Annual Apollo Night show gives amateur performing artists the chance to shine
San Joaquin County’s amateur Apollo Night will be held at the Bob Hope Theatre on March 30.
It will be the 13th Annual Apollo Night event overseen by Tony Washington, founder of the local talent show.
Among the 30 acts and 26 models participating in the show are two Delta College students.
Brittany Bell, a 22 -year-old fashion major at Delta, is participating in the model category of the show.
“I’m interested in modeling and I enjoy fashion,” Bell said. “[And] I thank the [judges] for letting me in Apollo because a lot of people did not get the chance.”
Apollo offers participants exposure and gives them the opportunity to showcase their skill to the community.
“We have industry folks that come down every year and serve as judges,” said Washington. “You never know what’s going to happen [by] being in the show.”
Washington said the show has grown tremendously over the years. There are more opportunities for participants who “step up their game because they really want to make it.”
The show has also increased in terms of attendance and popularity.
“A lot of our performers have gone on to major careers in music and film,” said Washington. “I have been on red carpets; I’ve been to Super Bowl games, and I’ve been to premiers, all invited by former Apollo Night performers who credit their beginning to [this] event.”
This year representatives from Stockton radio station KWIN will be present at the show.
The event will be recorded and available for viewing on Comcast.
The program consists of a variety of categories, including adult and teen singing, cultural dance, rap and poetry, to name of few. The judges select first, second and third place winners for each category.
Cameron Pierre, another Delta College student, will be competing in the model and rap categories.
Pierre performs under the stage name “Remedy.” Last year he won first place in both the rap and male modeling categories.
“This year I just did it to challenge myself again,” said Pierre.
When Washington first began Apollo Night, it was the lack of positive activities for young adults in this area that motivated him to action.
“When I first started the show, I started it because th
ere was nothing really in the community for young people to do,” Washington said.
However, Apollo has grown from simply being a safe activity for young adults to participate in, to being a venue for them to showcase their talent, Washington said.
“This show gives artists a platform to showcase their talent and further their career,” Washington explains. Then with a laugh he adds, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.”
Washington is grateful for the help and support offered to him and volunteers of Apollo Night over the years.
“There is a lot of talent in this community,” Washington said. “And if you believe there are still good things happening in Stockton and you support the arts, then come out and support not only Apollo Night, but all those involved.”
Apollo Night will be held at the Bob Hope Theatre in downtown Stockton on March 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14.
*Collegian writer Champaign Williams will also be performing at Apollo Night as a back-up singer for up-and-coming artist Donald Turner. Turner will perform an original piece titled “Secrets.”
Apollo Night
Where: Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main Street, Stockton
When: 7 p.m., March 30
Time: Door opens at 5 p.m., show starts at 6 p.m.
Cost: $14 per ticket
Information: (209) 546-1622