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Arts & Entertainment

Traveling Circus Wows Spectators at Pickleweed Park

A 'community day' complete with Karate students, Mayan dancers and a traveling circus drew 200 people to Pickleweed Park on Saturday.

Karate students, Mayan dancers and a traveling circus are not usual sights at your nearby neighborhood park, but on Saturday you could find all three in San Rafael.

A "community day" was held at in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood on Saturday, July 9, 2011, featuring performances from Circus Bella, the Canal Karate Program and the Chan Kahal Mayan Dancers. The event, sponsored by the Marin Community Foundation and put on in conjunction with the Canal Youth and Family Council, drew over 200 people.

"This is actually the first time we’ve done this. It was a lot of fun," said Steve Mason, supervisor of the Pickleweed Park Community Center. "It looks like we had a good cross section of families from all over San Rafael."

Spectators were treated first to a performance by young karate students who practice regularly at the community center. Children as young as four years old demonstrated their moves in a choreographed routine before breaking the familiar wooden boards with kicks and punches.

Up next the Chan Kahal Mayan Dance Group showcased traditional dances, dresses and music of Yucatan. The group, which practices at the nearby Canal Welcome Center, is dedicated to the preservation of Mayan culture and has also performed at San Rafael’s Day of the Dead celebration.

Afterwards, the performers from both groups took a seat with their families and friends to watch the main event: An hour-long performance from Bay-Area based Circus Bella. The open-air, one-ring performance featured a talented cast of actors, jugglers, dancers, contortionists and aerialists as well as accompanying live music from the Bella Circus All-Stars.

Founded in 2008 by David Hunt and Abigail Munn, Circus Bella goes on tour every summer performing for free in parks around the Bay Area.

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