Week #6: Doin' the Harlem Shuffle

Crazy time this week!

A while back, I lived in New York City for about a year and I still get back to NYC for work around 2-3 times a year. Realizing that I was heading back for a conference and had one free evening for myself, I thought what can I do that I have never done before in the city? Then it struck me, how about Harlem and if you are doing Harlem, it might as well be the Legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre. I found out later that I missed the 75th anniversary of Amateur Night by one week. Apparently, there were lots of celebrities here last week. They have had Amateur Night every Wednesday nonstop since 1934. http://www.apollotheatre.org/

I had to find someone who would come with me to the show. I immediately called my friend (and former colleague) Tim to see if he had any interest. After a little encouragement, he relented and said he would go with me, but he said it sounded "a little crazy". I checked online for tickets and was offered front row center. That seemed a little too close, so I choose right of center section row B. Little did I know there was no right section row A! We ended up in the front row, so close that my legs were leaning on the stairs that performers use to get on the stage. They had to kick some people out of our seats when we arrived just before showtime. It was now time for the show.

The show started strong with the host singing some great intro songs followed by a funny monologue. Quickly though, I (along with Tim) became part of the show! The MC asks what are we doing there? He followed up by asking me to get up on STAGE! I reluctantly did so, and while Tim tries to take my picture he is also brought up on stage. I am thinking "What the hell am I doing up here!" My plan was not to be ON the stage! I can't see anything except very bright lights and then the host continues to give me a hard time. Tim jokes that we (Him and I) all look alike. Which was misunderstood, "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING WE ALL LOOK ALIKE!!" The people around us boo while we explain that we said that WE (being Tim and I) look alike (which we did with matching jeans black shoes etc. by accident) not you. Anyway, he roasts us on stage for a minute or two and then moves on. I am proud to say that I now have been on the same famous stage on the same Amateur Wednesday night as James Brown, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Lauren Hill and many others.

The night was really fun. We learned about Harlem's famous Tree of Hope that all performers rub for good luck. We got to loudly boo people off the stage and jump up and down to cheer the great ones. Some really talented people performed that night. As my friend said, the night was definitely a Home Run! Great great time!

I have included a couple of pictures. The third one shows the Tree of Hope in the background and the last one shows how close the seats were (picture taken after the show). Also I filmed two short videos quickly before security grabbed me again.