FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(New Orleans, La.) - It's time to party under the oaks at the annual Whitney Zoo-To-Do on Friday, May 1, 2015.

New Orleans' most anticipated philanthropic event is much more than a fund-raiser, offering guests an evening of fine dining, dancing and people watching on the scenic grounds of Audubon Zoo.

The adults-only, black tie event features a mouth-watering array of cuisine from 70 local eateries and more than 40 specialty and full-service bars serving premium cocktails. Guests also will be entertained by the high-energy sounds of Downtown Fever.

Other performers include Bill Malchow and the Go-Cup All Stars on the Capital One Stage, Heather and the Monkey King in Cooper Plaza and Eastern Sunrise at the front gate.

The Whitney Zoo-To-Do silent auction features exotic vacations, collectibles for the sports enthusiast, gorgeous jewelry, dining experiences and much more. Auction boards open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Bidders do not have to attend the event to participate. On-line bidding for about 90 items goes live on Friday, April 17, at www.501auctions/zootodo.

The 2015 Zoo-To-Do Luxury Raffle features a 2015 Lexus NX200t worth $36,060 generously donated by LEXUS of New Orleans. Tickets are $100 each and a limit of 1,000 will be sold. One lucky winner is guaranteed and the ticket-holder need not be present to win.

The Sponsor and Patron Parties begin at 7:00 p.m. Sponsors receive exclusive admission to the Audubon Tea Room, Garden Tent and Patron Lounge. Patrons receive admission to the Patron Lounge and the new Patron Patio where sponsors and patrons can mingle while enjoying a private view of the main stage.

The party goes until midnight.

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 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 504-861-6160 or visit www.auduboninstitute.org/ztd.

Audubon Zoo, located at 6500 Magazine St., will be closed on Friday, May 1 to prepare for the event.

Proceeds from the 2015 Whitney Zoo-To-Do will help to underwrite a new orangutan exhibit in Asian Domain. View the Whitney Zoo-To-Do Photo Gallery on Flickr.

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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