Whitney Zoo-To-Do Lights up the Night
Celebrating the Restoration of Audubon Zoo's Tropical Bird House
The adults-only, black-tie event features a mouth-watering array of cuisine from 70 of the city's most famous eateries and more than 60 specialty and full-service bars serving premium cocktails.
Tickets are going fast for the annual Whitney Zoo-To-Do, New Orleans' premier philanthropic event and the fantastic party that everyone wants to attend.
Elegant and unique, the celebration on Friday, May 6, is much more than a fundraiser, offering guests a memorable evening of people watching, fine dining and dancing on the picturesque grounds of Audubon Zoo. General admission begins at 8 p.m. and the party goes until midnight.
"Whitney Bank is very proud to partner with Audubon Nature Institute to present the 2016 Whitney Zoo-To-Do. The funds raised in support of the event continuously help underwrite new and necessary enhancements to Audubon Zoo for locals and tourists to enjoy. The focus of this year's Whitney Zoo-To-Do fundraiser is the restoration of the Tropical Bird House.''
The adults-only, black-tie event features a mouth-watering array of cuisine from 70 of the city's most famous eateries and more than 60 specialty and full-service bars serving premium cocktails.
Decked out for Whitney Zoo-To-Do, Audubon Zoo has a different vibe at night, with starry lights twinkling from ancient oak trees and sparkling decorations transforming the grounds into a magical, moonlit wonderland, setting a romantic and inviting mood. The champagne starts flowing before guests even enter the front gate and the fun continues deep into the night.
Emerald City and its high-energy dance show will provide the headline entertainment on the Capital One Stage thanks to the generosity of the Headline Entertainment sponsor, Chevron Gulf of Mexico Business Unit.
Al "Lil Fats'' Jackson will precede Emerald City on the Capital One Stage. Other performers include the Treme Brass Band in Cooper Plaza and the Uptown String Quartet at the front gate.
The Whitney Zoo-To-Do Silent Auction features "staycations,'' recreation packages, gorgeous jewelry, dining experiences and much more. Bidders do not have to attend to participate. Online bidding for more than 75 items goes live on Friday, April 22. The online auction will stay open until Sunday, May 8.
In this festive atmosphere, guests can take a chance on the 2016 Zoo-To-Do Luxury Vehicle Raffle that features a 2016 Lexus ES350 worth $39,195 generously donated by LEXUS of New Orleans. Tickets are $100 each, and a limit of 1,000 will be sold. One lucky winner - who will be announced from the stage just before the main act begins - is guaranteed and the ticket-holder need not be present to win.
The Sponsor and Patron Parties begin at 7 p.m. Sponsors receive exclusive admission to the air-conditioned Audubon Tea Room, Garden Tent and Patron Lounge where they can sample "Peacock Punch,'' the specialty cocktail for the 2016 Whitney Zoo-To-Do. Patrons receive admission to the Patron Lounge and Patio where they can mingle while enjoying a private view of the Capital One Stage.
Tickets begin as low as $110 for young Audubon members aged 21 to 35, $155 for Audubon members over the age of 35 and $175 for non-members. Tickets are limited and will not be sold at the gate on the night of the event.
To purchase tickets, visit Audubon Zoo ticket booths (during normal operating hours), call the Zoo-To-Do office at 504-861-6160 or click here. Online ticket sales will continue up until 7 p.m. on May 6, the day of the event.
Audubon Zoo, located at 6500 Magazine St., will be closed on Friday, May 6 to prepare for Whitney Zoo-To-Do. Parking is free and available in the Audubon Zoo parking lot.
Tickets are also on sale for Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Tulane Pediatrics, New Orleans' premier benefit event for kids, on the evening of Friday, April 29. Zoo-To-Do for Kids transforms Audubon Zoo into a magical play land filled with giant inflatables, live entertainment and food and drinks.
Click here to purchase Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Tulane Pediatrics tickets. Audubon Zoo will close at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 29 to prepare for the event.
All this party fun has a purpose. Combined, the two Zoo-To-Do events generate more than $1 million annually for world-class Audubon Zoo projects. This year the spotlight is on the soon-to-be-restored Tropical Bird House. In the past, Zoo-To-Do events have celebrated the refurbished Cooper Plaza and the new orangutan habitat.
Visit the Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Tulane Pediatrics photo gallery and the Whitney Zoo-To-Do photo gallery on Flickr.