In The Press

Dania Beach CRA’s Annual Arts and Seafood Celebration Wins 10 Sunsational Awards

Monday, August 1, 2022 - 7:41am

Dania Beach, FL-Dania Beach hits the winners circle again at the 28th annual Florida Festivals and Events Association (FFEA) Convention & Tradeshow winning first place in five (5) categories; Commemorative Poster, Facebook, Program/Event Guide, Promotional Mailer, and Website.
Awards also included second place for Instagram campaign, T-shirt design, Television placement, and Tickets and Invitation, and third place for Emergency Action Plan. The 10 awards make the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) proud owners of over 45 FFEA Awards on behalf of the City of Dania Beach for the annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration and PATCH promotional items.
There were over 500 submissions from 60 organizations in South Florida, the Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration winning placement over 140 events.
Representing the Dania Beach CRA at this year’s FFEA Awards were CRA Operations Manager, Kathleen Weekes, and Strategic Communications and Outreach Representative, Kisha Eugene.
The DBCRA team worked with Creative Designer Connie Barone to develop out of the box digital designs which also struck first place for promotional items at the event.
Special thanks and congratulations are extended to Social Media Consultant, Terra Spero of Real Time Marketing Group who created a great look and comprehensive pages for the event website resulting in First place and Second place for its Facebook campaign.
The Emergency Plan was a new category introduced this year at FFEA and the DBCRA’s action plan developed by event logistics producer Stewart Auville of Standing Ovations took home third place. This being a critical and extremely sensitive area for event producers who seek to ensure safety and security for thousands in attendance.
For the past 28 years, the Florida Festivals & Events Association has celebrated members' achievements in event marketing, programming, service and innovation through the Sunsational Awards. The Sunsational Awards are judged in three different budget levels and 20 different categories.

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Eighth Annual Dania Beach Arts & Seafood Celebration Returns with a 
Generous Mix of Performance, Visual and Culinary Arts

Friday, March 4, 2022 - 3:02pm

Something is cooking in Dania Beach! Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Dania Beach proudly present the eighth annual Dania Beach Arts & Seafood Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3, from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, at Frost Park, 300 NE 2 Street, Dania Beach. Free admission and free parking.

The award-winning event includes live music and entertainment, mouthwatering culinary chef showcases and tastings, visual arts, performance artists, a juried art exhibition, a giant sand sculpture being built over the two days, interactive activities, culinary vendors and food trucks, dessert artisans, children’s activities and more.
Dania Beach Mayor Tamara James notes, “Dania Beach, Broward County’s first city, is alive with thriving arts, hospitality, and marine communities. What better way to celebrate the city than to bring back this family-friendly event that has been a success year after year. We look forward to welcoming guests from throughout South Florida to our celebration.”
Like most major events during the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021. While restrictions have been lifted, there will be safety measures to ensure patrons and vendors feel safe during this year’s festival.
At the free festival, enjoy live music featuring headlining tribute band, Queen International Tribute Show Band on Sunday, and 4NR2: Foreigner Tribute and Rocks Aerosmith Tribute on Saturday, as well as musical offerings from Paul Anthony and the Reggae Souljahs, Whipping Post, Catabella Music, Kedesh Cornelius, Big City Dogs and School of Rock.
Bring your appetites to feast on a cornucopia of delicious seafood and other specialty treats available through vendors, food trucks, and local culinary artists at the Chef Showcase where you will find Johnny Alarcon Ruiz, Findler Charles and Tahnee Rolles, among others.
There is more than just browsing and purchasing from a variety of artists booths, you can also experience art in the making. Watch and interact with local artists as they take center stage at the street art live theater. This year, professional artists Andrew Moschburg, Marcos Conde, and Ivan (IVO) Yanez will bring blank canvases to life with their own masterpieces.
Major sponsors include The Casino @ Dania Beach and FPL. For more information on schedules performances and more, visit DaniaBeachArtsandSeafoodCelebration.com.

Photos of performers and artists from the last event held in 2019 are available upon request.
Highlight video (2019): https://youtu.be/9xgNGcAche4 Photo galleries:  https://bit.ly/DBASCphotos

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.  

Eighth Annual Dania Beach Arts & Seafood Celebration Returns

Friday, March 4, 2022 - 8:57am

Great music, art, and tasty culinary delights return to Frost Park this Spring. After a two-year hiatus, the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)  is restarting its signature award-winning Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration on Saturday, April 2nd , from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 3rd , from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., at Frost Park, 300 NE 2 Street, Dania Beach.

Everything you loved is coming back, and you won’t want to miss a minute of the two days of action. Live music and entertainment, mouthwatering offerings from culinary vendors, including food trucks and dessert artisans, a culinary chef showcase and tastings, visual arts, performance arts, a giant sand sculpture, interactive activities, children’s activities and so much more. Admission is free and free parking is provided at the Casino @ Dania Beach.

“After a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Dania Beach CRA has been working to bring back the City’s  most popular award-winning family friendly event , celebrating artists of various genres, music, performance art, culinary art and fine artists and crafters. From its inception in 2013, this event has attracted over 120,000 patrons and contributes to the economic benefit of our business community throughout the City.” said K. Michael Chen, executive director, Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.

The Starfish main stage, sponsored by The Casino @ Dania Beach, provides round the clock live music with great bands.  On Saturday April 2nd the headliner act, brings a double header rock concert, first as 4NR2 tribute to Foreigner and then after a quick costume change as ROCKS, their tribute to Aerosmith. Throughout the day, there will be performances by the School of Rock, Dania Beach’s own classic rock band Whipping Post, the Latin stylings of Catabella music, and Paul Anthony and the Reggae Souljahs. On Sunday April 3rd our event Grand Finale is presented by the Queen International Tribute show.  Sunday will also feature School of Rock and the Kedash Cornelius Band.  Dania Beach’s DJ Royce keeps the beat going both days in between live musical performances.   

Over 70, artists, artisans and crafters have been preparing their return to Fronton Boulevard and the Frost Park Field with unique affordable art pieces.  Patrons may view and purchase art throughout the weekend.  This is a juried art show and artists have a chance of winning the Best in Show prize of $500.00, and four honorable mentions in the amounts of $250.00 each.  Event artists registration closes on March 15, 2022.
         
The skill of creating an art piece will be on display through the work of our local performance artists. The live performance art theater this year includes artists Marcos Conde, Andrew Moschburg and Ivo Yanez.

Of course, the crowd-pleasing sand sculpture team returns to create their masterpiece sculpture over the two-day event.  Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the  evolution of the sculpture from a pile of sand and can take their own souvenir photos and selfies of the work in progress and the completed piece.

Fans of the Chef Showcase are in for an interesting array of food as tasty bites will be distributed after our culinary artists create great recipes. Bring your appetites to feast on delicious food.

Some of the featured chefs taking turns in the kitchen are:

  • Lead Chef and headliner is Blue Cord certified, Peruvian-born, Chef Johnny Alarcon Ruiz, head chef at The Casino at Dania Beach.    
  • Chef Findler Charles is our Food Truck Chef.  He is bringing a new twist to original Haitian cuisine and sharing creative dishes and unique flavor.
  • Chef Tahnee is a Private Chef and Owner of Pretty Yummy By Chef Tahnee. She graduated top of her class at Le Cordon Bleu Miami and worked at Disney’s Signature Restaurant “Flying Fish Cafe”, gaining knowledge of the ins and outs of Fine Dining.

Food concessionaire, Professional Concessions Inc. invites you to a variety of meal options for every taste. Get ready for some mouthwatering offerings from Red Zeppelin, Laughing Crab, Four Cs, Southern Bites, La Cocina Chapina, Cobb BBQ, Farm Fresh Corn Roasting, Alpine Ice and many more.

This year’s poster will be unveiled through social media and on the event website. Come by our CRA event information booth and be prepared to purchase iconic souvenirs, tee shirts, and PATCH plants for your kitchen garden.

We have learned that the Friends of the Library are preparing their usual fun filled  booth for the event.

There will also be fun activities for children to enjoy at the Kids Funville including arts and crafts, The Choo Choo Train, face painting, a visit by an aquatic character, and other surprises.

COVID safety precautions will be followed with increased hand washing stations and hand sanitizers throughout the site on both days.

For more information on scheduled performances, visit www.daniabeachartsandseafoodcelebration.com, call 954-924-6801. Schedules subject to change.

 

The Dania Beach CRA Launches New Initiative to Support Startup Enthusiasts and Upcoming Entrepreneurs

Thursday, July 29, 2021 - 4:25pm

Dania Beach, FL- The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) is proud to announce the launch of the Dania Beach Business Academy (DBBA) which is offering a series of free educational programs to support and shape the business community. Designed to set businesses up to succeed, the programs will be offered in the form of online courses free of charge to admitted registrants as part of the DBCRA’s investment to strengthen our businesses. The first program entitled Passions to Profits will begin on Thursday, July 8, 2021.  Classes in Passions to Profits will cover, From Hobbyist to Entrepreneur, Start Up Your Business for Success, A Good Business Plan & Savvy Financial Plan is Your Map to Success, and finally, Money to Start and Grow Your Business.

According to K Michael Chen DBCRA Executive Director, “the DBCRA is creating an Innovation Ecosystem with platforms to support entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures. This first program targets business hopefuls and businesses emerging from the impact of COVID currently navigating their way through an economy seeking its way back to normalcy”.

The DBCRA has organized an executive partnership with academic and business organizations dedicated to economic development. The first DBBA Passions to Profits program consists of four (4) classes, held for two (2) hours a week, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm over four (4) consecutive weeks. Those attending all four classes will be designated as DBBA Graduates and will receive a graduation certificate, be acknowledged by the CRA Board/City Commission, and recognized on the DBCRA multimedia platforms.

The DBBA has received support from a number of Academic partners, and business entities and their statements are noted below:

“The Broward Technical Colleges; Atlantic, McFatter & Sheridan are proud of our partnership with the DBBA. We enjoy our collaboration to assist residents and businesses gain and increase their skills for personal and economic success. “- Lynn Goldman, Community Relations Coordinator, Broward Technical Colleges & Technical High Schools (Atlantic, McFatter & Sheridan)

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), over 543,000 new business are founded every month in the US. 47.5% of the country’s total workforce is employed by small businesses. Only 50% of small businesses survive 5 years.

Dr. J. Chris Ford, Mission-to-Market Manager and Principal Scientist at Florida International University (FIU) says, “FIU is excited to support the cultivation of entrepreneurs in South Florida. FIU’s Mission-to-Market initiative is committed to developing a thriving and inclusive innovation ecosystem in South Florida. We are thrilled with our collaboration with the city of Dania Beach’s Business Academy and its targeted impact on the South Florida business community.”

The DBBA innovative economic ecosystem will have many different platforms available to support businesses in all life cycles – from start-up to growth opportunities, to revitalizing a long-term business. The specific components the Dania Beach CRA is committed to establish includes education, location & events, mentorship, incubation and acceleration, funding, and talent.

"In the current uncertain climate, young people are realizing more than ever that entrepreneurship offers an opportunity for personal empowerment," says NFTE President and CEO, Dr. J.D. LaRock.

To qualify for the Dania Beach Business Academy applicants must be interested in learning the fundamentals of starting a business, developing business survival skills, and turning ideas into profitable enterprises.

“We are proud to help shape Dania Beach’s current and future business owners and leaders by participating in the Passion to Profits Business Academy. The successful completion of the program will help strengthen the economic base of the community, provide jobs and build civic strength.” says Joseph Gray, Sr. Director at National Development Council


The Dania Beach Business Academy is an executive partnership with the Dania Beach CRA, SCORE Broward, Florida International University/US Department of Energy - Mission-To-Market (M2M), the National Development Council (NDC), Atlantic Technical College (ATC), Business Briefings, McFatter Technical College, and the Alliance of Entrepreneur Resource Organizations of Broward County (AERO).

Classes include From Hobbyist to Entrepreneur, Start Up Your Business for Success, A Good Business Plan & Savvy Financial Plan is Your Map to Success, and finally Money to Start and Grow Your Business.

Interested persons will need to complete the online application at

https://score.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9uGtdrrtTG6vjyV_Cb2Tvw

For more information visit www.DaniaBeachCRA.Org or email cra@daniabeachfl.gov