Harlem's historic Apollo Theater is closing for a year for its $65 million makeover
Opened in 1914 and rebranded in 1934, the Apollo became a cornerstone of Black American culture, launching the careers of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill. Now, the 1,500-seat landmark is undergoing a comprehensive facelift, featuring a restored façade, upgraded LED marquee, expanded lobby, new seating and modern AV systems. Crucially, historic elements, such as the performer-signed 'signature wall,' will be preserved.
'It is the first large‑scale renovation of the historic theater in our 91‑year history,' Joy Profet, the Apollo's chief growth officer, told NY1. While work on the lobby began earlier this year, 'July 1 is really the full-scale.'
The final in-house show before the closure was last Wednesday's grand finale of Amateur Night at the Apollo. Neverson Cadesca, performing under the name Nev, closed out the night. The $20,000 prize went to saxophonist Emanuel Garilus from Gainesville, Florida.
While the main auditorium is shuttered, performances will temporarily relocate to the Apollo Stages at the Victoria, just down 125th Street. That complex includes two smaller theaters, part of the Apollo's ongoing expansion.
Scaffolding is already up along the 125th Street exterior and temporary guest access is now rerouted through a covered entrance on 126th Street. A pop-up box office under the marquee is now serving guests.
According to architects Beyer Blinder Belle, the renovation aims to make the Apollo feel more open and community-connected. A café and new street-facing windows will anchor the expanded lobby and the Wall of Fame is going digital.
Work is expected to wrap by mid-2026. Until then, Amateur Night is on hold, but the Apollo's spirit is just down the block—still shaking things up, still center stage.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Commander of NASA's Apollo 13 mission Jim Lovell dies aged 97
Legendary astronaut Jim Lovell, who commanded the almost-doomed Apollo 13 lunar mission has passed away, aged 97. Lovell helped turn the 1970 failed moon mission into a success by safely returning the crew back to Earth after an oxygen tank exploded. NASA's Sean Duffy announced the commander's passing, and said the astronaut's life and work 'inspired millions of people across the decades'. Duffy said: 'Jim's character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount. We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements. 'From a pair of pioneering Gemini missions to the successes of Apollo, Jim helped our nation forge a historic path in space that carries us forward to upcoming Artemis missions to the moon and beyond.' Lovell was a veteran of spaceflights Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13. The 1968 Apollo 8 crew, with Lovell, Frank Borman, and William Anders, was the first manned mission to leave Earth's orbit, and the first to fly to and circle the moon. Though they could not land on the lunar surface, their mission still put the U.S. ahead of the Soviets in the space race. Letter writers said the crew's historic 'pale blue dot' photo of Earth from the moon, a world first, and their Christmas Eve reading from the Bible's Genesis helped lift America during the turbulent year. Tom Hanks played Lovell in director Ron Howard's acclaimed 1995 film Apollo 13. The movie was inspired by Lovell's 1994 book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage Of Apollo 13. Lovell recalled a meeting with Howard, in which the director asked him which actor he would want to play him. Lovell added: 'I said, Kevin Costner and Hanks never lets me forget that... But Hanks did a great job.' Lovell made a cameo appearance in the film as the commander of the U.S. Navy ship that retrieves the astronauts and shakes hands with Hanks. Lovell, who had a moon crater named in his honor, retired as an astronaut in 1973, working first for a harbor towing company and then in telecommunications. He had four children with his wife Marilyn, who died in 2023.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Ollie Locke says his twins, 2, have been on 27 flights including private jets & their one economy trip was a ‘nightmare'
MADE in Chelsea star Ollie Locke 's jet-setting toddlers have racked up a staggering 27 flights before their third birthday. On the latest episode of Fabulous' No Parental Guidance podcast, he revealed the twins' past trips include private jets, business class, and just one economy trip, which he described as a complete "nightmare." 7 7 The 37-year-old opened up about life as a dad to Apollo and Cosima and didn't hold back on the realities of raising toddlers while juggling viral parenting fails and near-constant chaos. Listen and subscribe to our new No Parental Guidance podcast here... Ollie admitted the twins have travelled more than most adults but says they won't be flying economy again. 'They've done 27 flights,' he revealed. 'We've done private jets, we've done business class... and we did economy once, and it was a nightmare. Let's just say we won't be doing that again.' Lulled into a false sense of security by a "quite wonderful" business class flight to Barbados, on which the twins slept the entire way, the couple were caught out when they flew economy for the first time to Ireland. Thankfully it was only a one hour flight, but Ollie is still scarred as his babies "cried the entire journey." He added: "Someone said 'is this their first flight?' and I said 'no, it's actually their 15th flight, they started off on a private jet'. "They'd been in business. Now they're in economy. That's why they're crying. From now on, it's only business." The star was quick to clarify the backstory behind their first private jet experience and it's not as glam as it sounds. The babies were born in Sunderland and rushed straight to NICU, where they remained for five weeks. Ollie said: 'One of the flights was actually a hospital-related private jet, because they were born in Sunderland and had to be transferred for medical care,' he explained. 'So that wasn't luxury, that was necessity.' The twins, who were carried by a surrogate, were born at 31 weeks weighing just 2lbs and 2lbs 11. Losing your identity as a mum, Ollie Locke's twins born at 2lbs & his argument with Binky Ollie says: 'They were super premature. We hadn't done any classes, hadn't met anyone else who was expecting and suddenly we were in this completely alien environment. We didn't know what to do.' Ollie praised the care they received at the NHS neonatal unit, describing the staff as 'incredible,' and said the experience shaped their early days as parents. Despite the terrifying start, the twins are now thriving. 'They're absolute divas,' Ollie joked on the podcast. 'Well, she certainly is.' They've been to places all over Europe, they're better travellers than I was in my twenties. And while he may have spent years on the red carpet, Ollie admits he's completely clueless when it comes to dressing a little girl. 'I thought I was a fashionable guy,' he laughed. 'Turns out I'm absolutely useless in girls' clothing. I've got no idea how tights work, and when it comes to doing hair, no chance.' 7 He added: 'My daughter doesn't have much hair yet, so people often think she's a little boy. "I dress her in pink dresses every day just to make it obvious!' Despite his best efforts, Ollie relies heavily on support and proudly admits it. 'If I'm completely honest, I get the nanny to do the hair,' he said. 'Otherwise I can't work!' The couple's day-to-day routine is full of typical toddler mayhem, with Apollo often leading the charge. 'He's obsessed with doors and hinges,' Ollie said. 'He needs to constantly open and shut everything. He's fascinated by mechanics and will do absolutely anything to hurt himself.' Ollie's most recent parenting fail was catching his son Apollo halfway through the cat flap. He said: 'I turned around and there he was. 'He'd climbed through the cat flap like it was the most normal thing in the world.' 7 While Cosima is reportedly more relaxed, the pair are already learning the complexities of sharing, or refusing to. 'You can buy them the most beautiful wooden toys,' Ollie said, 'but they'll still fight over the grottiest, most horrible thing they can find.' He also confessed to making the classic mistake of buying the surrogate's kids a Nerf gun and is still finding foam darts around the house a year later. Despite the chaos, the sleepless nights, and the unplanned NICU crash course in parenting, Ollie says he wouldn't change a thing. 'I'm still learning every day,' he said. 'But they're amazing. It's exhausting, it's messy, and it's absolutely the best thing I've ever done.' Tips for flying with kids Flying with little ones can be a nightmare – just ask Ollie Locke, who called his twins' first economy flight 'a disaster.' Here's how to keep your cool at 30,000ft: 1. Pack smart Snacks, toys, iPads, wipes, and more snacks. Load up your carry-on with everything they love – and double it. You'll thank yourself mid-tantrum. 2. Tire them out Get them moving before boarding. Airports are perfect for laps, dancing, and anything that burns energy. A sleepy toddler is a peaceful passenger. 3. Don't fear screen time This is not the flight to limit Peppa Pig. Headphones, downloaded shows and games are lifesavers. You can detox when you land. 4. Bribe them (seriously) Small surprises – sticker books, new crayons, a sweet treat – work wonders for behaviour. Think of it as positive reinforcement, not bribery. 5. Lower your standards It won't be perfect, and that's OK. If everyone makes it to the other end in one piece (even with crumbs in your hair), you've nailed it. 7 7 7
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Andy Murray's life since tennis retirement – new job, banned TV advert, marriage to Kim
It's been a year since Andy Murray called time on his playing career after the 2024 Olympic Games, with the Scottish hero keeping himself busy with a wide range of projects Since calling time on his glittering tennis career, Andy Murray has had little time to relax. The Scottish legend, who clinched three Grand Slam titles, remains an iconic figure, having competed against the 'big three' of his era: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Over the past year, Murray has been indulging in various pursuits, with most of them away from tennis. He's been relishing additional time with his wife, Kim, and their four children. He also embarked on a live theatre tour and dedicated time to improving his golf handicap. A year after retiring as a player, we take a look at what the 38-year-old has been up to, including a fleeting new role and a television advert that got cancelled... New job with rival In a surprising move, Murray briefly ventured into coaching, working with one of his former adversaries in Djokovic. The partnership began ahead of this year's Australian Open. Ahead of the tournament, Murray was clear about his tolerance for Djokovic's intense on-court demeanour. He said: "Providing that he's giving his best effort and trying as hard as he can, I'm absolutely fine with him expressing himself how he wants." Murray confessed that the invitation to coach the 24-time Grand Slam champion took him just as much by surprise as it did the rest of the tennis community. He said: "I was enjoying being away from the tour, and I really hadn't watched much tennis. "I had not missed playing or competing or being on a tennis court at all. I was actually playing golf. We'd actually been exchanging messages. Novak had messaged me just wanting to chat. "I was on the 17th hole of the golf course, and the guy I was playing with said to me, 'Do you know what's next?' I was like, 'No, not really.' He said, 'Do you have any plans to do any coaching?' And I said, 'Honestly, I can't think of anything worse to do right now.' "And then 30 minutes later I was in the car and I called Novak, and then we had a conversation and he asked if I would be interested in helping, which I obviously wasn't expecting. "I said to him, 'Look, I need to think about it and talk to my family.' So I spoke to them and, after a couple of days, I thought that it was a pretty unique opportunity and experience." The collaboration lasted just one Grand Slam, as it was revealed in May that they would no longer work together. Murray said: "Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together, and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season." Theatre shows Murray recently embarked on a live speaking tour titled 'Centre Stage', where he shared insights into his career with theatre audiences. The tour took place in June and saw him visit venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London's Apollo and the New Wimbledon Theatre, with special guests such as his wife Kim, mother Judy and tennis legend John McEnroe. Wimbledon snub Despite his strong association with Wimbledon, Murray chose to give the 2025 tournament a miss. Speaking to the Guardian, he explained: "I'm not working there. I don't go to watch tennis as a fan. But if one of my kids wanted to go along and watch, I obviously would take them. If a British player made the final, I'd go. "I went to the Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz final a couple of years ago, just because I had a feeling it was going to be a great match. But I won't be there otherwise." Banned advert An advert featuring Murray, which aired during this year's Australian Open, was banned following complaints that it "promoted kidnapping." The advert for Uber Eats showed the two-time Wimbledon champion being approached by delivery drivers at his hotel, who tell him, "We're here for you, actually," before instructing him to "get in the bag" prompting Murray to dash away. Murray makes a dramatic escape in the advert by leaping out of a glass window and dashing away. A message then flashes on the screen, stating: "Order Andy Murray on Uber Eats Now. We haven't caught him yet, but he can't run forever." However, following grievances lodged with the Ad Standards Community Panel, the commercial was axed. The panel agreed with complaints regarding kidnapping, noting it " depicted violent and threatening behaviour", although the panel acknowledged it was "unlikely to lead to copycat behaviour." Improving his golf Murray has been able to focus on another sporting love, golf. The seven-handicap participated in the BMW PGA Championship's Pro-Am at Wentworth last year and triumphed at the inaugural BTJA Mike Dickson Golf Day, held in honour of the Daily Mail tennis correspondent who died while reporting on the 2024 Australian Open. Regarding golf, Murray said: "It's a different sort of nerves, because you are comfortable in the sort of tennis environment. I'm not thinking I'm going to walk out on the tennis court and forget how to hit the ball. "Whereas here [on the golf course], there's people standing five metres away from where I'm driving, and I'm like, I'm useless at this game. You just want to try and keep the ball in play and don't mess up too much. I'm obviously getting to practice a lot more than the average person. "I obviously played a bit when I was younger, and if I can get the right sort of lessons and practise the right things, then yeah, I've got a chance of doing that [becoming a scratch player]." Life with Kim Murray's wife, Kim, has remained a steadfast presence throughout the past two decades. Murray frequently sings the praises of his partner, who chooses to avoid the spotlight whenever possible. In an interview with the New York Times, he explained: "She doesn't like being in the newspapers, and people commenting on what she's wearing and how she looks, and those sorts of things. "That's one of the things that I guess she's also sacrificed, a little bit, for our relationship, and I appreciate that a lot. You're in these huge cities meeting new people all the time and it would be easy to get your head turned. "But Kim's always been there for me. She really cares about me and helps with so many things. She always has. That's why we have such a great relationship."
