OREGON ZOO NEWS

B-52S BRING SOARING HAIRDOS, HARMONIES BACK TO OREGON ZOO
The B-52s return to the summer concert series August 13

PORTLAND, Ore. –– Since putting Athens, Ga., on the map in the late ’70s, the B-52s have gone on to inspire whole new generations with their new-wave party rock.The dynamic group, known for cheeky lyrics and groovy dance-rock beats, will once again storm the Oregon Zoo
stage August 13 as part of the summer concert series, presented by Northwest Natural.

“This was, without a doubt, one of our best shows last summer. It sold out quickly and almost everyone was on their feet from the moment the B-52s hit the spotlights until the electric finale,” said Krista Swan, zoo events coordinator. “One of the best parts about the zoo’s concert series is the dance floor right next to the stage, concertgoers are able to groove through the night just a few feet away from their favorite bands.”

The B-52s’ first single, “Rock Lobster,” became an underground sensation in 1978 and was included on the band’s self-titled debut album the following year. After several more hit albums, the band achieved its biggest commercial success on 1989’s “Cosmic Thing,” which
spawned their signature smash “Love Shack,” as well as hits like “Roam” and “Deadbeat Club.” 2008’s “Funplex,” the B-52s’ first full-length studio album in 16 years, featured beefier guitars and sleeker electronics but maintained the clever lyrics and danceable party-rock sounds that first brought them stardom in 1979. The legendary band’s return to the spotlight amazed critics and fans alike.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have the B-52s back at our summer concert series,” Swan said. “Last year’s concert was an absolute blast, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this year’s is even better!”

Tickets for the B-52s can be purchased at the Oregon Zoo for $27 each. Tickets can also be purchased (with service charge) at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, online at Ticketmaster.com
and by phone at 800-745-3000. For more information on the concert schedule, to read artists’ biographies or purchase tickets, please visit www.oregonzoo.org/Concerts/index.htm.

Among the other popular acts set to play the zoo this summer are: reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff (July 23), U.K. jazz wunderkind Jamie Cullum (July 25), rock ’n’ roll legend Levon Helm (Aug. 8), heartthrob crooner Chris Isaak (Aug. 14), folk-rock duo the Swell Season (Aug. 20), hometown heroes Pink Martini (Aug. 26 and 27), Garrison Keillor’s long-running live variety show “A Prairie Home Companion” (Aug 28) and 1980s pop icon Cyndi Lauper (Sept. 1).The Oregon Zoo has brought outdoor music to Portland for more than 30 years. In 1979, the zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a summer concert series. Since then, the series has become one of the top outdoor events in the Northwest, and is the region’s longest continuously running outdoor series.

The zoo’s summer concert series is presented by NW Natural with support from KINK.fm, KATU, The Oregonian, and Portland Monthly Magazine. It features more than 15 performances from June to September.

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission of inspiring the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington’s pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid’s lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.

The zoo opens at 8 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. Visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.

General admission is $10.50 (ages 12-64), $9 for seniors (65 and up), $7.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo’s Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $2 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.

OREGON ZOO SUMMER CONCERTS
Presented by NW Natural With support from KINK.fm, KATU, the Oregonian and Portland Monthly magazine

July 7 Carolina Chocolate Drops and Konono N°1   $14.
July 14 Caravan Palace     $12
July 21 Bassekou Kouyate   $11.50
July 23 Jimmy Cliff with Trevor Hall $24
July 25 Jamie Cullum with Gin Wigmore   $22
July 28 Great Big Sea   $12.50
Aug. 4 Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys    $11
Aug. 8 The Levon Helm Band with Joe Pug   $24
Aug. 11 Leroy Bell and His Only Friends    $10.50 with Tahoe Jackson & the Trojan 7
Aug. 13 The B-52s     $27
Aug. 14 Chris Isaak   $37.50
Aug. 18 The Quebe Sisters Band $10.50
Aug. 20 The Swell Season with Black Francis     $24
Aug. 26 Pink Martini     $32
Aug. 27 Pink Martini     $32
Aug. 28 A Prairie Home Companion     $39.50
Sept. 1 Cyndi Lauper   $27

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Oregon Zoo ¨ 4001 SW Canyon Rd. ¨ Portland, Oregon 97221 ¨ 503-226-1561