Amplifier

23.01.08

Auckland Zoo's Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic series is back for summer 2008 serving up six sensational 'concerts for conservation' from 20 January - 29 February (6pm – 9pm).
Evermore, Liam Finn, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Hollie Smith, The Phoenix Foundation, and Katchafire make up the 2008 season's talented six-pack in this, the fifth ZooMusic series for the zoo.

All six concerts will feature top support acts, and will each support a specific conservation project – giving music lovers the opportunity to enjoy New Zealand's hottest musical talents, while at the same time helping some of the planet's most endangered animals. Last year the series (five concerts) raised over $25,000 for conservation projects. With the community's support, the zoo is aiming to better that this summer..

One dollar from every ticket sold will go directly to the conservation project, along with donations made on the night, and a percentage of net profit. "We have chosen six vital projects to support this year,and we hope that this incredible line-up will help us make some difference in the field," says Auckland Zoo event co-ordinator, Jackie Sanders.

Sponsors Wild Bean Cafe are back for a second season, and delighted to be part of this unique series:

"Where else can you bring along your picnic basket and settle down for a night of top quality music performed alongside the elephants, lions and tigers," says Wild Bean Cafe marketing manager, Kate Capernaros.

"The crowds that come along have the enjoyment of seeing some of New Zealand's finest musicians perform in a lush, family-friendly location, and we get the opportunity to help the zoo to generate support for some major local and international conservation projects," says Kate.

Multi award winning Evermore will be first up on Sunday 20 January and will be helping to support 'Ark in the Park' – a Forest & Bird/Auckland Regional Council partnership working to create a 2000ha pest-free open sanctuary in the Waitakere Ranges.

Rising star Liam Finn, named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of 10 artists to watch in 2008, entertains on Friday 1 February and helps raise funds for a Wildlife Protection Unit in Sumatra's Bukit Tigapuluh National Park – home to endangered orang utan, rhino, tigers, and a multitude of other wildlife.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performs on Saturday 2 February. A New Zealand treasure, this world-class 38-piece orchestra brings an exciting new dimension to the series, and will assisting another Kiwi treasure , Maui's dolphin. The hugely talented soulful singer-songwriter Hollie Smith will woo you on Saturday 9 February, and help raise funds for 21st Century Tiger.

Outstanding Indie band, The Phoenix Foundation take centre-stage on Sunday 17 February, to help the Asian Rhino Project. The grand finale will be Katchafire, one of the leading reggae bands in New Zealand, on Friday 29 February. Leap in to this one, and you'll be helping our endangered native frogs!

Your ZooMusic ticket is also your entry, so come early and explore the zoo! Please be aware the band rotunda area will be closed off in the afternoon for set-up..

For more details, including soon-to-be-announced support acts, and how to order a picnic hamper, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz  Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic 'concerts for conservation' series 2008, in association with Juice TV, The Radio Network, Monkey Bay wines, MusicWorks, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, and Vidcom. Tickets available from Ticketmaster and Auckland Zoo.

Concerts for Conservation:

• Liam Finn: Friday 1 Feb, supporting Wildlife Protection Unit in Sumatra's Bukit Tigapuluh National Park

• New Zealand Symphony Orchestra : Saturday 2 Feb, supporting Maui's Dolphins (

update 24/01 - this show is now postponed, new date announced early Feb, current ticket holders tickets are valid for the new show or you can apply for a refund; details at www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

• Hollie Smith: Saturday 9 Feb, supporting 21st Century Tiger, Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra

• The Phoenix Foundation: Sunday 17 Feb, supporting Asian Rhino

• Katchafire: Friday 29 Feb, supporting native frog recovery.


ABOUT AUCKLAND ZOO

Auckland Zoo is an enterprise of Auckland City Council. It is home to the largest collection of native and exotic wildlife species in New Zealand (over 1300 animals and 179 species) and attracts over half a million visitors annually. It is becoming increasingly well known nationally and internationally through the award-winning television programme, 'The Zoo'. At the heart of all Auckland Zoo's work and activities is its mission: "to focus the Zoo's resources to benefit conservation and provide exciting visitor experiences which inspire and empower people to take positive action for wildlife and the environment". Auckland Zoo is a member of both the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks & Aquaria (ARAZPA) and the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA).