Press Release

Dania Beach Art Week Celebrates the City's Creative Community

Monday, July 13, 2026 - 1:03pm

One City. One Week. Endless Creativity.

Dania Beach, FL — This fall, Dania Beach Art Week, presented in collaboration with the City of Dania Beach and the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), will celebrate the city's incredible talent, creativity and cultural diversity from September 27 through October 3, 2026.

The weeklong, citywide celebration will bring together galleries, artists, creative businesses, educators, musicians, and cultural organizations to showcase Dania Beach's thriving arts scene while inviting the public to experience the city's vibrant creative community.

“We invite everyone to Dania Beach Art Week to explore, connect and celebrate creativity in all its forms. Whether you're a seasoned collector, a family looking for weekend activities, a student discovering the arts, or someone simply curious to experience something new, there's something for everyone,” said Dania Beach City Manager Candido Sosa-Cruz, executive director of the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.

Throughout the week, visitors will enjoy gallery exhibitions, interactive art experiences, live music, educational workshops, public art, mural installations, artist demonstrations, wellness experiences, and family-friendly activities across multiple venues. The celebration culminates with “Gallery Hop” evenings, encouraging guests to explore Dania Beach's diverse creative spaces, meet local artists, and discover the city's unique cultural offerings.

"We believe the arts have the power to bring people together," said Haena Chen Bitton, founder of Bitton Art Gallery and one of the organizers of Dania Beach Art Week. "Our vision is to create a week where every gallery, artist, creative business and cultural organization has the opportunity to shine. By working together with the City of Dania Beach and the Dania Beach CRA, we're creating meaningful experiences that celebrate creativity, strengthen our community, attract visitors, and support local businesses."

Participating organizations include Bitton Art Gallery, MAD Arts, Lux Neon Art Gallery, Gasper Arts, Comfort for Chaos Art Studio, The Collective at Dania Beach, C Gallery, The Creative Workshop, and additional community partners, each contributing its own unique voice to this citywide celebration.

Located in the heart of South Florida, Dania Beach is uniquely positioned to welcome visitors from Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Through the arts, the city invites guests to discover not only its galleries, but also its restaurants, local businesses, creative entrepreneurs, and welcoming community.

 

Dania Beach Art Week

September 27 – October 3, 2026
Multiple galleries, creative spaces and cultural venues in Dania Beach, FL
Admission: Many events are free and open to the public
Website: www.daniabeachcra.org/art-week  
Instagram: @daniabeachartweek

 

Contacts:

Haena Chen Bitton, Dania Beach Art Week, 786-247-1702, bittonartcurator@gmail.com
Nannette Rodriguez, City of Dania Beach, 954.560.1653, narodriguez@daniabeachfl.gov

Read more

Dania Beach Self-Care Week Launches Aug. 1–8 with Downtown Wellness Deals

Monday, July 13, 2026 - 12:59pm

Dania Beach, FL — When was the last time you treated yourself to a massage, a fresh haircut, a health checkup or a new fitness routine — at a discount? Residents and visitors are invited to do just that during Dania Beach Self-Care Week, taking place Aug. 1–8, 2026, when downtown businesses will offer special pricing on wellness-focused products and services.

Designed to help the community recharge before the new school year, refresh for the remainder of summer, or simply try something new, Dania Beach Self-Care Week features exclusive offers for both new and returning patrons across a wide range of businesses, including medical practices, gyms, salons, barbershops, and restaurants and cafés with wellness menus and drinks.

“Self-Care Week is about supporting our local businesses while encouraging people to invest in their own well-being,” said Candido Sosa-Cruz, Dania Beach City Manager and Executive Director of the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. “By showcasing the depth and diversity of our wellness community, we’re reinforcing downtown Dania Beach as a vibrant destination for health, lifestyle and entertainment.”

Participating businesses are offering a variety of promotions throughout the week. Flow House Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is providing a free trial week of classes for children and adults, including self-defense training, fitness and private lessons. Be Well Health is offering a two-hour massage and facial combination for $110 and providing reflexology, therapeutic massage and facial services. Atlantic Florida Dental is offering a free dental exam, X-rays and treatment plan; the long-standing practice has served the community for 45 years and is led by Dr. Thomas Schlopler, who has performed more than 25,000 dental implants.

Additional offers include special staycation discounts at Tru by Hilton Dania Beach, along with a coupon for a future stay. MAC Hair will provide new clients with a complimentary scalp spa and brush massage with any service. Karen Nails is offering 15% off services of $60 or more, and Asteria Beauty is offering 20% off all services.

Beginning in July, participating businesses will display signage identifying them as Dania Beach Self-Care Week partners, allowing patrons time to book appointments in advance.

Dania Beach is home to more than 150 active storefronts in its downtown core along Federal Highway and Dania Beach Boulevard. According to the CRA, Self-Care Week is part of a broader strategy to promote local businesses and strengthen the Federal Highway CRA district as an active business and entertainment corridor. Additional themed business weeks highlighting restaurants and retail are planned throughout the year.

For a full list of participating businesses, special offers and booking information, visit the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency website at daniabeachcra.org. For more information, email cra@daniabeachfl.gov or call 954-924-6801.

Read more

Downtown Streetscape Vision Planning Workshop

Friday, January 5, 2024 - 3:03pm
What should your downtown look like? 
 
Join us for a Downtown Streetscape Vision Planning Workshop on Thursday, January 18th from 5 - 7 PM at the Dania Beach City Hall, 100 W Dania Beach Blvd., in the NW Conference Room!
 
*One or more members of the City Commission and/or City Boards may be present.
Read more

Dania Beach Business Academy Introduces “First-time Homebuyer Strategies” Online Courses

Monday, August 1, 2022 - 8:36am

Dania Beach-FL- Every Wednesday from August 10 to August 31, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) with assistance from SCORE Broward will host the Dania Beach Business Academy (DBBA) “First-time Homebuyer Strategies” course.
The course outline includes an overview of the entire home buying process and strategies on how to deal with the challenges of the South Florida market. Potential Homebuyers will learn the advantages and disadvantages between owning your home versus leasing your home. Presenters will cover the pre-approval process and available mortgage programs. Participants will also learn about preparing for the buy - credit repair and budgeting tips for down payment fees and closing costs.
“Dania Beach and Broward County recognize home ownership adds to a family’s economic stability and is a way to accrue net worth. The DBCRA wishes to prepare our residents for the opportunities of homeownership. The DBBA “First-time Homebuyer Strategies” course will explore the benefits of homeownership, how to prepare for the opportunity, and deliver a wealth of information to guide residents for success in our prime real estate market” says DBCRA Executive Director, K. Michael Chen.
The Dania Beach Business Academy First-Time Homebuyer Course Outline is as follows:
Webinar schedule
Aug 10:  Home Buying in South Florida:  Richard Barnhart, Broker & Owner, ByTheSea Realty

Aug 17:  Financing Your Home Purchase:  Patricia McKay, Mortgage Advisor, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Aug 24:  Credit Repair and Tips on Saving Enough for the Purchase: Beverly Wright, AVP  CrediTools Services – Fairway Mortgage and Eric Yankwitt, Yankwitt Law Firm:   

Aug 31:  Broward County Affordable Housing Programs - Suzanne Weiss, Manager, Broward County Housing Finance Division’s Homeownership and Home Repair Sections and Robin Holley,Assistant Vice President, Affordable Housing Specialist, Mortgage-Synovus

For registration visit tinyurl.com/4rc8w2az
 
###

Read more

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: CRA PLAN UPDATE

Friday, March 4, 2022 - 9:08am

The foundational document when creating a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the designation of a Community Redevelopment Area is a “FINDING OF NECESSITY FOR REDEVELOPMENT” (FON). The initial FON for Dania Beach is dated May 8, 2001. The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency was established by the City of Dania Beach and Broward County in 2002. The Downtown Community Redevelopment Plan was adopted in 2004, confirming the creation of the Community Redevelopment Area encompassing 506 acres.

A second FON was completed in August 2008. Subsequently, Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency adopted the 2009 Community Redevelopment Plan, which, among other things, modified the CRA Boundaries to encompass 1,349 acres.

The last Community Redevelopment Agency Plan was adopted in June 2015. According to K. Michael Chen, Executive Director of the Dania Beach CRA, “It is best practices to keep the CRA Plan current, fresh, and relevant by updating it every four to five years and we are overdue for an update.”

The CRA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP NO. CRA-21-031) on October 22, 2021 to secure consulting services to update the CRA Plan. The RFP closed on November 29 and responses from five significant firms were received. The members of the RFP Review/Selection Committee reached a unanimous consensus to recommend Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc. (VHB).

VHB was founded in 1979 and currently employs 1,600 passionate professionals including engineers, scientists, planners, and designers. They have over 30 offices on the U.S. east coast, from South Burlington VT., to Sarasota, FL. Some of the recent community plans include:
Ybor City Vision 2020 Master Plan Update (Tampa FL) - Historic District
St Pete 2050 Vision Plan (St. Petersburgh, FL) - Florida APA Award
Parramore Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan (Orlando, FL) - Florida APA Award

The VHB team has the experience in creating Florida CRA plans, and includes the technical resources needed to deliver the Dania Beach Plan Update by working with the staff, residents, and property owners. VHB will take a Market-Driven planning approach to updating the Dania Beach CRA Plan. Their approach includes significant inter-active engagement with our residents, neighborhoods, businesses, investors, and elected officials – BE SURE TO PARTICIPATE WHEN THE CHARRETTS ARE ANNOUNCED!

At the February 8, 2022 CRA Meeting, the CRA adopted Resolution No. 2022-CRA-002 approving the selection of Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc. and directing the CRA to negotiate a contract with VHB to reflect the Scope of Work described in the CRA Plan Update Request For Proposals.  

Read more