Beastly Ball to benefit L.A. Zoo set for June 20

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) presents the Beastly Ball, called "one of L.A.'s biggest and most popular fund-raisers" by FOX News, on Saturday, June 20, 2009, 6 p.m., under the stars at the Zoo. The 39th annual event honors philanthropist and GLAZA Trustee Laura Z. Wasserman for her commitment to animals and celebrates the theme "For the Love of Animals."

Chairing the Beastly Ball are leading entertainment attorney Kenneth Ziffren and GLAZA Trustees Nancy Dennis (a Los Angeles attorney), Kathy Nelson (president, Film Music, Universal Pictures) and Dana Walden (president, Twentieth Century Fox Television). KNBC TV's Fritz Coleman serves as celebrity auctioneer. The fund-raiser marks more than 45 years of GLAZA's success in supporting the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden's work as an educational resource for the citizens of Los Angeles, and as an international center for the conservation of endangered wildlife.

Known as "one of the best parties in Los Angeles" (KCAL TV News), the Beastly Ball is a festive evening for guests, invited to dress in casual or safari attire, as they stroll through the grounds after hours to view Zoo inhabitants. There are animal feedings and "animal walkabouts," which include chats with keepers and the chance to observe small animals up close. Bountiful, delicious fare is provided by some of L.A.'s most popular restaurants, all donating their services, including Bar Celona, Celestino Ristorante, El Cholo, Fabiolus Café, Green Street Restaurant, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, La Poubelle, Maison Akira, Malo, Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, Parkway Grill, Arroyo Chop House, Cafe 140 South, Smitty's Grill, Spitfire Saloon, Smoke House Restaurant, Typhoon, Villa Sorriso and Yamashiro. Entertainment by world music groups and dancing to a live band are all part of the fun.

The Beastly Ball's Silent and Live Auctions include hundreds of remarkable items and one-of-a-kind opportunities. Among the lots sure to incite bidding wars are the "Ultimate Sports Package" (AON Construction Services' private Luxury Suite at the STAPLES Center for a 2009-10 season Clippers game, Kings game, and Lakers game, as well as a baseball game in the firm's suite at Dodger Stadium); a personal tour of the Zoo with rock icon Slash and Ian Recchio, the Zoo's Curator of Reptiles (plus a signed signature top hat and Guitar Hero guitar set from Slash); courtside seats for a Lakers game; an LAPD helicopter ride-along; and a private cocktail party at the Zoo with Betty White.

Celebrity Auctioneer Fritz Coleman, the popular KNBC TV weathercaster, devotes much of his free time to charitable activities and has won a number of awards and honors for his dedication to community service.GLAZA provides support for Los Angeles Zoo exhibits, conservation, capital projects, education programs, community outreach, research, and more through fund-raising and an endowment, membership, special events and more.

GLAZA currently has 65,000 member households, the second largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles. Many of its nearly 300,000 individual members have sustained their GLAZA support for more than 20 years. The Los Angeles Zoo is an international leader in the conservation of endangered species and one of the city's major cultural and entertainment resources.

Tickets to the Beastly Ball are $1,000 per person; individual and corporate sponsorship opportunities at higher levels are also available.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles' Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.

For tickets and information, call (323) 644-4753.