BROWARD CENTER HOSTS THIRD ANNUAL RHYTHM BY THE RIVER: A FESTIVAL CELEBRATING BLACK VOICES
Published: Mar 7, 2024
Join some of the most diverse and contemporary Black voices of Broward County as they perform at the third annual Rhythm by the River: A Festival Celebrating Black Voices, hosted by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 24 at Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
In addition to the lineup of top-notch live musical performances, Rhythm by the River also features free dance and drumming workshops for all, plus several interactive events ideal for the entire family.
On the main stage, Lauderhill Steel Ensemble kicks off the afternoon’s concert lineup with calypso flair. Jazz saxophonist Randy Corinthian is joined by talented musicians with a soulful and sophisticated set of upbeat smooth jazz hits. South Florida’s favorite roots reggae band Jah Steve & the Counteract Crew is set to blend sweet reggae tunes that will get the audience on their feet. Local Emmy®-nominated singer/songwriter and social impact artist Alexander Star, who most recently appeared in the Tournament of Roses Parade on board Visit Lauderdale’s float, takes the stage for the day’s high-energy grand finale.
Free community workshops offered at the Broward Center’s Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom include dance and drumming with Delou Africa, showcasing the rich traditions of West Africa, and hip-hop/dance with Pablo Malco, Developing Dreams Foundation Executive Director, who will have everyone on their feet.
Festival activities in the Baptist Health Activity Zone include free arts and crafts, face painting, a community mural, as well as interactive games provided by the YMCA of South Florida. There will also be a variety of food trucks, beverage stations and cupcakes from Sweet Sensations by Charlene.
“We are delighted to return with the third annual Rhythm by the River Festival in Esplanade Park,” said Jan Goodheart, Broward Center’s Vice President of External Affairs. “It’s a perfect outing for the whole family and a great platform to showcase some of the amazing talent in our South Florida region, have some fun, listen to great music and make new connections with a variety of workshops and artmaking opportunities.”
Rhythm by the River is proudly supported by radio media sponsor Cox Media Group and will be hosted live by HOT 105.5’s Rodney Baltimore (WHQT) and 99JAMZ’s K. Foxx (WEDR). This year’s festival is also sponsored by Visit Lauderdale, welcoming “everyone under the sun.”
Rhythm by the River is part of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Arts for Action: Black Voices initiative, presented by Baptist Health and JM Family Enterprises, Inc., which focuses on how the arts and artists can be a force for change in addressing critical issues of social justice and racial equity.
To learn more about Arts for Action: Black Voices events or to get involved, visit BrowardCenter.org or email artsforaction@browardcenter.org.
For related activities in Fort Lauderdale leading up to Rhythm by the River, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center hosts its first annual Africana Arts & Humanities Festival, “Rootedness: Celebrating 50 Years of Black Literature and Culture," in recognition of Broward County Library’s 50th Anniversary. Learn more at AfricanaFestival.Broward.org.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information visit BrowardCenter.org, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BrowardCenter and Facebook.com/BrowardCenterEducation, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BrowardCenter, subscribe to our channel at YouTube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the conversation with #BrowardCenter.
The Broward Center 2023/2024 season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and UHealth University of Miami Health System. Programs are also sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.
About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level and UHealth-University of Miami Health System Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 100,000 students annually. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.