Here is a link to the list of concerts on the Oregon Zoo's website:

http://www.oregonzoo.org/Concerts/index.htm

And yes, the concerts are held right in the middle of the zoo, on the lawn in front of the Amphitheatre. It's actually a pretty nice set-up but lots and lots of kids (obviously). Just get there early and you should be fine

My company has summer picnics at the zoo in the summer, so I've been to about a dozen of those shows. I've seen it packed to the gills sometimes, and other times totally open. Perhaps it depends on who exactly is playing. My advice would be to get there slightly early and put your blanket down in a spot you like with a little picnic basket on top of it. We Portlanders are so exceedingly nice that I guarantee you it will be there when you come back an hour later after you go see the river otter exhibit.

Ditto oregone !!

especially the Nice Portlander bit :)

No Pink Martini at the Zoo concerts this summer? Looks like they are touring Canada and Europe this summer, we were hoping to catch them somewhere this year, we loved hearing them at the Liberty Theater in Astoria in Dec. of 2003 at the benefit concert there, we have all of their CD's. :)

www.pinkmartini.com/events/pm_events.html

No syrahgirl, they will be in Portland.. in Sherwood, in August.

You should plan to come back to Oregon then and see them.

syrah--Do come! They also play here at my neighbors house.

As others have pointed out, the crowd varies depending on who is playing and also what the weather is like. We arrive early, throw down our blanket and then explore the zoo for a couple of hours.

There is also a fantastic concert series at Washington Park in the amphitheater right next to the Rose Garden. The concerts are FREE and you can also bring adult beverages and a picnic. The acoustics at this outdoor venue are terrific! It runs from Aug. 2-16th

The Lions of Batucada are playing on August 4th and they are not to be missed! Terrific band! Others in the lineup include Norman Sylvester and Ellen Whyte band, local blues favorites.

Here is a link to some of the great free (all of them, I think) outdoor concerts this summer.

www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm…

Thanks, all, for your reassurances! How delightful to think we can just put our blanket down early and still have the spot when we return--not like most SF Bay Area concert venues, for sure :-) And thanks, too, PDXWindJammer for the other concert tips, but we are going to the zoo specifically to see Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. If you like blues with a modern touch of Stax and a great show, they are not to be missed. See you there!

Wonderful to learn of other concert venues. I would love details on Pink Martini in Sherwood (I'm a fan).

We saw Keb Mo and Taj Mahal at the zoo this past weekend our first zoo concert experience.

So here goes. We arrived after 4 and before 5 to a sign that directed us to the shuttle parking off Sylvan. I realized as the bus arrived at the zoo there were indeed parking spots, but the shuttle was really fine.

We got in a very long line and did not enter the concert grounds until well after 5 pm. A nice Oregonian on the shuttle bus clued us in regarding elephant odors and the sound tent (it comes down) and we managed to snag a great spot directly behind the sound booth and back by the cement walkway. A bit far from the stage but dead center.

We had our picnic with us and paid dearly for a bottle of wine. $22 for an $8 chardonnay, but that's the way it goes.

The evening was really great. I sat behind a very tall woman (I always do) who moved around alot so I had to adjust alot, but it was fine. Low back chairs are permitted as well as blankets and we were glad we had ours.

I think you should arrive early for a popular show if your other half dislikes the crowd stuff.

I'll do it again, for sure.

Chicogirl, how was Taj Mahal ?