What will 2023 hold for DowntownDC? We’re sure it’s going to be a busy and productive 12 months for everyone — the BID’s calendar is certainly filling up quickly. Find out what our neighborhood businesses and institutions are thinking about as they look at the year ahead.
Ivy L. Barsky
Executive Director, Capital Jewish Museum
I can’t wait to welcome our DowntownDC neighbors to the newest cultural institution in Washington, D.C.: the Capital Jewish Museum. Opening this spring, the museum will celebrate the intersection of D.C.’s history and the American-Jewish experience. Our thought-provoking exhibitions will explore the relevance of the past to today to inspire engagement in the future.”
Oliver Cox
Co-owner, Pearl’s Bagels
Pearl’s Bagels has big plans for 2023! We vow to continue making the best and freshest bagels, but our biggest news is that we’ll be firing up our oven at night for some pizza nights paired with our favorite beer and wine. Additionally, 2023 will see the addition of lattes and cappuccinos to our menu, as we’re about to install an espresso machine. Finally, we are thrilled to have a brand-new neighbor: The hotly anticipated, all-day French restaurant Petite Cerise to our block, bringing more life and business to our corner of DowntownDC!”
Rachel Rose Hartman
Executive Director, DowntownDC Foundation
Being of service to the community and seeing the DowntownDC Foundation play a role in enhancing the lives and experiences of our community members is what I’m looking forward to the most in 2023. This is a really pivotal time for downtowns across the world, and here in D.C., I can attest that we are definitely up for the challenge.”
Paul R. Tetreault
Director, Ford’s Theatre Society
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, and with this act, President Abraham Lincoln changed America’s destiny forever. At Ford’s Theatre, we look forward to welcoming both new and returning audiences as we launch our inaugural festival of diverse voices telling the untold stories of change-makers.
We are excited to bring the powerful magic and music of Sister Rosetta Tharpe in our spring musical, Shout Sister Shout! This is our season for celebrating what is possible and discovering the amazing stories that have shaped our country’s identity. You can experience all of this downtown and at Ford’s!”
Andrew Grant
Music Director, Eaton DC
In 2023, I’m looking forward to continuing the work of building Eaton Radio into a hub for the music community in downtown. We are excited to put forward a diverse and inclusive lineup of shows that expands with each month. We’re building something special, and we invite everyone to listen in.”
Laura Brower Hagood
Executive Director, DC History Center
Despite all the ups and downs of the pandemic, the cultural community remains one of downtown’s strongest and most distinctive assets. My hope for 2023 is that we are able to come together and collaborate around bringing office workers, residents, and visitors back. We all need improved foot traffic, for sure, but robust partnerships and vibrant exchange would be even better long-term outcomes.”
Maria Manuela Goyanes
Artistic Director, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
I’m so ready for 2023 and to welcome our community to all the original, exciting, thought-provoking theater happening in DowntownDC. I plan to spend a lot of time downtown – at Shakespeare Theatre, Ford’s, and of course Woolly Mammoth. The artistry is world-class, and I would expect nothing less in our nation’s capital.”
Abe Liao
Regional General Manager, Riggs Washington DC
I am very much looking forward to 2023. As a recently opened business in 2020 [pre-pandemic], we’ve not had a full year to really settle in as a hotel and dining destination. With a robust slate of activations, partnerships, and ongoing programming, I am very much looking forward to watching Riggs become the social hub of downtown, for visitors and locals alike.”
Vivit Kavi
Owner, Dua DC Coffee
The community, locals, and visitors are what makes D.C. unique and vibrant. Working together to keep the city a safe space for everyone is our big hope in 2023. DUA DC Coffee was born in the heart of D.C., will grow in D.C., and will forever call D.C. our second home.”