North Philadelphian Felicia Wilkins Wins Apollo Theater Amateur Night at The Kimmel Center
Local Winner Secures Spot on "Showtime at The Apollo," Opportunity to Perform at Harlem’s Legendary Apollo Theater Amateur Night in New York and $1,000
October 28, 2002
Felicia Wilkins
The competition, which was hosted by Mo’Nique from UPN’s "The Parkers" and the newly appointed host of the revamped TV show "Showtime at The Apollo" featured a diverse base of talent including amateur singers, hip-hop dancers, baton twirlers, belly dancers and stand-up comics of all ages.
An audience of more than 1,900, cheered on the best and jeered away the worst, egged-on by the infamous "Executioner, a.k.a. Sandman," dressed in colorful clown costumes.
Wilkins, who stole the show with her rendition of Oleta Adams’ "Get Here," is a receptionist for The Philadelphia Foundation who performs regularly in the area. Wilkins is also a member of an amateur a cappella oldies doo-wop group, Stan and the Topics.
As the winner of the event, Wilkins received $1,000 and two roundtrip tickets on American Airlines to anywhere in the continental United States. In addition, the North Philadelphia native has now earned the chance to go on to perform on "Showtime at The Apollo," as well as compete at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night in New York later this year.
The Apollo Theater Amateur Night at The Kimmel Center was sponsored by Fleet Bank. Verizon Foundation generously underwrites all performances in Verizon Hall. Season sponsors also include American Express, US Airways, BMW, Coca-Cola, Canada Dry and Bucks County Coffee.
The Apollo Theater Amateur Night, which showcases new, untapped talent, was established at Harlem's World Famous Apollo Theater in 1934 with Ella Fitzgerald as its first grand prizewinner. Since its inception, this world-renowned talent competition has been discovering new talent and launching legends, including Sarah Vaughn, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, The Jackson Five and Sisqo. Amateur Night's sister program, "ShowTime at The Apollo," is televised weekly on NBC and is syndicated in 19 U.S. markets.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its first full season in 2002-2003 with jazz, classical, pop, world music and dance performances, holiday and family concerts and special events. Performances are held at both the spectacular new Kimmel Center beneath its trademark 150-foot vaulted glass ceiling and at the historic 150-year-old Academy of Music. The Kimmel Center is open to the public every day from 10am to 6pm (later on evenings with performances) and also offers a full schedule of free performances and tours, plus an interactive performing arts education center. For more information, call 215-893-1999 or visit online at www.kimmelcenter.org.
Photo: Kelly & Massa
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