Music nights slated at the L.A. Zoo

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) presents a rare opportunity for after-hours visits at three evenings of "MUSIC IN THE ZOO" under the stars, including WORLD MUSIC NIGHT on Friday, July 9, CLASSIC ROCK NIGHT on Friday, July 23, and LOCAL SCENE NIGHT on Friday, August 6, 2010.

World Music Night includes an international array of musicians, Classic Rock Night features cover bands of music by iconic groups ranging from the Beatles to Heart (among others), and Local Scene Night - new this year -- offers a line-up of indie Los Angeles bands. Performances take place throughout the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens while guests view more than a few animals staying up past their bedtimes. Picnics are permitted, and an eclectic array of food and beverages offerings are available. All three evenings are 6 to 9 p.m., with animals seen until 8 p.m.

World Music Night on Friday, July 9 features John Bilezikjian (Middle Eastern), the Marieve Harrington Band (French), Billy Mitchell presents World Music Featuring:Marisa Kosugi (Japanese) and "Cui Cui" Rangel" (Mexican), Incendio (Salsa), Paddy's Pig (Irish), Espino (Latin) and Masanga Marimba (Zimbabwean).

Classic Rock Night on Friday, July 23 spotlights Cubensis (Grateful Dead Tribute Band), The Heist (Music from The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Creedence Clearwater Revival), We Are The Eggmen (Beatles Tribute Band), Bad Animals (Heart Tribute Band), Heartache Tonight (Eagles Tribute Band), On the Rocks (Music from The Rolling Stones, Bad Company and Jimi Hendrix) and David Vito Gregoli & the Moulin Bros. (music from James Taylor, America, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Dan Fogelberg).

Local Scene Night on Friday, August 6 offers music from an all-Los Angeles-band roster of the Happy Hollows, Voxhaul Broadcast, the Useless Keys, The Lonely Wild, Walking Sleep and Slang Chickens.

All three evenings also offer several interactive animal education and conservation stations located throughout the Zoo, each staffed by Zoo Docents and volunteers. World Music Night focuses on international animals, Local Scene Night features animals native to California, and Classic Rock Night combines elements of both.

An eclectic array of food and beverage selections, varying on the three nights, are available at locations throughout the Zoo, including a wine bar, fresh fruit skewers, gourmet cheese skewers, caprese skewers, Washington martinis and mashed potatoes served in martini glasses, L.A. Street Tacos (choice of chicken, carnitas and carne asada) with salsa bar, wild Alaskan salmon, soba noodle salad, Thai beef salad, Angus beef, Cajun chicken sliders, barbequed pulled pork and chicken sandwiches with cole slaw and fresh local corn on the cob, chicken satay with a crunchy Thai peanut sauce, and cucumber salad with cilantro and julienne carrots served with jasmine rice. Offered also on Local Scene Night are three kinds of "L.A. Street Dogs": Mexican style bacon-wrapped hot dogs with sautéed peppers, onion and jalapenos; Vienna hot dogs with African wild dog barbeque sauce; and Chicago style hot dogs on a poppy seed bun with chopped onion, and tomato; and chili dogs.

"Music in the Zoo" is one of many programs presented by the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, founded in 1963. For more than four decades, GLAZA has successfully supported the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. As a major cultural and entertainment resource for Southern California, the Zoo is a place of beauty and inspiration and a catalyst for discovery of the natural world for children of all ages. GLAZA funds Los Angeles Zoo exhibits, plant and animal species conservation, capital projects, and education and community outreach programs. GLAZA currently has 69,000 member households, the largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles, and boasts a volunteer corps of over 900.

Admission to "Music in the Zoo" for GLAZA members is $12:50 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 6 to 15. Admission for non-members is $16.50 for adults and $10.50 for children ages 6 to 15. Children 5 and under are free. The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Tickets for "Music in the Zoo" may be purchased at the Zoo or in advance by phone at (323) 644-6042 or online at http://www.lazoo.org/mitz/.