Rhythm by the River: A Festival Celebrating Black Voices

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Broward Center for the Performing Arts

RBTR 2023

The most exciting and innovative Black voices in Broward County take center stage when the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents the second annual Rhythm by the River: A Festival Celebrating Black Voices from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 19 at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The free event features live music, dance, drama and spoken word poetry performances as well as interactive events for the entire family.

On the main stage, The Smoogies kick off the afternoon’s music lineup with a blend of jazz, funk and R&B sounds and influences that will make people feel good while listening. Miami-born Gia Wyre, also known as “Songbird,” uplifts the audience with her voice and soul-stirring gospel, R&B and soul repertoire. Singer, saxophonist and pianist Timothy Dukes brings the powerful sounds of gospel to inspire the audience. The party continues with the energy-packed performance from singer, songwriter and producer Sizwe Collins, a staple in the Caribbean community across South Florida, who brings a contagious mix of sounds from steelpan, African drums. R&B and hip-hop artist/producer Jean Carlos Casely closes the festival’s performances on a high note.

Free community workshops offered at the Broward Center’s Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom include spoken word with Art Prevails Project founder Darius V. Daughtry, drumming with Troupe Fall West African Drum and Dance and hip-hop/dance with Developing Dream Foundation’s executive director Pablo Malco.

The afternoon also features arts and crafts as well as food trucks from J&J Soul Food, Wontons on Wheels, The Caribe Vegan and cupcakes from Sweet Sensations by Charlene.

Rhythm by the River is proudly supported by radio media sponsor Cox Media Group and will be hosted live by Supa Cindy from The Pac Jam Morning Show on 99 JAMZ and Rodney Baltimore, mornings on Hot 105.

Rhythm by the River is part of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Arts for Action: Black Voices initiative, co-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 inequality.

To learn more about Arts for Action: Black Voices events or to get involved, visit BrowardCenter.org or email artsforaction@browardcenter.org.