APOLLO THEATER TO INDUCT
CHAKA KHAN
INTO APOLLO LEGENDS HALL OF FAME
AT ANNUAL SPRING GALA CONCERT
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES BY PATTI LABELLE and MARY J. BLIGE
TIME WARNER INC. TO RECEIVE CORPORATE AWARD
FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
ACCEPTED BY CHAIRMAN & CEO JEFF BEWKES
PRESENTED BY SARAH JESSICA PARKER
PERCY E. SUTTON CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARD
PRESENTED TO CAROL’S DAUGHTER FOUNDER& PRESIDENT
LISA PRICE
The Apollo Theater, a leading not-for-profit performing arts institution and one of the nation’s greatest cultural treasures, announced that its 8th Annual Spring Gala Concert will induct Chaka Khan into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame on Monday, June 10, 2013 in celebration of Ms. Khan’s 40th anniversary in the music business. This year’s program will include special tribute performances to the legendary singer by Apollo Legend Patti LaBelle and the incomparable Mary J. Blige.
Proceeds from the Spring Gala support the Apollo’s year-round world-class performing arts events, innovative education initiatives, and meaningful community programs, which honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists and emerging creative voices.
Chaka Khan joins past Apollo Legends Hall of Fame inductees—all legendary musicians, artists, and entertainers whose paths to fame included the Apollo—Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard, and Ella Fitzgerald. Each Apollo Legends Hall of Fame inductee is honored with a plaque in the Apollo Walk of Fame, installed under the Theater’s iconic marquee on 125th Street.
“I am honored that the Apollo is inducting me into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame,” says Khan. “The Apollo Theater is an American institution and is world-renowned for developing, nurturing, and creating talent for decades. The Apollo Theater has supported my career and now they are a part of honoring my legacy. I am looking forward to the celebration.”
Additionally, each year at the Spring Gala, the Apollo recognizes a corporation whose support enables the Theater to grow and expand its artistic, community, and education programs. The Apollo will present Time Warner Inc. with its 2013 Corporate Award, in recognition of the company’s outstanding philanthropy and community leadership. Time Warner Inc. Chairman & CEO Jeff Bewkes will accept on behalf of Time Warner Inc. with actress Sarah Jessica Parker presenting the award.
Jeff Bewkes, Chairman & CEO Time Warner Inc. remarks, “The Apollo shares Time Warner Inc.’s commitment to championing diverse voices, engaging new audiences, and nurturing emerging talent. Time Warner Inc. is proud to have supported the Apollo for more than a decade and we are delighted to be recognized with the 2013 Corporate Award.”
Carol’s Daughter Founder & President Lisa Price will receive The Percy E. Sutton Civic Leadership Award, named in honor of one of New York City’s legendary leaders and a champion of Harlem and its cultural institutions. This award is given to an individual or group who has demonstrated extraordinary support for and understanding of the value of the arts. In August of 1994, Price established Carol’s Daughter and almost overnight, celebrities from Jada Pinkett-Smith to Halle Berry became loyal customers. Today, Carol’s Daughter sells millions of dollars worth of products and boasts nine stores across the country, with a flagship store in Harlem. Price is an active philanthropist and is dedicated to giving back to the community through both her business and her personal life.
“Carol’s Daughter and the Apollo Theater are both part of the unique fabric of Harlem and New York City,” says Price. “Our commitment to diversity and beauty mirrors the Apollo’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices and celebrating the creativity in each of us. I am honored to be recognized with this award.”
2013 Apollo Spring Gala co-chairs include: Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET; Tamara Mellon, OBE; Anna Chapman and Ronald O. Perelman;
Richard Plepler, CEO of Home Box Office, Inc., and Marcus Samuelsson, celebrity chef and Apollo board member. Gala Vice Chairs include: Marcella and Terry Jones, Sonia and Paul T. Jones, and Dick and Laura Parsons,
The evening includes the gala concert and awards ceremony, produced by Ron Weisner for Ron Weisner Entertainment, and a post performance party featuring a stylish lounge created by celebrity event planner Bronson van Wyck.
Tickets for the 2013 Spring Gala are now on sale. To purchase Gala tickets or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater, call 212-531-5347. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.
About the Apollo Theater
The Apollo is a national treasure that has had a significant impact on the development of American culture and its popularity around the world. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in cultivating artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom on the Apollo’s stage. The Apollo Theater’s new artistic vision builds on its legacy. New Apollo programming has music as its core, driving large scale and more intimate music, dance and theater presentations. The Apollo will continue to present historically relevant presentations, as well as more forward-looking, contemporary work. Based on its cultural significance and architecture, the Apollo Theater received state and city landmark designation in 1983 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.
About Chaka Khan
An international music icon and an American institution, the ten-time GRAMMY® Award winner has influenced generations of artists. Chaka Khan has the rare ability to sing in eight music genres, including R&B, jazz, pop, rock, gospel, country, classical and dance music. She is a songwriter, producer, author, actor, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist. Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up ten #1 Billboard magazine charted songs, seven RIAA certified gold singles and ten RIAA certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka’s recorded music has produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her extraordinary achievements in music and entertainment. Earlier this year, she was awarded a BET Honors and she was the recipient of the Trumpet Award (Legend Award). In June 2012, she was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. In 2011, she was honored for her legendary career with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the same year, Chaka was honored with the United Negro College Fund’s An Evening of Stars Tribute. Chaka also received the Soul Train Legend Award (2009), the BET Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), the World Music Lifetime Achievement Award (2003), and the GRAMMY®Honors Award from the NARAS Chicago Chapter (2006). In 2004, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA. Chaka’s autobiography, Through the Fire, was published by Rodale Books in 2003 and is currently being adapted into a screenplay. In 1999, she established the Chaka Khan Foundation, which includes a variety of programs and initiatives that assist women and children at risk. In July 2012, Chaka received the McDonald Corporation’s 365Black Award, honoring her for her leadership of the Chaka Khan Foundation. This year, 2013, marks the 40th anniversary of Chaka’s career in music and entertainment.
The Apollo Theater gratefully acknowledges its Spring Gala Sponsors: Time Warner Inc., MacAndrews & Forbes, Macy’s, BET Networks, BNY Mellon, The Coca-Cola Company, and TVOne.
Special thanks to American Airlines, Belvedere Vodka, Bronson van Wyck, Magnolia Bakery, and MANHATTAN Magazine.
JBFCS CELEBRATES ITS 2013 SPRING BENEFIT