Audubon Zoo Hosts Father's Day Celebration

Audubon Zoo Hosts Father's Day Celebration
Sunday, June 19, 2016

(New Orleans, La.) - Father's Day on June 19 at Audubon Zoo will be a genuine family affair as Damon J. Batiste and D.R. Batiste Father and Sons of New Millennium present a full day of entertainment on the Capital One Performance Pavilion.

Dads will receive complimentary admission to the Zoo on their special day.

Performances by Batiste family members at the Father's Day Music and Family Celebration begin at 1 p.m and end at 5 p.m. Families can enjoy the wonders of Audubon Zoo and the music all day.

Family patriarch David Batiste and his band, the Gladiators, will be joined by his four sons: Ryan, Damon, Jamal and Russell, who will perform individually with their own groups.

The Batistes, informally known as "Louisiana's largest musical family,'' have deep roots in New Orleans. Beyond their own performances across the globe, family members have played with an iconic roster of Crescent City entertainers, from Professor Longhair to Dejean's Olympia Brass Band to the Meters.

"We want to invite everyone to come enjoy Father's Day at Audubon Zoo for a day of fun and wonderful music,'' said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman. "And we want to thank Damon and David Batiste and their whole family for giving Audubon the opportunity to host what we know will be a memorable concert.''

The Father's Day celebration is being presented in partnership with New Orleans South Africa Connection Inc. (NOSACONN), a non-profit founded by Damon Batiste two decades ago to promote art, culture, film, trade and tourism between the United States and Africa.

Community groups, including the Joseph A. Jasmine Foundation, Crimestoppers, Breatkthru Let's Live Radio, Bright Star Global and NOSACONN, will be on hand to distribute resource materials for fathers.

Arrive early on Father's Day and bring your swimsuits and towels to enjoy the Cool Zoo splash park and the Gator Run lazy river. Admission to Cool Zoo is $10 for members and $12 for non members in addition to regular Zoo admission.

Father's Day activities are included in admission to Audubon Zoo, which is located at 6500 Magazine St. For more information, visit audubonnatureinstitute.org

Father's Day Performance Schedule
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. - Shaggadelic Ryan Batiste and the Raw Revolution
2:00 - 2:45 p.m. - Damon J. Batiste New Orleans & Cuban All-Stars
3:00 - 3:35 p.m. - David Batiste & Gladiators
3:45 - 4:15 p.m. - Jamal Batiste Band
4:25 - 5:00 p.m. - Russell Batiste & Friends

Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums, parks and research facilities dedicated to celebrating the wonders of nature. Through innovative live animal exhibits, education programs, and scientific discovery, Audubon makes a meaningful contribution to preserving wildlife for the future. Audubon Nature Institute flagships include Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Special Survival Center, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Wilderness Park. Ron Forman is President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.

###