I got a jump on things a couple of weeks ago when I checked out the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s exhibition, “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment.”
The multi-media exhibition traces the birth of the Apollo Theater to the present. It features photographs, instruments such as B.B. King’s guitar “Lucille,” and costumes, including dresses worn by the Supremes, James Brown’s jumpsuit and cape, and Michael Jackson’s fedora.
There are also video clips of, among others, Big Joe Turner, Ike and Tina Turner, and Bessie Smith.
The exhibition is located in the East Wing of the National Museum of American History across from the Greensboro lunch counter.
I caught a presentation of songs from the civil rights movement. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that “Fighting for My Rights” is an adaptation of Ray Charles’ “Lonely Avenue.”
The Apollo exhibition will be on view until August 29. Information about the panel discussions is available here.
