River District News
Welcome to the River District!
Welcome to several new businesses in the River District:

River City Tans - 410 Lynn Street
Ma's Cakes - 318 Main Street
Culture - 510 Spring Street

The Bee Hotel - 420 Patton Street - an urban boutique property in downtown Danville, welcomed their new General Manager, Madison Eades in February. Madison most recently worked for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Member Engagement, and prior to that, for another Marshall Hotels & Resorts property, The Virginian Hotel in Lynchburg, VA.  Welcome!

Smokestack Theater Company is moving downtown to 319 Lynn Street. Welcome!
River District Association is one of 8 Semi-finalists nationally being considered for the Great American Main Street Award!
Semi-finalists are selected from a nationwide pool of applicants by a jury of Main Street professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic preservation.

Criteria for winning include:
  • Strength of the Main Street program in spurring community transformation
  • Commitment to historic preservation
  • Innovative programming
  • Implementation of cross-sector partnerships
  • Community outreach and stakeholder engagement
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The 2022 Great American Main Street Award winners will be announced on May 16th, at the National Main Street Center’s Main Street Now Conference, in Richmond, VA. 
Congratulations to GET Boosted Grant Recipients!
Click on the links to read more about each business.

Let it Go used GET Boosted funds to purchase an infrared salt booth.

X-S Fashion Design and Alterations used GET Boosted funds to purchase a coverstitch machine and thread.
Dream Launch Food and Beverage Workshop
River District Association is excited to offer a Food and Beverage Workshop this year as a part of the RDA 2022 Dream Launch Bootcamp.

Please Note: This workshop is required if you are a 2022 Dream Launch Bootcamp participant applying specifically to pitch a food/beverage business in either the Dream Launch Pitch or Rev Up Pitch.

This workshop is open to the public (City and County) as well, but registration is required. Property developers and building owners of restaurant or food and beverage spaces, including planned spaces, are also invited and encouraged to attend.

Topics covered will include requirements, codes/laws, regulations and licensing related to:

  • Food—Kelly Waller, Virginia Dept. of Health
  • Alcohol—Charles Bates, Virginia ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement
  • Land Use & Zoning (City/River District)—Doug Plachcinski, City of Danville Planning Director
  • Land Use & Zoning (County)—Emily Ragsdale, Director of Community Development for Pittsylvania County

Should you have any questions, please email dreamlaunch@riverdistrictassociation.com.

We are excited to have you join us!
River District Ribbon Cuttings
St. Patrick's Day Events
March Community Events
Creative's Roundtable: Hosted by The Fashion Haus

Sunday, March 20th @ 5:00pm
Chat, eat, mingle and get to know other creatives in the region.

Cabin Fever Music Series
Rivermist and Greg Adair
March 12, 2022: 7:30p-11pm
629 Craghead Street
Tickets are $10 at the door.
$75 tables of 6 available: all ahead, 434-799-5200.
Danville Symphony
March 5th, 2022
Doors open: 7pm
Winter Classical Concert "Once Upon a Time" at Danville City Auditorium, 125 N. Floyd Street
River District Announcements and Promotions
Smokestack Theater Company coming to 319 Lynn Street!
Check out their website and Facebook page for updates on class offerings, upcoming improv and shows!
Ma's Cakes is now open at
318 Main Street!

Their tentative hours are:
Tuesday - Friday: 10:30am to 6pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm
Sunday and Monday: CLOSED
Culture Restaurant And Grill, 510 Spring Street: Soft Opening
Reserve your seat for a wonderful meal at Culture Restaurant and Grill. During their soft opening (through March 11th, 2022) they are taking reservations through Eventbrite.
Virginia Professional Photographers Association Class Hosted by Photography by Lisa
Hands-On Class for Prospective and New Drone Pilots | 04.23.2022 | 12:30-4pm
Book Club at the Dog-Eared Page
February Book Club Meeting: Friday, March 6th @ 6:15 pm

The Book Club will be discussing "The Maid" by Nita Prose. You can pick up a copy at the store!
Main Street Art Collective hosts classes all month long.
Visit the Main Street Art Collective website for event details and to register.
Impotters: Adult and Family Friendly Classes, and Courses
Impotters offers one time workshops for adults and families, and ongoing clay courses for those who want to learn more about pottery. View and sign up for classes on their website.
Mornings on Main
In 2022, Mornings on Main on the 4th Monday of each month.
Up next... In Person and Virtual, March 28th, 2022, 10 am

Guest Speakers: Amanda Paez (Chief Equity Officer, City of Danville)
Mark your Calendars

April 25th, 2022
Guest Speaker: Stephanie Lovely (Facilities and Services Planner, Parks and Recreation, City of Danville)

May 23rd, 2022
June 27th, 2022
Missed the February meeting? Watch it here:
River District Event Calendar
Visit the River District Event Calendar to keep up with everything happening in the River District.

Visit the calendar to find community events, art classes, live music shows, and more...

Know of something not listed? Feel free to submit it to kirsten@riverdistrictassocation.com

(RDA may still make decisions about which events can be included in the calendar - thank you for understanding!)
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!
River District Association | www.riverdistrictassociation.com