Story By: Mariel Concepcion / Story From: BillBoard
The Apollo Theater will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a benefit tribute concert and an awards ceremony, among other festivities, on Monday, June 8h beginning at 6:30 p.m., to be held at the historic venue.
Hosted by comedian, actor and radio personality Steve Harvey, the gala will feature the induction of Quincy Jones and Patti LaBelle into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame, who will be presented with their awards by Jamie Foxx and Mariah Carey. Past inductees into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame include Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard and Ella Fitzgerald.
The induction ceremony will be followed by the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award, presented this year to Bill and Camille Cosby. This award, named after the late Ossie Davis and his wife, is given annually to a couple who have shown a commitment to their community and a strong bond amongst each other and their families. Previous award recipients have included Pauletta and Denzel Washington; Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon; Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance; and Tonya Lewis Lee and Spike Lee.
The Apollo's annual corporate award recognizing superior corporate leadership will be presented to The Coca-Cola Company for its ongoing commitment to the Apollo and the Harlem community.
The evening will also feature performances by Anita Baker and the O'Jays. Ray Chew, musical director for the Inaugural Neighborhood Ball television special on ABC, NBC's "The Singing Bee," "Showtime At The Apollo" and the weekly Amateur Night show, will serve as the night's musical director.
This event is the Apollo's largest annual fundraiser and all proceeds of the event will benefit the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, dedicated to preserving and developing the Apollo Theater and its initiatives for performing artists, educational programs, and community outreach efforts in New York City and beyond.
