Untamed Melodies at the Zoo

Oregon Zoo concert, photo by Josh Bancroft

There are many rites of summer — popsicles, sprinklers, road trips — but Portland has one of the most unique beat-the-heat traditions with the Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts (June 22 through Sept. 14). No, it’s not zebras with keytars and baboons on bongos — some of the country’s coolest acts play their songs under starry summer skies surrounded by all manner of animals. With opening acts by the zoo’s residents themselves — like the crowd-skimming birds of prey — the night is full of howling guitars from the stage and birdsongs in the background. The concert lawn, tucked right next to the elephant barn, is an intimate site for a show, with every seat less than 300 feet away from the performers.

Opening Friday, June 22 with a performance by those wild ones, the B-52s, the concert series will stretch 16 dates until the last show, Friday, Sept. 14 with Chicago. In between, everyone from Melissa Etheridge to local favorites Pink Martini will grace the stage, rocking the rhinos and the reptiles.