The legendary Apollo Theater will honor fallen icon Michael Jackson with a special series of events commemorating his life.
The first event begins on Tuesday (June 30).
The venue will host a public tribute allowing fans to hear DJs spinning Michael’s music, leave memorabilia, and write sympathy messages on a special mural wall located outside the property.
Reverend Al Sharpton will start the event with a eulogy at 2PM. Fans will be allowed access in 600-person cycles.
Apollo CEO Jonelle Procope expects the gathering to be emotional, but hopes the visible representation of Michael’s accolades with assist the community in healing.
“Michael first performed at the Apollo in the late 1960s with his brothers and won Amateur Night, which catapulted their career as the Jackson 5. We will always remember Michael in our hearts as part of the Apollo’s family of artists and a true Apollo legend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He will be deeply missed,” Procope told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “From the moment the news of his passing was made public, fans began gathering at the Apollo to pay their respects and celebrate Michael’s life. We at the Apollo thought it was important to put these events together to give Michael’s fans the chance to remember him as the consummate entertainer that he was.”
The June 30 event will also feature a 30-minute tribute video, and run until 8:30PM.
The celebration officially ends the following evening (July 1) with the Harlem venue’s famed Amateur Night.
On that Wednesday night, fans will celebrate together with dance contests focused on replicating the King of Pop’s signature moves.
Today, those in the downtown Los Angeles area can visit the Grammy Museum (800 W Olympic Blvd) to see the redesigned “Michael Jackson: HIStyle” exhibit.
The newly reopened showcase displays many of the signature items of Jackson’s wardrobe such at the white suit worn on the cover of Thriller, music’s best-selling album of all time.
The Grammy exhibit is located on the third floor and opens today at 11:30AM.
In related news, BET Awards executive producer Stephen Hill has confirmed that this Sunday’s (June 28) broadcast will now be a telecast to honor the memory of Michael Jackson.
Hill clarified that the BET Awards will extensively showcase Jackson’s remarkable contributions to music and pop culture over the last four decades.
The BET Awards will be hosted by Jamie Foxx. Stars Beyonce, Maxwell, Ne-Yo, and Wyclef Jean have all signed on to assist in a last-minute tribute, which airs Sunday at 8PM.
