The Apollo Theater today announced that it has granted an exclusive license to Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., the largest entertainment company in Japan, to produce Apollo Amateur Night Japan 2019. Amateur Night at the Apollo , the original, large-scale talent show and, after 85 years, one of the longest-running continuous events in New York City, is globally recognized as one of the most influential and celebrated platforms for emerging artists to showcase their talents. Since 1934, artists at the beginning of their careers, from Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Luther Vandross to Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, and H.E.R. have all rubbed the famed tree of hope for luck before taking the stage, along with hundreds of other up-and-coming musicians, dancers, comedians, and other entertainers who have vied for the opportunity to compete on the legendary stage. Amateur Night Japan 2019 will continue that tradition in cities across Japan.
After receiving more than 1,000 video auditions, Apollo Amateur Night Japan will bring together singers, dancers, rappers, comedians, and more, ages five and older, for live auditions in Osaka and Tokyo this month. Winners from these competitions will take the final stage on Wednesday, November 13 at the Cool Japan Park TT Hall within the Osaka Castle grounds, where they will compete for the grand prize. The Apollo's Amateur Night Producer, Marion J. Caffey, will work with Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. throughout the initiative and will serve as a special guest judge at the finale. The first-place winner of Apollo Amateur Night Japan will receive $10,000, and the runner-up will receive $2,000. The Apollo will welcome both the winner and runner-up to perform on the nonprofit theater's famed stage as part of the Super Top Dog Finale on Wednesday, November 27, 2019. "We have seen a large increase in the number of talented contestants traveling from Japan to audition for the chance to perform on the Apollo's world-famous stage," said Kamilah Forbes, Apollo Theater Executive Producer. "So, bringing the Amateur Night experience to Japan served as an exciting opportunity for the institution and we are thrilled to partner with Yoshimoto Kogyo. This partnership will support the Apollo's ongoing programming in Harlem as we continue to foster emerging talent and work with the next generation of artists both on stage and behind the scenes."Videos