FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2014
Contact: Frank Donze
Office 504-212-5335
Cell 504-232-7461
fdonze@auduboninstitute.org

(New Orleans, La.) - Ring in the new year at Audubon Zoo with a little Creole spice.

Grammy-award winning Zydeco musician, vocalist and songwriter Terrance Simien will be on hand December 31 for the Zoo Year's Eve countdown to noon, leading his south Louisiana rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

The family-friendly celebration will take place on the Capital One Stage and field from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Complimentary party hats and noisemakers will be available while supplies last. At high noon, revelers can partake of a soft drink toast courtesy of Pepsi.

Simien, the St. Landry Parish native who has played the accordion with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Dr. John, will take to the stage for his Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco performing arts program right after the noon countdown.

The show focuses on the evolution of Zydeco, a unique American roots music genre that is the traditional music of the black and mixed race, French speaking Creoles of Louisiana.

Simien's appearance will highlight a festive day that kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with a dance party by the Super Stars featuring games and prizes.

Ice princesses and princes will appear for meet and greets from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Saintsations will be available for photos and autographs from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Stop by the Marvel Universe LIVE tent to take a costumed selfie and enjoy other activities presented by Inflatable Zoo, PonyTales, Porta Puppet Players, Big Easy Sportsplex, Mommy Maids, Brickz 4 Kids, Close Combat Fitness and Vamonas NOLA, a Spanish after-school program.

Stouffer's will be serving up free samples from its Mac & Cheese Food Truck. Cox Communications also will have giveaways as well as a display of its new Home Life security system.

Zoo Year's Eve is free for Audubon members or with Zoo admission. Audubon Zoo is located at 6500 Magazine Street.


Audubon Nature Institute is a 501(c)3 not for profit that operates a family of museums and parks dedicated to nature. These New Orleans facilities include: Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Entergy IMAX® Theatre, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and Audubon Nature Institute Foundation. Ron Forman is President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.

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