Melbourne Zoo Twilights series provides the perfect summer night of entertainment for all ages – fourteen shows across Friday and Saturday evenings starting Friday 29^th January and running through to Saturday 12^th March, inclusive. The 2016 program once again serves up a delectable, diverse palate of music, heavily dressed with some of the best local acts in the country. From country-tinged twangs, to sweet honeyed folk, nostalgic scented hits to modern pop bangers, old time croons to straight up, good old rock n’ roll. In chronological order, we present to you, the 2016 program…

In 2016, we are excited to welcome American pop princess Belinda Carlisle to the Zoo Twilights program, with three decades of pop hits like ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ and ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’, in her set along with local 80’s new wave heroes, Pseudo Echo both making their Zoo debut. Swedish indie folk artist José González, and our very own John Butler Trio will be bringing the extraordinary guitar skills to light up the season, while country queen Kasey Chambers brings her unmistakable voice and incredible story telling skills to the stage. Folk sweethearts The Waifs will take you on a journey of broken hearts and roads travelled, while Aussie favourite, Mark Seymour & The Undertowwill bring the nostalgia with his catalogue of sing-along hits. The Zoo Twilights fighting extinction theme continues, after a successful year of developments with the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and in 2016 the season’s proceeds will once again go towards saving this little marsupial. In the past twelve months sixteen Eastern Barred Bandicoots have been successfully released into their new home on Churchill Island in Phillip Island Nature Parks. Considered extinct in the wild on the mainland since 1991, this small marsupial has been surviving behind predator proof fences designed to keep them safe from foxes and feral cats. In another exciting development, we introduced you last year to Bandicoot Bodyguards (Maremma Dogs), Banjo and Mackinnon, two brothers, who have been training for a very important role to protect the Eastern Barred Bandicoots from introduced predators such as foxes. Because the bandicoots are small, nocturnal and shy, Banjo and Mackinnon have started their training by bonding with sheep, who will provide the dogs with a focus during the daylight hours when the bandicoots are sleeping. Take a look here for some further information on the training Banjo and Mackinnon have been undertaking, and the work they will be doing. Tickets to all shows include full access to the Zoo before the show begins: arrive early and wander among the many exhibits before you settle in for a night of great music. See lions, tigers, elephants, meerkats, lemurs and more in the incredible surrounds of Melbourne Zoo. Visit the Gorilla Rainforest, or see koalas and kangaroos in our Australian Bush setting and discover exciting new interactive exhibits designed especially for the kids. Melbourne Zoo Twilights is a fully licensed event, with a great selection of delicious meals, snacks, coffee, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and deserts, all available for purchase in the Taste of Twilights dining zone. You can also bring your own picnic, but please NO BYO alcohol or glass. You can opt for the no-fuss approach and pre -purchase a tasty food hamper when you buy your tickets online. Melbourne Zoo Twilights 2016: Melbourne Zoo, Elliott Ave Parkville VIC, for more information, line-up and ticketing details please go to: zoo.org.au/twilights General tickets on Sale 8am Thursday 22 October 2015 from zoo.org.au/twilights, Zoo Members will receive their zoo discount (10%) off tickets for the entire Zoo Twilights season. There will be no early bird offer. Friday January 29                     Far From Folsom Featuring Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four with Rachael Tidd Doors open 5.30pm                                 with special guest Vic Simms Saturday January 30                 The Waifs   Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guest Ruby Boots Friday February 5                     José González Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guests Tiny Ruins Saturday February 6                 John Butler Trio Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guests Tinpan Orange Friday February 12                   Josh Pyke   Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guests Winterbourne Saturday February 13               Birds Of Tokyo Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guests Fractures Friday February 19                   Jebediah   Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guest Glenn Richards (from Augie March) Saturday February 20               Mark Seymour & The Undertow Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guest Ben Salter Friday February 26                   San Cisco + Last Dinosaurs                   Doors open 5.30pm                                Saturday February 27              Kasey Chambers   Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guest Karise Eden Friday March 4                         Colin Hay Doors open 5.30pm                                Saturday March 5                     C.W. Stoneking Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guest Marlon Williams Friday March 11                        Björn Again Doors open 5.30pm                                Saturday March 12                    Belinda Carlisle      Doors open 5.30pm                                  with special guests Pseudo Echo]]>