Talk about showtime at the Apollo.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft threw his wife, Dr. Dana Blumberg, a surprise 50th birthday party at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, featuring a performance by Dave Matthews.
We hear Kraft, 82, even managed to keep the surprise party and concert a secret for five months, as he lined up the rocker and over 200 friends and family to attend the event.
Kraft is on the board of the Apollo, which is being renovated and restored to become the The Apollo Performing Arts Center. He started attending the theater’s famed amateur nights all the way back when he was in college at nearby Columbia University.
“He’d been planning this for five months to try and give his sweetie a surprise,” a spy told us. “He got her there by saying the theater was closing for renovations, and they had an event that was important for to attend.”
The ruse was so good that the marquee out front said, “Renovation Party,” until it switched later to “Happy Birthday DMK! Thanks for celebrating with us!”
Blumberg’s favorite entertainer is Matthews – and we’re told the “Crash Into Me” singer was even in on the epic surprise.
According to an insider, Matthews told guests at the party that Kraft and Blumberg had seen him play months ago in Madison Square Garden. When the couple went backstage to see the star back in November, Matthews said, “Hope to see you soon.”
At the time, Matthews and Kraft secretly winked at each other knowing they’d see each other at Blumberg’s birthday bash.
We hear that some of the guests for the birthday bash included Jon Bon Jovi, Shari Redstone, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Blackstone titan Stephen Schwarzman, Endeavor guru Ari Emmanuel and his designer wife Sarah Staudinger.
Others in attendance included Fanatics mogul Michael Rubin and Camille Fishel, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, sports agent Casey…
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