Who: “Captain” Kirk Douglas, Kool & the Gang, Gary Clark Jr., Robert Randolph, Ray Chew, Michael McDonald, Lil Buck & Jon Boogz, Keb Mo, Celisse Henderson, Infinity’s Song, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Warren Haynes, Celisse Henderson, Ziggy Marley, Vernon Reid, DJ Reborn, DJ D-NICE, Dionne Warwick, Doug E. Fresh, Roy Wood Jr. and the 125th St. neighborhood
What: Virtual benefit concert to support the historic Apollo Theater
Where: The Apollo Theater website and Facebook page
When: Thursday, June 4, free with advance RSVP (donations accepted), 7:30
Why: The virtual Apollo Theater gala benefit was supposed to take place June 2, but it was delayed because of Blackout Tuesday, the music industry’s response to the government’s mishandling of the George Floyd protests and police brutality. Opened in 1934 on West 125th St. as a place where black musicians could play to black audiences, the Apollo is a landmark in African American history. In moving the date of the gala, the institution explained, “The Apollo Theater stands with #TheShowMustBePaused. In observance of Blackout Tuesday and in solidarity with our artists, neighbors, and the global community, our benefit — Let’s Stay (IN) Together — has been rescheduled from June 2 to June 4.” On Thursday night, the virtual celebration will have even more to say about the state of race in America; among the performers are “Captain” Kirk Douglas of the Roots, Kool & the Gang, Gary Clark Jr., Robert Randolph, Ray Chew, Michael McDonald, Lil Buck & Jon Boogz, Keb Mo, Celisse Henderson, Infinity’s Song, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Warren Haynes, Celisse Henderson, Ziggy Marley, Vernon Reid, DJ Reborn, and DJ D-NICE, along with appearances by Dionne Warwick, Doug E. Fresh, and Roy Wood Jr. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted, with proceeds going not only to the theater but to local merchants and small businesses. And as the Apollo states on its website, “Love Black People Like You Love Their Culture.”