Apollo Theater To Receive Billboard’s 2012 Humanitarian Award

Billboard announced today that Harlem‘s iconic landmark, the Apollo Theater, will receive the 2012 Humanitarian Award — making it the first venue to receive the honor, which will be hosted by comedian Sandra Bernhard.

This award recognizes the philanthropic efforts of a music industry entity, and the Apollo’s not-for-profit organization, Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., will be acknowledged for honoring the influence and advancing the contributions of African-American artists while recognizing emerging voices across cultures and artistic media. Previous honorees include Jack Johnson, Warped founder Kevin Lyman, Jon Bon Jovi, Bob Ezrin and The Edge for Music Rising, Live 8 producer Kevin Wall, Dave Matthews, and Clear Channel Entertainment.

“The Apollo Theater is being recognized as this year’s Humanitarian Award honoree not just for what it means to Harlem and New York, but for the positive role it has had played through community outreach and nurturing talent that impacts all of us,” says Waddell. “In exploring the Apollo’s history and ongoing good works, it becomes clear that the Apollo Theater is much more than a music venue but, rather a gift to the world, with an ongoing impact that will be felt for decades to come.”

“As the cornerstone of Harlem, and as one of its most distinguished and enduring community resources, our mission extends beyond music. We are committed to enhancing the life of our community and to fulfilling our role as a beacon of excellence in Harlem,” said Jonelle Procope, President and CEO of the Apollo Theater. “We firmly believe in the Apollo’s role as a community catalyst and gathering place, and through a variety of programs designed to engage children, adults, schools, families, artists, and community-based organizations, the Apollo’s education and community activities build on the Theater’s rich history as a cultural and economic anchor. The Apollo Theater and Billboard share a history of playing a tremendous role in shaping American music. That shared history makes accepting this award for community work a notable honor.”

The 2012 Billboard Touring Awards honor the concert industry’s top artists, venues and professionals for the year, primarily based on the Billboard Boxscore chart and actual box office performance between October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012. Non-boxscore related awards, in addition to the Legend of Live, the Humanitarian and the Road Warrior Awards, include the Eventful Fans’ Choice Award, and the Creative Content Award, the latter to be given to the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil.

This awards reception culminates the two-day Billboard Touring Conference taking place at Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on November 7-8. The conference unites today’s top touring professionals to discuss the current state of the industry. Guided by Ray Waddell, this unique event includes provocative panels, productive roundtables and networking opportunities with touring industry power players and decision makers.

Voting for the Eventful Fans’ Choice Award is Open Until October 29: http://eventful.com/competitions/billboard2012

Register today for the Billboard Touring Conference & Awards November 7-8 in New York City — and Save $50.
Use Promo Code BIZ12.

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