About this episode
Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!📰 Motley Zoo Needs Your Help — Tournament or NotMotley Zoo Animal Rescue just got knocked out of March Muttness, a national fundraising tournament for animal shelters. They lost their Second Chance bracket matchup against the Humane Society of El Paso, so they're out of the competition. But here's the thing — their donation page is still open and every dollar goes straight to the rescue. Motley Zoo is a legit 501(c)(3) based right here in the Redmond/Monroe area and they've placed thousands of animals in homes since 2009. If you want to throw them a few bucks, head to their page at app.tournaments.donorcharm.org/campaign/W5adr/total#about-bigamer-sec.👨👩👧👦 Shrek Jr. Is Coming to Redmond and It Looks Like a BlastThe Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts is putting on Shrek The Musical Jr. starting this Friday, and it runs through the end of the month. If you've got kids, this is the one. It's got ogres, fairytale misfits, a wisecracking donkey, and the whole story about finding where you belong. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Shows run Friday through Sunday most weekends at 18001 NE 76th St, Suite 100. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain and seating is limited, so book ahead at the Redmond Academy website. Bonus: bring a non-perishable food item for Hopelink and get a $2 concession coupon.⚽ Free Event: Kick It With Reign FC Legend Lauren BarnesIf you're into women's sports or just want to hear a good story, this one's worth your Monday night. Former Reign FC captain Lauren Barnes is sitting down with Redmond Mayor Angela Birney on March 23 for a conversation about women's sports, part of the city's Fútbol for All Speaker Series. Barnes played for Reign FC from 2013 to 2025 before retiring. It's free, there are snacks, and they're doing prize drawings. The event runs 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Seattle Marriott Redmond, 7401 164th Avenue NE.🚲 Bicycle BlingThe Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome at Marymoor Park is getting ready for its 2026 season, and if you've never been out there to watch — or ride — you're missing something genuinely weird and cool. It's the only velodrome in the entire state of Washington, which is a big part of why Redmond carries the title of Bicycle Capital. Track cycling has its own tight-knit community, its own physics, and honestly its own vocabulary. Keep an eye on the velodrome schedule as the season ramps up — it's free to watch and worth at least one visit if you've never seen what happens when a cyclist leans that hard into a banked turn.🎤 Karaoke Night at SoulFood CoffeeHouseSoulFood CoffeeHouse is doing karaoke this Friday, March 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. Come alone, bring friends, belt something embarrassing — all of it is welcome. It's at 15748 Redmond Way, which means you can walk ov
