The Bessie Awards are very excited to announce that its second year at one of the country’s most renowned and historic venues—Harlem’s Apollo Theater. To be presented in collaboration with the Apollo, and produced in partnership with Dance/NYC, the 2012 Bessies ceremony will once again host the city’s expanding, diverse dance community, a significant portion of which has been directly inspired or affected by performances at the Apollo.

Mikki Shepard, Executive Producer of the Apollo Theater, says “The inaugural presentation of the Bessies at the Apollo was one of the highlights of our year. We look forward to another inspiring awards presentation and welcome the dance community to join us at the Apollo to celebrate dance in New York.”

The land-marked Apollo Theater has played a pivotal role in American culture since the 1930s. The Apollo’s signature Amateur Night talent competition is known around the world, and its legacy of launching and nurturing talent and presenting seminal music, dance, and entertainment performances is unparalleled.