NEW YORK (DIME Media Inc. for Apollo Theater Foundation/ www.dime-media.com) - The Apollo Theater Foundation announced today that on Monday, June 20th, 2005, The Apollo Theater will host its inaugural APOLLO 2005 SPRING BENEFIT: THE MAGIC LIVES ON. This star-studded gala will bring together the best in business and entertainment to raise funds in support of the legacy of The Apollo Theater.
The Apollo 2005 Spring Benefit will be a stellar and soulful evening complete with a "Walk of Fame" processional on the red carpet, an outdoor concert in tribute to Apollo Legends, a VIP Sponsors cocktail party, and a magnificent Apollo concert and honors ceremony featuring performances by stage and screen star Vanessa Williams, acclaimed smooth R&B group Boyz II Men, soul artist Gerald Levert, and gospel sensation Bebe Winans.
"We are ecstatic to present our first Apollo Theater 2005 Spring Benefit which will unite top business leaders, world-renowned entertainers, and the Harlem community to honor The Apollo's heritage and set the stage for our great future," said Ms. Jonelle Procope, President of The Apollo Theater Foundation. "With the ongoing support of both our corporate sponsors and individual donors, we are confident this milestone event will help guarantee the legacy of The Apollo Theater."
The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Apollo Moments - a free outdoor community event located on 125th Street in front of the Apollo Theater. Afterward, an intimate Sponsors VIP reception will precede the highlight of the evening, The 2005 Apollo Spring Benefit Concert & Awards Ceremony, which will then be followed by the Apollo Legends Lounge Party - a fabulous, A-list soiree complete with a fantastic menu of food, live music, dancing and mingling under an elegant outdoor canopy.
In a special tribute to the late Ossie Davis, Chairman Emeritus of The Apollo Theater Board of Directors and his wife Ruby Dee, the Apollo Theater Foundation has this year established the Ossie and Ruby Award, which will be presented annually to a married couple who replicates the pair's commitment to family, community, and to the craft. The first Ossie and Ruby Award will be presented to film producer/director phenomenon Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, a contemporary author.
Esteemed Apollo benefactors Sandy and Joan Weill will receive the Corporate Award for their ongoing support of The Apollo Theater and its programs. In addition, the venerated Community Award - given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to both The Apollo Theater and the Harlem community-at-large - will be jointly awarded to Congressman Charles B. Rangel and entrepreneur/activist Percy E. Sutton.
Sponsors for The 2005 Apollo Spring Benefit include Time Warner, Starwood Foundation (Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide), Belvedere Vodka, Coca-Cola Foundation, Citigroup, Apollo Real Estate Advisors, L.P., TV One and Mercedes-Benz. The 2005 Apollo Spring Benefit Committee is comprised of such elite members as Andre Leon Talley, Quincy Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Suzanne de Passe, Gayle King and Chris Rock.
For more information regarding purchasing tickets for The Apollo 2005 Spring Benefit event and/or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater Foundation, contact The Daily Blossom at 212-633-6529 or visit The Apollo online at www.apollotheater.com.
The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. ("the Apollo") was established in 1991 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and development of the world famous Apollo Theater, a New York City, New York State and federally-dedicated historic landmark. The Apollo continues to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage and performance traditions of communities of color, honor the legendary artists who have played the Apollo, and provide a performance platform for future stars. While preserving and building upon the theater's rich history, the Apollo Theater Foundation also serves as a cultural and educational resource for the community and the public at large.
