Bronx, NY—-Lehman Center for the Performing Arts proudly presents LA GRAN GALA on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 8 PM. This special event brings together a group of legendary artists for an unforgettable night, featuring the lively rhythms of merengue, bachata, and pop.
PAVEL NÚÑEZ became involved in music after attending piano classes at a young age. He began his career with his debut album Paso a Paso (2002), including hits “Te Di” and “Dime Si Lo Ves.” After playing for a Dominican band known as Códifo Genético, later called Los Fulanos, PAVEL NÚÑEZ had the opportunity to sing alongside Danny Rivera and assemble Pavel y el Corredor de la 27. PAVEL NÚÑEZ received two Latin Grammy nominations – Best Contemporary Tropical Album for his 2022 release, Trópico, and Best Merengue/Bachata Album for Trópico, Vol. 2 in 2023.
MILLY QUEZADA launched her career in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the band Milly, Jocelyn y Los Vecinos, with the group’s hit “Volvió Juanita” becoming a beloved Christmas classic. As a solo artist, she won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Tropical Album for Aquí Estoy Yo (2011) and her 1998 album Vive achieved a Billboard award for Best Female Tropical Album, solidifying her status as the “Queen of Merengue.” She made history as the first Dominican artist to perform in Japan during an international tour and stood out as an actress in the Dominican film Yuniol II (2007), winning a Casandra award for Best Actress.
MARIDALIA HERNÁNDEZ made her stage debut in 1981 in José Luis Mella’s musical Sonido Para Una Imagen. She later starred as Maria Magdalena in the Spanish version of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1983, she joined Juan Luis Guerra to form the influential merengue-bachata group 4:40. Throughout her singing career, MARIDALIA HERNÁNDEZ is known for hit songs “El Amor de Mi Vida” and “Para Quererte”.
LEE BURGOS rose to fame in the Latin pop scene with her breakout single “No Eres Para Mí” in 2018. Her momentum grew with the release of her acclaimed 2019 album Lee Burgos Live Unplugged, a tribute to Juan Gabriel and Celia Cruz, leading to her sold-out The Lee Burgos Experience Tour. Her hits “Lo Que Siento Por Ti,” “Tan Lejos,” and “Vuelvo a Nacer” remain popular among fans.
MARI SOLIS, New York-based singer-songwriter of Dominican descent, blends influences from Alejandro Sanz and Lauryn Hill to craft her distinctive Latin-infused R&B sound. Her debut single “Déjalo Caer” opened doors for her in the Dominican Republic. Her most recent single, “Un Ratito Más” was released in 2024.
OBRIEN LUNA, originally from the Dominican Republic, began playing drums for his local church at age 16, later discovering his passion for singing and guitar. Since relocating to New York City over ten years ago, OBRIEN LUNA has shared stages with artists like Francisco Céspedes and Sergio Vargas. His hits include the collaborative single “Sigo Aprendiendo a Vivir” with Pavel Nuñez and the solo single “Solo una Noche.”
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 LA GRAN GALA on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 8 PM (VIP $110, $95, $65, $50, $40) 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 before showtime on weekends), or through online access at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/pavel-gran-gala. The Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway. Patrons who purchase VIP tickets (first 9 rows of Orchestra Center) are invited to attend a special reception at 6:30pm on the day of the show. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres catered by Havana Cafe.
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 Gillman Foundation to help grow our programming. The 2024-2025 season is also made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and our cherished audience members.
