Harlem's Apollo Theater To Host Kwanzaa Celebration

HARLEM, NY — Tuesday marks the beginning of Kwanzaa, the week-long holiday that celebrates African-American culture. Harlem's Apollo Theater — one of New York City's iconic venues of African-American culture — will host two celebratory performances for the holiday on Sat. Dec, 30.

The show is called "Regeneration Night" and will feature performances from Abdel R. Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre and Les Nubians, according to the theater's website. This year will mark the 11th straight year that the Apollo hosts a Kwanzaa celebration.

"Since 2006, the Apollo has established an annual show to celebrate this holiday tradition on one day of the Kwanzaa holiday," the theater's website reads. "The Apollo’s celebration is a joyful evening of dance and music honoring the principles of Kwanzaa—family, community and culture."

The Forces of Nature have performed "Regeneration Night" for the last 36 years,the New York Times reported. The show adapts themes from African heritage into a contemporary performance featuring both traditional music and hip-hop.

"It’ll work if people end up entertained, educated, inspired, and if it provokes a conversation," Salaam told the Times.

The dance troupe will be perform twice on Saturday. The first performance will occur at 2 p.m. and the second will occur at 7:30 p.m. Standard tickets for the celebration cost $20 and premium tickets cost $35. Apollo advantage members will only have to pay $14 for tickets, according to the website.

Tickets can be bought from Ticketmaster online or over the phone or by visiting the Apollo Theater box office in person.

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