Sunset at the Zoo!

Oregon Zoo introduces expanded Wednesday evening concerts with festival flairOregon is known for its love of all things local, and the Oregon Zoo is no different. While many of its animals come from the farthest corners of the earth, the zoo is bringing in entertainment, food and beverages with local origins for its new Sunset at the Zoo series, presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank.Each event will feature live music from local artists throughout the zoo, regional food, beer and wine selections, and programming focused on animals that are active at dusk. Activities for adults and children will include storytelling, face-painting, crafts and games, self-guided night hikes, animal talks and bat-house building.Other upcoming Sunset at the Zoo performers include genre-blurring classicists the Portland Cello Project; Luz Elena Mendoz, lead singer for the Latin-tinged indie-folk band Y La Bamba; and Thomas Mapfumo, the legendary "Lion of Zimbabwe," who now makes his home in Eugene.Sunset at the Zoo starts at 5 p.m. and is free with regular zoo admission after 4 p.m. Zoo members at the Plus level and above are guaranteed free entrance; all other visitors may purchase tickets at the zoo gate. Gates close at 8 p.m.