The Apollo Theatre was originally opened as an Irish Music Hall in 1913 and in 1918, a burlesque theater was located above what was then called the Harlem Opera House. This burlesque was first called Hammerstein’s Music Hall but then eventually the name changed to Apollo Burlesque. However, the history of the Apollo Theater is that it was initially white only. Around 1933, Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor, shut down the burlesque theater and the Apollo theater was vacant for about two years until 1934 when Sidney Cohen reopened it and he allowed African Americans to play. During this time period, African Americans weren’t allowed to play in most theaters in New York and so it became an opportunity for African Americans to showcase their talent in a safe space. Back then, there weren’t any retail chain stores surrounding the Apollo Theater. However, today, the Apollo Theater is surrounded by more chain stores such as Banana Republic, Old Navy, and H&M showcasing the increasing gentrification in Harlem in general.
This brings up one critique. The Apollo theater stands out against its surroundings, with the likes of these large corporations, such as Banana Republic, overtaking the scenery of what was once a hub for community and culture. Regardless, the Apollo Theater still provides opportunities for minorities with their weekly Amateur Night which started back in 1934 and brought future celebrities to the stage.
