Tag: fun

Zoppé Italian Family Circus is Here!


The Circus is HERE! Redwood City is proud to welcome, Zoppé, An Italian Family Circus from October 14th through October 23rd for spectacular two-hour performances that will enthrall the entire family! The Circus tent will be set up next to the Downtown Library at 1044 Middlefield Road in Redwood City and will host matinee and evening performances.

Nino & Julian
Nino and Julian {Photo by RickPurdue}

The Zoppé Family Circus welcomes guests into the intimate 500 seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the best history of the Old-World Italian tradition. Starring Nino the clown, the circus is propelled by a central story (as opposed to individual acts) that feature acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation. Giovanni Zoppé, the sixth-generation circus performer who plays Nino, says the show aims higher than what passes for circuses these days. “We try to touch every emotion during the show,” he says. “They’ll laugh, they’ll cry, and they’ll feel for the characters. It’s more of an event than a show.”

Giovanni revived the Zoppé Family Circus in America four years ago, and has since been building its reputation with audiences and critics as an enchanting exhibition of traditional European circus. The Zoppé Circus evokes something from a picture book: the clown, the trapeze, the dancing dogs, the ring and the tent, created to be reminiscent of the one-ring European family circuses of the last century and will thrill and amaze children and adults alike with its breathtaking stunts and astonishing acrobatics. Plus, Zoppé brings a new thrilling act this year, the Rosales Family from Mexico City, Mexico, a family of acrobats and jugglers including 8 year old twin boys who will melt your hearts. The Zoppé Family Circus is a once-a-year event not to be missed, so get your tickets early!

Official Webpage

Tickets can be purchased Online & at Red Morton Community Center. Call the ticket Hotline for up-to-date information 650.780.7586.

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter for Circus Updates

  @rwcevents

WANTED! Have You Seen This…CAT?

Where did my socks go? Sometimes it’s the dryer, but maybe… it’s this little guy!


Dusty the Klepto Cat
Dusty the Klepto Cat's Mug Shot


Dusty the Klepto Cat   is one of our local celebrities and possibly San Mateo County’s Most Wanted Crook! Dusty has appeared on Animal Planet, The David Letterman Show, CNN, KGO and will now be riding through the 10th Annual Pet Parade this Saturday, along with many of the items that he has stolen from his neighbors throughout the years. You can see Dusty in action on You Tube (of course)  stalking his neighborhood for goodies, courtesy of Animal Planet. So if you cannot find your left running shoe, your child’s stuffy or your UNDERWEAR, you may want to rethink… “Did I lose that?” or was it “DUSTY THE KLEPTO CAT!?”


More Information About the Pet Parade…
THIS WEEKEND!
10th Annual Pet Parade
Saturday, May 21 from 11:00am – 3:00pm
on Courthouse Square – 2200 Broadway St. Redwood City (MAP)

The parade itself starts at 12:00 pm, but you should definitely show up at 11 am for this wildly popular annual event. There are going to be over 90 vendor booths and a lot of fun activities – this just might be the biggest Pet Parade event ever! We will be calling the Guinness Book!

Pony rides – petting zoo – Monterey Bay Aquarium virtual aquarium builder –  a Game Truck full of video games and other activities – the performing Sky Dogs – Peninsula Humane Society mobile adoption van – photos with your pets with Posh Pooch Portraits – caricature artists – paw print art projects – a how-to for throwing a party for your pet (!)- food and beverage vendors – lots of booths with great stuff for you and your pet (how about matching outfits?) – a variety of pet rescue groups – and don’t forget the great Downtown restaurants all around!

The entire community is invited – children, adults, and families can enjoy the fun events and festive atmosphere, and sign up (in advance, or by 11:30 that day) to show off their pets, whether furry, feathered, or scaled, vying for a $100 Grand Prize for the top winner.

Get your registration form at RedwoodCityEvents.com, or contact: Jeri Joseph-Hover at 650.369.9010 or brightonrwc@aol.com. There is a $5 entry fee for each pet to be judged in a contest, but there is no fee to walk along and be part of the Pet Parade.

This event is sponsored by Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department, Redwood City Redevelopment Agency, and the Civic Cultural Commission.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook


Parks Make Life Better!

And now a message from our fearless leader…

DIRECTOR, CHRIS BETH! YAAAAAAY!

An extensive research study asked California citizens and public officials “Why are parks important to you?”  The research, sponsored by the California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS), a nonprofit, professional and public interest organization with more than 4,000 members, was used to develop the first-ever brand of the profession. “Parks Make Life Better!” is now being launched by CPRS members statewide, including the City of Redwood City. 
Overwhelmingly, survey respondents value parks and recreation as an essential community service.  Virtually every California household (98%) reported visiting a park during the past year. Forty-two percent visited a park at least several days a week; 26% visited at least once a week, and 68% visited at least monthly. Of these, 55% go with spouse or partner, 53% with kids, 48% with family, 46% with a friend. Only 5% of the users indicated they go alone.

CPRS used the research findings to develop the first-ever brand promise and brand identity for parks and recreation. The brand promise incorporates the benefits Californians reported as most important; the many ways parks and recreation make their lives and communities better. Specifically, parks and recreation make life better now and in the future by providing:

  • Access to the serenity and inspiration of nature
  • Outdoor space to play and exercise
  • Facilities for self-directed and organized recreation
  • Positive alternatives for youth which help lower crime and mischief
  • Activities that facilitate social connections, human development, therapy, the arts and lifelong learning

In short, parks and recreation services make Californians’ lives better.

How does parks and recreation make your life better?

play PLAY
Safe, outdoor space
For us, the biggest benefit is a safe, outdoor play space for our kids today…and as they grow.
nature NATURE
Beauty and serenity
Being in nature makes one feel alive.  We’re very fortunate to have beautiful spaces so close to home.
exercise EXERCISE
Healthy movement
Parks are made for moving at your own pace.  And, recreation programs make it easy to stay healthy.
POSITIVE SPACES
Free-time fun
Neighborhood parks are an escape, a place to run around and play.
GATHERING PLACES
Socializing and learning
Parks are like holidays, bringing us together to share good times.  They are the common ground that connects us all.
FOREVER
Valued today and always
Parks enrich our lives.  They add value to our homes and neighborhoods.  Individually and as a community, we’ll always have that need.
Come out and enjoy any one of Redwood City’s 30 parks and hundreds of recreation programs and services that are offered by our Department.  Please go to www.redwoodcity.org/parks for more information.

PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER!

Meet Jennifer Williams, our Upcycling Goddess!

Featured in the January 5th edition of the Palo Alto Daily News.

When Jennifer Williams Came to us, her energy and passion for…yes, you guessed it…TRASH…was infectious! As a City trying to find ways to be responsible and get our GREEN on, we were elated to have found such an exuberant personality as Jennifer’s. A corporate trainer by day, Jennifer has found a way to mesh her passions for inspiring others with her talents of crafting and motivating people to do so! Here is a little more about how her side biz, Moonlit Circus, came to be!

Q: Jennifer, How did this all start?

A: Carnivals, festivals, Halloween…  These were my favorite things as a child.  The county fair took place every year during my birthday, and I thought it was my personal celebration! As an adult, my creative, whimsical right brain was atrophying from underuse.  How to add that childhood magic back into my life while still remaining gainfully employed?  And sprinkle a little fairy dust on others along the way?

I decided to create a craft business, but had concerns about the overseas resourcing of materials.  Influenced by the DIY, Steampunk, and sustainable living movements, I found my Idea. Upcycling thrift-store sweaters into F*ittens (fingerless mittens) and embellishing them with vintage buttons, beads, and felted scraps was on brand, and Moonlit Circus was born.

Q: Your stuff is so cute & innovative! Where can we get more? How do we learn how to do this?

A: Today I have a booth at art fairs, as well as teaching crafts to others through parks & recreation and private venues.

This session, Jennifer is currently offering:

  1. Let’s Make Wristlets in Half Double Crochet (sign-up) This class happens this Saturday, 1/22 @ 10am, deadline to sign up is Friday (tomorrow) by 11am!
  2. Make a Rug From Upcycled T-Shirts (sign-up)
  3. Transform Bottle Caps Into Jewelry & More! (sign-up)

Check for NEW classes every season from Jennifer Williams & Moonlit Circus!