Community programs extend the Apollo Theater Foundation's commitment to enhancing the life of the community and further its mission as a community resource.  Through a variety of programs designed to engage children, adults, schools, families, artists and community-based organizations, community outreach activities build on the Apollo's rich history as a cultural and economic anchor to the greater Harlem community.

Events and programs include:

Holiday Celebrations

The Apollo’s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration/Regeneration Night, is a wonderful family event of dance and music honoring the principles of Kwanzaa – family, community and culture.  The performance features the renowned Harlem-based dance company, Abdel R. Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre.  First presented at the Apollo in recognition of Kwanzaa’s 40th Anniversary in 2006, Forces of Nature’s Regeneration Night was met with such enthusiasm that its success spurred the Apollo to mark Kwanzaa with an annual event.

Other Apollo holiday events include a special presentation of Amateur Night at the Apollo entitled “Stars of Tomorrow” and featuring musicians, singers, and dancers, ages 10 to 15 years old, all of whom are past winners of Amateur Night; and performances by Ballet Hispanico, one of the foremost dance companies representing Hispanic culture in the United States.

Annual Open House

These free weekends at the Apollo give patrons “an onstage pass” to the landmark venue and include: self-guided tour and explorations of the Theater and its history; film screenings; performances; cultural fair and information booths with cultural and community partners.

Ticket Subsidy Programs

The Ella Fitzgerald Family Night Out offers free-of-charge tickets each year for the wide spectrum of Apollo-produced performances, including Amateur Night at the Apollo, the Salon Series, Kwanzaa Celebration, and other family-oriented programming. 

For more information about the Apollo's Community Programs, contact Adé Williams, Community Relations Manager.

Support of Community Programs

The Apollo Theater is grateful to the following whose major support helps make possible our Community Programs:

The Coca-Cola Company.

Additional support is provided by The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Macy’s, The Neuberger Berman Foundation, The Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation and Target.

Lead annual support is also provided by public funds from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone; with additional funding from the National Endowment for the Art; New York City Theater Subdistrict Council; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Inez E. Dickens, and Speaker Christine Quinn; the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council; New York State funding from Senator Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Keith L.T Wright, and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and the New York State Council for the Arts.