There is a little restaurant by my house called "Apollo's". It is my mother's favorite place to go for dinner. It seems like every time we go to eat there, it is a Friday...and I am always asking "Where are the performers?" Ma never gets it, but (to me) the Apollo is not a restaurant, but a place where people in the entertainment business can have their dreams come true and be on stage! So many stars have played at the Apollo and became who they are today because of their performance there. On the flip side, the Apollo has killed so many careers in the entertainment business. The Apollo was built in 1914 in Harlem, NY. It did not start its "Amateur Nite Hour at Apollo" until 1934. The venue helped people like James Brown and Michael Jackson start on their road to stardom. Today, there is still a television show called "ShowTime at the Apollo" running weekly that does the same thing "Amateur Nite Hour at Apollo" did. It really is a dream for many people to perform here, but even more of a wish to do well and have the audience accept you on the stage. Just remember that if you get on stage, you better rub the Tree of Hope for some good luck!

Google map image: Apollo