Baychester News: Lehman Center continues top notch shows

Baychester News: Lehman Center continues top notch shows: Lehman Center continues top notch shows Eva Bornstein, Lehman Center Executive Director Speaks of its Past, Present and Future ...

Lehman Center continues top notch shows

Lehman Center continues top notch shows

Eva Bornstein, Lehman Center Executive Director Speaks of its Past, Present and Future

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 17- Later this month, the 34^th-35^th season of Lehman Center of the Performing Arts presentations of highly entertaining shows featuring world renowned performers will begin. This year the 10^th anniversary of its executive director, Eva Bornstein, will also be celebrated. 

The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is one of several world class institutions in the Bronx, like Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Garden which bring prestige to the borough and attract large numbers of visitors. These visitors economically benefit the businesses in the community and counter the distorted picture of the Bronx created by motion pictures and television in years past by informing their family and friends that the Bronx is a safe and pleasant place to visit and live.

In a recent phone interview, Bornstein described her goals for the institution after accepting the position of executive director in 2005, “I saw the potential of increasing ticket sales by targeting the Latino and African-American population of the Bronx.” She believed the programming was too heavily weighted to Riverdale residents.

Bornstein found altering the programming “led to a tremendous jump in attendance and an increase in the budget from $700,000 to $2,000,000. What you program has a tremendous influence.”

The upcoming season’s schedule is representative of an organization and its leadership that is desirous of being inclusive of the wide disparity of ethnic backgrounds of the population of the Bronx. Artists from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and, of course, the United States will be traveling to Lehman to perform.

The large quantity of Latino productions are varied and include several performers who have entertained audiences for decades. Danny Rivera, a very popular vocalist from Puerto Rico for nearly a half-century, will begin the series on September 20 with a number of guest performers who will join him. 

On October 25, Jose Alberto, “El Canario”, will reunite with La Tipica ’73 a group he fronted in the 1970’s. A group that is celebrating its 60^th anniversary, La Sonora Ponceña featuring Papo Lucca on piano will perform on November 22.

Latin music other than salsa will also be heard at the 2,300 seat Lehman Concert Hall later in the season. February 14, Valentine’s Day can be celebrated by listening to the lush classical sounds of the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Mexico. Eight days later, the sounds and dance steps of Tango Buenos Aires can be enjoyed.

Performers from around the globe will be in the Bronx to entertain. The sounds of the Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir will fill the auditorium on October 19. On November 9, the intricate gyrations of a group in existence since 1951, the National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China will dazzle the audience.

American music of various genres will be part of the forthcoming season. There will be a Doo Wop concert with music of the 1960’s on January 24, freestyle music of the 1980’s on March 7 and hip hop that began in the 1970’s on May 9. A new and experimental series of Broadway music under the direction of conductor Todd Ellison will reacquaint audiences with Broadway classics sung by stars of Broadway on three dates, October 11, March 21 and April 25. 

Two Russian dance companies will perform ballet classics that should be enticing for families to experience together. The Moscow Festival Ballet will perform Romeo and Juliet on March 15 and Swan Lake will be performed by the Russian National Ballet Theatre on April 12. Bornstein explained that “these productions give young people exposure to cultural events and create a new generation of theater-goers.” 

To further encourage families to bring children to the Concert Hall, tickets for children aged 12 and under are priced at $10 and several of the shows are scheduled on weekend afternoons, which are more convenient for families to attend.

Another important feature is the availability of public transportation. The D and 4 lines of the subways are minutes away at the Bedford Park Boulevard stop and many bus lines stop nearby. For those driving to Lehman, parking is available for an almost unbelievable $5. 

Prices for admittance are far below prices for shows of the same quality in Manhattan. Bornstein aims for the highest level of performers but “at prices our audiences can afford.” She explained, “It takes a lot of negotiating and persuasiveness and I have a long term relationship with a lot of agents and performers.” Her reputation over the years allowed her to obtain high end entertainers for lower ticket prices than in most other venues. She also credited the supportive audiences at Lehman for attracting performers to return. 

Bornstein advises individuals to keep up with the website, www.Lehmancenter.org for additions to the schedule of shows. For further information one can also call the Box Office at 718-960-8833.

Of the future, Bornstein explained, “I have so many dreams, but we are contingent upon the funding. The economy has changed. Government has cut funding for the arts. We need a better involvement with local businesses and corporations. We are dependent upon ticket sales and private donations.”

It would be a shame for this public attraction to be forced to change any of its policies or decrease its number of yearly concerts. 

Baychester News: Evander scores in HS soccer

Baychester News: Evander scores in HS soccer: Evander scores in HS soccer (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 15- Boys soccer in the B...

Evander scores in HS soccer

Evander scores in HS soccer

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 15- Boys soccer in the Bronx A League began the week of September 8th for most teams including Evander Childs Campus who finished its week with a Friday afternoon match-up against Dewitt Clinton High School.  

Evander took a 2-0 first half lead and a penalty kick early in the second half gave the Evander Tigers a 3-0 lead eventually falling 4-1.  

Evander stands in second place with a 1-0-1 record and four points trailing only Bronx High School of Science (2-0-0, 6 points) while Clinton starts its season in a three-way 5th place tie.  

Clinton hopes to rebound next week against Kennedy and Bronx HS of Science, while Evander looks to continue its winning ways against Walton and Kennedy. 

Baychester News: Jeter says goodbye

Baychester News: Jeter says goodbye: Still a Class Act (Photos by Gary Quintal) Derek Jeter gives his preliminary goodbye in the Bronx By Rich Mancuso BRO...

Jeter says goodbye

Still a Class Act

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Derek Jeter gives his preliminary goodbye in the Bronx

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 8- The assumption is Derek Jeter will be on the field at Yankee Stadium for the last time as an active player in three weeks because the Yankees in all probability will miss the postseason for a second straight year. So on Sunday afternoon the Yankees gave him a fitting and preliminary goodbye tribute.

You can say that the Yankees gave him an early 

goodbye retirement party in order to keep fans in the stands and to profit on Jeter commemorative patches, shirts, and anything that sells with his name. The good thing is the Yankees and their fans still have Derek Jeter for another three weeks.

And for the next 21 games, assuming Jeter plays everyday, he will still be here. As he did so many times over an illustrious 20-year career he answered every question. Jeter never turned down an interview for a daily newspaper reporter, or for that matter someone who was not seen often on the Yankees beat writing for a weekly publication.

And as much as we all want Jeter to reevaluate his decision about retiring from the game of baseball, one that that places him among the greats, it will become

more difficult to say goodbye.

Because it is always difficult saying goodbye to a New York sports icon, and Derek Jeter may have been more than that.

“Today you think about it about all the things that are being said, but today I was trying not to think about it,” Jeter said about closure from the game, and that there are still games to played with his team having an outside chance to be that second wild card team.

He added, “Fortunately there is a little more time.” The hope was always that this final season would result in the Yankees going to another postseason and to do it for the Captain.

But the Yankees from the onset of this season have

never been able to resemble a playoff team. As it was again on Jeter’s day, they failed to score runs and were shutout for a second time in three games by the central division leading Kansas City Royals.

Said Jeter about his day after he came off the playing field, “It was awesome, something I will always remember. The Yankee know how to throw big ceremonies. This is a day I will remember forever.”

He thanked the fans on the field and again when he met the media in the Yankees press conference room. Jeter has never been comfortable speaking about this farewell to baseball, but those extended family of fans made it easier.

“Anyone who is here today, anyone who is at home

watching, anyone who has ever been over the course, over the last 20 seasons, thank you very much. You guys have watched me grow up over the last 20 years. I've watched you, too. Some of you guys are getting older, too. I want to thank you for helping me feel like a kid the last 20 years.”

Jeter was surprised by a few of the dignataries that showed up for his day, including another world champion he has associated with over the years, Michael Jordan, who knows something about farewell tours, saying thank you to the hometown fans and about being a good teammate, and leader on numerous championship teams.

“I appreciate it. I did not go into any expectations,” Jeter said. This retirement tour of ballparks has been different from the one Mariano Rivera received last year. Jeter is an everyday player as Rivera continued to become baseball’s all-time closer.

Jordan offered some advice, along with Dave Winfield and another legend, Cal Ripkin Jr. who all have been a part of the Derek Jeter legacy in one way or another.

“He’s prepared for this, he chose to step away from the game,” said Jordan. “His knowledge of the game is strong, he’s going to sit down with his family and think his next step.”

Jeter wants to move on with his life beyond baseball. He will be financially secure enough that could one day keep him in the game of baseball as an owner or in another capacity. Whatever he does, regardless, it will be successful.

On the field an era is coming to an end. The Yankees “Core Four” of Jeter, Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte has come to an end and there may never be another four similar in the years to come.”

“It was very strange kind of a different situation with three weeks left, a unique situation kind of tough to explain,” Jeter said about the ceremonial day in his honor. “At the same time, I am still trying to play a game.”

And at the same time, and as the days dwindle to a precious few it will harder to say goodbye to Derek Jeter.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Baychester News: Shirtless thieves beat teen for food stamps

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