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The Apollo Party I’m Missing

The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a star-studded red carpet, followed by the Benefit concert and awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. and culminating with a grand tented after-party, the Apollo Supper Club.

I’ve never been to the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, although it’s only about 160 miles from where I live. “Legendary” gets thrown around too often, but the Harlem venue with a somewhat muddled history prior to 1934, when it became “Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made” from Ella Fitzgerald to Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Lauryn Hill.

So somehow I get this printed invitation in the mail to go to this event honoring The Queen of Soul, and the late King of Pop. Seems like a once-in-a-lifetime thing. And I haven’t been to Manhattan in quite a while.

Wait: what’s that? $1000 a head! Guess I WON’T be going after all. But what would I have gotten for my money?

Marc Anthony and JLo getting some award named for the great acting couple? Chase bank getting an award? Jamie Foxx hosting? Meh.

The invitation was a great piece of information for me.

The Chairman of the Board for the Apollo is Richard Parsons, former head of Time Warner, since mid-2009 head of Citigroup.
The board includes familiar names such as music producer Quincy Jones and historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the latter probably better known by most of America for getting arrested at his own home last year. Then there’s business tycoon Ron Perelman, honorary co-chair with Quincy of the benefit committee, who seems to court controversy wherever he goes; I know him best as the guy who almost destroyed Marvel Comics.

Some acting couples on the benefit committee, such as Angela Bassett & Courtney B. Vance and Kyra Sedgwick & Kevin Bacon; Baconologists, please note. Also, Bill Cosby and his wife Camille; director Spike Lee, and his wife Tonya Lewis; Denzel Washington, and his wife Pauletta; Marcia Gay Harden; and a musician who’s played at the Apollo, Smokey Robinson.

But what if I had MORE money to spend? What would be my options?

$15,000 Tier

2010 Spring Event Benefits

4 tickets to the 2010 Spring Benefit
Recognition on the Apollo marquee during June
Recognition on the Concert Program
Year-round Benefits

10 tickets to Apollo Amateur Night
Recognition in Apollo institutional media
10% group discount for the curator-led Apollo historic tour
10% discount on Apollo merchandise for employees

$25,000 Tier

2010 Spring Event Benefits

8 premium tickets to the 2010 Spring Benefit
Recognition on the Apollo marquee throughout June
Recognition during the Concert and in the Supper Club
Recognition on the Concert Program
Recognition on lobby and outdoor plasma screens
Year-round Benefits

Use of the Apollo Theater free-of-charge (production fees apply)
10 tickets to host one company night at the Apollo
20 tickets to Apollo Amateur Night
Custom marketing opportunities with the Apollo audience
Recognition in Apollo institutional media
Use of the Apollo brand in corporate literature
10% group discount for the curator-led Apollo historic tour
10% discount on Apollo merchandise for employees

$50,000 Tier

Annual Spring Benefits

12 premium tickets to the 2010 Spring Benefit
Preferred recognition on the Apollo marquee throughout June
Preferred recognition on the Red Carpet and during the event
Company logo on the Spring Benefit Invitation and Concert Program
Preferred recognition on lobby and outdoor plasma screens
Year-round Benefits

Use of the Apollo Theater free-of-charge (production fees apply)
20 tickets to host two company nights at the Apollo
20 tickets to Apollo Amateur Night
Recognition in Apollo institutional media
Custom marketing opportunities with the Apollo audience
Use of the Apollo brand in corporate literature
10% group discount for the curator-led Apollo historic tour
10% discount on Apollo merchandise for employees

$75,000 Tier – Diamond Salute Partner

2010 Spring Event Benefits

16 premium tickets to the 2010 Spring Benefit
Preferred recognition on the Apollo marquee during June
Preferred recognition on the Red Carpet and at the event
Company logo on the Spring Benefit Invitation and Concert Program
Preferred recognition on lobby and outdoor plasma screens
Diamond Salute Partner Benefits

Opportunity for senior executive to join the Apollo National Committee
Concierge purchasing service for 2010 Spring Benefit Events
Use of the Apollo Theater free-of-charge (production fees apply)
20 tickets to host two company nights at the Apollo
20 tickets to Apollo Amateur Night
Recognition in Apollo institutional media
Custom marketing opportunities with the Apollo audience
Use of the Apollo Theater brand in corporate literature
10% group discount for the curator-led Apollo historic tour
10% discount on Apollo merchandise for employees

$100,000 Tier

2010 Spring Event Benefits

20 premium tickets to the 2010 Spring Benefit
Industry-exclusive title sponsorship
Prime recognition on the Apollo marquee throughout June
Prime recognition on the Red Carpet and during the event
Branding opportunities during the Concert and Supper Club
Company logo on the Spring Benefit Invitation and Concert Program
Dedicated content on lobby and outdoor plasma screens
Year-round Benefits

Use of the Apollo Theater free-of-charge (production fees apply)
40 tickets to host four company nights at the Apollo
30 tickets to Apollo Amateur Night
Complimentary curator-led Apollo historic tour
Custom marketing opportunities with the Apollo audience
Recognition in Apollo institutional media
Use of the Apollo brand in corporate literature
10% discount on Apollo merchandise for employees

$150,000 Tier

2010 Spring Event Benefits

28 premium tickets to the 2010 Spring Benefit
Industry-exclusive title sponsorship
Prime recognition on the Apollo marquee throughout June
Prime recognition on the Red Carpet and during the event
Branding opportunities during the Concert and Supper Club
Company logo on the Spring Benefit Invitation and Concert Program
Dedicated content on lobby and outdoor plasma screens
Year-round Benefits

APOLLO THEATER TO REMEMBER A KING AND CELEBRATE A QUEEN
2010 Annual Spring Benefit Concert and Awards Ceremony
Monday, June 14, 2010

Hosted by comedian, multi-platinum recording artist and Oscar-award winning actor Jamie Foxx, this year’s Concert & Awards Ceremony will feature the induction of two royal new honorees into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame: the undisputed King of Pop Michael Jackson, and the one and only Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

The awards ceremony will continue with the Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award presented to superstar couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. The Theater’s annual corporate award will be presented to JP Morgan Chase for its ongoing commitment to the Apollo and the Harlem community.

For more details, please click here to view the press release for the Apollo’s 2010 Gala.

To purchase tickets, please click here or call Nicole Judd at 212.531.5330.

30-Day Challenge: Day 7-Favorite TV Show

History is respected by noting in the almanac some interesting event that happened on that date. It notes the passing of significant people and institutions.

Ah, a single favorite. Well, I mentioned five possibilities here.

Early favorites included Captain Kangaroo – there was a character named Mister Green Jeans! – and most Hanna-Barbera cartoons (Yogi Bear, Huckelberry hound, Top Cat).

Later, the Fugitive, and pretty much any Quinn Martin production. Also, any show with a lawyer: Perry Mason, of course, but also The Defenders, starring E.G. Marshall and a pre-Brady Bunch Robert Reed as father-and-son attorneys.

Sitcoms from Norman Lear (All in the Family, Maude), pretty much anything from MTM (Bob Newhart Show, St. Elsewhere). Barney Miller. Taxi.

JEOPARDY!, of course. 60 Minutes.

But when I think of one show I’ve watched for years and would miss it if it were gone: CBS Sunday Morning. It’s a magazine on the air, covers a wide variety of topics, both hard news and entertainment features. History is respected by noting in the almanac some interesting event that happened on that date. It notes the passing of significant people and institutions. Commentary comes from a variety of POV, some of which I even agree with. The show explains trends that I need to know as a librarian in an entertaining way.

It’s been on for over 30 years, initially hosted by the late Charles Kuralt and, since 1994, by Charles Osgood. When it first started, I used to watch it leisurely in real time, while reading the paper. Later, I would record it on the VCR, or now, the DVR, for watching, sometimes only a section or two at a time, but it is structured so that one can do that too.

Now, if you forced me to pick a scripted show, it would have to be The Dick van Dyke Show, a program with the perfect mix of home and family life. It didn’t last too long or was canceled too early, though it almost was. Carl Reiner was smart enough NOT to cast himself as the lead. Richard Deacon (Mel Cooley) was from my hometown of Binghamton, NY. And Mary Tyler Moore wore those capri pants.

MOVIE REVIEW: Crazy Heart

The familiar hellholes Bad plays in is reminiscent of the familiar, easygoing and peaceful characters Bridges has played in the past.

Strange. I saw Crazy Heart back in March, in the theater, just before the Oscars, and was going to write about it then, but couldn’t find the right angle. Then I figured that the next movie I saw would motivate me to finally write about it, but I haven’t SEEN a film since then, aside from a partial one. Now it’s three months later, the movie’s available on video. I was going to say at the time that it was a good rental rather than necessary to see in the cinema, but now I’ve waited so long, that’s about the only way you’re likely to see it.

As you probably know, Jeff Bridges won the Best Actor Oscar for playing rundown country singer Bad Blake, an alcoholic on the downward slope of his career, forced to play small venues such as bowling alleys. He manages to hook up with his female fans as he travels from town to town. His former protege, Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), makes it known through Bad’s manager that he wants buy some of Bad’s songs, but Bad’s hidden pain blocks his creativity. Meanwhile, a roving reporter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) falls for him.

The familiar hellholes Bad plays in is reminiscent of the familiar, easygoing and peaceful characters Bridges has played in the past. It’s a good role, and he plays it well, but it is not groundbreaking cinema, and the award, I suspect, is as much a reward for lifetime achievement as for this particular performance.

It’s not that I didn’t like Crazy Heart – I did – but it had a certain “I’ve seen this before” feel. And I didn’t quite buy the hookup between Bad and the reporter, though, oddly, I did believe the relationship subsequently.

Oh, for Christmas 2009, I got the soundtrack for this movie, which is quite good. But it’s better once you see the movie and understand the context. Both Bridges and Farrell do their own singing, and they’re quite competent.

30-Day Challenge: Day 6 – Favorite Song

I own the vast majority of the music released in the 20th Century on the Rolling Stone magazine list, but did only so-so on this past decade.

If you had access to the soundtrack of my mind – my, that’d be VERY scary, and you don’t know how lucky you are – you would know that picking a favorite song is nigh unto impossible. I did select 100 songs that moved me, with my #1 pick here a couple of years back, but such a list is highly fungible.

Besides, that doesn’t mean any of them are my favorites. I’m always thinking, “How could I forget THAT one?” Experienced that phenomenon just recently when I was watching an episode of Glee and hear the song “A House Is Not A Home” and thought, “I’m very fond of the Dionne Warwick version of that song; should have made the list.”

So, I decided to pick a list of three of my favorite songs that namecheck other songs by that same performer:

3. Creeque Alley by The Mamas and the Papas, with the final line, “And California Dreamin’ is becomin’ a reality…

2. Glass Onion by the Beatles with references to Strawberry Fields Forever, I Am The Walrus, Lady Madonna, Fool on the Hill, and Fixing a Hole

1. Sly and the Family Stone – Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) that mentions, almost in a row, Dance to the music, Everyday people and Sing a simple song

Rolling Stone has updated its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Since none of them are from before 1940, I assume we’re talking popular, recorded songs, not of the classical or jazz genre. Still, I note that I own the vast majority of the music released in the 20th Century on the list, but only so-so on this past decade. I own the first 50, indeed, the first 99; #100 is Crazy by Gnars Barkley.

The Tony Awards, celebrating Broadway’s finest, are on this Sunday, broadcast on CBS-TV. I always watch because it’s generally more entertaining than any other awards show. There’s a large number of actors more associated with TV and film who are nominated this year. Also nominated for Best Musical: American Idiot, based on the Green Day album.

U is for Unabomber and Understanding

At least part of the basis for David Kaczynski’s death penalty antipathy is the sheer number of wrongful convictions, some of which have been documented in a report by the Innocence Project.

I became fascinated by the story of the Unabomber, not because of his heinous activities, but because 1) how he was captured, and 2) what happened afterward.

I don’t know how infamous the Unabomber was internationally. The story was fairly well known in the United States. A guy born Theodore John Kaczynski in Chicago, on 22 May 1942, was extremely inteligent and highly educated. Yet, by 1973, he became a recluse in a remote part of Montana, and between 1978 and 1995, Kaczynski sent 16 BOMBS to targets including UNiversities and Airlines (thus the term UNABOMB), killing three people and injuring 23.

“Kaczynski sent a letter to The New York Times on April 24, 1995 and promised ‘to desist from terrorism’ if the Times or The Washington Post published his manifesto. In his Industrial Society and Its Future, also called the “Unabomber Manifesto”, he argued that his bombings were extreme but necessary to attract attention to the erosion of human freedom necessitated by modern technologies requiring large-scale organization.” The letter was eventually published in September 19 of that year, after approval of the FBI and the Justice Department.

Years of FBI investigation did not turn up the Unabomber. It was David Kaczynski, Ted’s younger brother by eight years, who “encouraged by his wife Linda…follow[ed] up on suspicions that Theodore was the Unabomber. David…progressively began to take the likelihood more seriously after reading the manifesto a week after it was published… David Kaczynski browsed through old family papers and found letters dating back to the 1970s written by Ted and sent to newspapers protesting the abuses of technology and which contained phrasing similar to what was found in the Unabomber Manifesto.”

David worked with the FBI, not only to stop his brother’s activities, but to try to save his brother’s life. Ted was arrested in Montana, and once he “was sure that he would be defending himself on national television, the court entered a plea agreement, under which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.”

But what happened to the soft-spoken David? “David had received assurance from the FBI that his identity as the informant would be kept secret, but his name was leaked to the media.” I recall vividly the television pictures of the reporters camped out in front of David and Linda’s home in Schenectady, NY (near Albany) for days. “In addition, [David] sought a guarantee from federal prosecutors that Ted would receive appropriate psychiatric evaluation and treatment, since he suffers from schizophrenia. The Justice Department’s subsequent active pursuit of the death penalty for Ted and Attorney General Janet Reno’s initial refusal to accept a plea bargain in exchange for a life sentence was seen as a betrayal by David and other Kaczynski family members… In 2001, David Kaczynski was named executive director of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty” – since 2008, now known as New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Not incidently, David donated the $1 million reward money, less his expenses for lawyers and investigators, to families of his brother’s victims.

David sought out and became friends with Gary Wright, one of Ted’s victims in 1987, after Ted was detained in 1996. The explosion Wright experienced “severed nerves in {his] left arm and propelled more than 200 pieces of shrapnel into his body.” David Kaczynski and Wright have occasionally conducted speaking engagements on reconciliation together; I have seen them speaking together in Albany a few years ago, and it was a truly remarkable experience.

On that same program, Bill Babbitt spoke about having to turn in his brother, Manny, a wounded Vietnam veteran, only to have Manny subsequently executed. David writes that it was the outcome of Manny’s case, not Ted’s, that “galvanized [his] opposition to the death penalty into a public campaign.” Bill Babbitt calls David’s mom Wanda “Momma” and “she in turns calls him her ‘fourth son’ – after Ted and me and my other honorary brother, Gary Wright…”

The fourth speaker that night was Bud Welch. “In April 1995, Bud Welch’s 23-year-old daughter, Julie Marie, was killed in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. In the months after her death, Bud changed from supporting the death penalty for Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols to taking a public stand against it.” He recognized that killing McVeigh, who was executed in 2001, would not bring back his beautiful daughter. Indeed, Bud reached out to Bill McVeigh, Timothy’s father, to show that Bud did not blame Bill. It was an extraordinary talk.

At least part of the basis for David Kaczynski’s death penalty antipathy is the sheer number of wrongful convictions, some of which have been documented in this report by the Innocence Project. Read about other death penalty issues, including the fate of some tried, convicted, yet innocent, here, including some people who confessed under duress.

So, David went from being a quiet social worker to a quiet, yet eloquent speaker for an issue in which he believes in fervently. You can read his blog here, and watch a video of David here.

ABC Wednesday