BUGFEST 2007

Everyone’s invited to the El Paso Zoo’s
Back-to-School BUGFEST 2007
August 4-5, 2007
Bugfest Activities: 11:00 - 3:00 
Live Music 10:00 – 5:00 on Both Days (See Schedule Below)

This year's Back-to-School “BUGFEST 2007” has fun for the kids and music to appeal to the grownups. We’re breaking out the bugs and letting you see them UP CLOSE at the best place to bug out before school starts – The El Paso Zoo!

(Take a photo in our scorpion cutout)

Bring your camera for pictures with Insect Man or just pose like a scorpion in our giant cut-out seen above, then stop by to see huge, hissing Madagascar Cockroaches or Emperor Scorpions, even some squirmy meal worms.

(Bugs under black light – very cool!)

(See bugs UP-CLOSE!)

Kids can get up-close to tarantulas and other spiders. Did we say ick?

(Even EPZ Keeper Bob Gable gets in the bug groove!)

 There will be the all-time favorite “Bug Races,” along with a life-size maze for your kids to explore on their own…like little bugs! (Shhh, we have secretly disguised educational activities for your children as great, fun experiences!)

(Learning experiences for kids!)

Visit the Cisneros Paraje to touch our “Traveling Safari” animals during interaction times, see the great bug computer presentation, and later you can also Take Action to save animals in the wild at our conservation “Take Action” stations. Or watch the Zoo’s daily educational Asian Elephant demonstration – at Noon.

It’s not just bugs….check out some of El Paso's favorite Zoo animals - the sea lions; Sunny, Sushi, Coco & Cleo. Kids can experience the wonder and fun of the World of the Sea Lion show at 10:45, 2:30 & 3:00 (Spanish language). And pick up your handy pocket-sized "Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Card" to help you make smart consumer choices when grocery shopping to contribute to ocean conservation

During our Safari Rama Game Show, you can even win passes* for a screening of the new movie ARCTIC TALE for a showing on August 15, 7:30 pm at Cinemark El Paso 14. (*Details on the ticket)  The movie is coming out in theatres on August 17th. Arctic Tale: Two narratives -- the life cycle of a mother walrus and her calf, and the life of a polar bear and her cubs -- are used to illustrate the harsh realities of existence in the Arctic.

BUGFEST DAY EVENTS SCHEDULE:

All Day: 11:00 - 3:00pm
Roach Races – Education Trailer Area
Bug Computer Presentation –Paraje

MUSIC PERFORMERS: We think the El Paso Zoo is the perfect venue to listen to some music. And stay-tuned in the future, as we will continue to bring you quality musical entertainment for adult ears along with our great kids educational events.
During EPZ’s Bugfest 2007 – We invite you to come to the Zoo to hear the cool sounds of jazz from Billy Townes, or the classics by New Impressions Trio or dance to the hip Rock-a-billy group Raw Deal. Musician Aquelas Valdaz will perform classical and favorite guitar selections. The U.S. Army’s 108th Army Band out of Arizona will also be coming into El Paso to enlist our enthusiasm!

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, August  4th, 2007

Sunday, August 5th, 2007 

GROUP BACKGROUND INFO:
Raw Deal: Back again after their much applauded performance at the Zoo’s  Habitat for Wildlife Weekend. We like them so much – we asked for more!
Raw Deal brings the swinging music of the 50's to the Zoo. Bop till you drop with the Rockabilly sounds made popular in Los Angeles and moving its way into the El Paso music scene! And the Orangutans weren’t the only ones swinging out at the Zoo! Bring your dancing shoes to cut a rug!

108th Army Band, Arizona National Guard:  As they say “Bring in the band!” And we’ve invited the 108th to rock out at the Zoo. We salute our military and are honored to have the esteemed 108th coming to the EPZ to perform. Like all other National Guard units, the membership of the 108th Army Band is made up of citizen soldiers. Unlike other National Guard units, the band's primary responsibility is to promote morale and provide music for the troops. The 108th Army Band performs a mixture of the traditional, and the contemporary.  From the thrill of a rousing military march to the lilt of folk tunes or to the driving beat of today's rock. 

“Thank you for all of your diligent work to publicize our Ft. Bliss music tour.  We depend upon your publicity on our behalf to spread the word about our performances.  This is especially true this year when we are performing far from our home base.  The band is working hard to make sure that our programs will be up to the standards of the 62nd Army Band that we are replacing.  Our goal is to not only provide entertainment with a patriotic emphasis but also to honor those who have and are serving in the defense of our country.” – 108th Army Band   Website: 108tharmyband.org

Classical Guitarist Aquelas Valdaz:  Aquelas Valdaz brings the tradition of Mexico to America in his melodious music to combine cultures with a classical flair. From contemporary to flamenco guitar, he is sure to please all our Zoo guests. He comes to the El Paso Zoo highly recommended by La Guitarra School of Music and guitarist Mario Otero – who just shot his CD cover here at the Zoo!

New Impressions Trio:  Musician Curt Warren, a UTEP professor, is ready to begin class in the School of Jazz! When he’s not molding young minds at UTEP or performing at the Zoo, he is one of 3 musicians in the group: New Impressions Trio; a Jazz group dedicated to breathing new life into rarely-played classics. We want to credit all the members of the Quartet group – just so you know who they are! Jazz School is in Session!

Curt Warren - guitar.
Erik Unsworth - string bass.
Ricky Malichi - drums.

For more info, please visit: newimpressionsquartet.com or see their write-up on: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/niq

Billy Townes: Billy Townes is a well-known and well-respected musician in El Paso, appealing to jazz lovers young and old. His new debut CD Noteworks features the incredible talents of guitarist Steve Marquez, trumpeter Mike Middleton, bassist Curt Bushaw, and Townes as pianist and producer. The CD is filled with classic traditional and contemporary jazz standards from legendary jazz artists such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Pat Metheny, Sonny Rollins, and Wayne Shorter. Since their debut in 2006, Noteworks has been and continues to be dedicated to creating jazz music with fresh, new twists!

 

Keep checking this page to see what other live entertainment and fun is scheduled. Bring your El Paso Zoological Society Membership card because Zoo Members get in Free for this event. We hope to see you for Bugfest 2007!
Your Adventure is waiting!

El Paso Zoo: Everyday, we hope to inspire zoo visitors to learn, care and act to save animals and their habitats through leadership and conservation. The El Paso Zoo serves as a regional center for affordable family fun, formal and informal education, and conservation efforts for wildlife and their natural habitat. The Zoo serves nearly 300,000 visitors annually from El Paso, New Mexico, and the Borderland area.

El Paso Zoo opens daily at 9:30am. Tickets are sold until 4:00pm, Grounds close at 4:30pm. Saturday & Sunday: hours are 9:30-5:00, Grounds close at 5:30pm.

Admission $5; $4(ages 62+); $3(ages 3-12), Zoo Members & kids under 2 get in for FREE. Military Discounts. Zoo Memberships: 532-8156.
El Paso Zoo: 4001 E. Paisano: 521-1850