Bronx Music Hall Will Present Latin Jazz, Plena, Bachata and More This Spring
Highlights include guitarist Yasser Tejada of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB and a Dominican diaspora poetry event.
The Bronx Music Hall (BMH) will present a dynamic lineup of performances and community events featuring Latin jazz, Puerto Rican cultural traditions, spoken word poetry, and more.
The event lineup's highlights include May 21's spoken word open mic, hosted by Bronx poet Sumbodies Mama, who is known for her masterful wordplay. Following is May 28's "Nuevas Voces: The Afro-Peruvian Ensemble," featuring guitarist Yasser Tejada, who currently performs with the "Buena Vista Social Club" Broadway production.
May Lineup
All events take place at the Bronx Music Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Sun., May 10 - Sunday Salon: New School Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble
3:00 PM | Free
After the Mother's Day Brunch, stop by the Bronx Music Hall for an incredible concert by the New School Afro-Cuban Ensemble directed by the BMHC Co-Artistic Director Bobby Sanabria. A reception with light refreshments will follow.
Wed., May 13 - Bochinchando: Uptown Solo
7:00 PM | $12
Our comedy series returns with a new format featuring comics performing excerpts from their solo shows. New York comedy staple Eric Nieves hosts the first installment, joined by nationally touring comic Peaches Rodriguez and comedian Joey Vega, who regularly opens for Marc Anthony.
Fri., May 16 - Plena Concert: Jorge Vazquez & El Corillo
2:00 PM | Free | The Hub's Roberto Clemente Plaza - 530 Willis Ave, Bronx, NY 10455
Presented in partnership with the Third Avenue BID as part of its "Healing Through Literature & Music" festival, this outdoor concert celebrates Puerto Rican musical traditions through a lively plena performance. After listening to the music attend a fun event to practice your Puerto Rican Spanish at the BMH (see below)
Fri., May 16 - Spanish & Sip
4:00 PM | $15
Whether you grew up speaking Spanish or don't get the opportunity to practice like before, join us in using Spanish in a supportive space. Join us for a fun and interactive event where you can practice your Puerto Rican-style Spanish while playing a bilingual card game (Dímelo) designed to help you connect with friends (new and old) and build your Spanish skills! Dímelo is one of the tools Dr. Xiomara Rivera Pagan uses to empower language learners-through play, reflection, and meaningful conversation. Dr. Rivera Pagán will help you feel confident in your speaking skills and connect language. Drinks aren't included in the ticket price, but you're welcome to purchase them at the bar. Please note that outside beverages aren't permitted.
Wed., May 21 - The Word on 163rd
7:00 PM | $5
The Bronx Music Hall's spoken word open mic returns, hosted by Bronx poet Sumbodies Mama, the 2024 Nuyorican Grand Slam Champion known for her heartfelt, sermon-like performances, intense introspection, and masterful wordplay. Open to all ages, the evening welcomes original poetry and spoken word-contact emartinez@whedco.org to sign up. This month's special guest is J-Nix.
Sat., May 23 - Bronx Rising! The Lyricism of Bachata - A Symposium
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM | $10 - $25
Join us for a day-long event convening scholars, poets, and musicians to discuss the lyrics of bachata in the Dominican Republic and the diaspora. Participants include Dr. Wilfredo Burgos-Matos, poet Scarlet Gomez, and Joselito Sentimiento & Los Sabrosos de la Bachata. Guitarist Yasser Tejada, who currently performs with the "Buena Vista Social Club" Broadway production and has toured with bachata star Prince Royce, joins Burgos-Matos for an opening lecture-demonstration connecting bachata's music, lyrics, and history.
-
Poetry discussion: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, $10
-
Dance lesson and concert: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, $15.
-
Entrance for the entire day: $20
Tues., May 26 - Bragging Rights: Stickball Stories
7:00 PM | $7
Join us for a screening of Sonia Gonzalez's Bragging Rights: Stickball Stories (2006), as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. The documentary chronicles how stickball has helped people develop leadership skills, mend racial tension, and create lifelong friendships throughout its vibrant history. There will be a Q&A following the screening with the filmmaker and members of the local stickball teams.This program is in partnership with the Bronx County Historical Society.
Thurs., May 28 - Nuevas Voces: The Afro-Peruvian Ensemble
Doors: 6:30 PM | Concert: 7:00 PM | $10
This May, Nuevas Voces presents the Afro-Peruvian Ensemble-an all-star group celebrating the rich traditions of Peru's coast. Blending festejos, zamacuecas, and landós with a contemporary approach, they offer a vibrant and engaging performance not often seen in the U.S.
About the Bronx Music Hall
The Bronx Music Hall is a 14,000-square-foot performance venue and community cultural center developed by WHEDco. Opened in 2024, it is the borough's first newly constructed, independent music performance venue in more than 50 years and serves as the permanent home of the Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC). The BMH features a 250-seat theater, lobby and exhibition hall, multi-use classroom and studio, green room, and outdoor plazas, and serves as the permanent home of the Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC). The venue presents live music, dance, film, theater, classes, and community events that honor, showcase, and cultivate the Bronx's creative legacy. Learn more and purchase tickets: bronxmusichall.org.
Videos