EVENT
Zoo Rendezvous
ZOO RENDEZVOUS
“Oh the Wonderful Things You’ll See. And Eat. And Do.”
W
N OV E M B E R 2 012
Drs. Dharmesh and Purvisha Patel
Jennifer and Tom Hammond
RSVP
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hile most of the Memphis Zoo’s inhabitants turned in the night of Zoo Rendezvous, there were a couple of camels who stole the show by greeting 3,325 partygoers to the zoo’s largest annual fund-raiser. Crockett the Rocket and Mickey, both male dromedary camels with only one hump on their backs, commanded attention as they knelt down for adventurous patrons to climb aboard for a ride. As their handlers pointed out, Crockett and Mickey even dressed up for the event, donning tassels on their harnesses and Persian-style rugs on their backs…a perfect outfit for Zoo Rendezvous, right? Party animals of the human variety next turned their focus toward a belly dancer, fire thrower and flamingos—pink plastic ones that is—that served as swizzle sticks for martinis served up by Athens Distributing Company at the entrance. Across the way, Budweiser of Memphis poured up refreshing suds, and there were plenty more libations to be sipped at stations throughout the zoo. One of the more intriguing adult beverage displays could be found at Kooky Canuck, which supplied some ice luges for guests to enjoy chilled shots. Famous for its seven-and-a-half-pound Kookamonga burger, the restaurant also brought its signature dish for delighted fans and even had a deejay spinning popular dance hits. Kooky Canuck co-owner Lana Danko said of the restaurant’s continued participation, “It’s crazy—we started out with just one table at Zoo Rendezvous our first year, and now we have a whole corner.” Total, some 90 restaurants and bars were on board for what has turned out to be one of the city’s most beloved food and drinkheavy fund-raisers. No one could complain this night that he or she didn’t like something, as there were tastes for everyone, from the popular Bang Bang Shrimp by Bonefish Grill to the unusual sweet potato fry sundaes courtesy of Lancer Catering, which went the extra mile by decorating its table in a ’50s diner style theme. Cakes by Mom and Me was a newcomer on the scene and impressed with its decadent selection of mini strawberry, mint julep and butter pecan cupcakes, to name a few. An equally special dessert display was that by the U of M Holiday Inn’s Ed Nowakowski, who served up chocolate covered strawberries next to a mermaid he’d created out of chocolate. A large swan made of salt and a towering vase carved completely out of ice stood out as well on the Holiday Inn table. As attendees wandered past the Primate Pavilion to the China Exhibit and every other wildlife exhibit, they also soaked in sounds emanating from five stages. DJ Mark Anderson, DJ Bobby Smith, Gary Escoe & the Atomic Dance Machine, Kathryn Stallins and Party Planet were not only responsible for the sounds, but for getting patrons to forgo their inhibitions and get on the dance floor. Too bad the chimps couldn’t swing in to show off their moves, however they’d probably be pleased to know that guests raised $370,000 to keep the general zoo operations rockin’ on for another year.
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Kirk and Anne Caraway
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Don Perry and Roy Haithcock
Shawn and Lana Danko
Jamie White and Katie Nelson
Amy and Jay Thakkar
Jennie and Robert Skinner
Doug and Keri Gage with Lucy and Jimmy Stovall
Walker and Rebekah Sudduth