In what has become a family affair, the freestyle scene comes alive again in the Bronx this Saturday night! If you grew up going to clubs to see your favorite act, then this is a throwback you don’t want to miss. If you raised your kids on these jams, you’ll want to bring them! This is an epic night that reminds us of the Latin-flavored dance music sensation.
Forever Freestyle 16 is happening this Saturday, March 16th at 8pm. To Latino teenagers in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Freestyle, a hybrid of Hip Hop and disco, was known simply as “Our Music.” Returning to Lehman Center for the sixteenth year in a row, the concert will feature performances by Judy Torres, George Lamond, TKA, Noel, The Cover Girls, Betty D Of Sweet Sensation, Cynthia, C-Bank, Coro, Safire, and Two Without Hats. Hosted by Sal Abbatiello and Speedy. Sal is one of the pioneers of Hip Hop, discovered many rappers and DJs such as Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. at the legendary night club Disco Fever. Abbatiello also owned The Devil’s Nest, a Bronx Latin dance club, where Latin Hip Hop was born and is now called Freestyle. There he discovered Little Louie Vega, TKA, The Cover Girls, Lisette Melendez and many more. He is now known as the “Godfather of Freestyle” and has been promoting Freestyle concerts for over 30 years.
This is an event that has history. Both from a New York perspective and from a music perspective. Heck, the event is even hosted in the most appropriate borough, The Bronx! The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is supported, in part, by public funds through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council and the Bronx Delegation. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. We are thrilled to share that Goya Foods has agreed to renew their sponsorship for this season which will help Lehman Center expand our reach to the community. In addition, we have secured funding from the Howard Gillman foundation to help grow our programming. The 2024 season is also made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and our cherished audience members.
For more information and tickets, visit https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/freestyle-16