{"id":277931,"date":"2026-06-25T15:59:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T15:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/277931\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T15:59:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T15:59:10","slug":"bronx-summer-jam-the-boroughs-only-free-music-festival-celebrates-its-fifth-year-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/277931\/","title":{"rendered":"Bronx Summer Jam, the borough\u2019s only free music festival, celebrates its fifth year \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

The fifth annual Bronx Summer Jam<\/a> took place at Oscar Comras Memorial Mall at Bronx Park East on June 20. Presented by Sirens and Kings, Bronx Summer Jam serves as a free music festival that platforms local and regional artists, highlighting the power of community in the Bronx.<\/p>\n

Sirens and Kings is a moniker for the partnership between local entertainment organizations Sounds & Sirens and The Fox and King.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just amazing to see all these people come here, who have been coming here for the last couple of years, and be excited about what we\u2019re doing here. It\u2019s for the community and it\u2019s something that really makes us proud to come out here and do,\u201d Sounds & Sirens founder DJ Mike said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fernando Garcia, founder of The Fox and King, added that five years of community with Bronx Summer Jam is nothing short of an accomplishment.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that, especially in today\u2019s world, there\u2019s such a large commodification of everything and we need to bring it back to local roots, local community, showcasing people who really give back to the community instead of just taking from it,\u201d DJ Mike said.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Bronx Summer Jam serves as a free music festival that platforms local and regional artists, highlighting the power of community in the Bronx. Photo by Brandon Trinidad<\/p>\n

The festival included an array of live performances and various vendors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pride from being in the Bronx is really just making the decision to never deny where you came from in spite of where you end up in life,\u201d Nenny Melodias<\/a>, a local R&B artist said.<\/p>\n

Alt-fashion brand Butcher\u2019s Mouth<\/a> sold custom lighters, keychains, trays, stickers, hats and bracelets to attendees.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is handmade in the Bronx by me and best friend, we have nothing but duct tape and a dream and we are loving it and doing it together,\u201d Sweet, founder of Butcher\u2019s Mouth said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo by Brandon Trinidad<\/p>\n

Bronx native Bunny Lee expresses her creativity through various forms of art \u2014 her illustrations were available for purchase on enamel pins, shirts, stickers, and prints \u2014 she even sold her own mushroom ink.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know in the Bronx there\u2019s a really big emo hardcore alternative scene. I\u2019ve kind of been inspired by growing up in that scene, so everything kind of represents that,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n

For the first time in the history of the Bronx Summer Jam, on-site vendors included local restaurants. Aside from free Redbull (who co-sponsored the event with the Bronx Music Hall), attendees could purchase selected offerings from sandwich shop No Fork, Mexican restaurant Cinco de Mayo and desert spot Yummy Dips.<\/p>\n

Today Cinco de Mayo<\/a> has seven locations across New York City, but their first was opened in the Bronx 11 years ago. Mexican owner and founder, Elias Ballinas, lively recalled the importance of adapting in their success.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"KayMars performs June 20th at the Bronx Summer Jam.Photo by Brandon Trinidad<\/p>\n

\u201cWe first started with all the authentic Mexican [food] like the pozole, [and] the beef soup we have. But we came to realize that in the Bronx they wanted tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and birria tacos. We didn\u2019t have to go that far, so that\u2019s what we stayed with,\u201d said Ballinas.<\/p>\n

NoFork<\/a> also started in the Bronx, in 2021. Co-founder Veton Sinani said \u201cIn the restaurant industry you have to be the kind of person that you have a passion about it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sinani added \u201cSometimes you\u2019re on schedule 7 days a week, and you have to be okay with that and humble.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

One attendee, BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank, described the joyous atmosphere of Bronx Summer Jam.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what we need in the Bronx, we need music, we need our cultures and we need to celebrate it on a beautiful summer day! What could be better?\u201d Axelbank said.<\/p>\n