Hi all,

Sending another Good News Downtown, a communication to showcase uplifting, interesting, positive stories about activities and people Downtown.

The new year brought new opportunities for folks to spend time in Downtown. From New Year’s Eve celebrations that brought a boom of business to Seattle nightlife, to last week's recognition of the Lunar New Year which brought people out for cultural and community celebrations, as well as increased foot traffic through the doors of Seattle businesses. Downtown is literally aglow from the activation of two street lightings, first with the Spark Block at Third Avenue between Stewart and Virginia streets and the latest new street lighting in the Chinatown-International District.

Adding to the vibrancy of Downtown, the City continues to invest in public art and murals, as well as the activation of creative arts spaces. Seattle Restored’s Base Camp Studios 2 is in motion, signing 15 artists from the creative economy to a lease in the historic Bergman Luggage building.

If ever there was a time to focus on the good news of the growing Seattle business ecosystem, the joy of a rich arts and culture scene, and to celebrate the successes of your Seattle business community – that time is now. I look forward to highlighting more Good News Downtown with you throughout the year.

If you have news or events to share or if you want to talk about the work being done to revitalize Downtown, send me an email.

- Markham

Credit: FIFAWC26

Violinist Midori headlined the Seattle Symphony's Lunar New Year Gala, performing Brahms' Violin Concerto 🎻. The event also featured a dinner inspired by Chef Annie Elmore's Cambodian and Vietnamese heritage 🍜: Midori headlines Seattle Symphony’s Lunar New Year Gala – Northwest Asian Weekly.

🎭 ACT Contemporary Theatre 🎭 and Seattle Shakespeare Co. will merge on July 1, with ACT's Downtown Seattle space becoming the new home for Seattle Shakespeare productions. This merger aims to create more opportunities for artists and ensure quality productions of both classic and contemporary plays: Prominent Seattle Arts Organizations Seal Merger – Seattle Magazine.

• “Merging the legacies of these two extraordinary theatres will create more opportunities for artists and ensure quality productions of both classic and contemporary plays at Seventh and Union in Seattle for years to come,” says ACT Board of Trustees Chair Cynthia Huffman.

🐉 Business in the Chinatown-International District 🐉 kicked off the Lunar New Year with a spike in customers. Many business owners are excited for what they see as year with huge potential for the area:  CID businesses celebrating Lunar New Year, seeing spike in business – King5.

Looking ahead

Credit: Downtown Seattle Association

Happy Black History Month! Occidental Square is celebrating Black History Month on February 6 -7 with performances from local musicians alongside a pop-up market of Black-owned businesses.

Pioneer Square is having its February First Thursday Art Walk this February 6 allowing visitors to walk through historic Pioneer Square, shop local businesses, and see all the art that our vibrant Downtown core has to offer.

Also this Thursday is live music at King Street Station, featuring award-winning jazz artist Jahnvi Madan on February 6 from 6 – 8 p.m. 

Credit: Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra

🎨 The Seattle Art Museum 🎨 is hosting the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra for a free performance on February 9 from 12 – 2 p.m. The performance will explore the genre that inspired the exhibit. Following Space: Thaddeus Mosley and Alexander Calder.