It was not Harlem, but “Apollo Night” at Harrison Auditorium allowed students to experience the vibe of the famous theater. Thursday, Mar. 18 students lined up outside Harrison Auditorium to experience NY/NJ Connection’s Apollo Night. Students paid an admission price of $3.

NY/NJ’s Apollo Night was modeled after the Amateur Night at the Harlem’s Apollo Theater, which allows the audience to pick their favorite of competing performers by cheering.

The mistress and master of ceremonies for the talent show was Janelle Young, a senior accounting major and Joseph Escobar, a junior journalism/mass communication major.

Escobar and Young both kept the crowd excited for each act and provided an entertaining act at the beginning of the show.

Escobar and Young sang a rendition of “The Closer I Get to You,” by Luther Vandross.  

“I thought it was a diverse talent, they definitely had a little bit of everything from poetry to singers,” said Courtney Studivant, an accounting major.

More than a dozen A & T students competed in a live talent show.

The acts varied from dancing to singing, to a comedian similar to the likes of comedian Bruce Bruce.

One of the performers of the night was rapper Brandon Douglas, a sophomore education major who performed his piece entitled “An Adultery Act.” As the crowd cheered him on, he reminded the audience that his skill is just words that he uses well.

Other students performe songs heard on the radio like Chrisette Michele “If I had My Way,” and India Arie “I Am Ready For Love.”

Other participants performed original songs they created.

Although majority of the acts received cheers and applauses, there were some offending acts that were swept off the stage.

Young said, “I like to the fact that everyone had the courage to come out here and do and perform to a crowd that can actually boo you and cheer for you.” 

The winning act was Ashdyn Neal, a sophomore professional theatre major who performed”God Bless the Child.”

“It feels good, I really wasn’t expecting it, it is just the favor of God…I was a little hoarse but it worked out just fine, said Neal.

A sound level meter was used to determine the winner based on the audience applause.

After each individual or group was called out and the crowd responded with cheers, Neal was named the winner of the night.    

“Apollo Night has been a tradition for NY/NJ Connection. It was even here before I came to this school, so I felt like it was up to NY/NJ to keep it alive,” said Danielle Howell, President of NY/NJ Connection. 

“I like for everybody to get a taste of home… everybody does not get a chance to experience Apollo Night, but tonight they did,” said Young.

• Chelsea King