ZOO TIME FUN CONTINUES AFTER SUNDOWN WITH MUSICAL FAVORITES & MORE
At Brookfield Zoo, the summer fun is getting hotter when the sun goes down as it gears up for its 6th annual Summer Nights Concerts, presented by Meijer. On Fridays and Saturdays, June 21 through August 10, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. guests of all ages can enjoy a variety of live music, roaming entertainment, as well as enhanced dining experiences, a beer and wine garden, animal encounters and a laser light show that will culminate each evening. Summer Nights Concerts will have something for everyone, whether it’s families, friends, or couples on a date night.
Kicking off each evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. on the zoo’s East Mall will be games and craft activities for children, including giant checkers, hula hoops, bags, and jump roping. In addition, a variety of roaming entertainers, such as juggling acts and magicians, presented by JULIE, Inc., will be on hand. Guests of all ages also can meet several of the zoo’s animal ambassadors from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Then at 7:00 p.m., popular bands of all genres will take the stage. Zoogoers can bring lawn chairs or blankets and relax on the East Mall while taking in the sounds of the following bands:
Friday, June 21 – Cowboy Jukebox is Chicago’s premiere five-piece country rock party band. Playing top 40 country hits of the 90’s and 2000s, they are a country music band for those who love country music or those who aren’t a fan.
Saturday, June 22 – Simply Elton is the over-the-top spectacle of a tribute to the one and only Sir Elton John. Brian Harris brings a never-ending supply of energy, piano virtuosity, spot-on Elton-styled vocals, amazing costuming and crazy stage antics to give audiences everything they expect from an Elton John show.
Friday, June 28 – Sixteen Candles, which was established in 2003, are committed to bringing all the great 1980s songs to life in full force. The five fun-loving bandmates all have a simple passion for the music of years gone by and a mission to fuse nostalgia and style to create a sight and sound spectacular unlike any other.
Saturday, June 29 – The Ron Burgundy’s deliver all your favorite Yacht Rock and softcore hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. They pay tribute to some of the greats including: Toto, Huey Lewis, Kenny Loggins, Fleetwood Mac, and more.
Friday, July 5 – Infinity, which was formed in 1985, grew from being not only a Journey tribute band, but one of the top drawing cover bands in the Midwest. Infinity enjoys thousands of fans young and young at heart, who sing along and become the chorus to their music.
Saturday, July 6 – 7th heaven has not only been the opening act for chart-topping artists such as Bon Jovi, Kid Rock, and Styx, but they have also been chart-toppers with three #1 songs on the Midwest Billboard Charts.
Friday, July 12 – Sin Anestesia is a Latin American rock band that unites in a universal language of rhythm. The group has a mission to transcend world cultures and spread diversity through their music.
Saturday, July 13 – Billy Croft & The Five Alarm is a smokin’ hot country band that offers music from the latest country hits like Keith Urban and Jason Aldean to rock legends like The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt. Their four vocalists and unforgettable rhythm section is likely to leave audiences begging for more.
Friday, July 19 – Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press is a Chicago-born cover band that has been entertaining the masses throughout the Midwest since 2008. Crowds can expect to hear a multitude of favorites from every decade – ranging from Queen to Taylor Swift and even classic Disney songs – this band has something for everyone in its repertoire.
Saturday, July 20 – Mr. Blotto’s 50th Anniversary of Woodstock is Chicago’s original jam band. Mr. Blotto effectively uses the many touchstones of its repertoire as a foundation for seamlessly blurring the line between past and present, and the result is that it brings together multiple generations via its journey across the vast landscape of rock ’n‘ roll’s rich heritage.
Friday, July 26 – Jimmy Buffett Tribute featuring Mr. Meyers will blend a mixture of reggae, soca/calypso and beach music with the lyrics of some of Jimmy Buffett’s biggest hits. The band has an energetic upbeat sound that is likely to thrill audiences old and young whether you consider yourself a Parrot Head or not.
Saturday, July 27 – American English is simply the best Beatles tribute story of our time. At the inception of the band, thousands of Beatles’ fans at Beatlefest® voted them “number one” as winners of soundalike contests for three consecutive years. They have also won Illinois Entertainer of the Year and have been voted Best Tribute Band three of the last four years by their fans in Chicagoland. Their demand here and abroad, coupled with their spectacular fan base, has anchored them into a professional setting and launched them into larger venues and theatres worldwide.
Friday, August 2 – Rumours is the country’s premier Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Based in Atlanta, GA, Rumours captures the energy of Fleetwood Mac at the height of its career by blending perfect harmonies, precise instrumentation, and a visually engaging stage show.
Saturday, August 3 – House Party Night brings to the zoo acclaimed Chicagoland award-winning DJs Joey Figueroa and Julian "Jumpin" Perez who will have the crowd on their feet dancing to old school R&B tunes all night long.
Friday, August 9 – Semple is a Chicago-based band that prides itself on its entertaining combination of musicianship and high energy stage performance. With styles ranging from 70’s rock to modern pop songs and everything in between, everyone is sure to leave happy. Known for their diverse array of medleys that feature bands such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, 70s rock, party songs, and even alternative/punk rock, each show is packed with variety and contrast that takes the audience on a generational tour of music genres. Not to mention, Semple features several of their own original songs in almost every show.
Saturday, August 10 – The Boy Band Night is paying tribute to everything that is boy bands. From N’Sync to the Backstreet Boys and New Kids to Boyz 2 Men, these guys cover all the boy band classics and more.
During Summer Nights Concerts, several animal exhibits and other in-park attractions (some require separate admission) will also be open until 8:30 p.m. These include Butterflies!, The Carousel, Clouded Leopard Rain Forest, Desert’s Edge, Dolphin Underwater Viewing, Hamill Family Wild Encounters, Pinniped Point, The Swamp, and the zoo’s summer exhibit, Brick Safari, presented by Metro by T-Mobile.
Guests who work up an appetite can choose from a wide selection of scrumptious food and beverage items prepared exclusively for Summer Nights Concerts. Restaurants open late during the festivities include the Beer Garden sponsored by Miller Lite, Castaway Grill, South Snacks, and BZ Red Hots. Additionally, alcoholic beverages will be sold at various locations throughout the zoo, but they must remain in designated areas and guests may not bring their own alcoholic beverages into the park.
Summer Nights Concerts is included with the purchase of general admission: $21.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 3 to 11 and seniors 65 and over. Parking is $14. Groups of 20 or more may purchase discounted tickets through Group Sales. Discounted zoo admission tickets may be purchased at any Chicagoland Meijer store.
