7 February 2007

The Black Seeds take the Dojo to the Zoo

The Black Seeds are set to have you grooving and moving when they take to the stage for Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic on Sunday, 18 February from 6pm to 9pm.

As one of New Zealand’s most popular live acts, The Black Seeds have been playing to sell-out crowds across the country and look set for another legendary live performance at Auckland Zoo. Their unique blend of reggae, dub, funk and soul has been winning over fans since the band formed in 1997, and their latest CD Into the Dojo (2006) spent five consecutive weeks in the number one spot on the album chart and achieved platinum sales. One Million Dollars, an Auckland-based soul collective, will support the Black Seeds.

Already animal lovers – a giraffe appears on the cover of Into the Dojo – their concert is supporting the plight of the Sumatran orangutan, a cause they are fully behind. ''We loved the gig last year and are really looking forward to playing it again. It’s great to play a show that’s a bit different by playing in a rotunda at the zoo, and at the same time being able to help out and bring awareness to endangered animals like the Sumatran orangutan. We're playing for the animals.”

All concerts in the Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic series (21 January to 24 February) support vital conservation projects, designed to boost awareness about endangered animals, and provide financial support. Orangutans are a critically endangered species, with only an estimated 7000 remaining Without urgent assistance, they face extinction in less than 10 years. Auckland Zoo supports the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP), which works to ensure the survival of this great ape through public education, habitat protection, improving law enforcement, and research.

Supporting The Black Seeds is One Million Dollars. This high-energy Auckland-based group draw their influences from 70s soul, funk and samba, and the result is a unique sound. One Million Dollars will perform at the band rotunda from 6pm to 7pm, before The Black Seeds take the stage at 7.30pm.

Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic tickets can be pre-purchased at the zoo or through Ticketek (phone 307 5000, www.ticketek.co.nz. Service fees will apply). With a sell-out crowd expected, we recommend advance booking. Tickets: Adults $25, Children (4 – 15years) $10, and $60 for family pass (two adults, two children). Bookings of 10 people or more receive a 10 percent discount.

Your ZooMusic ticket is also your entry to the zoo – so come early to explore the zoo and check out your favourite animals. Please be aware the Band Rotunda area will be closed off in the afternoon to enable safe production set-up, and there will be bag checks on entry to the zoo.

Picnic hampers can be pre-ordered a delicious hamper from Darwin's Cafe. Prices start at just $20. Phone Darwin's Cafe on 360 5261. Limited edition ZooMusic tee shirts also available at Wild Zone gift shop. Visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nzfor more details.

Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic twilight concert series 2007, in association with Juice TV, MusicWorks, The Radio Network and Gordon’s Gin & Tonic; from 21 January to 24 February, 6pm to 9pm.

KEY DATES:
CONCERT ARTIST CONSERVATION PROJECT
Sun 18 Feb (6pm - 9pm) The Black Seeds Sumatran Orangutan
Conservation Project (Orangutan)

Sat 24 Feb (6pm - 9pm) Anika Moa BNZ Save the Kiwi’s Operation Nest

Egg
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Notes to the editor

The key threats to the survival of the orangutan, both in Sumatra and Borneo, are illegal logging and the clearing of rainforests for palm oil plantations, resulting in the loss of habitat. Orangutans are a “keystone” species for conservation; they play an important part in the forest's regeneration through the fruits and seeds they eat. To date, the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund has contributed over $30,000 to the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP), with support ongoing. To find out more about SOCP, visit www.sumatranorangutan.org

For further information, please contact

Jane Healy, Comms & PR Co-ordinator. Phone (09) 360-3804 or 027 291 9773

OR

Abi Smith, PR Assistant. Phone (09) 360 4872

ABOUT AUCKLAND ZOO
Auckland Zoo is an enterprise of Auckland City. It is home to the largest collection of native and exotic wildlife species in New Zealand (over 1900 animals and 200 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).

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