Prominent singer and TV personality Akiko Wada will be visiting Harlem, New York, later this year to hold her first concert outside of Japan. She will perform at the famous Apollo Theater on September 29, less than a month before the 40th anniversary of her debut single. She is said to be the first Japanese artist to get a solo show at that venue.

Four years ago, Wada went to New York for a special television program. She visited The Apollo while she was there, and she was deeply moved by the theater's many pictures of famous artists, particularly her idol Ray Charles. At the time, she began hoping to someday perform there.

Negotiations for a concert were apparently finalized this year, and the process reportedly went smoothly as the theater's staff was familiar with Wada's fame as a singer in Japan. Wada is said to be in training for the big event, cutting back on alcohol, doing lots of walking, and going to a gym 2-3 times a week.

One of the concert's highlights will be the guest appearance of the ARC Choir, a group formed by the Addicts Rehabilitation Center that Wada previously worked with for the television show four years ago. Other special features are being planned for the concert, though Wada expressed disappointment that she would not be able to perform again with the late Ray Charles. (He made a guest appearance at the Tokyo International Forum for Wada's 30th anniversary concert in 1998.)

Wada will also be on tour in Japan from June 20 until September 18.