To cap off its centennial celebrations, Broward County will host Duende, a three-day public celebration of the arts, culture and community from October 2-4.
Honoring the destination’s diverse and extraordinary local talent, Duende will kick off with a “Friday Night Grand Opening Take-over” featuring street performers, drum battles, live bands and DJs, flash mobs, dance, rock, jazz, hip hop, street art, light shows and projections. The celebration continues Saturday with a “Party of a Century” at Esplanade Park featuring interactive and cross cultural music, dances and performances and top musical acts reflecting Greater Fort Lauderdale’s innovative and diverse performing arts talent, with an international blend of dance, hip hop, salsa, reggae, pop and house music.
On Saturday night, “WE… The Passion & Rhythm of the People,” the widely anticipated Broadway-style performance created by Broadway Director and Cirque Dreams Founder Neil Goldberg, will feature recording artist Linda Eder and multiple Grammy Award-winning entertainer Jon Secada, along with “So You Think You Can Dance” winner Eliana Girard, YouTube hip-hop phenomenon Marquese Scott, “The Voice” breakout star Sisaundra Lewis and “X-Factor” singing sensation Lillie McCloud. They will be joined by a hometown cast comprised of hundreds of brilliantly talented South Florida musicians, dancers, poets, choirs, athletes and variety acts ranging in age from nine to 70+.
On Sunday in Pompano Beach, local bands will vie for the “The Most AMPed Band” title while an ARTwar will see 12 artists competing against each other to create a new work of art in 45 minutes. Award-winning talent will also fire up the stage with performances by Sammy Figueroa, Otis Cadillac, The Jason Taylor Foundation’s Bluapple Poety Network and Body and Soul Dance Theatre.
Duende will launch an annual signature event to showcase the talent of Broward County, create global connections and set the stage for the next 100 years.
“The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB is proud to support the Broward County Cultural Division and their partners on Broward 100, and we look forward to celebrating our 101stnext year with another Duende weekend,” said Nicki E. Grossman, CEO and president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We want everyone to have a chance to celebrate the history and transformation of Broward County so as a birthday gift, we’ve created some great travel deals that make it simple to explore the destination and save.”
In addition to free entertainment and community events all weekend, visitors can also stay and save thanks to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s numerous promotions and discount programs. With the new See You in September promotion, guests can book two nights and get the third free at exclusive hotels, while the Vacation Like a VIP luxury hotel package offers a $100 resort credit along with other perks like upgraded rooms and complimentary valet parking.
Visitors can also take advantage of the Summer Savings 2-for-1 card with 2-for-1 deals on spas, boat tours, watersports and other seaside activities at more than 70 attractions. Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Dine Out Lauderdale program allows visitors to take advantage of $35 prix-fixe menus at more than 40 of the destination’s best restaurants. Combining these great deals, visitors can gain discounted access to popular attractions, dine on gourmet meals from chef-crafted menus at a fraction of the price and enjoy hotel discounts and perks. With so much to experience and even more to save, Greater Fort Lauderdale is extending a warm sunny welcome to anyone wishing to join in celebrating the incredible history and culture of Broward County.
For more information on Duende’s scheduled events, visitwww.broward.org/Broward100.