Rhythm by the River: A Free Outdoor Festival Celebrating Black Voices
FREE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

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Showings
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Event Details
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Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents Rhythm by the River, a FREE festival celebrating some of the most exciting and innovative Black voices in Broward County. Sons of Mystro headline this free event on Sunday, March 20 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM in Esplanade Park in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. All activities rain or shine.
The community is invited here for a fun-filled afternoon of music, dance, drama, poetry and interactive events for the whole family. Hosted by WPLG-Local 10 anchor and reporter Alexis Frazier, this free event features live performances, food trucks, workshops, arts and crafts, and more.
On the mainstage, Purple Flux delivers a fusion of Hip-Hop and R&B sounds. The Randy Corinthian Quintet brings a soulful and sophisticated set of smooth jazz hits. The beat continues with West African Drum and Dance ensemble Troupe Fallou. Renegade Theatre Company offers a dynamic array of Broadway musical hits drawn from their repertoire. Art Prevails Project presents a mix of spoken word and theatrical vignettes from their critically acclaimed work. Guests will enjoy a sneak peek at the upcoming play Head Above Water: The Life of Esther Rolle by Darius V. Daughtry, directed by Bianca LaVerne Jones, commissioned by the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. As the grand finale, violin virtuosi Sons of Mystro headline the festivities merging their unique blend of classical strings with reggae hits and American pop songs along with some of their own original work.
Everyone is invited to participate in creating a community mural with visual artist Constance Ivana out in the park, or head to the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom at the Broward Center to take part in a Teeny Violini music workshop with New Canon Chamber Collective’s founder Portia Dunkley, a spoken word poetry session with performer and FLO’etry founder Jerris “Quick the Poet” Evans or a Hip-Hop dance class with choreographer and Developing Dreams Foundation’s executive director Pablo Malco.
Come get to you know your neighbors, enjoy outstanding entertainment, and learn more about the African American Research Library and Cultural Center’s Vicennial of Black Excellence, Art Prevails Project, Black Violin Foundation,FLO’etry, Developing Dreams Foundation, New Canon Chamber Collective, Old Dillard Museum, Renegade Theatre Company and much more.
Rhythm by the River is part of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Arts for Action: Black Voices initiative, which uses the arts as a catalyst to raise awareness, deepen knowledge, and mobilize action on social justice issues. Support for the initiative has been provided by the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, Community Concerts Association of Fort Lauderdale Performing Arts Fund, A Fund for the Performing Arts and the Linda and Michael Carter Fund. Additional supporters of the initiative include BBX Capital Foundation and JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
Rhythm by the River Festival partners include Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center and Art Prevails Project.
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FESTIVAL LINEUP
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ESPLANADE PARK STAGE
2:00 PM Purple Flux
2:40 PM Renegade Theater Company
3:15 PM Preview of “Head Above Water – The Life of Esther Rolle”
3:30 PM The Randy Corinthian Quintet
4:10 PM Art Prevails Project
4:30 PM Troupe Fallou – West African Drum and Dance
5:00 PM Sons of Mystro – Violin virtuosos performing reggae & pop hitsPORTER RIVERVIEW BALLROOM - INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
2:15 PM Teeny Violini Workshop with Portia Dunkley
2:45 PM Jerris “QUICKthePoet” Evans Spoken Word Workshop
3:30 PM Hip-Hop Dance Workshop with Pablo Malco
COMMUNITY MURAL WITH LOCAL ARTIST CONSTANCE IVANA
Artist schedule and performance times are approximate and subject to change. Rain or shine.
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PARKING
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There are several garage options near Esplanade Park. The cost to park in these garages ranges from $5 – $15, pricing subject to change. They accept cash or credit card with the exception of the Broward County Governmental Center Garage which only accepts cash during the day. Also note that change is not provided in either of the two county garages.
Arts & Entertainment (A&E) Parking Garage - 101 SW 5th Avenue
Broward County Governmental Center Garage - 151 SW 2nd Street
County II Parking Lot - 80 SW 1st Avenue
Riverwalk Center Garage - 150 SE 2nd Street
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SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
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The Arts for Action: Black Voices initiative is funded through the Community Foundation of Broward's Art of Community grant program, which aims to use the arts as a catalyst to heighten awareness, deepen knowledge, and mobilize action on social justice issues. Support has been provided by the following funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, Community Concerts Association of Fort Lauderdale Performing Arts Fund, A Fund for the Performing Arts and the Linda and Michael Carter Fund. Additional supporters of the Broward Center initiative include BBX Capital Foundation and JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
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Related Links
- Venue Esplanade Park
Ticket Policy
All dates, times, programs, artists and all ticket prices are subject to change at any time without notice. All ticket prices plus applicable service charges. All special offers cannot be combined with other discounts or previous purchases and certain restrictions. Everyone attending must have a ticket.