Bronx, N.Y. – April 9, 2018 – The Bronx Zoo is celebrating wildlife and the diverse culture of the Boogiedown Borough like never before at a series of springtime events fittingly titled “Boogie Down at the Bronx Zoo.”

For more than 120 years, the Bronx has been the birthplace of culture that has changed history and created movements. From humble beginnings, the Bronx is the home of global legends and leaders that have had a profound influence on the world through hip hop, breakdancing, doo wop, street art, salsa, AND wildlife conservation. The Bronx has it all!

Boogie Down at the Bronx Zoo presents a variety of many cultural contributions that have resonated from the Bronx. Starting on Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, and continuing weekends from May 5 through June 3, artists and performers from a diverse representation of Bronx cultures will be on-site to celebrate the Bronx Zoo, Bronx culture, and wildlife.

Many iconic forms of music have originated in the Bronx. Working with Bronx-based organization Windows of Hip Hop, the zoo will host musical performances by hip-hop pioneers, world-class DJs, and teach guests how to “scratch,” create an 8-meter rhyme, and more.

Special appearances by Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio ‘Furious Five’ and The Sugarhill Gang will be the backbone of the of the musical line-up. Hip hop legend Grandmaster Caz will be on site at “Caz’s Corner” each weekend teaching everyone how to create rhymes and emcee like only he can.

SPECIAL RELEASE: “Animals and MCs” by Grandmaster Melle Mel and Grandmaster Caz. An original song in honor of the Bronx Zoo and the Boogie Down. http://bit.ly/2IEf413

The street corners of Arthur Avenue in the 50s, helped solidify doo wop’s place in New York City.  Boogie Down at the Bronx Zoo will take a step back in time to feature performances from artists that will keep everyone dancing. Guests can also enjoy some of the cuisine from the real Little Italy. (June 2-3.)

Music and dance performances derived Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Afro-Caribbean rythm and dance that emerged and thrived in the Bronx will take center stage on themed weekends that will include music, dance, and traditional cuisine samplings. (May 26-28.)

Not only is the Bronx Zoo home to historic sculptures and architecture like Rainey Gate, Rockefeller Fountain, and the landmarked beaux art buildings on Astor Court, but Boogie Down events will feature Bronx artists creating new masterpieces live for the crowd.

Graffiti started as a scourge that transformed into a modern art form that can be seen and appreciated in murals around the Bronx, New York City, and around the world. Renowned street artists will create wildlife works on the zoo’s historic Astor Court.

Even the Bronx Zoo’s resident wildlife will get into the spirit of the Boogiebown as they contribute their own artwork to the festivities to create original paintings like no other.  

Painting is a form of enrichment that some of the animals at the zoo engage in, and provides a great opportunity for them to interact with their keepers. These animal paintings will be the basis for some of the artwork finished by famous street artists like Crash, Tats Cru, Andre Trenier, and others.  The finished paintings will be one-of-a-kind works. (See included photos http://bit.ly/2GWEpWY)

For tickets and a full schedule of performances, activities and themed weekends, visit www.BronxZoo.com/boogie-down.

Participating performers:

●        Grandmaster Melle Mel, Scorpio ‘Furious 5’

●        The Sugarhill Gang

●        Grandmaster Caz

●        Rockafella (breakdancer)

●        BombaYo (Bomba music)

●        Rock Steady (doo-wop music)

●        Luis Damon salsa band

●        Mighty Bengal Step Team (student step team from the Bronx’s PS 55)

●        Dynamic Rockers Crew

●        Hip Hop Dance Conservatory

Street Artists:

●        Tats Cru (Bio, Nicer, BG 183)

●        Crash (John Matos)

●        Andre Trenier

●        Giz

●        Menace 2

●        Resa Piece

●        Shiro

●        Ian Sullivan

●        Matt Buck

●        Son of a Finch

●        Kay Love

●        Lovie Pignata

        DJs:

●        DJ Sammy

●        DJ Jazzy Jay

●        DJ C Styles

●        DJ Lady Love

●        DJ Jazzy Joyce