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May River District Spotlight

Check out our monthly video series highlighting River District Businesses, Food, Music, Arts and Entertainment and more!

Did you watch? Tell us what you think!

May is Historic Preservation Month

In celebration of Preservation Month RDA invites you to go on a journey with us into the past of downtown Danville!


Twice a week we will post historic photos of downtown on Facebook and Instagram, and ask some questions about them.


To find the answers, take the Historic Architecture Tour in the River District App: Distrx, which you can download from your app store. Everyone who takes the tour and comments on social media will be entered to win a $25 River District Dollars Gift Card!

Danville Arts and Culture Plan needs your input!

Help support the arts in Danville! Danville is working on an Arts and Culture Master Plan that will examine our existing arts, culture, and historic resources. The Plan will help develop how our community can become a regional destination for arts and culture. The success of this plan depends on collaboration from community members like you—take the Danville Arts and Culture Plan Survey today

Take the Survey

RDA Vibrant Windows Program

Go check out the 400 Block of Main Street! Artwork from a diverse group of local artists have been installed in the windows of the former Belk Building.


A big thank you to Felice McWilliams from the Danville Art League for coordinating between RDA and all the artists.


If you are interested in purchasing any art pieces just contact RDA and we'll point you in the right direction.


May is Clean it/Fix it month!

Mornings on Main
Register HERE

Watch a recap of the April Mornings on Main

Demolition of former Lou's Antiques Building; Me's burgers & brews, and Amburn & Co. Salon still open!

The demolition of the former Lou's Antiques building has begun. There is a fence up, and the parking lot between Me's and the building being demolished is closed. Me's burgers & brews and Amburn and Co. Salon are still open and the Fountain is still accessible! It's an easy block walk from the Acree parking garage, and there is street parking within a block of both businesses. Once the building is down, the space will be green space for a while until other plans are finalized.

Become a Tourism Ambassador

Providing EXTRA-ORDINARY Service is Essential to the


Region’s Tourism Success!

SAVE the DATE!


Become an OFFICIAL Tourism Ambassador


Wednesday, May 24th


 

The Danville and Pittsylvania County tourism officials are rolling out a hospitality training program region-wide for all front-line industry workers. This multi-faceted program serves to increase tourism by inspiring front-line employees and volunteers to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. When visitors have a positive experience, they are more likely to return in the future and share their experience with others.


Everyone benefits – the visitor, the industry, the local economy, the hospitality professional and the community. This half day training will help spread valuable education about tourism industry service best practices, local visitation and economic impact, and cross promote attractions,

restaurants, retail and more!


FREE to all local frontline hospitality workers, public employees, and business owners

in Danville or Pittsylvania County VA. Participants who complete the half-day session

will receive a certificate and be eligible for local prizes.


SAVE the DATE for May 24th at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History (two half

day workshop options) the first option is at 8:30am and the second option is at 1:30pm.

More details will available soon! Contact Catherine Fox for information at c.fox@eddyalexander.com or 540-404-8152.

River District News

Visit the River District Event Calendar to find community events, art classes, live music shows, and more...


Know of something not listed? submit an event.


(RDA may still make decisions about which events can be included in the calendar - thank you for understanding!)


Cinco de Mayo Taco & Tequila Street Fest

500 Block Craghead Street


May 5th, 5pm - 10pm



Spring has sprung! Nice weather is here to stay and there is no better reason to get out in the River District for tacos and margaritas. Enjoy authentic food provided by Mucho and area food trucks on Craghead Street and live entertainment street side as well as in the Mucho patio.


Riverfront Real Estate has commercial spaces for rent


525 Lynn Street – suites 6A, 6B and 7 approximately 2,500 sq.ft. each

 

618 Craghead Street – unique opportunity for offices / co-working consisting of:

165 sq.ft. open office

6 smaller private offices 56 sq.ft. each

276 sq.ft. conference room with attached outdoor patio

 

Contact joiesford@riverfrontre.com

434-483-2138

 


Bingo at Golden Leaf Bistro

215 Craghead Street


Bingo is the first Wednesday of every month. The set times are 5:30pm and 7:30pm! Come enjoy a few drinks & delicious entrees while we get out bingo on! 


To participate you must be 18 & purchase $25.00 worth! This can include regular beverages, adult beverages, appetizers, entrees, desserts, so anything on our menu! We recommend making reservations in advanced for the 5:30pm set AND/OR the 7:30pm set. We want to allow everyone a chance to play with us! If you choose to play both rounds, you must have a ticket minimum of $50.00. 


Included in the sets are 10 different bingo games. Each page has 3 cards, which increases your chances to win. There will be a sponsored prize given to the winner of each game.


Smokestack Theater GALA and Improv

319 Lynn Street

May 27th, 7pm - 10pm


Join us for an evening of live music, stand-up, and improvisational comedy made up on the spot by the 2023 Smokestack Improv cast!


Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Culture Restaurant and Grill Happy Hour

510 Spring Street


Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm


Domestic Beers: $3

House Wines: $5

Top Shelf Spirits: $7

House Spirits: $4



Danville Elks #227 at 560 Main Street to hold indoor/outdoor yard sale


Danville Elks Lodge will be holding an indoor/outdoor yard sale Saturday, May 20th 8am to 10am. We will have the lodge open and will have breakfast food items as well.

River District Tobacco Warehouse Tours

Take a 90-minute, guided walking tour of the Tobacco Warehouse District, "Tales of Textiles, Tobacco, and Trains" led by Joyce Wilburn and hear stories about the history of the buildings and their current uses. Cost is $10 a person For more information and to make a reservation, call 434.770.1974. Times and days vary depending on weather.

May is National Foster Care Month! 

 

Alliance Human Services has partnered with Shauna Godwin with the Order of the Eastern Star Grand Chapter of Virginia to collect suitcases for foster children. Suitcases or other donations can be delivered or dropped off at the Alliance office on 341 Main Street in Danville. Pickups can also be arranged via email at skgodwin69@gmail.com


Danville Family YMCA Events

The Danville Family YMCA Annual Campaign goes until June 6th. Learn more on the YMCA's website here or by stopping by their location.


Saturday, May 6th, 11am -2pm: Join us for a jam-packed, fun-filled day chock-full of activities for the whole family! Enjoy fun, energetic music DJ'd by our very own DJ TE-VERSE, or play some fun games and activities in the Gymnasium, including a bounce house! Have fun visiting one of our activity stations such as face painting, coloring, origami, and more! Come swim in the Pool, and mingle with Danville's finest: the Fire Department, Police Department, and Sheriff's Department will all be in attendance! Come join our biggest day for kids and families!


May 31st, 6pm - 9pm: 3 Bands, +1 Cause = 4All. Benefit concert for the Danville Family YMCA Scholarship Fund.

Events at The Bee Hotel

420 Patton Street

Register for Yoga
Register for Business After Hours

Nana Karen's and Cheyna's Waffle Spot: Hours and New Patio!


  • Both restaurants open for business (same hours) Tu-F 8:30 am - 4 pm and they are open on Saturdays in the summer from 8 am to 2:30 pm


  • They have a brand new patio that is available for dining for both restaurants! 


Danville Farmer's Market

Danville Farmers’ Market will open on Saturday, May 6 for the season. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. each Saturday through the end of October.

 


N. Main Street Program Expansion News

The expansion of RDA programming in to the N. Main Street Business Corridor now has new ways of communicating! If you'd like to stay up to speed on specific events/programs/business support for N. Main check out the Facebook page and Newsletter!

Save the Date....

And Evening with Clifton Taulbert

American Author | Business Consultant | Speaker

Join us June 6th, at 5:30 PM

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

150 Slayton Ave, Danville VA

Register

SAVE THE DATE

Start-up Slam, June 20th, 2023

What is the River District Association?

Do you want to be a part of a thriving River District? RDA takes Board of Directors applications all year long. Fill out an interest form to be considered for the next board opening!

Mission:

The River District Association will continue moving forward in the transformation of Danville's River District as a welcoming and lively place for all, while inspiring and influencing social and economic development for the great Dan River Region.


Vision:

The River District Association's innovative approach strengthens the regional economy, allowing all to experience Danville's high quality of life.


Board of Directors:


Rachel Covington

Hawthorne and Jade Design Co. LLC

President


Stuart Smith

FCS, Inc

Vice President


Kunal Patel

Caesars Virginia

Treasurer


William Crumpton

Compassion Healthcare

Secretary


Kelvin Perry

CoD Economic Development

Immediate Past President


Steven Osborne

International Mission Board


Christy Harper

Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce


Drew Herring

West Main Baptist Church


Emma Sellers

Averett University


Shani Gaylord - Hunter

Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. 


Dr. Andrew Hessler

Danville Dental Associates


Irving M. Perez

American National Bank and Trust Company


Sandra Chinn-Gilstrap

Clement-Wheatley


Rachel Timm

Smokestack Theatre Company

Who We Are

The River District Association (RDA) is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors which includes representatives from River District businesses and property owners, the City of Danville, and other community stakeholders.


What We Do

RDA follows the Main Street model to coordinate the public-private partnerships required to revive the River District. We work with the City of Danville, area businesses, and institutions to develop programs and events to get the community working together to market the area's unique assets, to get the district in top physical shape, and to attract and retain businesses.


Why We Do It

As our City Council and City Manager have publicly stated, the economic health of the city is impacted by the River District. A downtown with empty buildings and blight conveys a negative image. A prosperous downtown tells the world that the business sector can work well with the City to bring about positive change. With a number of development projects taking place, the River District has reclaimed its role as a vital, important and pleasant place to work, shop, and have fun.


What You Can Do

We need YOU! Would like to play an active role in the revival of the River District? Do you have any special ideas or talents, or simply want to volunteer with a project, please contact us by phone at 434-791-0210 or by email. One of our dedicated volunteer board members will respond.


River District Association Staff


Diana Schwartz: CEO

Lashawn Farmer: Programs and Services Director

Kirsten Aherron: Communication and Events Manager

Will Mackaman: Programs and Services Manager

Alyssa Turner: Bookkeeper and Office Manager

River District Association | www.riverdistrictassociation.com
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