The Renaissance is NOW: a bright new chapter for the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem with Kamilah Forbes.

The Accutron Show

The third season of The Accutron Show opens its curtains on one of the most legendary theaters in the world, The Apollo. More than just a mere venue, The Apollo Theater is the "soul of American culture," the symbol of the transformative power of the arts through time, a major player in the emergence of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, and soul since the beginning. In this episode, our hosts have the pleasure to talk to Kamilah Forbes, Executive Producer of the Apollo and award-winning Director and Producer for film and television. Together they discuss the legacy and future of The Apollo and why "the Renaissance is NOW." Tune into the conversation with Accutron.

Episode Highlights

6:06 We cannot think of The Apollo Theater as a museum. That is the kiss of death of any living and breathing institution. We did an exercise with our ourselves and asked "What is the type of breeding ground that an artist like Stevie Wonder would have needed back in 1971, before he came out with 'Songs In the Keys Of Life'?" What was the kind of place he needed to support his work? That's where we take a stance. Who are those artists to whom we are going to be talking to 30, 40, 50 years from now.
35:20 There are several generations that now reside inside hip-hop culture. It started as a culture for youth, young people of color, to find a voice all of their own that was not controlled by any other system, to be seen, to be heard. And now we see many different generations that are still able to find their place, their voice inside this culture.
40:00 Chad and I went to college together, wrote plays together, we collaborated, but most of all we were friends. For the release of "Black Panther" we hosted a panel at The Apollo Theater. I remember there was a young boy dressed like Black Panther and as soon as he entered the theater, Chad brought him to the stage, signed his little costume and gave him a hug. I think about how significant that moment was.

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