‘American Idol of the Bronx’ coming to Union Crossing
One of the event series’ logos. Courtesy of It’s The Bronx
BY ALEX MITCHELL
Something big is coming, and ‘It’s
The Bronx’ on Saturday, January 26.
The borough’s most innovative and collaborative
minds have come together
to establish an event series the last Saturday
of each month, to proudly showcase
the talent and innovative spirit
that embodies our borough by way of
music, art, and food.
Designed by Round 7, a Bronx exclusive
media company, It’s The Bronx
will be an opportunity for select
Bronxites to showcase their own creative
artistic, musical and culinary
talents in front of a live audience with
a chance to win career-changing packages
in their respective fi elds, such as
pro-recording studio time, distribution
deals, solo shows, public relations
packages and mentorships.
The team in charge of the ‘American
Idol of the Bronx’ is made up of:
Marco Shalma, Amaurys Grullon, Jerome
Lamaar and Jalen Andux.
Shalma is the executive director
of Round 7 and he’s the mind responsible
for the continuing success of the
Bronx Night Market, which served as
some inspiration to green light this
new project.
“We want to promote anybody serious
about their craft, there’s so much
talent here but it can be tough connecting
it to the community,” Shalma
said, mentioning his goal of creating
a community network to promote the
Bronx’s best that haven’t been given a
platform just yet.
“It’s about creating a scenario for
people to succeed,” the creator added.
Grullon is the person in charge of
Bronx Native, a clothing store that
promotes Bronx culture at 127 Lincoln
Avenue.
He’s also promoting It’s The Bronx
as the event series’ marketing director.
“It’s so important to give a platform
to so many talented and creative
people, especially from the Bronx,” he
said adding that his brand is all about
promoting the borough’s best.
Lamaar is a clothing designer and
lifestyle futurist that hails from Pelham
Bay.
Beyonce is just one of many A-list
celebrities that he’s designed for.
Andux is the founder of ESCAPE2NY,
another Bronx-based media
company, he’s also a self made event
producer that promotes arts for his native
borough.
This team will sift through the
hundreds of creative applicants that
have already been received, to determine
who will get a chance to vie for a
chance to perform and win the jackpot
prize at stake.
It’s The Bronx will debut at the
Union Crossing building at 825 E. 141st
Street in Port Morris.
That building is a seven fl oor, repurposed
warehouse that’s being fi lled
with creative tenants that also showcase
the Bronx’s best.
The inaugural, free It’s The Bronx
show, was sold out in the fi rst few
hours after being publicized.
“This is something you can only
do in the Bronx,” Shalma said. “This
is the greatest collaboration in Bronx
history,” he proudly boasted.
To get on the waitlist for the inaugural
or future It’s The Bronx shows,
go to https://www.itsthebronx.com/. Marco Shalma. Courtesy of Round 7 Media
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 20 ANUARY 4-10, 2019 BTR
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