The stage lights at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts are once again beaming, as the center reopens to host an array of live performances. The 2,276-seat auditorium has already welcomed Latin music legend, Andy Montañez, in a tribute concert to the late Celia Cruz on Saturday, Oct. 2. Montañez was joined by the Mambo Legends Orchestra with Patty Padilla.

 

The center has scheduled shows through the spring of 2022, and the various musical performances will span a number of genres, including salsa, merengue, Brazilian samba, freestyle, and concludes the calendar year with the full-length presentation of The Nutcracker by the Westchester Ballet Company in December.

 

Eva Bornstein is executive director at the Lehman Center and is eager to see the return of live music at the theater. “From the day Lehman Center opened its doors 41 years ago, it has been the home for great live performances and experiences that we cherish for many years to come,” she said in an email announcing the 2021-2022 season. “These are difficult times for our industry, but we still consider ourselves fortunate that after all this, we are finally able to re-open the center,” Bornstein added.

 

The center is also presenting a free concert in the Bronx to kick off the new 2021-2022 season. The free show, featuring the Brazilian All Stars, will be on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. Lehman Center officials said the show will be a uniquely memorable, musical journey through Brazil’s most famous songs, Sambas, Bossa Novas, Ballads, Choro, Fado, virtuoso instrumental tracks and more. It will showcase the unique sound of the music of Brazil, while incorporating a fusion of other styles: Portuguese, American jazz, Cuban and African rhythms, plus additional influences from other South American regions.

 

The show will highlight a group of talented Brazilian musicians, including veteran musicians Andre Sarbib (vocals and piano), Claudio Cesar Ribeiro (guitar), Lilian Raquel (vocals), and Mario N’Goma (percussion), joined by stars of the younger Brazilian generation, Leandro Leonet (drums), Filipe Teixeira (bass) and Magdalena Petrovich (cello).

 

According to Lehman Center officials, individually and collectively, these artists have performed worldwide with some of the biggest names in Brazilian music and at the greatest venues, including Funchal Jazz Festival, Festival de Jazz de Madrid, and the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK.

 

In September 2019, the world renowned venue opened its 40th season to great fanfare after a $15.4 million redesign as reported at the time by Norwood News. It hosted shows for several months until the City closed theaters in March 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

In accordance with safety stipulations for live, indoor performances, issued by the New York City mayor’s office, ticket holders will need to show proof of vaccination before entering the theater. Mask wearing will also be enforced for attendees. Information on the center’s COVID-19 policy can be found on its website at www.LehmanCenter.org.

 

The Lehman Center is located on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for the Brazilian All Stars are free to the public and seating is on a first-come first serve basis. Reservations can be made by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to  5 p.m., and beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the concert.

 

Tickets can also be purchased online at www.LehmanCenter.org, where more information on the show can be found. The center is accessible by the 4 or D train to Bedford Park Boulevard, and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.

 

A complete schedule of performances, including early 2022, can be found at www.LehmanCenter.org.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.