The Apollo presents School Day Live, a program that brings the “Apollo Experience” to a new generation of theatergoers while providing an excellent opportunity to learn about the arts, history, and culture.

The performance highlights the history of the blues and the evolution of its accompanied instruments such as the guitar and banjo from the West African griot tradition, to the African American acapella spiritual tradition to work songs. Students will also learn about the origins of the blues, how its sound varies regionally, the relationship of the blues to the culture and history of Black people in America, and how the genre has evolved to shape and influence other music styles such as jazz, rhythm & blues and rock & roll.

Musicians highlighted in this performance include Sister Rosetta Tharp, Elizabeth Cotten, Odetta, and Memphis Minnie. This is a multi-media presentation that features still and moving images. The Groove Diplomacy Future Music Orchestra, under the direction of drummer LaFrae Sci, is comprised of vocalists and instrumentalists.

Most appropriate for students grades 3-12.