I’ve been to the Apollo Theatre in New York, but I’ve never been to the one right here in Peoria. Time to correct that right now! To the MBIP mobile!

Here we go, it’s actually about 29 degrees out, alert the media, we’re having a heatwave, baby!

Scarface flashback alert...”Say hello to my little friend!”

Here we are, The Apollo Theatre, it’s housed between The Nut House and Cracked Pepper and Richards is right there in front. All good neighbors to have!

This is a wooden show box for upcoming events, since they’re in between events for now, there’s just a few photos from the old days.

Like this one.

Okay, before we begin this tour of the Apollo, I must explain something, this is not a normal thing we’re doing. The Apollo just doesn’t give tours to anyone who calls, but since I know someone who knows someone else, I’m getting a tour from a super secret tour guide whom I can’t photograph or divulge their name or wings will be pulled from flies and a city-wide outbreak of psoriasis could happen, so we’ll just refer to our guide as STG (Secret Tour Guide.) I just realized that that name is just three letters from being an STD. Yikes! Okay, enough of this, let’s begin the tour!

Here’s the foyer and the STG has just pointed something out...

This wall with the tree mosaic is from the original Apollo Theatre which was built in this location back in the early 1900's. There's a lot of the old Apollo Theatre in here including...

This chandelier hanging overhead here in the foyer.

And here's two more over here, very ornate and gorgeous.

Okay, let's take this flight of steps upwards to...

The Green Room. This is the room where people meet before a film or an event here at The Apollo. The STG informs me that it's decorated a little different on those occasions.

Wow, check out the vintage TV set and radio here in the corner, very cool!

There's a great view of downtown Peoria from up here.

Here's a photo of The Apollo and the block here on Main Street from way back when hanging on the wall.

Our STG shared some photos of events that have happened here in The Apollo. I thought they just screened movies in here, but it turns out people have used it for wedding ceremonies, dance recitals, birthday and anniversary parties and there's been senate debates here that were televised.

I think this would be a really cool place to have a wedding. Afterwards you could screen a double feature of The Seven Year Itch and Kramer Vs. Kramer.

Okay, enough talk about the Apollo Theatre, let's climb these stairs and go take a look at it.

Wow, check it out in all it's lit up glory, very majestic! The STG has informed me that the entire theatre is the balcony from the original movie house. The movie screen is behind the black curtain on the stage.

Here's the back tow rows of theatre seats.

The decorations and wooden ornaments on the walls are preserved from the original theatre, lots of history in here!

Check out this elegant archway over here.

Here's a shot of the ceiling and chandeliers hanging overhead.

They sure don't make theatres like this anymore. I need to come to an upcoming event at The Apollo to really get the full experience in here.

The STG has informed me that the railing here that lines the stage is the original balcony railing that you would look over to see the rest of the theatre below.

Here's a shot of the theatre taken from the stage. Thanks to the STG for the exclusive tour and now we exit stage left. We'll see you all tomorrow!

The Apollo Theatre
311 Main Street
Peoria
309-673-4343

Can't stand it.
Good God.
Come on, baby.

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