George Lucas and Mellody Hobson were among guests at the Apollo Spring Gala and 80th Anniversary Celebration in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

The spring gala at The Apollo Theater in Harlem raised funds to help underwrite the historic theater’s year-round programming.

George Lucas Highlights Apollo Gala Guest List (Click Photos to Enlarge!)

Comedian Wayne Brady hosted the event, which spotlighted eight decades of artistic innovation on the Apollo stage, according to the event.

BNY Mellon Chairman and CEO Gerald L. Hassell accepted this year’s Corporate Award on behalf of the company.

Business executive Richard D. Parsons was also honored for his longstanding service to the theater.

Music icons Natalie Cole, and The Isley Brothers performed along with a number of up-and-coming artists.

Some of the greatest artists of the 20th Century performed on stage during the theater’s long history, including such luminaries as Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, The Supremes, Miles Davis and comedian Richard Pryor.

Spotted at the gala were Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, NBC Today Show weatherman Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, Ronald Perelman and Savion Glover.

Check out the photos and be sure to follow TheImproper for the latest news on events and galas around the nation.