The Bronx has long been a hub of musical innovation, serving as the birthplace of hip-hop and a melting pot for genres like salsa, jazz, R&B and Latin jazz. This vibrant legacy now has a permanent home with the Bronx Music Hall (BMH), a newly constructed venue dedicated to preserving and celebrating the borough’s unique cultural heritage. Officially opened last week, BMH is not only a music venue, but also a center for community engagement, arts education and youth empowerment.
Located at 438 E 163rd St. in the South Bronx’s Melrose neighborhood, BMH is the first independent music venue built in the Bronx in over 50 years. Developed by the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) as part of the $165 million Bronx Commons development, the 14,000-square-foot facility stands as a testament to the enduring creative spirit that defines Bronx music.
The grand opening weekend celebrated the depth and diversity of Bronx music. Friday’s events began with a panel moderated by WHEDco’s Founder and President emerita Nancy Biberman, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring remarks from city officials and WHEDco leaders. The evening concluded with performances by hip-hop legends Grandmaster Caz and MC Sha-Rock, the Afro-Haitian roots band Kongo and Bronx-based DJ collective Uptown Vinyl Supreme.
On Saturday, attendees enjoyed the debut photo exhibition, “The Place to Be: A Decade at the BMHC,” and an evening concert titled “Caribbean Sounds: New Orleans to The Bronx,” headlined by the Grammy-nominated Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band. Sunday’s events featured an open house and a performance honoring the African diaspora in the Bronx. Upcoming events and performances will be posted on bronxmusichall.org.
BMH is designed to serve approximately 20,000 visitors annually and includes a 250-seat theater, a lobby and exhibition hall, a recording studio, a dance studio and two outdoor amphitheater-style plazas. This wide array of facilities will accommodate live music, dance, theater, film screenings and art exhibitions.
“Our new home at the Bronx Music Hall provides us with the long-anticipated opportunity to expand our artistic vision and engage larger audiences as we showcase the Bronx’s diverse cultural and musical legacy,” said Elena Martínez, co-artistic director of the BMH. “The Bronx Music Hall stands as a source of pride for everyone involved and represents a major win for the South Bronx.”
In addition to being a performance venue, BMH is committed to fostering education and cultural partnerships within the community. Through collaborations with local schools, organizations and nonprofits, it will offer music and dance classes, theater workshops and cultural showcases aimed at inspiring youth and encouraging them to pursue arts careers. The hall will host free and low-cost classes for all ages to ensure accessibility.
BMH has received substantial support from government and arts organizations. Empire State Development awarded WHEDco a $2.6 million grant, recognizing the venue’s potential to drive economic and cultural growth in the South Bronx. The National Endowment for the Arts also contributed to the project, further establishing it as a significant local and national asset. Davon Russell, president of WHEDco, described BMH as “a cultural cornerstone of the Bronx Commons development, embodying our belief that access to the arts is an essential element of thriving, vibrant communities.” Russell emphasized that BMH will be a gateway to a thriving arts scene in the South Bronx for generations to come.
As the Bronx Music Hall is officially open, it aims to unite Bronx residents and visitors through a shared appreciation for the arts and a celebration of the borough’s long-standing musical heritage.
