The Bronx, New York is the inarguable birthplace of Hip-Hop, “El Condado de la Salsa”, and the former “Piano Capital of the U.S.A.”

Despite this incredible musical legacy, at the time of this writing, there is not one dedicated live music venue in the entirety of the borough that is not connected to a college/university or nightclub/bar and that is easily accessible for the majority of the borough by public transportation.

At the time of this writing, there is only one dedicated live music venue in operation which is located on City Island and is generally inaccessible to the majority of the borough on a regular basis (not to mention the total capacity is less than 50 people in a borough of 1.4 million).

The few existing performance spaces in The Bronx which have a stage,  adequate audio system, and capacity of over 100 occupants are generally connected to bars and nightclubs (and therefore not conducive to shows for all ages) or connected to a college or university, meaning they cannot be booked on a nightly or even weekly basis by non-university performers or event producers. The fact that these venues (of which there are less than 10 total) are NOT dedicated music venues also means that they are not necessarily reliable places for artists to perform or host shows, as they are competing with a variety of other uses.

The one dedicated music venue currently in development at Bronx Commons in Melrose is over a mile from the nearest subway station in either direction, making it a potential burden for those with disabilities and for those whom walking long distances is a physical burden.

Live music is essential, and providing a safe space where the many thousands of musical artists in The Bronx can perform, connect, and showcase their abilities on a nightly or at least weekly basis is imperative.

The success of music-based events like the Bronx Night Market, Uptown Melody, Bronx SalsaFest, and the Bronx Summer Concert Series, among others, shows that there is both a market and a craving for musical programming in the borough, and it is time that the borough has a dedicated music venue for all ages that is accessible year-round.

The Bronx deserves a safe venue for all ages.

The Bronx deserves an accessible venue for all Bronxites.

The Bronx deserves live music.