After a desultory spell as a movie theater and several years of darkness, the Apollo was bought in 1983 and revived as a live venue. It eventually fell into disrepair again, but now, after the completion of an extensive renovation, the Apollo is more beautiful than ever, as it finally has a restored facade, marquee, glass-and-steel storefront and brand-new box office. Its famous weekly Amateur Night – ‘where stars are born and legends are made’ – still takes place on Wednesday, with a wild and ruthless crowd that’s as fun to watch as the performers. On other nights, the Apollo hosts performances by established artists like Stevie Wonder and Joe Jackson. And this was the place to be when news of Michael Jackson’s 2009 death spread, and masses of mourners were drawn to the sidewalk here, under the famous marquee, to dance and cry and remember.