Every day brings a new story. And each day contributes to the art of story telling -- in prose and poetry, in music, on the stage, on the screen, and, of course, in books.
Today is the story of January 26th.
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It is the 26th day of the year, leaving 339 days remaining in 2022.
That's because on this date in 1934, the historic theater on 125th Street in the heart of New York City's Harlem re-opened. And this time, it not only was dedicated to showcasing the best of Black stories and culture, but it also actually allowed Black patrons in for the first time.
That's right, the nation's premier entertainment venue for Black artists was once a segregated, whites-only burlesque theater.
But the original owners' 30-year lease ran out, the theater needed repairs, New York leaders frowned upon the entertainment then provided, and the growing Black community in Harlem soon became a sought-after audience.
And what a showtime it was. For the next 40 years, it presented some of the leading Black talent in stage shows, concerts, comedy acts, amateur nights, and other productions. Some of the legendary performers included Aretha Franklin, Benny Carter and his Orcestra, Otis Redding, Moms Mabley, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, B.B. King, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and Count Bassie.
Lionel Hampton brought his 16-piece band to the Apollo. Josephine Baker made her Apollo debut the week before Christmas in 1951. Sidney Poitier starred in The Detective, the first dramatic performance at the theater. Showtime at the Apollo was first recorded in 1955.
In 1976, the theater closed for several years. Then in May 1985, it reopened with a TV special, Motown Salutes the Apollo. Amateur Night was revived, and Showtime at the Apollo was relaunched as a weekly TV show.
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