BECU Is Sponsoring Zoo Tunes Concert Series At Woodland Park Zoo

By Gigi Allianic

Seattle, WA - Washington's largest community credit union, has signed on as the new title sponsor for Woodland Park Zoo’s annual ZooTunes summer concert series. The multi-year deal will allow Woodland Park Zoo to continue to provide one of Seattle’s most popular and affordable outdoor concert series.

"Over the last 25 years, ZooTunes has become part of the fabric of the Puget Sound community. Providing a safe and family-friendly environment to experience great music, it is also helping to create a sustainable future for our wildlife,” said Tom Berquist, BECU Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We are excited to be the title sponsor to help ensure that ZooTunes can continue to give back to our community.”

Now in its 26th year, BECU ZooTunes presented by Carter Subaru serves as a major fundraising source for the zoo. Last year, ZooTunes raised over $1.1 million to support the zoo’s quality animal care, engaging education programs and wildlife conservation.

“Like Woodland Park Zoo, BECU is a non-profit institution that is committed to serving and engaging our community,” said Dr. Deborah Jensen, the zoo’s President and CEO. “We are thrilled to work with BECU to bring this well-loved concert series to our community, and we look forward to having some great summer fun together!”

With 12 evening concerts planned for the 2009 summer series, BECU ZooTunes presented by Carter Subaru will showcase award-winning performers in a family-friendly setting. This year’s series kicks off with the first show in mid-June. A full line-up of artists will be announced April 27. Tickets go on sale May 4 at zoo gates and all Metropolitan Market locations. A small quantity will also be available online through Brown Paper Tickets.
ZooTunes is held outdoors in the zoo’s North Meadow where concert-goers sprawl out with blankets and low-backed patio chairs. With affordable ticket prices and free admission for one child 12 and under with each ticket purchased, the festival seating performances offer one of the best concert bargains in the Northwest.
To celebrate this new partnership, Woodland Park Zoo will host BECU Days this summer, when members of BECU will enjoy special discounts for general zoo admission coinciding with weekday ZooTunes concerts.

BECU staff will also be on site at each concert event providing ATM service and membership opportunities to concert goers.

Additional sponsorship support for BECU ZooTunes presented by Carter Subaru is provided by: No Wasted Notes, Metropolitan Market, KMTT 103.7 The Mountain, and The Seattle Times.

For more information on ZooTunes, visit www.zoo.org or call 206-548-2500. For more information on BECU, visit www.becu.org or call 800-233-2328.

Photo caption: Concert goers enjoy a ZooTunes show on the zoo's North Meadow.
Credit: Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo