I wasn't aware that there was a cafe at the Apollo! It is located above the main theatre. We did have to go through a metal detector. I think we went up two flights of stairs. Everyone from security and staff were friendly and professional! When you enter the room, it is first come, first served. You choose from tables for four or high tables that sit two. They will inform you that if you are a party of two and sitting at a table for 4, two more people may sit next to you. You order and pay for your food and drinks with the QR code and it is delivered in minutes. Great live music! Great staff! Great vibes! I Plan on returning ! read more

Cafe at Apollo - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

So the queen of soul died. So I went to the Apollo and paid my RESPECTs to Aretha Franklin. The Apollo always has a celebration of live when a legend passes on. They play music and fans stop by and leave photos , flowers, trinkets. Fans just feel the love and comfort from like minded peeps. I've seen concerts here too. Really the inside is pretty fab. Beautiful. Enjoy the photos of the world BEST ENTERTAINERS that have performed here!!. Such history!! They have theater tours and you can take lots of pics and hear the stories!! Make sure you see The Tree of Hope!! read more

Cafe at Apollo - Thoughtful tribute to the Queen of Soul !! - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Came here after having lunch at Amy Ruth's. I just had to see the legendary Apollo Theater live and in person, since I was already up in Harlem. It looks a lot smaller than I had imagined it to be. Given how long it has been around, it's really well maintained. They were selling tickets for the famous Amateur Nights when I was there, which is something that would be really fun to watch. Don't forget to look down on the sidewalk out front! You'll see the Walk of Fame, with stars for celebrities we all know, like Louis Armstrong and Stevie Wonder (check out my photos). read more

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I scored a $10 ticket on Stub Hub to attend Amateur Night (every Wednesday) at the Apollo on my recent trip to New York. I stayed at an Air Bnb in Harlem and wanted to explore the neighborhood. THIS WAS BY FAR THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY TRIP TO NYC. The host, Capone, was worth the price of admission. The show started with children contestants and Capone went out of his way to explain the importance of showing love to these young talented artists. We applauded and clapped as if we were about to witness living legends. After that, the regular contestants performed. I was honestly shocked at the level of talent of each performer. BUT- I will say that there are people there in the audience that sadly- have come just to BOO people off the stage. There was a Japanese Michael Jackson impersonator that was tolerable until he started singing and the theater ERUPTED in BOOS. I like to think that he was placed in the line-up just so people could boo him off the stage. The crowd was very diverse and everyone was there for a good time. When the show ended, I was looking for a bite to eat around the theatre and was VERY DISAPPOINTED in the offerings. There are about 5 different chain fried chicken establishments and that's it. So make sure you eat before you go to the Apollo. read more

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Did you know that you can book tours of this world famous theater? Its Showtime At The Apollo.....Yasssssss The Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in the heart of Harlem was a venue to showcase black entertainment at a time when segregation left us very little choices for live entertainment. Ella Fitzgerald won amateur night there as a teen. Pearl Bailey, Count Bassie, Louis Armstrong, Moms Mabley, Pigmeat Markham, Richard Pryor, Redd Fox, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Gladys Knight, James Brown, Tony Bennett, and Paul Mc Cartney, and many others have played here. The tour gives you the history by Billy Mitchell, known as "Mr Apollo". He has been here on and off for 49 years. He started running errands for the Apollo back in 1965, when he was 15 years old. Now he's the in-house historian and tour director. When music icon Elvis visited NYC for the first time he insisted to visit The Apollo Theater. This is a mecca for entertainers. The tour will take you thru the 1500 red velvet seats and the pristine balconies. You will see the signature wall off-stage behind stage right which features years of history in signature, sign by the likes of Grammy Winner Lauren Hill to our first black President Barack Obama, then upstairs to a small dressing room that is used by performers including Comedian Nipsey Russell and R&B singer Beyonce, then back down to the green room (which is all white) located right under the stage. Once you leave the green room you and your party will have the opportunity to have your own personal "Amateur Night" as your friends clap, hiss, or boo at your performance. This is a great way to experience black culture, Harlem, and black artists contribution to entertainment and music I've done this tour three times...worth every penny. read more

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"It's showtime, at The Apollo ... TONIGHT!" I was pretty excited to visit The Apollo Theatre as I have fond childhood memories of watching aspiring talent on amateur night, Sinbad hosting, everyone rubbing the "Tree of Hope" before their number, KeKe Sheppard, and "the Sandman" sweeping the boo'd off the stage! The experience didn't disappoint and we were celebrating Mom's 50th so that made it even more special! Brittany (at the counter) helped us tremendously as we made our plans to visit. We got great seats up front for amateur night, we saw the Tree of Hope, the talent was awesome, and we were immersed in rich history! The theatre is beautiful, the seats are comfy, and it's a true Harlem jewel. So glad we got to visit on our NYC trip! read more

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I was pretty excited to visit The Apollo Theater (FINALLY!). I used to pass by this iconic theater for years and today's visit was not a disappointment. Lucky to get free tickets for "It's Showtime at the Apollo with Steve Harvey" show. Lucky that they had Sunday taping and did not worry of taking a day off for the experience. The theater vibes was moving to think that lots of known artists started at this theater and on that special stage. Steve Harvey himself talked about his days here when he was a starting comedian. The talents rubbed the "Tree of Hope" before performing ( which has been part of the Showtime segments ever since) for us. The theater is beautiful inside, I heard it is newly renovated. Seats are comfortable. Each seat has a good view of the stage. Lights and sounds are fairly good. I was impressed with the person in charged in the ladies room during the June 4th show. She didn't let us go inside the stall unless she wiped first the toilet seat cover. She deserved a good tip for doing that. Kudos to Steve Harvey's production staff for giving us a good and entertaining show. The staff was very organized and made our experience pleasant. I was glad to be here. Truly a gem of Harlem. read more

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Pinch me, I'm dreaming. I do not take for granted how fortunate I am to have set foot in the famous Apollo Theater where many legends -- Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, Jr. -- have graced the stage. Earlier this summer, I attended Amateur Night at the Apollo, a show that my cousin & I bonded over as children. Comedian Capone was hilarious as host & the live band was old school cool. The talent portion started with a couple kiddos competing for the Stars of Tomorrow title, but the fun really began when the adults started to perform. Everyone did really well except for a singer who couldn't hit the high notes in Childish Gambino's "Redbone" & a dancer who changed her shoes mid-song. They were properly booed & the Executioner (C.P. Lacey) tapped danced them right off of the stage! Audience participation hit an all-time high when it came time to vote via a sound meter that registered our boos & applause. Our collective energy reverberated throughout the concert hall. Unforgettable live entertainment in a historically significant venue. If you ever have the chance, see a show at the Apollo & don't forget to take a pic in front of what's left of the Tree of Hope! read more

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Ummmmm totally fabulous! We had so much fun. They know how to put on a show. Capone was the MC and hilarious, charming and quick on his feet. The tone was positive and unifying. We had so much fun. I wish I would have done this when I lived here. We lived amateur Night at the Apollo. Take public transportation and enjoy. It was a fabulous, funny, positive, family friendly show. We bought tickets in the box on the top right. We could see the performers preparing to come out but you are by the speaker. Absolutely brilliant. read more

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Had the opportunity to attend Amateur night at the Apollo in the Spring. It was an incredible experience that I will remember forever. Obviously, the Apollo Theatre is a historical landmark that everyone should see at least once in life. It is convienently located nearby restaurants such as Sylvia's, Marcus and several retail stores. A few basic tips, arrive early! The line was literally wrapped around the block. Also, buy your tickets in advance. Don't wait until you arrive. Next, dress comfortably (preferably in your footwear) because you may be standing for awhile. Amateur night was very fun. The host is a comedian named Capone and he is truly entertaining. There were several talented entertainers that took the stage, however at times it did seem like it wasbstaged. Overall, fantastic experience and I can't wait to visit again. read more

Showtime!!!! I had the opportunity to finally attend this famous theater for the Read 5th anniversary live show. That specific night, there was heavy snowfall and slushiness. Arrived on time but there was a long line in front. The theater itself was very grand and spacious. Thr staff was very helpful in helping us find our seats. Seats were very comfortable. Enjoyed our experience read more

I came to the Apollo Theater a couple of times for concert. What can you say about this historic place that has not been written before? You can't call yourself a true New Yorker if you have never been to the Apollo Theater. This place exudes magic. This is an old school theater, with lots of red velvet and chandeliers all over. The acoustics is great: a wonderful, warm sound wherever you're sitting. Just a couple of things I didn't like that much: in the mezzanine the seats are uncomfortable, you have really little room for your knee (a big problem if, like me, you're more than 6 feet tall). In fact, the seats are so close and the rows so steep that if somebody stumbles he or she will probably fly all the way down to the stage... Also the bathrooms could be improved. read more

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Lots of fun at the amateur Night! The MC was great and the talent was superb. It's very much a party atmosphere. It's also a great night out with family. I would definitely go again. read more

Cafe at Apollo - Amateur Night! - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

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Come on now, this is history! It's hard not to say good things about The Apollo. The feeling of nostalgia is HEAVY as soon as you see the infamous marquee, and even more so once you walk through the doors. Harlem has so much history on every corner and The Apollo is like the crown jewel of it all. The venue itself is well kept and probably not as large as one may envision. It's really hard to find a bad seat, whether in the orchestra, the boxes, the balcony or the mezzanine -- the stage is almost front and center from every angle. Definitely worth a stop . . . or two. read more

Cafe at Apollo - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

The World Famous Apollo theater known for it's Amateur Night where over the years tons of stars in all forms of the entertainment world have been discovered here. The trip did take a while from Queens, N.Y. , the A train does go all the way to uptown Harlem. Amateur Night I was lucky enough to attend a few years ago and it was wonderful. The most recent trip here was from Jimmy Jazz opening a new store and celebrate with Asap Ferg and Cam'ron at a concert. Arrived kind of early and got a good view of the stage from the top section. Asap Ferg is from Harlem and he finally got the chance to perform to his hometown people. Dipset was not all there but Killa Cam did put on a memorable performance. Staff was great, very friendly and helped people get to their seats in no time. Will definitely come back here, hopefully some time Soon . read more

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I finally got a chance to visit the Apollo Theatre and what better way to do so than watching one of your favorite artists--Lykke Li! My best friend and I got there early, tickets scanned, and we made our way inside. The theatre is historic and it was great to see all the pictures of the famous people who start at Apollo. I normally love being in the front at concerts but I didn't have any luck when purchasing my tickets. I settled for the 2nd level mezzanine-first row/center. And wow-I couldn't ask for anything better. Perfect view of the entire theatre. It's small and I realized even if I was on the upper level mezzanine, I still would have had a great view. Immediately, I was well aware of how attentive and nice the staff was. There's a bar area in the back- drinks, snacks, and other overpriced items. The theatre was clean, bathrooms as well, and the performance was perfect. A great show at Apollo. I hope to catch more shows here. read more

Cafe at Apollo - Amazing - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

I came here for Amateur Night (Wednesday nights). Here are my tips: - The show doesn't start on time, but they keep the crowd very entertained. - The show will run about 3-3.5 hours. I got restless and sensed everyone else did too. - They have a bar in the back with drinks and snacks. - I sat in the orchestra, center and in the middle, it was a GREAT seat. - The kid performances were hands down way better than the adult performances on the night I was there. There was so much singing it got old after awhile. - The theater got really hot, I was sweating and I could smell the people around me (yikes). Dress comfortably. - You can buy tickets at the window easily (and avoid paying fees). read more

How freakin' cool is this place?! I'm so glad I made last minute decision to buy tickets to Amateur Night. And for the cost of a round of over priced cocktails?! Way better ROI. For seating, we were in lower mezzanine - row K at the aisle. My personal opinion is that the lower mezzanine is fine, but I'd say try to get seats in the A-D,E range, otherwise you have a ceiling from the upper mezzanine. I think you'll feel more audience energy sitting there or in the orchestra. Definitely noted for next time. And the boxes on either side of the orchestra don't seem so bad either. There is an easily accessible bar in lower mezzanine and bathroom just down the steps. A few tips, if you tend to get up to potty quite a bit or replenish beverages often: -get aisle seats because you'll make everyone in your row have to stand up to let you out. the leg/walking room is non-existent. -break right before they break for intermission. that bathroom line for the ladies is ridiculous. same advice applies to the bar line. Go. Your cheeks and tum with hurt from laughing so hard. And what a cool piece of history to experience! read more

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We came here for the Amateur Night and we were not disappointed! The host was hilarious and CJ was amazing in tap dance and everything else. It was nice to see so many talented people competing for a few spots to advance to the next level. This was a great historical venue to witness all the performances and talents. The seats are a little cramped but the host makes it fun! I think everyone should at least come here once in their life to witness the old glory. read more

The Apollo Theater is about 100 years old. It has gone through several iterations, changes in ownership and various states of appearance, but all the while, it has been an institution. In 1983, it was declared a NYC landmark. If you have never been, you really owe it to yourself to go at least once. The venue is small by theater standards, with a capacity of about 1500. There is an orchestra section and two mezzanine levels. There are also 4 box seat sections flanking both sides of the stage, above the front orchestra. The acoustics are reasonably good and sight lines are generally ok wherever you are, as the slope of the seating, particularly in the mezzanines, is steep rather than deep. It has an intimate feel wherever you are. There is one bar at the rear of the orchestra section, and another one downstairs, adjacent to the bathrooms. This is not the most convenient arrangement, but it works. Aside from popular events like "Showtime at the Apollo" and "Amateur Night," the venue has been host to an incredible number of both up-and-coming and famous established artists. Many humble acts aspiring to greatness have gotten their start on this very stage, and I'm sure that tradition will continue. Overall, I like the Apollo a lot and would recommend experiencing the magic for yourself! read more

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Wow! I finally made it to the Apollo theater! Not as talent, but as a lively audience member that I grew up watch since childhood. My friend was given tickets to watch Amateur Night and I have to say that it is an experience I recommend to everyone! Walking up to the legendary Apollo sign, I was in awe of such a magical place with so much history. After getting checked, we made our way in stopped for an adult beverage. I was pleased that the drinks were strong and not too expensive. We were ushered to our seats and soon after the show began. It was non-stop dancing an laughing during the entire time. Capone was the host and he was so funny! The talent was amazing. So good that we didn't even get to boo anyone. Now normally I would never boo anyone, but that's one of the things that makes the Apollo the Apollo, so we did miss out on that. Overall it was beyond amazing to be in a room with people from all different places, races, and backgrounds that all came together to have a great night of entertainment! Make sure you go! read more

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This historic spot has awesome shows and a pretty basic but tasteful feel. There are no bad seats. The ushers are all helpful and jovial. I came here for _Swimming Upstream_, which, in itself, wasn't revolutionary. But it was great watching this show in this landmark spot with lots of other feminists. The sound operator wasn't stellar - though this show was only put on once - but the show was still powerful. read more

I recently came here for an Allen Stone concert and had a blast! It's historic and beautiful! It offers three levels of seating in addition to the boxed seating. There are concessions sold in the back and several ushers that are discrete and helpful. On the downside? Very limited leg room. For those sitting on the upper levels, it does get hard to see - especially towards the back or if you're on the shorter side. read more

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Amateur Night at the Apollo - an absolute "must see" when in New York City! Amateur nights are on Wednesday nights and that's the show you want to see. The theater is historic and the inside is beautiful but the show is why you're there. It's an interactive blast. Audience members cheer at will. They're also encouraged to boo off bad acts but that didn't happen when I was there - the acts were terrific. The first half hour consists of a comedian and the emcee, also a comedian and they're both good. It was a fun start to the show. And the band really rocks. But the show really starts when you enter the theater. It's just alive with electricity from the crowd outside on the sidewalk and in the theater. The Apollo is easy to get to. It's one block from the 190th Street subway station and forget all the old notions about Harlem. I don't know if they were ever true but certainly now that's one of the safest one block walks you'll take - the street is so full of nightlife, lots of them tourists. read more

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Who: Italian + Chinese What: Pino Pino Pino!! Where: Harlem baby When: Thursday night Why: Pino Daniele first US debut concert, what a success! Wonderful acoustics! Very steep as you go up. Make sure you have good propioception! Look at the massive chandelier hanging above. Wow! Thats a real red curtain! OMG...The mezzanine bathroom is a serious closet ;-) Don't forget to rub the tree trunk before you leave, its for good luck. Wanna come back and watch amateur night at the Apollo ;-) read more

Apollo amateur night! It's a great night out and would recommend it to locals and anyone visiting. Honestly didn't know what to expect but it was great fun. Be prepared to get up and dance, get out your comfort zone and be prepared to have some fun. Warning: drinks are expensive here as expected at a theatre. A little cheaper than central new York Broadway theatres Great history to this place too read more

Cafe at Apollo - Amateur night. Nothing amateur about the bunch up there! - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Although I have yet to see a live performance at the Apollo, I recently went on a class trip to the theater and it was awesome! First, we attended a talk inside the theater held by Billy Mitchell, AKA "Mr. Apollo." We learned all about the history of the theater and its architecture, the numerous legends who have performed there, and a little bit about Mitchell's own life and experiences since he began working at the Apollo when he was 15 years old. He has lots of amazing stories and has met and worked with lots of amazing people! Then, we got to walk around the stage, stand where legends have stood, touch the "Tree of Hope," head backstage and behind the scenes, check out the dressing rooms, and see the jam-packed wall of signatures of all the famous people who have been there since the get-go. It was really an unforgettable experience, and besides the rich and amazing history of the Apollo itself, the tour being led by Billy Mitchell was engaging, funny, and inspiring. Highly recommend! read more

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"BOO! GET OFF THE STAGE!" No one can deny that heckling and yelling boo to the talented-deprived individuals is not fun. My friend insisted this was a must go since I was visiting. I absolutely loved the amateur night they had on Wednesdays and it was fun having Capone be the host. During intermission the audience would dance down the aisles and the show had us laughing, clapping, cheering, and booing. I was impressed by the talent of some of the young people and would enjoy coming back when I visit NY again. read more

Visited the gift shop. Customer service wasn't great. Souvenir prices were good. The building itself is much smaller than I realized. It's very small. read more

I like the vibe of this place, and it feels so intimate. You can tell special people have performed here through the years as soon as you walk inside. read more

The Apollo stage is so much smaller in person than on tv! Place was nice and the Host was awesome! The greeters/ushers was super friendly and helpful! We paid 25 for two vodka and cranberry drink that was Water Down! They had a DJ that did great, we stayed entertained the whole times. The show lasted about 3 hours! read more

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I've always wanted to go to the Apollo. There's so much history in that theatre, how could I not?! And, after I went, I was not disappointed. I purchased four seats, front row, center on the balcony. (Awesome seats!) At the beginning of the show, they ask a few people to come up on stage and my friend was one of them. He danced pretty well, even though they played White Cherry's Funky Music. (I've attached a picture.) read more

Cafe at Apollo - My friend, RJ, on the Apollo stage. - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

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One of the BEST times I have had in a while. I came here for amateur night on a Wednesday and it was so much fun! Comedian Capone was the host of the night and he was HILARIOUS. It felt like a party the entire time we were there and we laughed and danced all night long. The DJ was fantastic and entertaining as well. He played old school hits and got everyone out of their seats dancing. There was just such great energy throughout the theater. All of the staff were polite and friendly from the ticket agent to the bartender, down to the bathroom attendant! I would highly recommend going to amateur night--it was fantastic! read more

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If you live in New York city and have never been to the Apollo theater shame on you! It is on the national register of historic places. It is home to Show time at the Apollo. The Apollo theater became known as "Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made". The Apollo has launched the careers of icons such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, James Brown and Lauryn Hill and continues to maintain its position as the nation's most popular arena for emerging and established African-American performers. I recently saw Dream Girls at the Apollo and knew some of the people involved. In addition to performances they also give tours of the theater itself. General admission for tours of the Apollo is $16.00 on week days and $18.00 on weekends. I gave it 5 stars for being unique. read more

Cafe at Apollo - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Every time I go to Amateur Night it is a great time. It is lively and like a party! People come from all over to perform. The audience is very diverse. A good time by all. Who wants to go? read more

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Amateur Night was entertaining to no end. Comedian Capone was a magnificent host; the band didn't miss a beat. The building is a beautiful historical landmark, but I wish I was warned about some of its nuances. For example, the upper balcony seats felt very crammed. I'm a small woman of 5 foot 2 inches and I felt squished; imagine how the normal size theater goer would feel. The women's bathroom illustrates my point further. The tiny stalls were almost too tiny for this tiny person. Also, if you will only put 2 stalls in the women's bathroom but, on average, there are 20+ women in line for the restroom, a 10 min intermission will not suffice. That said, I will return for Amateur Night. Any day. Any time. As long as I'm in NY. read more

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Great institution in Harlem, many famous artists made their bones here during the Motown era. When you see the place on TV it looks very big, but once you're in there, it is actually pretty small and intimate. The sound and lighting are technically perfect, and they have orchestra seating and two balconies. Different styles of acts are booked on different nights, so there is an ever changing crowd frequenting the place on different nighs. One of my favorite, is amateur night, when some incredibly young talents are trying to pierce into the music business, and not so talented get booed. It is quite funny .... read more

Cafe at Apollo - At the Appolo - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Had a ball at the Apollo! From the time my wife and I purchased our tickets until we left, everyone was pleasant. Standing on line the staff were helping in assisting us with choosing seating for the best experience. In addition, we were greeted by everyone and felt welcomed. As we walked through the lobby you can immediately feel the history! Pictures of some of our greatest performers graced the walls. We sat about six rows from the stage and had a great view of the show. Host Comedian Capone kept us engaged and laughing the entire time. read more

Cafe at Apollo - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

What an amazing first time trip to the Apollo . My son performed here for the first time today with his school . This was such a beautiful memory for us . The seating is tight but anywhere you sit you have a great view since it's not a big venue . Definitely need to return for showtime ! read more

Cafe at Apollo - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Went for Amateur night, arrived at 7:26pm and the pre-show was already well underway. After maybe 20 minutes the emcee came out and amused us for twenty minutes or so. Then there were three underage acts for "Stars of Tomorrow." We voted on those by screaming, just like for the regular acts. Around 8:30pm we saw a series of female performers for about forty minutes, then there was an intermission. Next were about three male performers, then we voted and it was done. I was kind of surprised by the choices the audiences made as a whole. Wasn't necessarily who I was screaming loudest for, but it was a really fun show. read more