Revitalizing Downtown Seattle One Performance at a Time!

As we move into the fall, and closer to the time of harvest, we’d like to take a moment to reflect back on one of EnJoy Production’s larger projects of the summer, our partnership with the Downtown Seattle Association for their Welcome Back Weeks. In a time when being in public space, in close proximity with others, is complex and concerning; the work and initiatives of the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) and the Metropolitan Improvement District to bring joy, performance, and art to public spaces could not have been more essential. 

Partnering with DSA as one of their selected producers, has been one of the highlights of our summer at EnJoy productions, as artists, creators, and producers the work of bringing arts and culture to people of all walks of life is right in the pocket of who we strive to be as a company. 

So far this summer we’ve had the pleasure of producing Over 15 different productions throughout downtown, reaching hundreds of residents hungry for a sense of civic celebration! We've also been able to employ and engage close to 100 performing and visual artists with opportunities to share their work.

Throughout these times, we have witnessed moments of extreme joy and wonder on the faces of countless audience members, and unexpecting bystanders. Whether the audience had come specifically for an event, had just happened to walk by, had been driving in a car, or riding by on a bus; the joy of being caught off guard by the beauty of art and performance in public space in the middle of the day, was palpable and illuminating.  

At EnJoy we like to think of ourselves as creators of extraordinary events, and it’s exactly in this place of creating the extraordinary moments that we find joy and hope for our collective futures. Yes, the work is challenging at times, and yes, the countless hours of preparation can be daunting, but it all pays off by seeing the joy emerge during an event. 

We find joy in the simple wave of a puppet to a child, or in seeing an innocent bystander suddenly be compelled to dance. We find joy in people’s faces as they take pictures with beautiful stilt walkers stretching above them, not unlike the high rise horizon. We find joy in hearing local citizens hoot, holler, laugh and applaud as tap dancers twirl, breakdancers flip, salmon puppets parade, live painters paint, musicians play, aerialists fly, jugglers toss, and WE share moments of true connection together. 

It’s in these moments of awe, and wonder that we forget about ourselves, our preoccupations, and our perceptions of each other. Our hearts open, and new possibilities for hope and understanding begin to emerge. By witnessing the grace of these moments, we reaffirm our commitment to the arts, to our partners, and to sharing our vision of joy with our beloved Seattle community.

Of course NONE of this would have been possible, without our team of producers, stage managers, artists, the Downtown Seattle Association, and you the public. Our hats go off to us all! Thank you, and the fun isn’t over!!! Stay tuned for exciting news regarding new activations by EnJoy is downtown Seattle, and including the activation of 6 different vacant storefronts with visual and performing arts in this winter! Check out DSA’s full summer calendar HERE. If you’re wanting to have some fun, come check out an event in one of your local parks, downtown. You will not be sorry! ;)