Quick Take:

After wowing Santa Cruz County audiences just before January’s storm barrage hit, Mendocino-based Flynn Creek Circus is set to bring its big top back to the Capitola Mall in March to benefit relief efforts.

This story was originally featured in this week’s Weekender newsletter. Be first the first to hear about arts and entertainment news in Santa Cruz County — sign up for Wallace’s email newsletter here and and text alerts here.

Back in December, the Mendocino-based Flynn Creek Circus amazed and astounded Santa Cruz County audiences with a three-week run at its big top just outside the Capitola Mall.

That was before all the atmospheric-river madness. And as a response to the local disaster, Flynn Creek is returning for a one-day-only performance, all to raise funds for local victims of flooding and storm damage. The Flynn Creek Circus’ “Spring Fairytale” will come to the same big top at the Capitola Mall on March 19. All profits from the show will then be donated to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County’s Disaster Fund.

Here’s a chance to help neighbors in distress and see a show you’ll be buzzing about for months.

Lookout’s Kevin Painchaud spent time with the circus in December — here’s what he saw:

  • Under the big top with the Flynn Creek Circus
    Under the big top with the Flynn Creek Circus, performing its “Winter Fairytale” show in the Capitola Mall parking lot through Jan. 1. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Setup begins in the Capitola Mall parking lot for the Flynn Creek Circus
    Setup begins in the Capitola Mall parking lot for the Flynn Creek Circus, performing its “Winter Fairytale” show through Jan. 1. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The Flynn Creek Circus setting up in the Capitola Mall parking lot.
    The Flynn Creek Circus setting up in the Capitola Mall parking lot. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The Flynn Creek Circus' big top going up in the Capitola Mall parking lot.
    The Flynn Creek Circus’ big top going up in the Capitola Mall parking lot. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • It's beginning to look a lot like a circus as the Flynn Creek Circus sets up in the Capitola Mall parking lot.
    It’s beginning to look a lot like a circus as the Flynn Creek Circus sets up in the Capitola Mall parking lot. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • It's all hands on deck as the Flynn Creek Circus sets up in the Capitola Mall parking lot.
    It’s all hands on deck as the Flynn Creek Circus sets up in the Capitola Mall parking lot. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Performers from the Flynn Creek Circus set up the big top
    6.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The Flynn Creek Circus sets up at Capitola Mall
    7.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The big top is up, but more work is ahead for the Flynn Creek Circus.
    The big top is up, but more work is ahead for the Flynn Creek Circus. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Children outside the Flynn Creek Circus' big top
    9.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Showtime approaches for members of the Flynn Creek Circus.
    Showtime approaches for members of the Flynn Creek Circus. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The Flynn Creek Circus rehearses.
    The Flynn Creek Circus rehearses. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A Flynn Creek Circus performer
    12.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A woman and two children share a moment under the Flynn Creek Circus big top
    13.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Flynn Creek Circus performers rehearse
    14.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A Flynn Creek Circus performer works on her makeup
    15.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A Flynn Creek Circus performer in profile
    16.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A Flynn Creek Circus in costume
    17.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Flynn Creek Circus performers in costume
    18.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Close-up of a Flynn Creek Circus performer
    19.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A child watches the Flynn Creek Circus
    20.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A Flynn Creek Circus performer in the spotlight.
    21.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Flynn Creek Circus performers in rabbit costumes
    22.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A Flynn Creek Circus performer on stage
    23.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Detail of a Flynn Creek Circus performer standing on a stool
    24.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • A Flynn Creek Circus faces the spotlight
    25.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Flynn Creek Circus trapeze artists in action
    27.jpg Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Snow falls as the Flynn Creek Circus performs "Winter Fairytale."
    Snow falls as the Flynn Creek Circus performs “Winter Fairytale.” Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Wallace reports and writes not only across his familiar areas of deep interest — including arts, entertainment and culture — but also is chronicling for Lookout the challenges the people of Santa Cruz...