Skip to content | Skip to navigation
Beginning June 15, the Rio Grande Zoo celebrates summer with its annual outdoor concert series. Advance tickets may be purchased starting May 15, from any Zoo cashier.
The Balfa name conjures up memories of the famous Balfa Brothers, who took their soulful music from the prairies of Mamou to the far corners of the earth. Balfa Toujours (Balfa Always) is making sure the name will maintain its place for generations to come. Led by Christine Balfa, daughter of the legendary Cajun fiddle ambassador Dewey Balfa, the group has taken generations of inspiration and created a vibrant sound all their own.
Four short years ago, a green card was an immigration document. Now The Greencards are an acoustic music phenomenon that’s played around the world, headlined major festivals, won awards and toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. With a whirling dervish attack, a respect for tradition and a zest for innovation, the Greencards are one of the hottest newgrass groups out there.
Though many still have trouble pronouncing his last name and the instrument he plays, Jake Shimabukuro (she-ma-BOO-koo-row) is unquestionably regarded as one of the world’s top ukulele musicians. Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an “untapped source of music with unlimited potential.”
They’re back for their 3rd concert at the Rio Grande Zoo, where they’re sure to be a crowd favorite again. This group creates a sound that remains true to traditional Celtic music while adding an original twist of dizzying whirlwind live energy – hence the name “Gaelic Storm.” Their dynamic stage show features rousing, upbeat vocals, wild energetic dance tunes, haunting ballads and infectious madcap humor.
http://gaelicstorm.musiccitynetworks.com
July 6
NO CONCERT JULY 6
July 13 Houston Jones - Acoustic Americana
Houston Jones is a California based high-octane Americana quintet. Formed in 2001, the band performs a mostly original repertoire that ranges from bluegrass and folk to blues and gospel. Houston Jones offers a stellar blend of acoustic guitar-driven country-Western paeans to the open plains, jailhouse blues, gospel-inflected done-me-wrongs, and irresistible Celtic string instrumentals in a pastiche of sound and emotion.
Too energetic to be labeled just “folk,” and not angry enough to be pegged “alternative,” Eddie from Ohio continues to defy description with their unique blend of vocals and acoustic instrumentation. A bedrock foundation of 'hand & stick' percussion and a textural flavoring of acoustic guitar/bass/harmonica support the four-part harmonies and lyrically-driven original music.
Aoife (pronounced Ee-fa) brings a refreshing new voice to folk music, one that ranges from traditional Irish songs to ballads to the best work of contemporary songwriters. Her father, Bobby Clancy, of the renowned Clancy Brothers, put a guitar in her hands at the age of ten and by fourteen she was out playing and singing with him in nearby pubs. Aoife toured extensively with the highly acclaimed group Cherish the Ladies for over four years.