The 2012 Summer concert series at the Santa Ana Zoo is coming!
The Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo are proud to present the 2012 "Blues at the Zoo" and "Sunset at the Zoo" summer concerts!
"Blues at the Zoo"
The "Blues at the Zoo" series will return to the Zoo with great performances of Americana and vintage Blues out on the lawn in the front of the Zoo.
Explore the Zoo, see some cool animals and maybe catch an animal show, feed a few goats and sheep, ride the Zoofari Express train and the Conservation Carrousel,
then relax on the lawn for a Sunday afternoon Blues jam. Bring a
folding chair or blanket and pick a spot to hang out and see the show.
"Blues at the Zoo" concerts are from 2:00pm - 4:00pm
"Blues at the Zoo" concerts are from 2:00pm - 4:00pm
June 10 - Bernie Pearl
The Blues is life itself to Bernie Pearl. A guitarist with an upbeat, finger-poppin' picking style he learned at the elbows of bluesmasters Sam 'Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi Fred MacDowell, as well as with Freddie King, Albert Collins, and Big Mama Thornton. Bernie played duets with John Lee Hooker at Gerde's Folk City in Greenwich Village.
Bernie will be doing an acoustic set of classic Blues, and bassist Mike Barry will be joining him for this show.
The Blues is life itself to Bernie Pearl. A guitarist with an upbeat, finger-poppin' picking style he learned at the elbows of bluesmasters Sam 'Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi Fred MacDowell, as well as with Freddie King, Albert Collins, and Big Mama Thornton. Bernie played duets with John Lee Hooker at Gerde's Folk City in Greenwich Village.
Bernie will be doing an acoustic set of classic Blues, and bassist Mike Barry will be joining him for this show.
June 24 - Babylon Blues
Babylon Blues performs Vintage, Chicago, and Delta Blues.
The band features Willie "RoughHouse" Hernandez on Vocals & Harp, Phil "T-Bird" Terrones on Guitars, Paul "the Painter" Dominguez on Bass, Brent Barnum on Drums, and Johnny Bjorge at the Keyboards.
July 15 - The Moneymaker$
Babylon Blues performs Vintage, Chicago, and Delta Blues.
The band features Willie "RoughHouse" Hernandez on Vocals & Harp, Phil "T-Bird" Terrones on Guitars, Paul "the Painter" Dominguez on Bass, Brent Barnum on Drums, and Johnny Bjorge at the Keyboards.
July 15 - The Moneymaker$
The Moneymaker$ combine old school blues and a little electric guitar for something a little fresh. The band is Jason Stanphill - Lead Guitar/ Lead Vocals, Kirk Bailey - Bass Guitar/ Vocals, and Santino Ramos on Drums and Vocals.
The "Blues at the Zoo" concerts are included with your regular Zoo admission, and are sponsored by Knowlwoods Cafe at the Zoo.
The "Sunset at the Zoo"
series is one of the most unique concert events in Orange County.
Bring a comfy chair or blanket and pack a picnic supper to come enjoy
great music on the lawn. This is not just a concert, though.
In addition to the show, select galleries from the artist districts in Santa Ana and around Orange County will be there showcasing some of their work. Meet and greet the artists as you walk the party area. They'll be there to give a little taste of what you might see at one of the district art walks.
The Zoo grounds will be open for you to go exploring, and see the animals at a time when most of the public doesn't get to enjoy them. Animals are also brought out and circulated throughout the show grounds. There is a separate kids area with crafts and other fun stuff. We'll bring lemonade and other treats for everyone.
In addition to the show, select galleries from the artist districts in Santa Ana and around Orange County will be there showcasing some of their work. Meet and greet the artists as you walk the party area. They'll be there to give a little taste of what you might see at one of the district art walks.
The Zoo grounds will be open for you to go exploring, and see the animals at a time when most of the public doesn't get to enjoy them. Animals are also brought out and circulated throughout the show grounds. There is a separate kids area with crafts and other fun stuff. We'll bring lemonade and other treats for everyone.
June 10 - The Crazy Boots Band with special guest Chris Luna.
Kick up your heels on a Sunday afternoon at the Zoo and two step to the beat of the Crazy Boots Band.
They're a little bit country, and a little bit rock and roll, and
there's a special surprise in store as Chris Luna joins them onstage for
one of the coolest shows ever.
The June 10 show will also have a special "Brew at the Zoo" tasting event with Old Orange Brewing Company. For a small donation to the Zoo, sample local handmade craft beers.
June 24 - The Mighty Mojo Prophets
Rip Cat Records recording artists The Mighty Mojo Prophets have just released their first label CD, and they're heading to Memphis for the Blues Music Awards where they were nominated for the "Best New Album Debut". The Mojo Prophets will be coming back to the Zoo to show Orange County what the Blues and Jump Swing are all about.
The June 24 show will also have a special "South of the Border" tasting event with Alquimia Tequila . For a small donation to the Zoo, sample award winning USDA Certified Organic Tequila.
July 15 - The Fabulous Peggie Perkins
A perennial favorite here at the Zoo, Peggie Perkins brings a mix of standards, jazz, and classics. Every one of Peggie's concerts is fronted with an an a-list band and is an interactive experience that'll have you tapping your toes, singing along, or dancing in the aisles.
For this show the band features Grammy nominated Keyboardist Llew Matthews, Mark Visher on the Saxophone, and Jimmy Ford on the Drums.
Check out a Vodka tasting at this show. For a small donation to the Zoo, sample award winning, handmade in the USA Vodka from Tito's Vodka.
Big cool fun for a Sunday afternoon at the Zoo!
During this show, ride the Zoofari Express train around and take a spin on the Conservation Carousel, and with a $3 wristband it's all the rides you can handle. Check out a very special silent auction, where all proceeds go to benefit the animals.
The "Sunset at the Zoo" shows are a separate after-hours event after the Zoo is closed to the public.
Admission for this show is $10, $5 for Zoo members, and free to SAZOO Club members.
All proceeds from these shows go to the Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo (a 501c3 nonprofit) and stay right here in the Zoo for new animals and exhibits, animal enrichment, Zoo programs, and other Zoo improvements.
All proceeds from these shows go to the Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo (a 501c3 nonprofit) and stay right here in the Zoo for new animals and exhibits, animal enrichment, Zoo programs, and other Zoo improvements.
"Sunset at the Zoo" is Sponsored by:
The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is located at 1801 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA, 92701 (conveniently located just off the 5 fwy)
Save the dates now for these "Blues at the Zoo" and "Sunset at the Zoo" shows:
Sunday, June 10
"Blues at the Zoo" 2-4 pm, featuring Bernie Pearl
"Sunset at the Zoo" 5:30-7:30 pm featuring
The Crazy Boots Band with special guest Chris Luna
Sunday, June 24
"Blues at the Zoo" 2-4 pm, featuring Babylon Blues
"Sunset at the Zoo" 5:30-7:30 pm featuring
The Mighty Mojo Prophets
The Mighty Mojo Prophets
Sunday, July 15
"Blues at the Zoo" 2-4 pm, featuring The Moneymaker$
"Sunset at the Zoo" 5:30-7:30 pm featuring
Peggie Perkins and her All Star Band
Peggie Perkins and her All Star Band
The Santa Ana Zoo... Home of the 50 Monkeys!
For info on the Santa Ana Zoo, events, membership, and more, see our website at
Frank Thurston
