Tina and Jewel at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s Preview “Vegetarian Feast” at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens for the 2018 Beastly Ball in Los Angeles, California, April 5, 2018. (Photo by Billy Bennight)
This year’s kickoff for the (GLAZA) Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s “Beastly Ball” fundraiser, which is slated for May 19, 2018, at 5:30 p.m., featured a preview like no other with the L.A. Zoo‘s own elephants Tina and Jewel.
These noble beasts were treated to a “Vegetarian Feast” by some of L.A.’s best-known restaurants like Antonio’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, Momed, El Cholo, El Coyote Mexican Café, The Federal Bar, Delicious Arts, Red O, Taix French Restaurant, and Yummy Cupcakes.
The morning events were light and lively as we gathered around with bites and drinks to hear details of the upcoming Beastly Ball. These chefs donated their creations for Tina and Jewel will be creating the menu for the human guests at this year’s Beastly Ball. While Tina and Jewel had a delightful morning feasting on these divine creations, we all partook of delicious fare ourselves as L.A. Zoo Director John Lewis President, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) President, Connie Morgan and actress and activist Carolyn Hennesy shared their thoughts and aspirations for the biggest LA Zoo fundraiser of the year.
2018’s Beastly Ball will headline musical talent Roadcase Royale, with members Nancy Wilson (Heart), Liv Warfield (Prince’s New Power Generation), and also featuring Ryan Waters (lead guitarist), Chris Joyner (keys), Dan Rothchild (bass), and Ben Smith (drums). Slash (Guns and Roses), and Robert Randolph will perform along with the All-star band making their contributions to the evening’s festivities with LA Zoo Beastly Ball’s Concert for Conservation.
Nancy Wilson and Liv Warfield to perform at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s 2018 Beastly Ball on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Los Angeles, California. (Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo)
The talent comprising Roadcase Royale will provide the musical entertainment for the evening as guests enjoy light bites and delicious cocktails. The LA Zoo encourages folks to dress up in safari attire befitting the evening’s theme. The LA Zoo is committed to saving animals from extinction and the Beastly Ball showcases the enormous impact the Zoo has had on animal conservation, both locally and internationally. Jack Hanna (Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild and Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown) will receive the prestigious Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award among previous year’s honorees like Ed Begley, Jr., Lance Bass, Pauley Perrette, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Slash. Guest will be treated to an additional unique feature at the event, a rare after-hours stroll through the Zoo with unforgettable animal experiences.
Offering guest these opportunities demonstrates the importance of how we are all connected to other living things. Demonstrating the importance the LA Zoo places on educating people about conservation. Endangered Species Day is celebrated on the 18th and The Beastly Ball arriving on the 19th is the exclamation mark to that experience that focuses our attention and honors the importance saving animals from extinction.
There is art to be had with native Angeleno, muralist and Beautify Earth Co-Founder Ruben Rojas will debut his animal conservation mural for the Beastly Ball. Rojas is well traveled and has painted in Florida, Mississippi, Texas, France, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, New York and for many private clients. His work has also been commissioned by brands such as Zappos, American Express, Heineken, Lululemon, Reebok, Westfield Malls and GT Kombucha. It should be an exciting evening to preview the debut of his newest work.
As well, there will be a mobile silent auction, which will also open to those who can’t attend in person. The auction is comprised of hundreds of remarkable items, where Billy Harris leads the live auction for one-of-a-kind opportunities. Among the silent and live auction items to be had will be an original painting created for the Zoo by Rojas, combined with an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Elephants of Asia, a fabulous vacation stay in the treehouse room at Playa Viva, a luxury environmentally-conscious resort, located near Zihuatanejo, Mexico, an LAPD Air Support ride-along, sports experiences in L.A. Clippers and L.A. Dodgers suites, VIP tickets to tapings of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Jeopardy!”, and much more.
The Beastly Ball celebrates life and our connections with other living creatures by creating a night of remarkable memories. The Beastly Ball seeks to connect us through this life-enhancing experience by emphasizing the miracle of the wild thing, the quality of nature, and the world around us.
The Beastly Ball is a fundraiser to benefit the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, and will be commemorating National Endangered Species Day on Saturday, May 19, 2018. 5:30 p.m.
The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Free parking is available. For Beastly Ball tickets, information about mobile bidding and additional information, call (323) 644-9105.
