That stump on Showtime at the Apollo

Factual Questions
1

This is a question that I’ve had for some time and I’m hoping someone here knows the answer.

Sometimes I watch Showtime at the Apollo. (Hey, there’s nothing better on TV in NYC at 1AM on Saturday nights). During the Amatuer Night contests, each contestant, before coming on stage, rubs what looks like a tree stump. I’ve never seen or heard any explaination as to the meaning or history of that tree stump. The closest I ever got was when one contestant didn’t do it and Steve Harvey told him not to “diss” the stump.

Anyone know the history of this piece of wood?

Zev Steinhardt

2

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/tc/hoofersclub/
Check out “The Tree of Hope”

3

Thank you, Bill H.. :slight_smile:

Zev Steinhardt

4

No Prob. BTW, I’ll never forget the first time I was in NYC (maybe 15 years ago) and I made it a point to go to Harlem and see the great Apollo. Man, what a bummer. If you didn’t know it’s history, you’d assume it was nothing. Broken down, dirty, closed up. It wasn’t open at the time, so I didn’t get to see the inside. I ate lunch a block away at a KFC, and they had bullet proof glass between you and the staff. Bad section of town.

Love that show though. Someday I’d like to see a show there.