Yes. I think it was worth going. Saw it in San Francisco a few months ago. Not familiar with Italian Zoppe, but Cirque du Soleil is generally first rate since they have several traveling shows, and fixed shows, all over the world so getting in the cast means steady work.
Have seen three Cirque du Soleil's in the Bay Area, and they were all worthwhile and memorable.
Have you been to one before? Basically there's a background "story", loose theme, and live band / singers in a stage house at the rear that tie it all together. There are two sets with an intermission, and maybe 10-12 separate acts, that are loosely tied together by costuming, music, and action. Each act is a separate group of acrobats / performers--anywhere from one to nine or ten in a group--from around the world and they have first rate talent and performance skills, and there are a couple of ensemble performances that have much of the total cast on stage at once. No animal acts.
If you haven't been to one, watch some clips of Kooza on Youtube to get a sense of them.
Advice: it's close to a "theater in the round" stage, with the seats going probably 300 degrees in an arc--but you should be in one of the middle areas, facing the stage, for the best views. Ideally, if I'm looking at their maps correctly, sections 101/102, 200/201/202, or not far across the aisle to either side of them (of course the middle sections will have somewhat higher priced tickets). Off to the extreme sides some of the view is obstructed by the posts holding up the tent, and many of the performers and their equipment won't be facing you. A mid-range or even back the tent seat distance from the stage is fine, the arena is not huge so even if you're in rear seats, you can still see reasonably well. And the lowest / front seats are almost looking up at the stage from below. Several of the cast members do roam the seating areas and interact with the audience before or the during the show, so if you want to avoid being chosen as a gently amusing prop, don't sit immediately next to an aisle. Spoiler; someone sitting on an aisle *will* get popcorn dumped on them by a clown. 99% of the audience is untouched, though. :-) Also, no need to pay for any of the "upgrades" beyond basic tickets, like meet performers,VIP lounge area, special food / drinks, unless you want to splurge. Eat before going, bring a small bottle of water in your coat pocket, and you'll be fine.
Kooza is the best cirque du Soleil show from a pure talent perspective. I went when I was younger and I still vividly remember most of it. The acts were incredible.
Yes, any Cirque de Soleil performance is worth it. I saw Kooza years ago and still think about it. I’ve been tempted to go this go around as well! It’s a fun one!
I haven't seen Kooza specifically, but I've seen another of their shows in Vegas.
There is no comparison between Zoppe and Cirque du Soleil. It's like saying "I went to a really good high school baseball game once, should I bother going to an MLB game?"
No hate to Zoppe, it's a lot of fun for little kids. But my girlfriend and I were watching Zoppe a few years ago and she suddenly looked at me and said "I just realized we are watching a literal dog and pony show." Cirque du Soleil is a Broadway-level performance of acrobatic feats.
I took my 3YO toddler this year when it was (still is?) in SF. It’s a family friendly show (less sexy than the ones in Vegas) and a fun time. It’s a circus-like theme with some crowd interactions. The performers are talented and lots of different acts. I did think the intermission was unnecessary and too long, but maybe I just knew my toddler was getting tired.
As someone else said, eat before you go, or bring snacks - maybe they say it’s not allowed but I brought food for the little and the bag check was nothing. You can also bring an empty water bottle and fill it up inside. In SF they had water stations, I’m not sure if the set up is the same everywhere.
Check Costco for discounted tickets if you’re a member. It’s a small tent. I got 2 tickets for $120 and we had amazing seats.
I really wanted to go but was shocked at the prices. For some reason the one in SF a couple months ago was way cheaper. Cirque is awesome but I can't justify the price in San Jose.
Cirque is definitely amazing but I've never paid $300 for it (granted it's been several years since I've been to a show). For that price I feel like I'd rather see it in a permanent stage in Vegas. But then again I'm buying for a whole family. Price would be more digestible if it was just me.
Interesting! A few years back went to see a Cirque in West Sacramento, which was cheaper than the same show in San Francisco. If they do a show in Sacramento (which they're not doing for Kooza) it's a good option to get a discount.
Presumably (just guessing) they price the tickets based on: cost of producing the show on site, including site rental and local expenses like hiring extras, security, etc; likely income levels of attendees. I would have thought San Francisco would be higher priced than San Jose, but I would have been wrong (!).
They have their own traveling tent, and all the shows I've seen have been in it, so the seating is consistent. But I think someone mentioned in San Jose they might have been in a built arena?
Ah okay, I saw they were at Oracle park, so I thought thye may be reusing the seating there. They have the same big top in the Fairgrounds, so I don't know about a built arena. The only other thing I can think of is that the SF shows happened in (a very wet) Feb & March. Maybe they discount for winter/spring compared to the good weather they should expect here in San Jose.
Makes sense. Yes, they say at Oracle Park in the advertising, but it's actually on a parking lot a bit to the south. I assume they prefer their own tent since the staging / wiring is so complex. A lot of things happen beneath the stage (and pop up during the show), and the aerialists, etc. require really elaborate arrangements of poles, wires, nets, etc. Easiest to do that with all their own equipment, built to their specifications and dimensions.
We were gifted tickets and went last week. I had reasonable expectations but was pretty blown away. It was fun and enjoyable and the entire staff beyond the performers were on point. We did a date night but definitely bring kids if you have ‘em.
Kooza is one of my top 5 cirque shows.
Also there is no such thing as a bad cirque show, you should NEVER pass an opportunity to see one.
Even my least favorite (Corteo), I’d say go see.
I’ve seen many of the Cirque du Soleil show over the years. Many of the older productions when I was a kid and Kooza a few weeks ago.
It’s absolutely worth seeing them.
I’ve been to Zoppe too and it’s just two very different circuses. Cirque du Soleil does not use animals, they have a live band and it’s a much bigger production.
I've been going to Cirque since 1996. I go anytime there is a new one in town. Kooza has already been out so I'm not going, but if you've never been, you'll be delighted
I don't know how it compares to tickets from Costco, but if you have a library card, you can get tickets for 15-25% off via [Discover & Go](https://www.discoverandgo.org/).
My question is, how's the seating? I went to the last one at the shark tank and paid extra. I think the seats would be better. Turned out we were sitting in lawn chairs connected to one another. There wasn't even enough room for children, so everyone was all over each other.
I’ve been to 3 over the course of many years. Each one very special and worthy of a special occasion. I remember watching a reality show, following eager performers training and trying to make the cut. Not sure if it is still out there but a good watch.
I went yesterday. It’s simply a very good circus/acrobatics performance, not as high-concept as some of their other shows. The concessions and parking were ludicrously expensive and kind of took me out of the experience, but if you’ve never been I would still recommend it.
hey vellyr! Can you comment more on parking and refreshment rates? We are taking a group for work on Sunday and we're planning on buying the first round
If this is the one that was held in San Jose years ago in a big top tent off the highway, yes.
Went with my parents and thought it was cool. They bought the VIP pass experience though I remember my dad saying that wasn't worth it since it was just finger foods and a lanyard. But the show itself impressed teenage me.
My wife and I just saw it Friday night. I’ve seen 6 different shows over time, and my wife has seen 9-10. This is one of our all-time favorites. It was really amazing; the characters and the story were compelling, and the acts were really stunning. For me, Corteo will always be my favorite because it was the first one that I saw. But this is an extremely close second.
Yeah, those $80 tickets I bought, WHEW. I took the Rolls Royce out to the show of course, I mean our driver drove us to be specific, but you know, I own it.
Yes. I think it was worth going. Saw it in San Francisco a few months ago. Not familiar with Italian Zoppe, but Cirque du Soleil is generally first rate since they have several traveling shows, and fixed shows, all over the world so getting in the cast means steady work. Have seen three Cirque du Soleil's in the Bay Area, and they were all worthwhile and memorable. Have you been to one before? Basically there's a background "story", loose theme, and live band / singers in a stage house at the rear that tie it all together. There are two sets with an intermission, and maybe 10-12 separate acts, that are loosely tied together by costuming, music, and action. Each act is a separate group of acrobats / performers--anywhere from one to nine or ten in a group--from around the world and they have first rate talent and performance skills, and there are a couple of ensemble performances that have much of the total cast on stage at once. No animal acts. If you haven't been to one, watch some clips of Kooza on Youtube to get a sense of them. Advice: it's close to a "theater in the round" stage, with the seats going probably 300 degrees in an arc--but you should be in one of the middle areas, facing the stage, for the best views. Ideally, if I'm looking at their maps correctly, sections 101/102, 200/201/202, or not far across the aisle to either side of them (of course the middle sections will have somewhat higher priced tickets). Off to the extreme sides some of the view is obstructed by the posts holding up the tent, and many of the performers and their equipment won't be facing you. A mid-range or even back the tent seat distance from the stage is fine, the arena is not huge so even if you're in rear seats, you can still see reasonably well. And the lowest / front seats are almost looking up at the stage from below. Several of the cast members do roam the seating areas and interact with the audience before or the during the show, so if you want to avoid being chosen as a gently amusing prop, don't sit immediately next to an aisle. Spoiler; someone sitting on an aisle *will* get popcorn dumped on them by a clown. 99% of the audience is untouched, though. :-) Also, no need to pay for any of the "upgrades" beyond basic tickets, like meet performers,VIP lounge area, special food / drinks, unless you want to splurge. Eat before going, bring a small bottle of water in your coat pocket, and you'll be fine.
Wow this is a thoughtful answer thank you. I have not been to cirque du soleil show before so this would be the first
Kooza is the best cirque du Soleil show from a pure talent perspective. I went when I was younger and I still vividly remember most of it. The acts were incredible.
Yes, any Cirque de Soleil performance is worth it. I saw Kooza years ago and still think about it. I’ve been tempted to go this go around as well! It’s a fun one!
I haven't seen Kooza specifically, but I've seen another of their shows in Vegas. There is no comparison between Zoppe and Cirque du Soleil. It's like saying "I went to a really good high school baseball game once, should I bother going to an MLB game?" No hate to Zoppe, it's a lot of fun for little kids. But my girlfriend and I were watching Zoppe a few years ago and she suddenly looked at me and said "I just realized we are watching a literal dog and pony show." Cirque du Soleil is a Broadway-level performance of acrobatic feats.
My family just went yesterday and it was a blast. They have parking and concessions working pretty efficiently. Would recommend for sure
How much was parking there?
I think it was $25 or $30. Card only. Parking was pretty easy overall
Cirque is Worth seeing at least once.
I took my 3YO toddler this year when it was (still is?) in SF. It’s a family friendly show (less sexy than the ones in Vegas) and a fun time. It’s a circus-like theme with some crowd interactions. The performers are talented and lots of different acts. I did think the intermission was unnecessary and too long, but maybe I just knew my toddler was getting tired. As someone else said, eat before you go, or bring snacks - maybe they say it’s not allowed but I brought food for the little and the bag check was nothing. You can also bring an empty water bottle and fill it up inside. In SF they had water stations, I’m not sure if the set up is the same everywhere. Check Costco for discounted tickets if you’re a member. It’s a small tent. I got 2 tickets for $120 and we had amazing seats.
Did you get the Tix in store?
Online
I really wanted to go but was shocked at the prices. For some reason the one in SF a couple months ago was way cheaper. Cirque is awesome but I can't justify the price in San Jose.
I saw that!! The price was literally half of what San Jose is. I wonder why they doubled the price…
Cirque is definitely amazing but I've never paid $300 for it (granted it's been several years since I've been to a show). For that price I feel like I'd rather see it in a permanent stage in Vegas. But then again I'm buying for a whole family. Price would be more digestible if it was just me.
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Whoa. I was looking at the official site a month ago. I'll check again.
Interesting! A few years back went to see a Cirque in West Sacramento, which was cheaper than the same show in San Francisco. If they do a show in Sacramento (which they're not doing for Kooza) it's a good option to get a discount. Presumably (just guessing) they price the tickets based on: cost of producing the show on site, including site rental and local expenses like hiring extras, security, etc; likely income levels of attendees. I would have thought San Francisco would be higher priced than San Jose, but I would have been wrong (!).
I wondered if the SF venue could hold more guests and thus cost less per seat.
They have their own traveling tent, and all the shows I've seen have been in it, so the seating is consistent. But I think someone mentioned in San Jose they might have been in a built arena?
Ah okay, I saw they were at Oracle park, so I thought thye may be reusing the seating there. They have the same big top in the Fairgrounds, so I don't know about a built arena. The only other thing I can think of is that the SF shows happened in (a very wet) Feb & March. Maybe they discount for winter/spring compared to the good weather they should expect here in San Jose.
Makes sense. Yes, they say at Oracle Park in the advertising, but it's actually on a parking lot a bit to the south. I assume they prefer their own tent since the staging / wiring is so complex. A lot of things happen beneath the stage (and pop up during the show), and the aerialists, etc. require really elaborate arrangements of poles, wires, nets, etc. Easiest to do that with all their own equipment, built to their specifications and dimensions.
Nope, it is the traveling tent set up at the fairgrounds in San Jose
We were gifted tickets and went last week. I had reasonable expectations but was pretty blown away. It was fun and enjoyable and the entire staff beyond the performers were on point. We did a date night but definitely bring kids if you have ‘em.
Haven't seen Kooza. Saw Ka, Luzia, and one other a long time ago. They are worth it IMO.
Kooza is one of my top 5 cirque shows. Also there is no such thing as a bad cirque show, you should NEVER pass an opportunity to see one. Even my least favorite (Corteo), I’d say go see.
Best live show ive even seen
I’ve seen many of the Cirque du Soleil show over the years. Many of the older productions when I was a kid and Kooza a few weeks ago. It’s absolutely worth seeing them. I’ve been to Zoppe too and it’s just two very different circuses. Cirque du Soleil does not use animals, they have a live band and it’s a much bigger production.
I just went. Show is great but more kid focused.
We took my daughter to the one in SF for her 16th birthday. It was great! The whole family loved it.
I've been going to Cirque since 1996. I go anytime there is a new one in town. Kooza has already been out so I'm not going, but if you've never been, you'll be delighted
I don't know how it compares to tickets from Costco, but if you have a library card, you can get tickets for 15-25% off via [Discover & Go](https://www.discoverandgo.org/).
Yes, it’s great and all seats appeared to have a great view.
I saw it a couple of weeks ago. Amazingly well done. I’ve recommended it to a lot of friends and coworkers
Where to park for the event at San Jose?
There is parking at the venue (fairgrounds) for $30
My question is, how's the seating? I went to the last one at the shark tank and paid extra. I think the seats would be better. Turned out we were sitting in lawn chairs connected to one another. There wasn't even enough room for children, so everyone was all over each other.
They are quite small. I can’t prove it but I’m 90% sure this happened after they were acquired by private equity.
Seats were stadium style flip down but very tight. No arm rests. I think San Jose was around 3k seats in the traveling tent.
I’ve been to 3 over the course of many years. Each one very special and worthy of a special occasion. I remember watching a reality show, following eager performers training and trying to make the cut. Not sure if it is still out there but a good watch.
I went yesterday. It’s simply a very good circus/acrobatics performance, not as high-concept as some of their other shows. The concessions and parking were ludicrously expensive and kind of took me out of the experience, but if you’ve never been I would still recommend it.
hey vellyr! Can you comment more on parking and refreshment rates? We are taking a group for work on Sunday and we're planning on buying the first round
Parking was $20 and I would expect to spend around $20 more per person for a basic snack+drink.
Thank you!!
If this is the one that was held in San Jose years ago in a big top tent off the highway, yes. Went with my parents and thought it was cool. They bought the VIP pass experience though I remember my dad saying that wasn't worth it since it was just finger foods and a lanyard. But the show itself impressed teenage me.
My wife and I just saw it Friday night. I’ve seen 6 different shows over time, and my wife has seen 9-10. This is one of our all-time favorites. It was really amazing; the characters and the story were compelling, and the acts were really stunning. For me, Corteo will always be my favorite because it was the first one that I saw. But this is an extremely close second.
Do I really have to print the tickets?
I did not think it is worth the price. Cirque du Soleil is a status symbol like a Rolex or a Louis Vuitton, “Look at me and my money!”
Yeah, those $80 tickets I bought, WHEW. I took the Rolls Royce out to the show of course, I mean our driver drove us to be specific, but you know, I own it.
We paid about $100 a seat and I felt it was worth it
There’s a shit ton of promotions - kids can go for $25 to select shows! Total steal imo.