Jazz singer and saxophone player on stage

Groove Your Way to Animals and All That Jazz

by: Emily Martin

July 11, 2024

Drumming up good food, live music, animals & lots of fun!

What comes to mind when you think of “Summer?” Vacations, swimming, fireworks, cookouts, just to name a few. When summer comes around at the Indianapolis Zoo, we think of our summer concert series Animals and All That Jazz presented by First Farmers Bank & Trust. Every Thursday night from now thru August 1, guests can come and enjoy a lineup of musicians from all throughout the Midwest covering a wide variety of jazz genres. From classic to contemporary, smooth to soul blues, and even sounds of pop and R&B.

            That’s not just it, all concerts are included with Zoo admission. All animals will be on exhibit until 7pm, so be sure to arrive early before the concert begins to visit your favorite animals. Don’t forget to bring your appetite to this groovy event. Every night, there will be specialty food that features a delicious new menu. Don’t worry, there also be express service options such as Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Fresh Fruit, and veggie wraps. For guests 21 and over, there will be a full bar provided by Hotel Tango and Daniels Vineyard. Make sure to bring a chair, there will be a limited number of tables and chairs as they are first-come, first-served.

Want to know who is performing?

jazz musicians on stage

July 11: The Phelps Connection

  • Menu: Skewered Fisher Farms beef Picanha, Old Major Linguica sausage, vegetables, and Indiana corn, grilled on an open wood burning fire. Served with a cool Brazilian chopped salad. Vegetarian Option will be fire roasted yams with chimichurri.

July 18: GM Horns Big Band

  • Menu: Smoked chicken drumsticks with Alabama’s infamous white BBQ sauce, sweet summer slaw, and buttered corn. Vegan/Vegetarian option is Fried meatless “Chicken” Tenders

July 25: Beeblebrox

  • Menu: Yakitori (Gluten Free, and vegetarian upon request) – Grilled Asian marinated chicken with green onions. Served with steamed brown rice and a cool cucumber ginger salad. Vegetarian option is Tofu Yakitori.

August 1: Kent Hickey 4tet

  • Menu: Hatch Green Chili Carnitas (Gluten Free with corn tortilla upon request) – Chef’s south Texas pork carnitas are served with your choice of salsa rojo or Hatch Chili Salsa, queso fresco, cucumber, red radish, pico de gallo, on corn (gluten free) or flour tortillas. Vegetarian: Vegan Chorizo tacos dressed the same as above.

All performances will take place under the Bicentennial Pavilion, located near the Zoo’s entrance.

You don’t want to miss a beat of this amazing event for date night or for the whole family!
Click here for more information about Animals and All That Jazz.