Houston is a party town. The Bayou City’s folk have a penchant for getting out and playing — whether it's an informal soiree, a fierce rowdy fete or a genteel al fresco gathering. We love food, music, people and yes, animals as well.
The Houston Zoo — outside of education programs, conservation advocacy and family-friendly exhibits — is no stranger to hosting mix-and-mingle events that find their way into the social books of everyone, including upper echelons, trendy young professionals and animal junkies alike.
Nestled in between wild animal exhibits and mature trees, the nonprofit’s signature and most attended fundraising bacchanal is fast approaching and we thought we’d stop regular programming to give you the scoop and on what’s haute and new.
On Friday, Nov. 4 from 7 to 11 p.m., “Feast with the Beasts” — now in its sixth year — turns the zoo’s grounds into an after-dark hot spot. In the 2010 "Feast with the Beasts", a sellout crowd of 3,500 contributed over $300,000 to subsidize the cost of taking care of the 6,000 animals that call Houston Zoo their home, in addition to conservation efforts and education programs.
Food, music and animal experiences rule the scene at Feast. The B-52s, hailed as the “world’s greatest party band,” will join a legacy of ensembles — like Spin Doctors and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy — as musical headliners this year, making this tuneful treat a blowout like no other.
With 30 years and more than 20 million albums under their belt, The B-52s have a knack for putting out beats that are timeless and universal. Who doesn’t love classics like “Rock Lobster,” “Planet Claire,” and “Private Idaho”? Or if you are into the more recent hits, you can rock out to “Channel Z,” “Roam,” and of course, “Love Shack.”
Yes, the zoo “a little old place where we can get together.”
“My apologies to the other events, but this is the most fun event at the zoo for adults (21 and over),” David Brady, Houston Zoo Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Advancement said. “And that includes over 60 of Houston’s best restaurants putting out high quality cuisine.”
Such restaurant bill consists of Molina’s Cantina, Ouisie’s Table, Crapitto’s, PICNIC and Taste of Texas — which all have supported “Feast with the Beasts” for the last six years — Cyclone Anaya’s, RA Sushi and Hungry’s. Newcomers this year are Griff’s, Truluck’s, Trattoria Il Mulino and Zelko Bistro.
As the food-on-wheels movement is just as critical to the party scene as fine cuisine establishments, the food truck movement will also make an appearance with a selection of Houston’s in-demand vendors.
Who’ll win the Beastly Battle? Foodies will get a chance to vote for their favorite dishes and crown one restaurant leader of the pack.
If you have a sweet tooth, The Melting Pot — rich chocolate fondue anyone? —Michael’s Cookie Jar and Blue Bell Homemade Ice Cream will keep you grinning, from ear to ear, among the other restaurant offerings of rich indulgences.
We get it. No one will go hungry, and that includes the zoo’s wilder counterparts.
“Feast with the Beasts” is just as momentous for party guests as it is for the zoo’s inhabitants. With up close, extreme wildlife encounters and a special lavish banquet for the animals themselves, the exchange is also an opportunity to observe their behavior.
In past years, highlights included watching animals swim out for their grub, get fierce and ferocious on a paper mache zebra, devouring a goat carcass, seeing the Komodo dragon chomp on a whole turkey — just like they do in their natural environs. That’s in addition to surveying how elephants are trained (for the purpose of helping zoo staff provide enrichment and medical services).
Thirsty?
Houston’s favorite Saint Arnold Brewing Company will host the Zoo Brew Garden and will showcase an impressive selection of craft suds, right next to Duck Lake.
Or you can grab a refreshing Bud Light and amble through the festive surroundings.
Take advantage of pre-pricing for “Feast with the Beasts.” For insider discounts until Sept. 18, use the promo code MEDIA and enjoy it at $95 for non-members and $85 for zoo members. Tickets go up $10 after Sept. 18.
If you snooze, you lose. Tickets to “Feast with the Beasts” go fast. Once they are gone, they are gone. Though VIP tickets are now sold out, there are still general admission tickets left. How long will they last? Not long.
Are you going? I am.
Dress comfortably and get ready to have a wild time.
