OREGON ZOO SUMMER CONCERT TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 21

For Immediate
Release OREGON
ZOO NEWS
April 17, 2006

Contacts: Bill LaMarche 503-220-2448 (office) or 503-497-5812 (pager)
Linda D'Ae-Smith 503-220-5716 (office) or 503-441-7573 (pager)

OREGON ZOO SUMMER CONCERT TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 21
Oregon's premier outdoor concert series celebrates its 28th anniversary;
tickets on sale nationwide

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Tickets for the Oregon Zoo's Wells Fargo Summer
Concert Series presented by Fred Meyer will be available for purchase
Friday, April 21, both on-line and through TicketsWest. The series
enters its 28th year with 18 performances during June, July and August,
including shows by Chris Isaak, Shawn Colvin, Etta James, Indigo Girls
and Bruce Hornsby. Performances take place on the zoo's park-like
concert lawn.

"Concertgoers not only get the unique experience of enjoying the
performance alongside the elephants, they have the opportunity to tour
the entire zoo before settling in for a great night of music," says
Krista Swan, event coordinator.

In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a
summer concert series. Since then, the series has become one of the top
outdoor events in the Northwest, and is the region's longest-running
outdoor series. Wells Fargo has sponsored the series since 1996.

"Through Wells Fargo's continued support, the zoo is able to bring a
variety of nationally renowned musicians to Portland," says Tony
Vecchio, zoo director. "Besides being a family-friendly series for the
community, a portion of the proceeds helps support endangered species."

Last year, many of the zoo shows sold out, attracting more than 60,000
concertgoers and generating more than $425,000 through the series. These
concert revenues support the zoo's efforts to save threatened and
endangered species such as Northwest butterflies, western pond turtles,
Washington pygmy rabbits and California condors.

This year Fred Meyer has become a presenting sponsor of the series.
Since 1977, the company has provided leadership and support to the zoo
with sponsorships of Rabbit Romp, WAZOO, and the Valentine Poetry
Contests. The Fred Meyer Foundation has provided grants to purchase a
new van for the educational outreach programs and, in 2004, provided a
grant to support ZAP, Zoo Animal Presenters.

"The Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series provides great family events in a
venue that we are very fortunate to have," says Melinda Merrill,
director of Public Affairs at Fred Meyer Stores. "Fred Meyer is thrilled
to help bring these concerts to our customers and the community."

"The zoo is very pleased Fred Meyer has provided additional support for
the series," adds Vecchio. "Through Fred Meyer's support, the series
will be even more successful and will help fund important outreach
programs such as the Head Start ZooMobile and the senior ZooMobile --
both of which the zoo brings to the public free of charge."

All tickets are general admission and prices range from $9.50 to $26.
Zoo concertgoers can help bring black bears back to the zoo by adding $1
to their ticket price.

Wednesday show tickets are only available on the day of the show and are
free for Oregon Zoo members at the "Plus" level or higher. All other
tickets are can be purchased starting at 9 a.m. on April 21.

Tickets will be available online at www.oregonzoo.org, at all
TicketsWest ticket outlets, and by calling TicketsWest at 503-224-8499.
You can also purchase them at the zoo with no service charge.

Beginning April 20, Web visitors can view the complete concert schedule,
read artists biographies or purchase tickets by visiting
www.oregonzoo.org.

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles and
Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian
elephants, polar bears and bats.

General admission is $9.50 (12-64), seniors $8 (65+), children $6.50
(3-11), and children under 2 are free. The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
and is located five minutes from downtown Portland just off Highway 26
and is also accessible by MAX light rail line. A parking fee of $1 per
car is also required. Additional information is available at
www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.

# # #

Caption: Oregon Zoo visitors enjoy watching the elephants during summer
concerts, and the elephants--including Rama (pictured)--seem to enjoy
the evening music. Photo by Michael Durham, courtesy Oregon Zoo.

WELLS FARGO SUMMER CONCERTS AT OREGON ZOO
Presented by Fred Meyer

DATE DAY ARTIST TICKET

6/21 Wed Amadou & Miriam $9.50

6/28 Wed Baaba Maal $9.50

7/1 Sat Indigo Girls $26

7/5 Wed Kekele $9.50

7/12 Wed Refugee All Stars of Sierra Leone $9.50

7/14 Fri Bruce Hornsby $19

7/19 Wed Hapa $9.50

7/21 Fri Doc Watson & Leo Kottke $18

7/23 Sun Chris Isaak $26

7/26 Wed Daby Toure $9.50

7/28 FRI Shawn Colvin & Dar Williams $19

8/2 Wed Ska Cubano $9.50

8/4 Fri TBA TBA

8/5 Sat TBA TBA

8/9 Wed TBA TBA

8/16 Wed Lagbaja $9.50

8/18 FRI Etta James $19

8/23 Wed Plena Libra $9.50

Oregon Zoo - 4001 SW Canyon Rd. - Portland, Oregon 97221 - 503-226-1561