The Apollo Theater, one of the nation’s greatest cultural treasures, announced the lineup for its seventh annual Spring Gala Benefit Concert, at which they will induct Lionel Richie and the late Etta James into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame. Proceeds from the gala, to be held on Monday, June 4, 2012, will go toward the non-profit Theater’s arts, education and community engagement programs.

As part of the induction festivities, Apollo Legend Gladys Knight will celebrate the memory of Etta James with a special performance, and Apollo board member and Revlon chairman Ronald Perelman will present Lionel Richie with the Apollo’s highest honor. In addition, the program will include tributes to several great musical icons who have passed this year. Ten-time GRAMMY^® Winner Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to the late superstar Whitney Houston, Eddie Levert, will honor Soul Train creator Don Cornelius, and Valerie Simpson will remember her husband and legendary songwriting partner Nick Ashford. The evening will be hosted by celebrated comedian and former host of Showtime at the Apollo, Sinbad, with American Idol’s Ray Chew serving as musical director.

Lionel Richie and Etta James join past Apollo Legends Hall of Fame inductees—all legendary musicians, artists, and entertainers whose paths to fame included the Apollo—Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard, and Ella Fitzgerald. Each Apollo Legends Hall of Fame inductee is honored with a plaque in the Apollo Walk of Fame, installed under the Theater’s iconic marquee on 125^th Street.

Lionel Richie’s first Apollo appearance was in the early 1970s, with The Commodores, who were opening  for Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. “The Apollo is such an important part of music history in this country, and my own personal history,” Mr. Richie said. “When they called and said they were putting me on that list of names, I was thrilled. It’s an honor to be a part of the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame.”

Additionally, each year at the Spring Gala benefit, the Apollo recognizes a corporation whose support enables the Theater to grow and expand its artistic, community, and education programs. The Apollo will present Citi with its 2012 Corporate Award, in recognition of its outstanding philanthropy and community leadership.

“Citi is proud to be a long-time supporter of the Apollo Theater,” said Citi CEO Vikram Pandit.  “The Apollo is world-renowned for discovering great talent and its education programs are second to none.”

The evening includes the gala benefit concert and awards ceremony, produced by Ron Weisner for Ron Weisner Entertainment, and a glamorous after-party featuring a stylish lounge transformed and created by celebrity event planner Marc Wilson of Marc Wilson Design. 

Tickets for the 2012 Spring Gala and after-party are now on sale. To purchase benefit tickets to the event or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater, call 212-531-5347. To purchase show-only tickets, visit www.apollotheater.org.

Proceeds from the Apollo Spring Gala benefit the Apollo Theater, a not-for-profit organization.  The Apollo’s world-class performances and education programs honor the influence and advance the contributions of African American artists and emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media.

Giwayen Mata to bring their ‘contagious’ high energy drum and dance to the Southwest Arts Center

(Atlanta, GA) -  This Father’s Day, Atlanta’s Best World Music Act, GIWAYEN MATA, gives tribute to fathers, sons, brothers, husbands and male friends in their stage production of “A SALUTE TO OUR MEN”. 

On Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 3o’clock in the afternoon at the Southwest Arts Center located 915 New Hope Road Atlanta, GA 30331, the ‘SALUTE’ program will encompass a shared stage joining ladies of GIWAYEN MATA with special male guests.

Choreographed in part by Ayo Love, Founder and Artistic Director of Ayodele Drum and Dance based in Chicago, IL, family-friendly audiences can expect the ‘roaring’ sounds of GIWAYEN MATA’s djembe orchestra of Afrikan djembe,  sangba,  dununba and  kenkeni drums, the learning of Afrikan traditions and rituals within the dance choreography, prose and vocal performance, ‘contagious’ audience  participation, and high energy and excitement in every moment!

Tickets for ‘SALUTE’ are $25 in advance by purchasing through PayPal online, or $28 at the door. Special rates are also available for students, children and senior citizens.

For more information contact GIWAYEN MATA Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Omelika Kuumba, at 404-604-9364, by text at 504-610-2237 or PayPal: giwashop@giwayenmata.org

Cheryl Pepsii Riley, who first burst on the music scene in the late '80's with her torching classic "Thanks for My Child," has been able to steadily build her fan base via several ventures, including an independent CD release "Let Me Be Me." But her inclusion in over ten Tyler Perry productions, including stage plays, DVD releases, film cameos and soundtrack credits, has served to solidify her as one of soul and gospel music's legendary voices. 

The native New Yorker from Brooklyn holds down a solid base on her home front as well. She is also celebrating five successful years at New York's legendary Village Underground with her own homegrown vehicle, the "Back in the Day, Black Velvet Painting, Blue Lights in da Basement, Musicians and Singers Jam" night.