HARLEM — The Apollo Theater is taking its famous Amateur Night on the road.
The theater announced Tuesday it will go on a nationwide search for the next "Apollo legend" during the 2016 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans in July.
Amateur Night, now in its 82nd year, has long been a staple of the famous theater, providing exposure to up-and-coming singers and a launching pad for famous black entertainers such as Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix.
Though it's not the first time Amateur Night has been taken on the road, it is its debut in New Orleans.
Auditions will take place starting July 1 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contestants selected from the auditions will advance to a semi-final round on July 2, where two performers will be chosen to perform on the Essence Music Festival mainstage that evening.
The second phase of the competition will take place online at www.ApolloMakingAStar.com, with online voting running from July 11 to Aug. 5. Five contestants will then be chosen to compete at the theater for a special edition of Amateur Night on Sept. 21.
Contestants chosen will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City.