Safari Nights Concert Series starts in June at the Dallas Zoo.
Dallas Zoo's New Safari Nights Concert Series Offers Live Music Under the Stars
Submitted by Laurie Holloway, Dallas Zoo
Saturday nights will sizzle this summer at the Dallas Zoo, where the new Safari Nights evening concert series will feature great music, extended hours and a chance to mingle with some of the stars of the Zoo.
Safari Nights, presented by Texas Instruments, kicks off June 8 and runs for eight consecutive Saturdays. Visitors can explore the Zoo during the day, then relax on a blanket or lawn chair on shady Cat Green and embrace the sounds of original songwriters and tribute bands until 9 p.m. Stars from the Zoo's Animal Adventures outreach program will be on hand to visit, too.
The concerts are free with the price of Zoo admission and begin at 7 p.m. Food will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks, cold beer and wine.
The summer concert lineup, arranged through a partnership with The Kessler in Oak Cliff, includes:
June 8: Bruce in the USA (Bruce Springsteen tribute)
June 15: Petty Theft (Tom Petty tribute)
June 22: Hard Night’s Day (Beatles tribute)
June 29: Trout Fishing in America (folk rock/children’s music)
July 6: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones tribute)
July 13: A1A Live (Jimmy Buffett tribute)
July 20: The Killdares (Celtic rock)
July 27: Sara Hickman (noted singer/songwriter)
Sara Hickman is an acclaimed singer/songwriter who was named the Official State Musician of Texas in 2010, an honor previously won by Willie Nelson. The 2011 album “The Best of Times” featured 30 Texas musicians recording her songs, including such breakout acts as Nelson, Shawn Colvin, Edie Brickell and Ruthie Foster.
The musical duo known as Trout Fishing in America has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, in addition to winning three National Indie Awards and numerous Parents Choice awards.
The Safari Nights tribute bands are popular Dallas favorites, drawing big crowds at every performance with their spot-on renditions of hits by superstars such as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimmy Buffett.
And The Killdares combine sizzling fiddles and bagpipes with electric guitar, bass and drums to create an alternative Celtic rock sound that’s unique and energizing.
The gates open Saturdays at 9 a.m., with the concerts ending at 9 p.m. Regular season admission is $12 for ages 12-64; $9 for ages 3-11 and those 65 and above; and free for ages 2 and younger. As always, Dallas Zoo members get free admission. Visitors are encouraged to take the DART to the Zoo stop to avoid traffic and parking fees.
About the Dallas Zoo: The Dallas Zoo, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is the largest zoological experience in Texas featuring a 106-acre park, thousands of animals, and an education department that offers programs for all ages. The official airline of the Dallas Zoo is American Airlines. The Zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35 at Marsalis). High season admission is $15 for ages 12-64, $12 for ages 3-11, $12 for ages 65 and above, and free for ages 2 and younger and Dallas Zoological Society (DZS) members. Regular season admission is $12 for ages 12-64, $9 for ages 3-11, $9 for ages 65 and above, and free for ages 2 and younger and DZS members. The Zoo is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Dallas Zoo or call 469.554.7500.