Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, in association with SAL ABBATIELLO of Fever Records, presents an electrifying celebration of Freestyle music with FOREVER FREESTYLE 18 on Saturday, March 14th, 2026. Doors open at 7 PM, showtime is at 8 PM. To Latino teenagers in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Freestyle was more than music, it was a movement, blending Hip-Hop and Disco into a sound that became “Our Music.”
Now in its eighteenth year at Lehman Center, this concert will feature performances by JUDY TORRES, GEORGE LAMOND, TKA, BRENDA K. STARR, THE COVER GIRLS, CYNTHIA, CORO, SOAVE, and C-BANK.
Having thrilled audiences for nearly two decades, FOREVER FREESTYLE 18 returns to Lehman Center for one unforgettable night, bringing together artists and fans for the ultimate celebration of Freestyle music.
JUDY TORRES, known as the “Queen of Freestyle,” was discovered at 18 in her hometown of the Bronx and quickly rose to fame with hits like “No Reason to Cry” (1986) and “Come Into My Arms” (1987). Her second album featured the hit “I Love You for All Seasons,” and in 2010, she released the MP3 album Stay.
GEORGE LAMOND began his career singing backup for his cousin Joey Kid in the Bronx before forming the duo Loose Touch. He made his solo debut with “Bad of the Heart” (1990), which landed him a deal with Columbia. In 1992, he released the hit “Where Does That Leave Love,” and later became a Latin music star when his first Spanish single, “Si Tu Te Vas,” soared to the top of the charts.
TKA is a prominent Latin-Freestyle trio formed in the 1980s that garnered success in the early ‘90s with their hit “Come Baby Come.” Other hits include “Maria” (1982), “Tears May Fall” (1987), “You Are The One” (1989), and “Louder Than Love.” Led by K7 (Louis “Kayel” Sharpe), the former lead vocalist of the Freestyle super-group TKA, TKA/K7 also features Tre Duece and LOS.
BRENDA K. STARR, introduced to the spotlight by Harry Belafonte, became a major force in the ’80s Freestyle music, landing a #1 hit with her Grammy-nominated ‘I Still Believe,’ later covered by Mariah Carey. Other hits include “Pickin’ Up Pieces” (1985), “Suspicion,” “Over & Over,” and “No Matter What,” a duet with George LaMond released in 1991.
Hailing from New York City, Brenda did film work before becoming a name in urban dance music and has also been repeatedly nominated for Latin Grammy awards for her Latin Tropical/Salsa pop songs.
THE COVER GIRLS were formed by Sal Abbatiello after an extensive talent search, bringing together a group of eight talented women. They made an immediate impact with their debut single “Show Me” (1986), lighting up both domestic and international charts. Originally from the Bronx, the group went on to release four albums, selling over 3 million records and scoring 11 consecutive hits on Billboard’s Hot 100.
CYNTHIA, a native of Spanish Harlem, began her music career at 16, singing alongside Safire. She rose to fame with her 1989 debut album, Cynthia, which featured Freestyle classics like “Change On Me,” “Endless Nights,” and “Thief of Hearts.” Her follow-up album, Cynthia II, included hits such as “Break Up to Make Up,” “Love Me Tonight,” and the Billboard Hot 100-charting duet “Dream Boy/Dream Girl” with Johnny O.
CORO is one of Freestyle’s most powerful and recognizable male voices. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s with his debut album Where Are You Tonight, delivering club anthems and emotional hits like “Where Are You Tonight,” “Temptation,” and “Cold Hearted Snake.” With his soulful delivery and heartfelt intensity, Coro quickly became a staple of the Freestyle movement, earning a loyal fan base and securing his place as one of the genre’s enduring icons.
SOAVE, born Jeffery Martinez in Jersey City, NJ, is best known for his Freestyle classic “Crying Over You” (1994). He followed up with hits like “If You Want Me” (2006), “Don’t Look Back” (1991), and “Where Did We Go Wrong?” (2009), solidifying his place in the Freestyle scene.
C-BANK is a dynamic studio project created by musician, composer, and producer John Robie, featuring lead vocalist Jenny Burton. The group is best known for its 1983 Freestyle classic “One More Shot,” which became a defining hit of the era.
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 Gilman Foundation to help grow our programming. The 2026 season is also made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and our cherished audience members.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for FOREVER FREESTYLE 18 on Saturday, March 14th, 2026. Doors open at 7 PM, showtime is at 8 PM. (Tickets: $125, $95, $75, $60, $50) can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833; Para Español: 718-960-8835 (Monday through Friday, 10 AM–5 PM, and beginning 4 hours prior to showtime on weekends), or online at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/freestyle. The Lehman Center is accessible by the #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is conveniently located off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.
