Zootunes: Let The Music Moo-Ve You

Since the skies over Seattle are acting unusually sunshiny, it's finally a good time to take advantage of the main reason people come here in the first place. When our weather is good, it's very, very good.

And good things happen - like the Woodland Park Zoo's annual summer concert series, ZooTunes.

Like we say, nothing goes better with the great outdoors than the lovely sounds of music, braying, screeching and lowing. We're exaggerating; since the concerts are held in the Woodland Park Zoo's North Meadow, you probably won't have much interruption from the animal community.

What you will have is a great stable of performers to choose from. More on them later.

The concert series isn't just all tunes and good times. The proceeds benefit the Woodland Park Zoo's conservation projects and its general fund. And that's just one of the reasons ZooTunes is a big hit with families. Set against the lovely zoo grounds, concertgoers can ease away the woes of a hard day with the help of a blanket and a well-stocked picnic basket.

Don't want to carry around any food or drink? Not to worry; you can also buy food and non-alcoholic beverages on the grounds. Leave the wine and beer at home. Alcoholic beverages are barred from the zoo grounds - they don't want any drunk monkeys waddling around.

Above all, get your tickets early as they tend to go fast. You can buy them at the Woodland Park Zoo gate, or at all eight PCC Natural Markets, though they'll add a $2 service charge. Zoo gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the concerts, which start at 6 p.m. and end just after sunset. (And if you want to hear the music instead of the din of picnickers around you, get there early and get a seat up front).

Now, on to those acts.

Dan Fogelberg, Sunday. He's a balladeer, he's a rocker, he's the guy whose music accompanied all kinds of back-seat canoodling in the '70s. It may be more than 20 years since his first albums were released, but by cracky, he's still got it. Have you? We don't want to know - save the necking for your living-room couch, Mister. Loni Rose opens. Unfortunately, if you don't have tickets yet, you're out of luck: The show's sold out.

Chuck Mangione, Wednesday. Did you know that at any given minute, Mangione's 1977 hit "Feels So Good" is playing on an elevator somewhere in the world? All right, we made that up. But it is conceivable. Mangione has since guest starred on "King of the Hill," composed theme songs for the Olympic Games and sparked root-canal flashbacks for thousands of folks. Michael Powers opens. Tickets are $10.

Suzanne Vega, July 28. Still coming down from Lilith Fair? Ease the crash with melodies from this Lilith alum, whose live performances are always engaging and tight. And who doesn't love that wacky "Tom's Diner" song? I mean, really? The opening act will be announced later. Tickets are an economical $10.

Jim Brickman, Aug. 4. Brickman has established himself as one of the more acclaimed pianists of the 1990s, having worked with the likes of Carly Simon, Michael W. Smith, Pam Tillis and more. And his Christmas songs are pretty darn snazzy. No opening act has been scheduled; tickets are $12.

Roberta Flack, Aug. 11. You know her as one of the most emotional singers of the '70s; your kids know her as the woman who covers the Fugees' hit "Killing Me Softly." Set them straight, parents, and treat your kids to an evening of torch songs and ballads they won't soon forget - or regret. Sam Smith opens. Tickets are $16.

Marc Cohn, Aug. 18. Cohn returns to the zoo for a second summer of ZooTunes, and his fans couldn't be more delighted. He's an introspective, sensitive singer who charms with his personal lyrics and soothes with his uplifting music. Kevin Jones opens. Tickets are $12.

Judy Collins, Aug. 25. A living legend of song, Collins' performance is one you shouldn't pass up. She performs from a wide variety of artists' songbooks, interpreting work from Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and others, along with spirituals and folk songs. Marna Larsen opens. Tickets are $14.

The Woodland Park Zoo is at 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle. For more information, call 206-615-0076 or visit the zoo's Web site at www.zoo.org.

Got a question for the Backstage Pass? Call 206-464-2256. E-mail: mmcf-new@seatimes.com