SJD starts ZooMusic summer concert series

Auckland City Council

22 January 2009

SJD starts ZooMusic summer concert series

Six-piece band SJD kicks off Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic on Saturday 7 February in a showcase of kiwi talent in support of international conservation.

The enigmatic SJD band will play the original songs of award-winning Sean James Donnelly from the critically acclaimed October 2008 release Dayglo Spectres, utilising a combination of wood and steel (bass, drums, guitars, keys) with a sprinkling of technology via laptop.

With a swag of awards, chart topping tunes and television credits, SJD promises to get you dancing at the Zoo's band rotunda. They will be supported by alternative pop group Steve Abel and the Chrysalids and gothic / country signer Caoimhe MacFehin.

While SJD continues to wow the crowds, the report isn't so glowing for many of the world's endangered animals. All concerts in the series will be raising funds for key conservation projects. SJD's gig will help support the Asian Turtle Program in Vietnam, a multifaceted conservation initiative to support the 90 species of turtles in the Asian region, of which more than 50 per cent are listed as critically endangered or endangered. "The money we can raise for the Asian Turtle Program will assist with education programmes for schools and communities and visitor education. Estimates put as many as 15 million turtles annually traded for the pet industry, food and traditional medicine. The best chance for their survival is public education", says Peter Fraser, conservation officer.

The opening act (6pm to 6.30pm) will be Caoimhe MacFehin, a county / gothic signer songwriter with a unique voice. Following her will be Steve Abel and The Chrysalids (6.30pm to 7.20pm), performing alternative pop from their 2008 album Flax Happy. SJD will take the stage at 7.30pm. Your ZooMusic ticket is also your entry to the zoo - so come early to explore the zoo and check out your favourite animals. Please be aware the band rotunda area will closed off in the afternoon to enable safe equipment set-up. Tickets are available from Auckland Zoo and Ticketmaster. Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic Concerts for Conservation series 2009, in association with MTV, The Radio Network, Monkey Bay wines, iSite Media, and Vidcom. ENDS Notes to the editor Event Details: * Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic 2009: Saturday 7 February - Saturday 7 March (6pm - 9pm) * Tickets available from Auckland Zoo www.aucklandzoo.co.nz (09) 360 3805, or Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.nz (09) 970 9700. Service fee applies. * Limited capacity venue. Tickets expected to sell fast - advance booking recommended Prices: Adults $30, Children (4 - 15yrs) $15 * Friends of the Zoo receive a 20% discount on above prices * ZooMusic is a licensed event and no BYO is permitted.

Concerts for Conservation

* SJD : Saturday 7 Feb, supporting Asian Turtle Program, Vietnam * Don McGlashan : Saturday 14 Feb, supporting Kea Conservation Trust and Amphibian Ark International Year of the Frog, in support of native frogs (New Zealand) * Hollie Smith and Nathan Haines: Saturday 21 Feb, supporting Cheetah Outreach, South Africa * The Mint Chicks and Pluto: Saturday 7 March, supporting Wildlife Protection Units, Sumatra

About the Asian Turtle Program, Vietnam The turtle conservation program in Cuc Phuong Vietnam is one of the first projects supported by the Auckland Zoo Conservation starting back in 2002. (just a year after the fund was established) since then the conservation fund has sent more than $40,000 to the project . With the help of ZooMusic we have set an ambitious goal of raising a further $15,000 in 2009 alone. Support by the Auckland Zoo Conservation has not just been financial; several of our staff have visited the centre over the years with the latest visit by keeper Lana Judd in November of 2008. Lana assisted in staff training workshops and research at the centre.

ENDS

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