Adults take their turn at one of Southern California's most family-friendly destinations as the Los Angeles Zoo presents SEX AND THE CITY ZOO, a wild Valentine's Day celebration dedicated to romance in the animal kingdom on Saturday, February 11, 2017, 5 to 7 pm, in the Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium. The lighthearted affair for ages 21 and older begins with a reception from 5 to 6 pm featuring tempting refreshments, wines and "animal walk-abouts," which include chats with keepers and the chance to observe small animals up close. At the heart of the evening is a provocative "Fool for Love" presentation and Q & A from 6 to 7 pm about animal dating, mating and cohabitating by Sandy Masuo.
The event's climax is an intimate, seasonally inspired five-course farm-to-table dinner from 7 to 9 pm created by the Zoo's executive chef, Brad Robertson. Each course is paired with a selection from Foxen, a winery located in Santa Maria at Northern Santa Barbara County's historic Rancho Tinaquaic that shares the Zoo's dedication to sustainability.
This event kicks off a four-part Sustainable Wine Dinners series as part of the Zoo's 50th Anniversary to celebrate a continued commitment to conservation, with three other evenings in March, April and May. At Sex and the City Zoo, Chef Robertson's Valentine-themed menu begins with West Coast oyster on the half shell, green apple, pistachio and sorrel paired with Foxen "Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard" Chenin Blanc 2014, and cauliflower soup, duck rillette, golden raisin and capers, served with Foxen "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Block UU Chardonnay, 2015. Next, guests are served rigatoni with lamb ragu, sheep's milk ricotta, saffron, currants, mint and breadcrumbs matched with Foxen "
John Sebastiano Vineyard" Pinot Noir, 2014, and braised beef short rib, horseradish gremolata, slow roasted carrots and parsnip-potato puree, paired with Foxen "Vogelzang Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. Dessert is chocolate mousse, California berries, hazelnuts and lemon balm, served with Foxen, "Barberena Vineyard" Mission, 2013.
Sandy Masuo is an editor and writer on a mission to prevent the decline and fall of Western civilization through the scrupulous application of correct apostrophe usage. Since 2003, she has served as associate editor in the publications division of the Los Angeles Zoo sharing the wealth of stories that the Zoo has to offer via magazine articles and newsletters for both members and staff. Prior to that, she made excellent use of her Brown University Bachelor's Degree in popular culture and society when she served on the editorial staffs for various national music magazines including MUSICIAN and OPTION. She was a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times Calendar and a columnist for the Boston Phoenix. From 2010 to 2014, Sandy served on the Southern California Horticultural Society (SCHS) board of directors, continues to manage the SCHS Facebook page, and intermittently contributes to the SCHS newsletter. She also co-edits the Association of Zoological Horticulture newsletter. Earlier this year, she published her debut novel,
Unnatural Selection: Lessons of Life and Death on the Paper Trail, under her nom de plume, Rosana DuMas. When not fretting over semantics, Sandy makes use of the Master's Degree she earned at the Harvard Graduate School of Education teaching adult education workshops. These include fiction and business writing as well as a perennially popular succulent gardening class. A persistent citizen scientist and artist (block printing, ceramics), Sandy's interests are eclectic and she enthusiastically shares the delight of learning and creating with others.
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens marks its 50th anniversary with a yearlong "ZooLAbration" of its November 28, 1966, opening that spotlights not only its key role as a world-class destination and an important community asset but also its critical successes in conservation, quality of life and premier care for animals. Having recently completed a $172 million Master Plan that significantly improved the Zoo facility, the 50th anniversary coincides with the early planning stages of a new Master Plan for the future. The landmark L.A. Zoo, drawing nearly 1.8 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered, as well as a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. The L.A. Zoo's lush grounds on 113 acres feature Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest, where visitors can walk among orangutans; the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; and one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world. Among other highlights are an extraordinary, hands-on Hippo Encounter; the Winnick Family Children's Zoo and Muriel's Ranch animal contact area; the
Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; a variety of daily opportunities to learn more about animals, including close-up visits, special feedings and intriguing talks; and much more. The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), which has supported the Zoo in partnership with the City of Los Angeles for more than five decades and provides funding for and operates seven essential Zoo departments, has 60,000 member households representing more than 240,000 adults and children. As evidence of the Zoo's popularity, GLAZA attracts one of the largest membership bases of any cultural organization in Los Angeles.
Programs subject to change.
Tickets to the SEX AND THE CITY ZOO's reception and lecture are $40 per person (or $30 for GLAZA members). Tickets for the reception, lecture, and five-course dinner with wine pairing are $140 ($130 for GLAZA members). Seating is limited, and reservations for the dinner are required by February 6. The event is open to adults age 21 and older.
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Free parking is available. For tickets, call
866-949-8007 or visit
www.lazoo.org/sexandthecityzoo/
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