Lions, tigers, bears, oh my – and music too. That’s the Los Angeles Zoo’s Roaring Nights summer music series.
At the second of four evening events for ages 18 and up, it was country music that had a friendly, lively crowd dancing. Performers covered the best in country hits, and line dancing lessons were also on tap. Bands included Highway Starr, Grant Langston and the Supermodels, Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band, and South Bay Country.
Even the elephants were having a good time. The Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band (above) was within range of those elephant ears, and we saw one elephant swaying pleasureably.
The reptile exhibits at the zoo were open and fascinating, from frogs to snakes to lizards, it was great to see some of these jewel-colored creatures up close and personal without the daytime crowds.
Fish and sea turtles were on display too.
Some of these creatures are descended from dinosaurs…which leads us to the wonderfully realistic, life-size, Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo. With evening lighting adding to the dramatic appeal, these animatronic wonders made an exciting evening stroll.
And it wasn’t all just fun and games, we learned some dinosaur facts, too – for example, some were feathered (above).
Hatchlings above, what could be Survivor Dinosaur Island, below.
Above, the gentle Edmontonia.
Above, guests were treated to a surprising water spray greeting by the Dilophosaurus.
Citipati above, looks a bit like an ostrich.
Not your ordinary T-Rex standing stationary, here, the carnivores were slashing at the plant-eaters, viewers were treated to a startling spray of water from the mouths of some of these amazing creatures, baby dinos were hatching, and a fossil “dig” allowed participants to comb the sand and discover fossils just like the scientists do (below).
What a pleasure to tour that exhibit and wander the entire zoo at dusk and once the sun was fully down – with our LA heatwave, the zoo’s cool temps were just as inviting as the cool program itself.
But wait, there was more, a painting station that provided the materials needed to create images of participants’ favorite animals…
a game area with board games, pop-up zookeeper talks, and plenty of well-placed food trucks and full service bars. Grilled Cheese Truck? Rice Balls of Fire?
The exotic pleasure of hearing animals stirring, calling, and yes, roaring; the magical dinosaur exhibition, the live music located throughout the zoo, the drinks and dining, the beautifully lit landscaping – Roaring Nights is hands down (and paws down, too) more fun than any dance club in town.
A live indie sound replaces Texas twang on Friday August 26th, when the zoo serves up another Roaring Night of fun with music from Black Crystal Wolf Kids, Well Hung Heart, FifthLaw and DJ Steve Prior. Go wild!
- Genie Davis, photos: Jack Burke
