Press Release

Chester Byrd Rededication Ceremony

Monday, March 20, 2017 - 3:18pm

Dania Beach, FL (January 19th, 2017) –The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in partnership with the City of Dania Beach Parks and Recreation department will be hosting a re-dedication ceremony and community event at Chester Byrd Park on February 4th, 2017 from 11AM – 3PM.  This family-friendly event is being held to celebrate the park’s recent fitness upgrades in support of the Dania Beach Healthy Community Zone and to honor former Mayor Chester Byrd who served as the first black Mayor of Dania Beach as part of the City’s celebration of Black History Month.

As part of the festivities, there will be an unveiling of permanent art installations at the park including a portrait of Mayor Byrd as well as interactive art activities and paintings that the community can take part in.  The art installations are funded by the Broward Regional Health Planning Council’s (BRHPC) TOUCH initiative which has been a driving force in the Dania Beach Healthy Community Zone initiative.  Other activities include a free food giveaway sponsored by Feeding South Florida, lawn games, fitness demos, healthy living exhibitors, music and food. 

While reminiscing on the namesake for Chester Byrd Park, Commissioner Bobbi Grace said, “I can reflect on this great man, our Mayor of Dania Beach, Mr. Chester Byrd.  Under his leadership I had the privilege of beginning my community service as a member of the Dania Activity Committee, the Dania Economic Development Corporation and working side by side on many community projects in the City of Dania Beach.  He was my mentor, job well done!”  Chester Byrd was first elected to the City Commission in 1981 and appointed Mayor in 1983.  He was re-elected to the City Commission in 1985 and reappointed as Mayor in 1987 of which he served until his death in April 1988.  He is remembered as an educator, champion of affordable housing, community organizer and leader.  He was not only the first black mayor in Dania Beach but also in all of Broward County.

Chester Byrd Park is located at 1021 SW 12th Avenue, Dania Beach, FL.  For more information about the Dania Beach CRA visit daniabeachcra.org, information about the Dania Beach Healthy Community Zone and BHRPC’s TOUCH  Partnership can be found at touchbroward.org/hcz.
 

Read more

Meet Henriette Kitte: This Year’s Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration’s Center Stage Artist

Monday, March 20, 2017 - 2:17pm

Dania Beach, FL- Henriette Kitte has graciously contributed her time in creating the imaginative and animated art that is used for this year’s Fifth Annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration (DBASC). Her 2017 Dania Beach poster will be unveiled during the March 14th CRA Board meeting at 6pm in the Chamber Hall located at 100 West Dania Beach Blvd. The artwork will also be on display during the March 23rd Event Kick-Off Party that takes place at 6PM in the Frost Park Recreation Hall. “I am truly honored to be a part of this year’s Celebration and showcase my art,” states Kitte. She is also active in promoting artists and their work  in the Atrium Gallery as chair of the Dania Beach Creative Arts Council. The original painting, a full sheet, is valued at the starting price of $ 1,000. An auction will be held, where all proceeds will be donated to complete the City Hall Atrium Art Gallery.

The youngest of seven children, Henriette “Kitte” Arnold was encouraged to perform to her maximum by her mother.  Being exposed to extremely talented siblings, who were also urged to high standards, helped her to set goals early in life.  Kitte’s first recollection of drawing was at the age of four and, in her words, “I have never stopped practicing.”

Educated in Haute Couture in 1955, Henriette began a forty-seven year career in fashion design.  Her specialty was women’s clothing, primarily evening and wedding dresses.  Her creativity was exposed with successful design in theatrical costumes and Victorian era clothing.  The Illinois Theatre Center, theatres in the city of Chicago, as well as suburban theatres, enjoyed her talents for over seven years.  Accolades were many, but the plum was as an assistant designer for the Inspector General, at the Goodman Theatre of Chicago, which won the Jeffrey Award.

The Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration on April 8th from 11:00AM to 8:00PM and April 9th from 11:00AM – 6:00PM, and purchase shirt and poster versions that will remind you of the amazing celebration for years to come. The celebration takes place in Frost Park located at 300 NE 2nd Street in Dania Beach.

Read more

DANIA BEACH ANNOUNCES NEW ART DISPLAY IN CITY HALL ATRIUM

Monday, March 20, 2017 - 2:15pm

Dania Beach, FL: Visitors to Dania Beach City Hall may notice new striking works of art located in the atrium: an abstract series of paintings depicting humans, flowers and animals. The Cultural Arts Committee of the Creative Arts Council, led by Henriette "Kitte" Arnold, received permission from the city commission to create a revolving art display in the city atrium, located at 100 West Dania Beach Blvd.  This art display is free and accessible to anyone. A public reception and meet and greet with the artist will be held on Sunday February 5th from 3PM - 5PM with light refreshments and the opportunity to browse beautiful artwork by Charlene Alvarez.

“The committee raised the funds to buy hardware for hanging the art and "voila" the bare atrium became the Dania Beach Atrium Art Gallery.  Under Kitte's direction we have had several different displays from local artists and the response from the public and the city hall staffers has been very positive,” states Bo Donly Chair of the Creative Arts Council Advisory Board for Dania Beach.

About the artist:

Charlene Alvarez was born in Denver, Colorado and is a self-taught artist & Chair of Go Green Kids Worldwide, Inc., a nonprofit utilizing art, nature and imagination in her free workshops of recycled art projects for children. Her mission and passion is that of her Native American heritage; “There was a time when the land was sacred, and the ancient ones were as one with it.” She emphasizes this philosophy in every aspect of her family and personal life. She is talented in expressionist, abstract, colorist and representational art pieces. Her art focuses on her Lakota Sioux Native cultural images.

“I believe as my ancestors did, that life is an interpretation of a medicine wheel that symbolizes great spiritual significance for the Sioux. The belief is that the shape of the wheel represents the circle of life and death, which is considered never ending and most importantly represents the unity in the Great Spirit or Grandfather,” states Alvarez.

Working mainly with acrylics and oil paints on canvas, paper, and wood, her main goal is to inspire, create and give back to those in need. She was appointed to the The Green Advisory Board for the City of Dania Beach, and is an instructor of recycled art for children at both the Dania Beach-Paul DeMaio Library and The Dania Beach CRA PATCH Urban Farm and Market. Her works have now expanded to the Children's Home Society of Florida, where she is sharing the love of nature and art to the children of South Florida.

Stay tuned for future revolving art displays at the Dania Beach City Hall Atrium.

Read more

Entertainment Line-Up: Spin Doctors Join the Dania Beach Arts and Seafood 5th Annual Celebration

Monday, March 20, 2017 - 2:09pm

Dania Beach, FL– Grammy Nominated, Spin Doctors will light up the stage on Saturday April 8, 2017 at the Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration. Presented by the Casino at Dania Beach, Spin Doctors who are about to release a new album, headlines an electrifying cast of performers, including Prince and Jimmy Buffet tribute bands. Join the celebration on Saturday and Sunday, April 8th & 9th 2017 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday in Frost Park, located at 300 NE 2nd Street in Dania Beach.

The Spin Doctors are an American rock band formed in New York City, best known for their early 1990s hits, Two Princes and Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong, which peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 7 and No. 17, respectively. You think you know the Spin Doctors. Think again. When the legendary New York quartet release their new album If The River Was Whiskey on May 14th, 2017 through Ruf Records, casual fans will discover the secret past the hardcore have never forgotten. To the wider world, the Doctors might be the multi-million-selling icons behind popular 1990s hits. But in 2013, Chris Barron (vocals), Aaron Comess (drums), Eric Schenkman (guitar) and Mark White (bass) reconnected with the flat-broke twenty-somethings who scraped for dollars at the sharp end of the Big Apple blues circuit. The Spin Doctors have come full-circle and their new album will be proof.

“We are beyond thrilled to announce Spin Doctors as the National Headliner for this year’s celebration! In booking such tremendous artists to perform in a fun, energetic outdoor venue at one of the City’s signature events it effectively adds yet another dimension to what Dania Beach offers to residents and visitors alike,” states Rachel Bach, Executive Director for the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. “We are so excited to hear their new album and even more eager to have Dania Beach as one of the first places it will be performed LIVE!” The Doctors go on stage on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Also performing on Saturday is Purple Madness, Tribute to Prince. Dearly Beloved, “We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life……” What can we say about Prince? We miss him dearly and on Saturday April 8th we celebrate the rich legacy of this remarkable genius who made pop music seem more exciting and smarter than it had ever been before.

“Prince has always been a stand out individual who embraced his inner colors and expressed himself wholly from the inside out. His music appeals to a very wide audience and it is timeless” says Mitch Lautman of Stellar Entertainment Agency who represents the band.

Purple Madness is the ultimate celebration of the most widely beloved entertainer and profoundly influential artist of all time. Bobby Miller presents an electrifying performance that can best be described as high energy and a “must see” show.

Purple Madness hits the stage at 4:30 pm right before The Spin Doctors. If you are more into the island lifestyle come by on Sunday, April 9th to hear the reggae rhythms of the Moska Project and “chillax” with the Caribbean Chillers

This year has an incredible entertainment line-up. The Jimbo’s Sandbar Stage schedule is as follows:

Saturday April 8, 2017

12:30-2:00 Sucker Punch (Country)
2:30-4:00 Brothers of Others (Rock)
4:30-6:00 Purple Madness, Tribute to Prince (R&B, Soul Tribute)
6:30-8:00 National Headline Spin Doctors (Rock)

Sunday April 9, 2017

12:00-1:00 Josh Rowand & Pitbull of Blues Band (Blues)
1:30-2:30 Speaker Box (R&B)
3:00-4:00 Moska Project Reggae, Latin)
4:30-6:00 Caribbean Chillers, Tribute to Jimmy Buffett (Trop rock, Tribute)

In addition to live entertainment, this free event is filled with beautiful art, delicious seafood, over 100 unique vendors and exciting interactive creative experiences. Plan to stay for the day – bring lawn chairs and blankets, relax, dance, sing and enjoy the live entertainment and food at your leisure at the Fourth Annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration!

For more information please visit www.DaniaBeachArtsandSeafoodCelebration.com and follow us on Facebook at www.fb.com/DaniaBeachArtsandSeafoodCelebration.

Read more

The DBCRA Discusses a Master Plan for Downtown Dania Beach

Monday, March 20, 2017 - 2:06pm

Dania Beach - The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) will be hosting a Merchant Meeting on Thursday August 25th, from 6PM – 8PM in the Dania Beach City Hall Atrium located at 100 West Dania Beach Blvd. to discuss a master plan for Downtown Dania Beach.

The DBCRA has budgeted funds for key initiatives in Downtown Dania Beach for 2016-17.  The DBCRA is seeking evaluation and input regarding:
• Ways to upgrade building facades, especially along Federal Highway
• How to solve side street parking problems and accommodate bicycle paths, pedestrian crossways and safe walkways for children
• New perspective on downtown development including the planned city center request for proposals, FEC rail crossings and other developments.
“We are excited to put these initiatives into action and eager to hear from the community,” states DBCRA Executive Director Rachel Bach.

Complimentary refreshments will be served. To RSVP contact Kisha Payen at kpayen@ci.dania-beach.fl.us. For more information, contact the CRA at 954-924-6801.

Read more