August 2004
August
25 - Dine and Discover the American
West at the Oregon Zoo.
August 20 - Zoo
Brings
Starlight Movies to Concert Lawn.
August 18 - Do
Jump! Brings Dance to the Zoo.
August 16 - Emmylou
Harris & White Bird Perform at the Zoo.
August
16 - Rare
baby Colobus Monkey debuts at the Zoo Aug 17th.
August 15 - The Robert Cray Band and Buddy Guy Perform at
the Zoo.
August
13 - Shawn Colvin and Cowboy Junkies Perform
at the Zoo.
August 12 - JaoJoby
Performs at the Zoo.
August 11 - Zoo Secures $300,000
Murdock Challenge Grant.
August
10 - Trinity
Irish Dance, Frogz and Do Jump! Bring Dance to the Zoo
Aug 25, 27, 28th.
August 6 - David
Byrne featuring the Tosca Strings Performs at the Zoo.
August 6 - Greg
Brown and Todd Snider Perform at the Zoo.
August
5 - Thomas Mapfumo Performs at the Zoo.
August 4 -
Kékélé Performs
at the Oregon Zoo.
August 2 - Oregon Zoo Secures $50,000 Challenge Grant From Spirit
Mountain Community Fund.
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Video
Clips
Video Archive
August
25, 2004
DINE & DISCOVER
THE AMERICAN WEST AT THE OREGON ZOO
California
condor expert Joe Burnett shares insights about recovery efforts.
The
Oregon Zoo Foundation offers a golden opportunity to explore the
cuisine of the American West while learning
about one of its most iconic and endangered species-the California
condor. This
event, which takes place Wednesday, September 8, 2004 at 6:30 p.m.
in the Skyline Room at the Oregon Zoo, kicks off the four-part Dine & Discover
series, sponsored by River City/Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
The evening begins with appetizers and drinks and is followed by a
four-course feast. The menu is ripe with the sweet, smoky flavors of
the ranch, the pueblo, and the trail, as imagined by the zoo's Executive
Chef Paul Warner. Diners will indulge in empanadas, sweet corn bisque
with black bean and red pepper coulis, Anaheim chiles rellenos with
cotija and jack cheese and salsa verde, brisket of beef Colorado with
polenta, and mocha flan. Complementary wine is also included
courtesy of Rancho Zabaco.
Oregon
Zoo Assistant Condor Curator Joe Burnett will be on hand to present
guests with a rare insider's view of the California Condor
Recovery Program, which the Oregon Zoo joined in 2001. Burnett is one
of only four people in the world with his job, which is to breed these
birds for release into the wild. Earlier this year, he provided round-the-clock
surveillance of the first condor chick hatched in Oregon in a century.
"
Joe literally lives and breathes condors-he lives in a house right
next door to the breeding facility," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "His
enthusiasm and stories of personal encounters with condors should
light a fire under the audience."
The cost for Dine & Discover is $75 per person, or $500 per table
of eight. Feast at all four Dine & Discover events for $250
per person. Seating is limited to those with reservations. To make
reservations,
call 503-220-2492 by September 1, 2004. Guests must be 21 years
of age or older.
Net proceeds benefit The Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife
program.
Future for Wildlife annually offers grants to support projects that
directly contribute to the survival of animal populations in the wild.
Projects funded in the past include repairs to the perimeter wall of
the Humboldt penguin reserve in Punta San Juan, Peru; development of
an environmental education program on Rodrigues, Mauritius; and a survey
of endangered turtles in Hainan, China.
Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to
inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed
to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown
Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light
rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus
#63 to the Oregon Zoo. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433),
or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9 (12-64), seniors $7.50 (65+), children $6 (3-11),
and children under 3 are free. Additional information is available
on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Sponsored By:
August
20, 2004
ZOO BRINGS STARLIGHT MOVIES TO THE CONCERT
LAWN FOR THE FIRST TIME
Remember going to the drive-in movies on warm summer
evenings? Hopping in the car in your pajamas and climbing into your
sleeping bag in the station wagon? You can start a similar family tradition
during the Oregon Zoo's new Starlight Movies, sponsored by Comcast,
September 3-5. Put the kids in their pajamas, bring the sleeping bags
and catch a different movie each night beginning at 8 p.m.
The Oregon Zoo has designed a giant inflatable screen for these movies
and the concert lawn will become the movie lawn for three special evenings.
"
Seeing a movie at the zoo with the family is something parents and
children will always remember," according to Krista Swan, event
coordinator. "Mom and dad bring their kids to the zoo to create
cherished memories; our movie series promises to be just that: memorable."
On Friday, September 3 the zoo welcomes BABE (1995), which stars Christine
Cavanaugh as the voice of Babe, and James Cromwell. The storyline follows
the precocious piglet named Babe as he arrives at Hoggett farm. Upon
arriving a precarious social order is toppled-permanently. The epic
tale of the little-swine-that-could and his struggle to fit in and
become a champion sheepherder has won the hearts of audiences everywhere.
Animatronics bring Babe and company to hyper-convincing life, and George
Miller's humble yet edgy script appeals to all ages.
On Saturday, September 4 the zoo brings Portland BRINGING UP BABY (1938),
starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and May Robson. In this screwball
comedy, heiress Susan is determined to catch a stuffy zoologist and
uses her pet leopard, Baby, to help get his attention. The elements
of this farce include a yappy terrier, who steals and buries an irreplaceable
fossilized bone, a pompous big game hunter, a rich old aunt, a jealous
fiancée, and a case of mistaken identity involving a second,
and vicious, leopard.
According to Krista Swan, event coordinator, "Bringing Up Baby
is a great movie to take a date to. You and your date can take a romantic
stroll through the zoo and then curl up on your blanket and enjoy a
classic film."
On Sunday, September 5 the zoo brings the hilarious FIERCE CREATURES
(1997), Starring Kevin Kline, John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Jamie
Lee Curtis. The stars of A Fish Called Wanda reunite for this farce
about a failing zoo that owner Rod McCain (Kline) threatens to close.
When new manager Rollo (Cleese) implements a "fierce creatures
only" policy to increase profits, zookeeper Bugsy (Palin) tries
to save all the timid animals, while McCain's son Vince (Kline again)
does shady deals on the side. Meanwhile, executive Willa (Curtis) must
decide whose side she's on.
Admission to the movies is $9 for adults (12-64), $7.50 for seniors
(65 and over), and $6 for children (3-11). Infants (2 and under) are
free. Members save $2 on each ticket. Most areas of the zoo will be
closed starting at 7 p.m.
Starlight Movies at the Zoo is co-sponsored by Michelob Light.
Back
to top
August
18, 2004
DO
JUMP! BRINGS DANCE TO THE ZOO
The Portland-based dance troupe Do Jump! will get the lemurs leaping
when they bring their mix of live music, acrobatics, aerial dance,
comedy, theatre and contemporary movement to the Oregon Zoo stage at
7 p.m., August 25. The performance is sponsored by Wells Fargo and
is part of the White Bird at the Zoo Family Dance Series. Tickets are
available for $9 at the zoo after 4 p.m. on the day of the concert.
"
With bright costumes and energetic performances, this show is a great
way to expose children and families to dance," says Krista Swan,
event coordinator. "The zoo offers such a relaxed setting.
Nobody minds if kids get up and dance!"
Under the direction of Robin Lane, Do Jump! performances have been
amazing audiences since 1977. Do Jump! uses everyday objects, such
as ropes, ladders and pieces of furniture, as their props. As the resident
dance company of Portland's Echo Theater, Do Jump! has consistently
entertained sold-out crowds.
To help celebrate the White Bird performances, the zoo's bird show
staff will display birds of prey prior to the show. Audience members
will then be invited to interact with the performers shortly after
the bird display.
This is the first year that the zoo has featured dance as part of the
summer concert series, made possible through a collaboration with White
Bird. Founded in 1997 by Walter Jaffe and Paul King in Portland, White
Bird is a non-profit organization committed to bringing the best local,
regional, national, and international dance companies to Portland and
fostering the growth of dance in the state. White Bird accomplishes
this through the presentation of established and emerging companies
and choreographers, commissioning new work and collaborating with arts
organizations in Portland to make dance performances possible.
"
Zoo concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," according
to Swan. "After 25 years of providing cultural experiences
through music, it seemed natural to add dance to the series. We're
honored
to be collaborating with White Bird and we hope this begins a long
tradition of dance at the zoo."
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer
tradition. In addition to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, concerts
at the zoo feature special activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary
of the summer series. Concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics online
and reserve top blanket spots on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
Back
to top
August 16, 2004
SONGWRITERS AND DANCERS BRING A CLOSE TO OREGON ZOO'S
SUMMER SERIES
Tickets
for Emmylou Harris nearly sold out; Tickets for dance performances still
available.
The nearly sold-out August 31 Emmylou Harris concert
at the Oregon Zoo brings an end to the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.
However, tickets are still available for White Bird at the Zoo dance
performances August 25, 27 and 28. Concert and dance tickets are available
at the zoo and through TicketsWest outlets online and at select Safeway
locations.
Eleven-time Grammy winner Emmylou Harris is known for her passionate
songwriting and fusion of bluegrass, folk and country-rock. Though
she's been a presence in country music since the 1980s, it was her
1995 album Wrecking Ball that launched her career as a songwriter.
The White Bird Dance Series features three popular troupes, including
Do Jump!, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and Imago Theatre's Frogz. The
dancers perform on the Oregon Zoo's concert stage at 7 p.m., August
25, 27 and 28, respectively, as part of the White Bird at the Zoo Family
Dance Series, sponsored by Wells Fargo.
"
Dance has always been popular in Portland but hasn't normally reached
families," according to Krista Swan, event coordinator. "At
the zoo, we have the perfect venue for entertaining families, who are
sure to enjoy the energy and excitement of White Bird's dance groups."
On August 25, visitors can experience White Bird at the Zoo as a "Plus" concert,
which is free for zoo members at the "Plus" level or higher.
Do Jump! will get the hammerkops hopping along when they bring their
fusion of live music, acrobatics, aerial dance, comedy, theatre and
contemporary movement to the zoo. Under the direction of Robin Lane,
Do Jump! performances hold nothing back. This Portland-based troupe
has been amazing audiences since 1977. They use everyday objects as
their props, such as ropes, ladders and pieces of furniture. Tickets
for this performance are $9 and are available at 4 p.m. on the day
of the show.
On August 27, the Trinity Irish Dance Company will excite the elephants
with their vigorous power, daring compositions and staggering skill.
Created in 1990, the troupe was inspired by ancient Celtic myths and
stories. However, the group has added modern moves to the long tradition
of Irish dance, redefining the medium with passion, flair and precision.
The 22 members have appeared on numerous television programs and have
repeatedly been named world champions of Irish dance. Trinity is responsible
for the mainstream re-introduction of Irish dance, leading to the success
of other dancers like Michael Flatley and Riverdance. Tickets are $14
at TicketsWest locations.
On August 28, Imago Theatre's Frogz show will captivate the crocodiles
with its original dance presentation. The Portland-based Imago Theatre
brings what The New York Times named "a mastery of mime, dance
and acrobatics" to the stage. Through costumes and masks, the
innovative group creates comedic animal characters that delight any
audience, bringing humor, passion and fun to the last day of the White
Bird at the Zoo Series. Frogz is internationally renowned, touring
the world for more than two decades. The show, entirely wordless, features
a music score by Portland composer Katie Griesar. Tickets are $12 at
TicketsWest locations.
To help celebrate the White Bird performances, the zoo's bird show
staff will display birds of prey prior to each show. Audience members
will then be invited to interact with performers of all three shows
shortly after the bird display.
This is the first year that the zoo has featured dance as part of the
summer concert series, made possible through a collaboration with White
Bird. Founded in 1997 by Walter Jaffe and Paul King in Portland, White
Bird is a non-profit organization committed to bringing the best local,
regional, national, and international dance companies to Portland and
fostering the growth of dance in the state. White Bird accomplishes
this through the presentation of established and emerging companies
and choreographers, commissioning new work and collaborating with arts
organizations in Portland to make dance performances possible.
"
Zoo concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," according
to Swan. "After 25 years of providing cultural experiences through
music, it seemed natural to add dance to the series. We're honored
to be collaborating with White Bird and we hope this begins a long
tradition of dance at the zoo."
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer
tradition. Concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics online and reserve
top blanket spots on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
The series helps fund the zoo's condor conservation program, which
has recently celebrated the first condor born in Oregon in over 100
years. By purchasing tickets through TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com,
800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), zoo concertgoers can directly help
save endangered California condors by adding $1 to their ticket price.
To read the artist biographies or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest),
please visit www.oregonzoo.org. Concert tickets are also available
at the Oregon Zoo's reception office (no phone calls please) with no
service charge.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown
Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light
rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus
#63 to the Oregon Zoo. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433),
or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9 (12-64), seniors $7.50 (65+), children $6 (3-11),
and children under 3 are free. Additional information is available
on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Back
to top
August 10, 2004
TRINITY IRISH DANCE, FROGZ AND DO JUMP! BRING DANCE TO THE ZOO
White Bird groups fly across the stage, helping Oregon
Zoo celebrate 25th anniversary of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert
Series.
Do Jump!, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and Imago Theatre's
Frogz will amaze the anaconda when they perform on the Oregon Zoo's
concert stage at 7 p.m., August 25, 27 and 28 as part of the White
Bird at the Zoo Family Dance Series. The performances are part of the
25th anniversary of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series at the zoo.
White Bird tickets are available at the zoo and through TicketsWest
outlets online and at select Safeway locations.
"
Dance has always been popular in Portland but hasn't normally reached
families," according to Krista Swan, event coordinator. "At
the zoo, we have the perfect venue for entertaining families, who are
sure to enjoy the energy and excitement of White Bird's dance groups."
On August 25, visitors can experience White Bird at the Zoo as a "Plus" concert,
which is free for zoo members at the "Plus" level or higher.
Do Jump! will get the hammerkops hopping along when they bring their
fusion of live music, acrobatics, aerial dance, comedy, theatre and
contemporary movement to the zoo. Under the direction of Robin Lane,
Do Jump! performances hold nothing back. This Portland-based troupe
has been amazing audiences since 1977. They use everyday objects as
their props, such as ropes, ladders and pieces of furniture. Tickets
for this performance are $9 and are available at 4 p.m. on the day
of the show.
On August 27, the Trinity Irish Dance Company will excite the elephants
with their vigorous power, daring compositions and staggering skill.
Created in 1990, the troupe was inspired by ancient Celtic myths and
stories. However, the group has added modern moves to the ancient tradition
of Irish dance, redefining the medium with passion, flair and precision.
The 22 members have appeared on numerous television programs and have
repeatedly been named world champions of Irish dance. Trinity is responsible
for the mainstream re-introduction of Irish dance, leading to the success
of other dancers like Michael Flatley and Riverdance. Tickets are $14
at TicketsWest locations.
On August 28, Imago Theatre's Frogz show will captivate the crocodiles
with its innovative dance presentation. The Portland-based Imago Theatre
brings what The New York Times named "a mastery of mime, dance
and acrobatics" to the stage. Through costumes and masks, the
innovative group creates comedic animal characters that delight any
audience, bringing humor, passion and fun to the last day of the White
Bird at the Zoo Series. Frogz is internationally renowned, touring
the world for more than two decades. The show, entirely wordless, features
a music score by Portland composer Katie Griesar. Tickets are $12 at
TicketsWest locations.
To help celebrate the White Bird performances, the zoo's bird show
staff will display birds of prey prior to each show. Audience members
will then be invited to interact with performers of all three shows
shortly after the bird display.
This is the first year that the zoo has featured dance as part of the
summer concert series, made possible through a collaboration with White
Bird. Founded in 1997 by Walter Jaffe and Paul King in Portland, White
Bird is a non-profit organization committed to bringing the best local,
regional, national, and international dance companies to Portland and
fostering the growth of dance in the state. White Bird accomplishes
this through the presentation of established and emerging companies
and choreographers, commissioning new work and collaborating with arts
organizations in Portland to make dance performances possible.
"
Zoo concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," according
to Swan. "After 25 years of providing cultural experiences through
music, it seemed natural to add dance to the series. We're honored
to be collaborating with White Bird and we hope this begins a long
tradition of dance at the zoo."
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer
tradition. In addition to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, concerts
at the zoo feature special activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary
of the summer series. Concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics online
and reserve top blanket spots on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
The concert series helps fund the zoo's condor conservation program,
which has recently celebrated the first condor born in Oregon in over
100 years. By purchasing tickets through TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com,
800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), zoo concertgoers can directly help
save endangered California condors by adding $1 to their ticket price.
To view the complete concert schedule, read the artist biographies
or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org.
Concert tickets are also available at the Oregon Zoo's reception office
(no phone calls please) with no service charge.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown
Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light
rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus
#63 to the Oregon Zoo. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433),
or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9 (12-64), seniors $7.50 (65+), children $6 (3-11),
and children under 3 are free. Additional information is available
on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Back
to top
August
13, 2004
SHAWN
COLVIN AND COWBOY JUNKIES PERFORM AT THE ZOO
Special
evening with new folk's bright star and platinum soft rock comes
to the zoo's concert lawn.
The peacocks can flaunt their feathers for renowned artists
Shawn Colvin and the Cowboy Junkies, Saturday, August 21 on the zoo's
concert lawn. The zoo is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the Wells
Fargo Summer Concert Series this year and is featuring more than 20
well-known acts to showcase one of Portland's favorite outdoor venues.
Concert tickets for this and all of the zoo's premium concerts are
available at the zoo and through TicketsWest outlets online and at
select Safeway locations.
Shawn Colvin, one of the leaders of the "new folk movement," continues
to create unique, well-crafted songs to sustain her broad and loyal
fan base. Her chunky, percussive approach is instantly identifiable.
Colvin displays a seemingly endless stream of energy, both onstage
and in her personal life. The three-time Grammy winner is a mother
and a regular participant in triathlons. Colvin is currently
highlighting her latest album, Whole New You.
"
Shawn Colvin knows how to engage the audience," says Krista Swan,
events coordinator. "It's like being around the fire pit at summer
camp. You can't help but join in."
Whole New You was created by the partnership of Colvin and musician
John Leventhal, who have worked together a number of times in the past.
Billboard comments, "Whole New You easily rises above the din
of the sound-alike pop and rock recordings currently crowding the marketplace,
offering a plethora of complex yet sweet melodies and lyrics that are
both smart and rife with empathetic emotion."
Since the platinum success of their 1988 release The Trinity Session,
the Cowboy Junkies have attracted an uncommonly dedicated following,
which has remained loyal to the band. Showcasing their recent album
One Soul Now, the band displays their quiet, moody, melancholy sound
influenced by blues, country and roots rock, and Margo Timmins' soft,
sometimes whispering, vocals.
"
Margo's lyrics are so soft and sensual," says Swan, "that
nobody speaks."
For their ninth studio session The Cowboy Junkies have gone back to
their independent production roots with One Soul Now. The album
blends intimacy and immediacy with a little extra rock guitar. One
Soul Now's lyrics cover the unforeseen relational subjects of life.
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer
tradition. In addition to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, concerts
at the zoo feature special activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary
of the summer series. The birds of prey will fly over the crowd during
premium concerts-a truly unique experience for music fans and animal
lovers alike. Concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics online and
reserve top blanket spots on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
"The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," according to
Swan. "Whether it's a romantic evening or a family night out, concertgoers
enjoy great music, the festive atmosphere, and, of course, visiting all of the
animals."
The concert series helps to fund the zoo's condor conservation program, which
has recently celebrated the first condor born in Oregon in over 100 years. Still,
the zoo must raise $380,000 to build its flight nursery-an investment crucial
to prepare these impressive birds for the wild. By purchasing your tickets through
TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com, 800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), zoo concertgoers
can directly help save endangered California condors by adding $1 to their ticket
price.
To view the complete concert schedule, read artist biographies or purchase tickets
(through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org. Concert tickets are also
available at the Oregon Zoo's reception office (no phone calls please) with no
service charge.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the
community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation,
the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot
butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine.
Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears
and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland,
just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Zoo visitors
are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus #63 to the Oregon Zoo. Call TriMet
Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route
information.
General admission is $9 (12-64), seniors $7.50 (65+), children $6 (3-11), and
children under 3 are free. Additional information is available on the zoo's Web
site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Back
to top
August
12, 2004
JAOJOBY PERFORMS AT THE OREGON ZOO
The proclaimed king of salegy reigns over the Oregon Zoo's concert
lawn.
Jaojoby (djo-djoob) will energize even the two-toed sloth
when he performs on the zoo's concert lawn Thursday, August 19 as part
of the zoo's Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.
Jaojoby is best known as the founder and most prestigious interpreter
of salegy (SAH-leg) music. Salegy was born in the era of pop music,
towards the end of the 60s; salegy is an electric music but owes nothing
to the West. Inspired by Madagascan tradition, Jaojoby's delicate instrumentation
and powerful rhythms pull dancers into its spiraling world.
"
Jaojoby's rhythms are so mesmerizing," according to Krista Swan,
event coordinator, "you can't help but be moved-they literally
make you want to move. They're great for dancing."
His music continues to be an exuberant cross between popular and traditional
music forms without the use of synthesizers and drum machines. Now,
for the first time, Jaojoby is touring North America, bringing his
salegy rhythms of his homeland to the U.S.
Jaojoby's most recent album, Aza Arianao, surprised music lovers and
unleashed unabashed festivity for dancers. Folk Roots raves, "Jaojoby
Eusèbe has definitely the best voice and one of the tightest,
funkiest bands of all the long running salegy stars." The album
contains vocal harmonies, powerful percussion, and electric bass. Womex
claims it to be "…full of island swing. Like a motor that
never stops, the groove just can't be turned down."
Packy and his pals have been partying to zoo summer concerts since
1979. This year the zoo is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the
summer concert series. This is the last chance to see a midweek "Plus" level
musical group at the zoo this summer, although the Premium concerts
continue through the end of August.
"
The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," said Swan. "Whether
it's a romantic evening or a family night out, concertgoers enjoy great
music, the festive atmosphere, and, of course, visiting all the animals."
To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the zoo is making performances even
more memorable; concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics and reserve
top blanket spots on the tiered concert lawn, and chair rentals are
available for the first time this year.
"
We're making it really easy to enjoy the concerts and have a relaxing
dinner on the lawn," said Swan. "People can just come to
the zoo and find their delicious, gourmet picnic waiting."
Tickets for this midweek "Plus" level concert are available
for $9 after 4 p.m. the day of the performance, include zoo admission,
and are subject to availability. Zoo membership at the "Plus" level
includes free admission to all "Plus" concerts, daily visits
to the zoo, and the Zoolights holiday festival in the winter. Please
visit www.oregonzoo.org for more information about concerts and membership.
Concerts at the zoo help support the California condor conservation
program. Concertgoers can do even more to save these endangered birds
by adding $1 to their ticket price, which will go directly to condor
conservation.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown
Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light
rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus
#63 to the Oregon Zoo. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433),
or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9 (12-64), seniors $7.50 (65+), children $6 (3-11),
and children under 3 are free. Additional information is available
on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Back
to top
August 16, 2004
MEDIA
ALERT
What: Threatened
baby colobus goes on exhibit with his parents for the first time.
Who: Africa
keepers are on hand to talk about the significance of the baby.
When: Tuesday,
August 17 from 11 a.m. to noon
Where: Africa
Rainforest exhibit
Photo Op: Mother,
father and baby colobus
RARE
BABY COLOBUS MONKEY DEBUTS AT THE ZOO
Threatened
monkey initially rejected by mother until zookeepers intervene,
encourage bond.
A
baby colobus monkey makes its Oregon Zoo debut in the Africa Rainforest
exhibit tomorrow. The new male, which was born on July 15, has yet
to be officially named.
Keepers were unsure if the baby was going to survive, as new mother
Mali, 8, who was also born at Oregon Zoo, did not show signs of interest
in caring for him at first. Keepers arrived one morning to discover
the baby had been born, but Kiku, the father, was the one cradling
him-a sign that Mali needed some assistance caring for the baby.
It was not unusual for Mali's maternal instincts to be lacking. As
the last offspring of her mother, and growing up without other mothers
in her group at the zoo, she had never seen a baby colobus raised.
But Kiku, 13, had, since he came to the Oregon Zoo from Lincoln Park
Zoo in Chicago in 2002. His experience explains why he was holding
the baby when Mali would not. Dad proved to be great for warmth, but
not so great for milk.
"
Mom was willing to try; she just didn't know what to do," said
Asaba Mukobi, Africa keeper. "I wanted to give her a chance to
keep trying."
Mukobi was ready for this moment. Since January, before Mali was pregnant,
he had been working with the colobus pair, training them to accept
his presence and allow him to get close. Aware of Mali's inexperience
with motherhood, Mukobi knew he would need unprecedented access to
her in the event of a birth.
He used traditional positive reinforcement techniques, usually food
rewards, to encourage desirable behavior. When the monkeys would come
close to him, they got peanuts. When they allowed a light touch on
the head, they got peanuts. In this way, keepers and vet staff were
able to evaluate the animals more often, and with less stress, than
in the past. Prior to training, the monkeys were weighed only once
a year, a procedure that involved darting them with tranquilizers or
using a special "colobus chute" to direct them into a holding
crate. Now, because of the trust Mukobi has established, the monkeys
can be weighed once a month, and will accept hand injections-peanuts
or no peanuts.
When the baby arrived, it was time for Mukobi and the animal management
staff to get creative. Keepers combined two separate techniques previously
used on other species for mother-baby introductions, but never with
colobus monkeys.
The first was sedation, which is known to be effective with reluctant
gorilla mothers. Keepers needed to sedate Mali to prevent her from
walking away from the baby, but they also had to sedate Kiku in order
to remove the infant from his protective grasp. Fortunately, this was
possible via hand injection in both cases-shooting a dart anywhere
near the newborn would have been extremely risky. The baby, who was
healthy and strong, held tightly to Mali and nursed. Kiku was separated
from the two others so he would not try to take the baby away from
Mali. Mom and baby woke up together.
"
Mali wasn't holding onto the baby, but she wasn't pushing it away,
either," said Mukobi. "That gave me a lot of hope."
The other technique keepers employed was confinement, sometimes used
with lemurs. Mali and her son were given private, more intimate quarters
so they could establish a bond without distractions. Even if Mali wandered
away from the baby, the infant could crawl over to receive his mother's
warmth. Finally, Mali put a hand around the ball of white fuzz.
Now the two are inseparable. A wide-eyed one-month-old, the baby colobus
is eager to explore his surroundings, but Mali makes sure he stays
well within her reach. His current boundary is the end of her long,
white tail, which he loves to play with.
This picture of primate
mother-baby bonding is always desirable, of course, but in this case
it was critical.
While possible to hand-raise
a baby colobus, it is not recommended by the Species Survival Plan,
which manages the breeding of captive endangered animals to ensure
a healthy, stable population. A hand-raised colobus typically lacks
the social skills needed to integrate into an existing group of monkeys.
Kiku has been reunited with his mate and son and the three are getting
along very well. "It's as normal as you can get," says Mukobi
of the relationship among them.
The baby weighed about one pound at birth, which is typical. Born with
pure white fur, he will take on his striking adult black-and-white
coloring in a few months. He is already showing signs of black around
the shoulders and wrists.
Colobus monkeys are a threatened species in their native region of
eastern Africa due to habitat encroachment by humans and a loss of
habitat when forests are cut down.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown
Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light
rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus
#63 to the Oregon Zoo. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433),
or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9 (12-64), seniors $7.50 (65+), children $6 (3-11),
and children under 3 are free. Additional information is available
on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Back
to top
August
11, 2004
ZOO SECURES $300,000 MURDOCK CHALLENGE GRANT
Zoo reaches milestone in fundraising; three-month-old
condor chick continues to thrive.
The Oregon Zoo Foundation has secured a $300,000 challenge
grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, while the first condor
chick hatched in Oregon in a century continues to thrive, turning three
months old this week.
By securing the Murdock grant, the zoo can now build the second phase
of the zoo's condor breeding facility, expanding its capacity to 16
pairs. Currently there are six pairs and one chick at the breeding
facility. To date, the Campaign for Condors has raised more than $1.6
million.
Once the second phase is completed, the zoo will undertake the third
and final phase, at a cost of $380,000, which still must be raised.
The third phase consists of a separate flight aviary, designed to teach
young condors survival skills. The flight aviary will include a mock
utility pole capable of giving young condors a mild shock. Known as
aversion training, the mild shock is designed to encourage the young
condors to avoid power poles in order to prevent their electrocution
in the wild.
Completing the facility is critical as Oregon's first condor chick
continues to grow. Recent blood work determined the chick to be male.
The chick is roughly the size of his foster parents, numbers 137 and
147, but still lacking his large flight feathers. He spends much of
his time playing with his foster parents, nibbling their feathers and
neck wrestling.
According to Assistant Condor Curator Joe Burnett, condor chicks grow
from the size of a clenched fist at hatching to a fully feathered fledgling
at six months. "Like normal juveniles, our chick spends a lot
of time playing. He'll toss around feathers and small sticks with his
beak and jump up and down flapping his downy wings-he's a lot of fun
to watch."
The foster parents are exceedingly gentle with the chick, but will
discipline him when necessary-teaching him the rules of the nest. The
chick still remains in the mock nest cave and will not be allowed out
until he is about five to six months old. At that time he will take
his first flight out into the flight pen and begin his preparation
and training for release into the wild.
According to Burnett, the chick will most likely be released in central
California and will be transferred to his prospective release site
at approximately nine months of age. He will remain in the release
pens for a three-month acclimation period prior to release.
"
Our goal is to equip these young condors with every advantage that
we can possibly give them prior to being let free," says Burnett. "Oregon
Zoo's new state-of-the-art condor facility incorporates the latest
innovations in condor-rearing strategies to help us achieve this ultimate
goal."
The zoo is seeking tax-deductible contributions to help fund the final
and most critical component of the facility - the training aviary where
young condors will learn vital survival skills. Interested individuals,
corporations and foundations can visit www.oregonzoo.org/Condors/ (or
call 503-220-2493) for more information.
The Oregon Zoo Foundation's Campaign for Condors has received generous
contributions from thousands of zoo visitors and members who bought
condor buttons or added $1 to their concert tickets to help the condors.
Additional donations came in the form of foundation grants and corporate
contributions from local businesses such as Wells Fargo, Nike, Portland
General Electric, Hoffman Construction and Standard Insurance Company.
The condor facility is located in Clackamas County on Metro-owned open
space. The remoteness of the facility minimizes the exposure of young
condors to people, increasing the chances for captive-hatched birds
to survive and breed in the wild.
Condors have a long history in Oregon. The condor was a common design
motif of the Wasco people, who lived along the Columbia River from
The Dalles to Cascade Locks-the condor was considered a helper to the
native peoples and a key character in many myths.
The last condors were seen in Oregon in 1904, near the town of Drain,
in southwest Oregon. Condors held out a little longer in California,
but in 1987, there were only 17 left in the wild. In an attempt to
save the species, biologists decided to place all the remaining condors
into a captive breeding program. When Congress passed the Endangered
Species Act in 1973, the California condor was one of the original
animals included on the list. Today there are 248 California condors
in captivity and the wild.
The Oregon Zoo is only the third zoo in the nation invited to join
the California Condor Recovery Program. With the first phase of the
breeding facility completed last November, twelve condors arrived from
Program members at the Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal
Park and The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise,
Idaho.
Once construction of the off-site breeding facility is complete, zoo
officials plan to build a $1 million educational condor exhibit at
the zoo. The Oregon Zoo will be only the third zoo in the world, and
the first in the Pacific Northwest, to exhibit condors.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
Back
to top
August
2, 2004
ZOO SECURES $50,000 CHALLENGE GRANT FROM SPIRIT
MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FUND
Fundraising progress continues in support of condor breeding efforts
in Oregon
Over
the last six months, The Oregon Zoo Foundation's Campaign for Condors
has raised enough money to qualify for a $50,000
challenge
grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Receiving this challenge
grant brings the zoo to within $500,000 of funding the off-site California
condor conservation facility.
The zoo's Campaign for Condors was able to secure this grant with generous
contributions from many corporations, foundations and individuals.
In addition, the zoo raised a sizable sum by giving zoo visitors and
summer concertgoers the option of adding an extra dollar to their ticket
price and purchasing condor buttons and magnets. All of these efforts
have helped raise $1.5 million of the $2 million needed to build the
entire breeding facility.
The donations come just in time. One of the zoo's first breeding pairs,
Tama and her mate Mandan, have been in Oregon for just eight months
but are already proud parents. In May 2004, the zoo celebrated the
hatching of the first condor born in Oregon in more than a century.
Less than a month later, Tama laid her second egg, which was sent to
the Los Angeles Zoo's condor facility for hatching and puppet rearing.
"
With the arrival of Oregon's first condor egg in 100 years, there is
a new urgency to complete the Condor Creek Conservation Facility," according
to Adam Henny, director of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund. "By
strengthening our long-time relationship with the zoo, it's our hope
to inspire others to step forward to help fund the facility," he
added.
The zoo is seeking tax-deductible contributions to help complete the
condor facility. Interested individuals can visit www.oregonzoo.org/Condors/
(or call 503-220-2493) for more information.
The zoo's breeding facility will ultimately house 16 breeding pairs
producing up to 32 young a year. Completing the off-site breeding facility
will double the current housing and breeding space. In addition, it
will add a flight aviary where young condors can learn survival skills.
The flight aviary will include a mock utility pole capable of giving
young condors a mild shock. Known as aversion training, the mild shock
is designed to encourage the condors to avoid power poles in order
to prevent their electrocution in the wild.
"
Knowing that each chick is a candidate for release to the wild, construction
of the flight aviary is a critical piece," according to Joe Burnett,
assistant curator of condors. "It's a boot camp for condors. It's
where they discover the dangers of power poles, and learn how to act
like wild condors from elder birds."
The condor facility is located in Clackamas County on Metro-owned open
space. The remoteness of the facility minimizes the exposure of young
condors to people, increasing the chances for captive-hatched birds
to survive and breed in the wild.
Once construction of the off-site breeding facility is complete, zoo
officials plan to build a $1 million condor exhibit at the zoo.
Condors have a long history in Oregon. The condor was a common design
motif of the Wasco people, who lived along the Columbia River from
The Dalles to Cascade Locks-the condor was considered a helper to the
native peoples and a key character in many myths.
The last condors were seen in Oregon in 1904, near the town of Drain,
in southwest Oregon. Condors held out a little longer in California,
but in 1987, there were only 17 left in the wild. In an attempt to
save the species, biologists decided to place all the remaining condors
into a captive breeding program. When Congress passed the Endangered
Species Act in 1973, the California condor was one of the original
animals included on the list. Today there are 248 California condors
in captivity and the wild.
The Oregon Zoo is only the third zoo in the nation invited to join
the California Condor Recovery Program. With the first phase of the
breeding facility completed last November, twelve condors arrived from
Program members at the Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal
Park and The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey.
In addition to supporting the condor program, the Spirit Mountain Community
Fund has been a major contributor to the zoo's education programs.
The Fund also made a $150,000 contribution to support the zoo's Eagle
Canyon exhibit, which opened to the public on May 29, 2004.
"
Spirit Mountain Community Fund is a wonderful partner in our efforts
and we especially appreciate their support of our latest conservation
effort-bringing condors back to Oregon," said Tony Vecchio, zoo
director. "Their gift moves us one step closer to completion of
this facility."
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde through Spirit Mountain Community
Fund have given more than $23 million to deserving organizations in
western Oregon since its creation in 1997.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
Back
to top
August
6, 2004
DAVID BYRNE FEATURING THE TOSCA STRINGS PERFORMS AT ZOO AUGUST 20
New-wave icon rocks the Oregon Zoo's concert lawn
David Byrne and the Tosca Strings will bring rhythm to
the rhinos when they perform on the zoo's concert lawn Friday, August
20. The zoo is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the Wells Fargo
Summer Concert Series and is featuring more than 20 well-known acts
to showcase one of Portland's favorite outdoor venues. Concert tickets
for this and all of the zoo's premium concerts are available at the
zoo and through TicketsWest outlets online and at select Safeway locations.
David Byrne is best known for his groundbreaking musical feats as the
front man of renowned new-wave punk band, Talking Heads. His solo career
is no less adventurous. Byrne continues to push musical boundaries,
fusing his love of world music with polyrhythm beats and hypnotic vocals.
"
Byrne's music is so diverse, it leaves you stunned," says Krista
Swan, event coordinator. "His songs blend world music with quirky
lyrics entirely of his own imagination."
Byrne's new solo album, Grown Backwards, is an exploration of songwriting
over decades and features Byrne's trademark stream-of-consciousness
lyrics. The Associated Press raves, "David Byrne's Grown Backwards
blurs the line between rational and absurd by melding delightfully
confusing lyrics with an unlikely orchestral backing."
The album includes an eclectic mix of music, including salsa beats,
jazzy fusions, operatic arias and orchestral string arrangements. It
is a prime example of the musical evolution that has marked Byrne's
career. His performance on the concert stage will feature his unique
musical perspective, experimenting with powerful vocals and inventive
percussion beats as diverse as the animals in the zoo.
The Tosca Strings, a Texas-based chamber music ensemble, accompany
Byrne on his 2004 tour. These four young women are noted for their
instrumental boldness and versatility. Their musical talent breathes
new life into Talking Heads tunes of old.
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer
tradition. In addition to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, concerts
at the zoo feature special activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary
of the summer series. The birds of prey will fly over the crowd during
premium concerts-a truly unique experience for music fans and animal
lovers alike. Concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics online and
reserve top blanket spots on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
"
The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," said Swan. "Whether
it's a romantic evening or a family night out, concertgoers enjoy great
music, the festive atmosphere, and, of course, visiting all of the
animals."
The concert series helps fund the zoo's condor conservation program,
which has recently celebrated the first condor born in Oregon in over
100 years. By purchasing your tickets through TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com,
800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), zoo concertgoers can directly help
save endangered California condors by adding $1 to their ticket price.
To view the complete concert schedule, read the artists biographies
or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org.
Concert tickets are also available at the Oregon Zoo's reception office
(no phone calls please) with no service charge.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to
inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife.
Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington
pygmy rabbits, and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies
on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown
Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX
light rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take
TriMet bus
#63 to the Oregon Zoo. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE
(7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9 (12-64), seniors $7.50 (65+), children $6
(3-11), and children under 3 are free. Additional information is
available
on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Back
to top
August
15, 2004
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND AND BUDDY GUY PERFORM AT THE ZOO.
Two blues giants headed for the Oregon Zoo's concert
lawn
The chimpanzees will swing to the tunes of jazz cats
Robert Cray and Buddy Guy when they perform at the Oregon Zoo's
concert lawn Sunday, August 15. The zoo is celebrating its 25th anniversary
of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series this year by featuring
more
than 20 well known acts. Tickets for this, and all of the zoo's
premium concerts, are available at the zoo and through TicketsWest
outlets
online and at select Safeway locations.
Five-time Grammy Award winner and double platinum recording artist
Robert Cray will bring the blues to the bears as he performs his music
fused by elements of soul, blues, rock, jazz and gospel. His signature
sound has brought him worldwide acclaim as a unique and passionate
performer.
"
It's great to have Robert Cray return to Oregon to play at the zoo-his
band got their start 30 years ago in Eugene," according to Krista
Swan, zoo event coordinator. In 1986, they had their breakthrough album
Strong Persuader, which prompted a blues revival and transformed Cray
into a pop radio, MTV and VH1 staple.
Cray's success led his peers to recognize the band's talent. He has
recorded with Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Tina Turner, John Lee Hooker,
Del McCoury, and even Tony Bennett (whose 2003 Grammy-winning CD Playing
With My Friends is named for the title song that Cray co-wrote). In
addition to recording with these artists, he has performed onstage
with them and other great artists, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Keith
Richards, and the Rolling Stones.
Opening for The Robert Cray Band is Buddy Guy. His 45 years of jazz
experience will make the monkeys move to the beat as he performs on
the concert stage. Winner of four Grammy awards and a record-breaking
nineteen W.C. Handy Blues Awards, Guy has been called one of the greatest
sources of Chicago electric blues alive today.
"Guy is a thrilling guitarist, a passionate singer, and an unrivaled
showman," says Swan. "His latest tour showcases his most
recent album, Blues Singer, a follow-up to his highly acclaimed album
Sweet Tea."
Guy's current sound has a more pure, acoustic-oriented quality inspired
by his earlier career as a guitarist with Muddy Waters.
The Wells Fargo Concert Series at the zoo offers music as diverse as
the animals. Concerts are held during the summer months on terraced
lawns near the Asian elephants, who have been known to listen in on
the tunes. The series helps financially support the zoo's mission of
conservation and education.
"Through Wells Fargo's generous support, the zoo is able to bring renowned
musicians to Portland," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "In
addition to being a family-friendly series for the community, the revenue
generated helps support a
variety of endangered species, including
ones found here in the Pacific Northwest."
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer
tradition. This summer the zoo is featuring more than 20 shows, including
Greg Brown, Emmylou Harris, David Byrne, Robert Cray, and Cowboy Junkies.
"The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," said Krista
Swan, event coordinator. "Whether it's a romantic evening or a
family night out, concertgoers enjoy great music, the festive atmosphere,
and, of course, visiting all of the animals."
In addition to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, zoo concerts
feature special activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the
series. The birds of prey will fly over the crowd during premium concerts-a
truly unique experience for music fans and animal lovers alike. People
can pre-order gourmet picnics online and reserve top blanket spots
on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
The concert series helps to fund the zoo's condor conservation program,
which has recently celebrated the first condor born in Oregon in over
100 years.
Tickets for the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series are available at
TicketsWest and at the zoo (no phone calls please). By purchasing zoo
concert tickets through TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com, 800-992-TIXX,
and Safeway outlets), concertgoers can help save endangered California
condors by adding $1 to their ticket price.
Tickets are valid at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. To learn
more about the 25th anniversary summer concert series, or to pre-order
gourmet picnics, go to the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org. Concert
picnics can be ordered by calling 503-525-4215. The Oregonian A&E
provides media support.
To view the complete concert schedule, read the artists' biographies
or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org.
Concert tickets are also available at the Oregon Zoo's reception office
(no phone calls please) with no service charge.
Back
to top
August
6, 2004
GREG
BROWN & TODD SNIDER PERFORM AT THE ZOO AUGUST 6
Original folk sensation with Oregonian gone Nashville on stage
at the Oregon Zoo's concert lawn.
Folk
singer/songwriter Greg Brown will perform with Beaverton, Oregon native
Todd Snider at the Oregon Zoo's concert lawn Friday,
August 6. The zoo is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the Wells
Fargo Summer Concert Series this year and is featuring more than 20
well-known acts. Concert tickets for this, and all of the zoo's premium
concerts, are available at the zoo and through TicketsWest outlets
online and at select Safeway locations.
Brown
is the leading voice of the contemporary folk scene and has often
played on Minnesota Public Radio's "A Prairie Home Companion" program.
His music is a surprising fusion of mid-western roots and a quirky
imagination. Drawing on his experiences growing up, Brown combines
modern melodies with the sounds of church music and country fiddling.
Brown comes from a musical family: his mother played electric guitar;
his grandfather played banjo, and his father was a Holy Roller preacher
in the Hacklebarney section of Iowa, where Gospel music is a way
of life. Brown's direct lyrics are full of wry humor and true characters,
framed with rootsy guitar riffs. Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Michael
Johnson, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter and many others have
performed
his contemporary folk songs.
In his long career, Brown has recorded more than a dozen albums,
including his 1986 release, Songs of Innocence and of Experience.
One Big Town,
recorded in 1989, earned Brown three and a half stars in Rolling
Stone and his first Indie Award from NAIRD (National Association
of Independent
Record Distributors). His critically acclaimed 1996 release, Further
In, was a finalist for the same award. Rolling Stone's four-star
review of Further In called Brown "a wickedly sharp observer of the human
condition." In 1997, Brown's Slant 6 Mind earned him a second
Grammy nomination.
Todd Snider joins Brown for the August 6 performance at the zoo. Snider
grew up in Beaverton, Oregon and performs a collection of bold, sometimes
unsettling, often funny songs about death, suicide, going to jail and
growing old.
"Snider's songs are the kind that make you laugh, while hitting you
so hard they knock the wind out of you," according to Krista
Swan, event coordinator. "He tells his stories the only way
he can: with wry wit, unabashed honesty and a fabulously unique perspective."
Singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson says "Todd Snider is a true
songwriter, with the heart and humor of John Prine, the wild unpredictability
of Roger Miller, and a fresh, original spirit and freedom of imagination
that's absolutely his own." John Prine adds, "Todd Snider
writes great songs and also is a great performer. He totally connects
with every audience. [He's the] hardest act to follow since Steve
Goodman."
The Wells Fargo Concert Series at the zoo offers music as diverse as
the animals. Concerts are held during the summer months on terraced
lawns near the Asian elephants, who have been known to listen in on
the tunes. The series helps financially support the zoo's mission of
conservation and education.
"Through Wells Fargo's generous support, the zoo is able to bring renowned
musicians to Portland," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "In
addition to being a family-friendly series for the community, the
revenue generated helps support a variety of endangered species,
including
ones found here in the Pacific Northwest."
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer
tradition. This summer the zoo is featuring more than 20 shows, including
Emmylou Harris, David Byrne, Robert Cray, and Cowboy Junkies.
"
The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," says Swan. "Whether
it's a romantic evening or a family night out, concertgoers enjoy
great music, the festive atmosphere, and, of course, visiting all
of the
animals."
In addition to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, zoo concerts
feature special activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the
series. The birds of prey will fly over the crowd during premium concerts-a
truly unique experience for music fans and animal lovers alike. People
can pre-order gourmet picnics online and reserve top blanket spots
on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
The concert series helps to fund the zoo's condor conservation program,
which has recently celebrated the first condor born in Oregon in over
100 years.
Tickets for the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series are available at
TicketsWest and at the zoo (no phone calls please). By purchasing zoo
concert tickets through TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com, 800-992-TIXX,
and Safeway outlets), concertgoers can help save endangered California
condors by adding $1 to their ticket price.
Tickets are valid at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. To learn
more about the 25th anniversary summer concert series, or to pre-order
gourmet picnics, go to the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org.
Concert picnics can be ordered by calling 503-525-4215. The Oregonian
A&E
provides media support.
To view the complete concert schedule, read the artists' biographies
or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org.
Concert tickets are also available at the Oregon Zoo's reception office
(no phone calls please) with no service charge.
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August
5, 2004
KÉKÉLÉ AND THOMAS MAPFUMO
PERFORM AT THE ZOO AUGUST 5 & 6
The
African- and Cuban-infused group Kékélé and
the Zimbabwean protest singer Thomas Mapfumo will rock the rhinos as
they take to the zoo's concert lawn for two separate nights of memorable
music. These two bands will be performing as part of the zoo's Wells
Fargo Summer Concert Series.
On Wednesday, August 4 at 7 p.m., Kékélé will
bring Rumba Congolaise to the hippos and humans alike on the zoo's
concert stage. Rumba Congolaise is a blend of Cuban rumba and African
rhythm, popular in the 60s and brought back by Kékélé.
The artists comprising Kékélé all found success
previously in various groups and solo careers. They decided to collaborate
in 1999 after a few casual jam sessions. Those jam sessions haven't
stopped, as they continue to play their gentle and laid-back Congolese
rumba.
On Thursday, August 5 at 7 p.m., the zoo will be home to a lion, temporarily,
when Thomas Mapfumo, the "Lion of Zimbabwe," roars onto stage.
The Zimbabwean native, who now calls Eugene home, is known internationally
for his compelling protest songs. He is also the inventor of electric
mbira music, based on ancient instruments whose sound Mapfumo re-created
on electric guitars and bass. He sings in the Shona language, inventing
a style called chimurenga - the Shona word for "struggle." From
his first record release in 1977 to his more recent CDs, Mapfumo has
criticized the Zimbabwean government, eventually causing a permanent
ban on his work in the African country. Despite this, he has received
a variety of awards and accolades, including Zimbabwe's Person of the
Century in the Arts Award in 2000.
Packy and his pals have been partying to zoo summer concerts since
1979. This year the zoo is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the
summer concert series. Upcoming performers include swingsters Big Bad
Voodoo Daddy (August 11), Grammy-winning songwriter Dave Alvin (August
12) and Madagascan dance music star Jaojoby (August 19).
"The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," said Krista
Swan, event coordinator. "Whether it's a romantic evening or a
family night out, concertgoers enjoy great music, the festive atmosphere,
and, of course, visiting all the animals."
To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the zoo is making performances even
more memorable; concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics and reserve
top blanket spots on the tiered concert lawn, and chair rentals are
available for the first time this year.
"We're making it really easy to enjoy the concerts and have a relaxing
dinner on the lawn," said Swan. "People can just come to
the zoo and find their delicious, gourmet picnic waiting."
Tickets for these midweek "Plus" level concerts are available
for $9 after 4 p.m. the day of the performance, include zoo admission,
and are subject to availability. Zoo membership at the "Plus" level
includes free admission to all "Plus" concerts, daily visits
to the zoo, and the Zoolights holiday festival in the winter. Please
visit www.oregonzoo.org for more information about concerts and membership.
Concerts at the zoo help support the California condor conservation
program. Concertgoers can do even more to save these endangered birds
by adding $1 to their ticket price, which will go directly to condor
conservation.
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