Press Updates

2002 WINTER/SPRING "LIVE AT THE FOX"
SEASON BRINGS WORLD-CLASS PERFORMERS TO THE PENINSULA

Nancy Nakano
Imtech Communications - (510) 649-0500

CITY OF REDWOOD CITY ANNOUNCES REVITALIZATION PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN REDWOOD CITY

(Redwood City, CA, January 23, 2002) -The Fox Theatre, located in downtown Redwood City, announces its exciting new Winter/Spring 2002 "Live at the Fox" premiere entertainment lineup. In addition, the City of Redwood City presents its plans for a historical downtown restoration with the Fox Theatre positioned as a centerpiece of this revitalization.

According to John Anagnostou, owner of the Fox Theatre, "We are very excited about the upcoming live entertainment, our new partners, and everyone who has embraced the Fox Theatre. We believe the dreams of Ellis John Arkush, 73-years ago, the original owner of the Fox Theatre and Senator James Phelan, founder of Villa Montalvo, have come together to offer thousands of people in the Bay Area top-name artists in a grand historic setting". John continues, "I am convinced that the times are perfect for Redwood City to emerge as a prime entertainment destination point for people throughout the Bay Area."

Top south bay arts organization, Saratoga-based Montalvo, one of California's most important art centers, presents a series of performances at the Fox in 2002. Some featured upcoming performances include comedy duo Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on February 3, singer/songwriter Jackson Browne on February 27, rock and blues artist George Thorogood on March 17, Mercedes Sosa, "the voice of Latin America", April 12, guitar virtuoso Ottmar Liebert on May 19, actor and comedian Bill Cosby on September 7, San Francisco Comedy Competition Final, October 12, comedian/author David Sedaris October 18, Vienna Boys Choir, November 1, Afro-Cuban All Stars, featuring Juan de Marcos Gonzales, the unsung hero of the Buena Vista Social Club, November 17, violinist superstar Itzhak Perlman on January 8, 2003, the Boys Choir of Harlem on January 21, 2003 and many more to be announced at the press conference. Some of Montalvo's new partners and sponsors include the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, Mercedes-Benz of USA Inc., and Redwood City's Hotel Sofitel, the "Hotel of the Stars."

The Miss Redwood City Scholarship Pageant will take place on February 10th at 2:00 p.m. at the Fox. KFOG and the Wheel Company will be announcing plans for events at the Fox in 2002. In addition, Fortune 500 companies like Nokia have already had corporate events at the Fox with great success and many more are planning dates for 2002.

In conjunction with a stellar line-up of performers, the Fox Theatre also announces the installation of the Meyer Sound System, which will be completed in the spring. Meyer Sound has won worldwide acclaim as an award-winning designer and manufacturer of professional loudspeaker systems, and their sound systems have been installed in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall and their equipment has been used in live music shows such as The Lion King and Kiss Me Kate.

Redwood City's is undertaking extensive planning of the downtown area and the Fox Theatre is a key element. According to Jeff Ira, Vice Mayor of Redwood City, "The Fox is helping to bring a new sense of community to downtown and is becoming a focal point for downtown entertainment." The Redwood City's Downtown Area Plan includes a mix of high-quality retail, urban-density residential, restaurants, offices, and entertainment centers and the Fox, with its first-rate entertainment schedule combined with plans to revitalize the County Courthouse landmark dome, located across the street from the Fox, is a great contributor to making downtown more inviting and attractive. In addition, Fred Kent, president of Project for Public Spaces is working with the City on innovative ways of designing and using public spaces in the downtown area. There are currently 42 restaurants in downtown Redwood City and another well-known restaurateur, Gregg St. Claire of the Avenir Restaurant Group, will open one of the finest restaurants downtown next month.

The Caltrain Station is an important portal into the downtown district and CEO/General Manager of the San Mateo County Transit District, Michael J. Scanlon, wants to make the downtown area a focal point for the City. Two pedestrian connections have been identified as important links between the Caltrain Station and the downtown - a connection to Hamilton Street across Winslow Street and another to the Civic Center (City Hall and Library) along Middlefield Road. These plans to provide pedestrian connections between the Caltrain Station, two blocks from the Fox Theatre, and the downtown core area are currently in the works.

Located at 2215 Broadway in downtown Redwood City, this 1400-seat theatre is convenient to several nearby parking facilities. The Fox Theatre has established a partnership with Montalvo, a 50-year-old Saratoga nonprofit organization that presents about 175 shows in the South Bay. Montalvo presented Tom Jones and Dave Brubeck, recent Fox headliners.

For more information, visit the Fox Theatre website at http://www.foxdream.com or call (650) 369-4119.

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For more information on our partners, contact them direct at the addresses below:
The Wheel Company: http://www.thewheelcompany.com
Montalvo: http://www.villamontalvo.org
Meyer Sound: http://www.meyersound.com
Sofitel Hotel Redwood Shores: http://www.hotelsofitelsfbay.com