The historic Apollo Theater in Harlem first opened its doors in 1914 and has played a pivotal role in the evolution of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues and soul, among other quintessential American music genres. It is best known for its Amateur Night contests, which debuted in 1934 when the theater’s new ownership began redirecting their programming to serve Harlem’s growing African American community.

This photograph of the Apollo Theater was taken during the very first Harlem Week in 1984. Previously a one-day affair, organizers extended the celebration to a weeklong event “celebrating with cultural, athletic and other activities the existence of the internationally known 78-year-old Black community.”