Alice Smith
Alice Smith

Mavis Staples, Kamasi Washington, Alice Smith & more shows coming to the Apollo

Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, and it has lots of good stuff lined up to mark that milestone. The legendary Mavis Staples celebrates a milestone of her own, her 80th birthday, at a show there on May 9, and tickets are still available. It’s one of three birthday shows for Mavis: other two are at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on May 15 (tickets) and LA’s Theater at Ace Hotel on May 22 (tickets).

Speaking of awesome women (and much sooner), in partnership with the WOW Foundation, The Apollo presents the third Women of the World Festival, which “celebrates the power of women and girls from Harlem and around the world.” Alice Smith headlines the festival with a show on March 15 with Prince’s New Power Generation member Liv Warfield, and tickets are on sale now.

Even sooner than that, The Apollo presents “Race Music” in partnership with Afropunk. The two-day series, February 21 & 23, “explores the intersection of music, film and politics.” The main musical event is the previously mentioned Kamasi Washington show on 2/23. Tickets appear to be just about sold out, but where there’s a will there’s a way.

“Race Music” also includes film screenings and panel discussions. Films being screened include Mr. SOUL!, Fela: Music is The Weapon, A$AP Ferg in Liberia: Where Stars Are Born (a short film that follows Ferg on a philanthropic trip to Liberia), and more.

Jose Gonzalez is releasing a double live album, Live in Europe, due out this spring (details via Pledgemusic) with orchestra The String Theory. It was recorded on their 2017 tour together, and they’re hitting the road together again this year, including two nights at The Apollo, March 21 & 22 (tickets).

Check out Apollo’s full upcoming calendar here.