News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
June 15, 2022
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Note: Scroll to bottom of press release to download photos of several of the bands.
   

Brookfield, Ill. — The night is heating up even as the sun goes down as Brookfield Zoo launches its new summer concert series experience – Twilight Tunes, presented by Meijer®. Every Friday and Saturday in July from 6 to 9 p.m., the zoo welcomes guests of all ages for a rockin’ evening filled with live music, enhanced food and drink offerings, animal encounters, and a laser light show to conclude each night. Twilight Tunes features 10 bands that are perfect for everyone, whether its date night, family-night-out, or a friends’ reunion.

The bands take the stage each night at 7 p.m. on the zoo’s East Mall, where zoogoers can lay out on their blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the tunes of the following bands:

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• Friday, July 1 – Hello Weekend is a nonstop, hit after hit, party band. They strive to keep the party dancing with a high-energy sound, a dazzling stage presence, and an overall transfixing performance with hits from Gage to Guns N’ Roses and Bruno Mars to The Beach Boys.

 

• Saturday, July 2 – Trippin Billies is the nation’s most renown, original, and longest-touring tribute to the Dave Matthews Band. Trippin Billies is comprised of some of Chicago’s best musicians who create a concert atmosphere that nails the DMB songs and sound with precision.

 

• Friday, July 8 – ARRA is Chicagoland’s best and largest-drawing classic rock tribute band for over three decades. Crowds can expect all the top smokin’ hits from the very best – ranging from Bon Jovi to Journey – with a perfect blend of vocal harmonies and incredible musicianship that creates an authentic classic rock experience.

 

• Saturday, July 9 – Boy Band Review will transport you back in time to the days of frosted tips and hunky front men with full production lights, choreography, harmonies, and ultimate energy for a tribute to the world’s favorite boy bands. From NSYNC to Backstreet Boys, Jonas Brothers to One Direction, and so many more, these guys deliver the top boy band hits for a performance that will capture your heart.

 

• Friday, July 15 – Sixteen Candles, which was established in 2003, is 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, July 16 – American English is one of the best Beatles tribute stories of our time. At the inception of the band, thousands of Beatle fans at Beatlefest^® voted them “number one” as winners of soundalike contests for three consecutive years. 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 theaters worldwide.

 

• Friday, July 22 – 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 number one songs on the Midwest Billboard Charts.

 

• Saturday, July 23 – Hillbilly Rockstarz is the Midwest’s premier country rockin’ band! With over 14 years of touring, their blend of high-energy country sound with influence from pop, rock, and dance keeps fans on their feet all night long and leaves new listeners asking for more.

 

• Friday, July 29 – Southern Accents is the ultimate tribute experience to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, bringing the timeless melodies, sweet rhythms, and wild rock music of Tom Petty for everyone to fall in love with all over again. Their stage-presence and dedication to matching Petty’s moves and music showcases its original creator through a bold and perfect impression.

 

• Saturday, July 30 – House Party brings to the zoo the club’s hottest tunes that will have the crowd on their feet and partying all night long.

 

Guests can arrive early to meet some of the zoo’s animal ambassadors from 6 to 6:30 p.m. when they make an appearance before the live music begins. Additional animal areas open on the east side of the park include the big cats, Pinniped Point, Hamill Family Wild Encounters, and the underwater viewing area at Seven Seas, which is home to bottlenose dolphins. Also open to zoogoers is the Ice Age Giants trail that features life-sized animatronic re-creations of giants that once roamed North America and Eurasia.

Take a break from dancing and check out the zoo’s food trucks—The Coop and Taco Caja—and other food venues that will be open and offering a wide selection of mouthwatering menu items and beverages available for purchase. (Note, guests may not bring their own alcoholic beverages into the park.)

Twilight Tunes is a limited capacity event and concert tickets are required for everyone, including zoo members. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and over (zoo members receive a $5 discount). Twilight Tunes tickets do not include zoo admission or parking—tickets are valid only for entry to the zoo and the concert area at 6 p.m. or later. Visit CZS.org/TwilightTunes to purchase tickets and for additional information.

   
Photos
Hello Weekend takes the stage at Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 1 (photo credit Hello Weekend)

ARRA performs at Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 8. (photo credit: ARRA)

Boy Band Review takes the stage at Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 9. (photo credit: Boy Band Review)

Sixteen Candles performs at Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 15. (photo credit: Sixteen Candles)

American English, one of the best Beatles tribute bands, will take the stage at Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 16. (photo credit American English)

7th Heaven will have guests on their feet dancing during Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 22. (photo credit: 7th Heaven)

Hillbilly Rockstarz takes the stage at Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 23. (photo Credit: Hillbilly Rockstarz)

Southern Accents, the ultimate tribute experience to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, will perform at Brookfield Zoo's Twilight Tunes on July 29. (photo credit: Southern Accents)

About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. The zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and also is accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, and CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.