FREAK OUT!
On June 8, the Apollo Theater hosted its annual Apollo Spring Gala 2015, one of the largest fundraising events to be hosted at this historic theater. The star-studded benefit concert featured highly acclaimed musicians who have all graced the Apollo stage previously. Some of the performers were musician and producer Nile Rodgers who headlined the night alongside the disco-funk group Chic, Grammy winning R&B singer and songwriter Ne-Yo, Grammy winning singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash, R&B singer Luke James, South African a capella group The Soil, and Kimberly Nichole, from season eight of NBC’s The Voice. Each year at this annual Spring Gala, the Apollo recognizes and awards corporations for their philanthropic work and leadership within the community. This year’s recipients were The Madison Square Garden Company who received the Corporate Award and the Ford Foundation was awarded the Percy C. Sutton Civic Leadership Award.
The night started off extremely strong with a capella group The Soil taking the stage and performing the song “We Are One.” Known for their Kasi Soul blend of vocal bass and harmonies, this group first took the Apollo stage in 2013 during the Apollo Theater’s Africa Now festival. The way this group harmonized made this performance really stand out. Each singer had their own distinct melody and vocal tone but when they all came together, the sound was so amazing.
After The Soil finished their performance, the President and CEO of The Apollo, Jonelle Procope, came on stage to welcome the guests in attendance. She talked about the history of The Apollo and all the talents that have graced its stage. She also mentioned that tonight they were recognizing people and companies that have helped fund and maintain the presence of The Apollo Theater. She also mentioned The Apollo is diversifying itself with the types of performances that will be on the stage such as adding comedy performances, theater performances, and she even mentioned an opera taking the stage in the near future. She thanked the chairs and people who made this night possible and with that being said, she handed the mic to Dick Parsons, one of the Apollo board members, who gave the Corporate Award to the Madison Square Garden Company. Then a short video was played to further show all the philanthropic work that this company has done for the community and how this company has been nothing but a positive influence. James Dolan then came on stage to accept the award on behalf of the Madison Square Garden Company. He ended his time on stage with a small musical performance. They performed Doug Seeger’s “Cleanse My Soul.” It was a really great show and James Dolan did a stellar job.
Next, the Percy C. Sutton Civic Leadership Award was presented to Ford Foundation. Acclaimed actress, playwright, and professor Anna Deavere Smith took the stage to present this award to the President of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker. Before bringing Walker on stage, Smith gave a great speech talking about how important companies like the Ford Foundation are in regards to helping the community and being a positive influence on people who need something to look up to.
Once all the awards were given away, the host of the night AJ Calloway took the stage. He added a little humor to the night. He also mentioned that every single performer taking the stage has performed at The Apollo sometime before and that this night was, in a way, welcoming these artists back home.
The first performer to take the main stage for the concert was R&B singer Luke James. He performed some of his hit songs like “I Like The Way You Are,” and “I Want You.” James brought the house down with his performance. The way he demonstrated his vocal range such as going from the highest falsetto imaginable to a low, deep, and smooth tone was incredible. The level of energy he brought was also something to make note of. His precision in hitting the notes and the range he demonstrated only shows the unlimited potential that this artist has.
Up next was Kimbery Nichole, one of the contestants on the eighth season of NBC’s The Voice, who also performed at the Apollo’s Music Café in 2013. She performed the song “House of the Rising Sun,” and this gave us goosebumps. Nichole is a a vocal powerhouse, which is probably why she got the attention of Christina Aguilera when she was on The Voice. Nichole made this song her own. She took control and added a contemporary element to it. She also utilized the Apollo jazz band in the best ways possible, playing off of their musicality and energy. Nichole has such a bright future ahead.
Taking the stage after was Grammy winning singer and songwriter Ne-Yo, who started his singing career in the 90’s on Showtime at the Apollo. Starting off with his song “Sexy Love,” Ne-Yo serenaded the audience with his soulful and smooth voice, almost as if he was singing the song to each member of the audience. With the help of four backup dancers, his performance was extremely memorable. He then performed the song, “Religious,” from his newest album Non-Fiction. Before starting the song, he said that this song is about a type of love that is true and genuine and that makes you believe that God exists because that type of love is so real. Afterwards, he decided to pay tribute to another artist who had performed on the Apollo stage, Stevie Wonder, singing the song “Ribbon in the Sky.” Following that, he played “Coming With You,” another song from his latest album Non-Fiction. The last song of the night was his latest hit song “Time of Our Lives,” and this performance got the audience out of their seats and dancing along.
Rosanne Cash, who performed on the Apollo stage in 2008, came on to perform her “Ode to Billy Joel.” She then decided to pay tribute to the late BB King with her own song titled “50,000 Watts of Common Prayer.” Her lyrics and the way she performs is like no other and anyone would be able to appreciate Cash and her lovely music.
Last to perform was the group that everyone in the audience was waiting to see, Nile Rodgers and CHIC. This group is known for its dance, pop, disco and funk vibes. As soon as they came out on stage and performed their first song “Everybody Dance,” the entire audience got out of their seats and danced along with them. CHIC also played some of their most popular and favorited songs like “We Are Family,” “Le Freak,” and “Good Times.” This group had a fun time playing their music, improvising and extending their songs to keep the energy up and keep the audience happy. Everybody had a smile on their face as they danced to these memorable songs and the members of CHIC with Nile Rodgers on guitar really showed off what they could do during this once in a lifetime performance at the Apollo Theater.
Read our interview with Kimberly Nichole:
Q: So what is it like for you to be at this gala tonight?
A: It’s huge. I mean, Apollo is one of the most iconic, historic music venues in the world so to be where legends have performed and to be a part of the annual fundraiser and performing is really, truly incredible.
Q: And so many great, amazing artists have performed on that stage. Can you talk about some of the artists that have been on that stage that you really love?
A: I really love the old school musicians that have played here. James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone; I even liked when — I remember Metallica performed here a couple of years ago. So, artists that walk to the beat of their own drum have always inspired me and they have all seemed to have come through this stage at the Apollo.
Q: And this benefit is to further the musical education of children. Can you talk about your thoughts on that?
A: Of course the arts are essential, I believe, to children. A lot of times you see that the arts are being taken out of schools, but I remember being in love with music as a child and it being important to my journey and I have learned so much I am here as an artist now and performing at this gala because of the arts. So it is very important in life and to cultivating kids.
Q: What have been some of your favorite moments as a musician in your early life or in your career now?
A: I have two moments. Two years ago I performed at the Apollo Theater Café, which is their sound stage, which is sold out, and it was great. And also I just finished ‘The Voice’ season 8 so that has been an incredible experience to perform for and with incredible and well known stars every week.
Q: And who are you most excited to see perform tonight?
A: I can’t wait to see Nile Rodgers and CHIC.
-Vinesh Vora
