April 1, 2008 12:58 PM

No one would call the staff of Audubon Zoo “flighty,” even when handling such beautiful birds. One of the largest single- night, non-medical benefits in the country, the Chase Zoo-To-Do celebrates its 31st anniversary this month.

The fun begins at the zoo on Friday, April 25 at the Kids Zoo-To-Do presented by Humana and chaired by Frances Fayard. From 6:30-9 p.m. (with early admittance beginning at 5:30 p.m.) kids of all ages can enjoy food, crafts, music including entertainment by Radio Disney, face painting, inflatables, arcade games, prizes and more.

Then join chairwoman Kate Werner at the zoo on Friday, May 2 from 8:30 p.m. until midnight (sponsors and patrons gain early admittance at 7:30 p.m.) in your best summer tuxedo/white linen suit (men) or cocktail dress (women) and make sure to put on your dancing shoes: the night’s entertainment will be headlined by Morris Day and the Time whose hits include “The Bird” and “Jungle Walk” as well as performers Leah Chase, BRW, The Last Straws and VaVaVoom.

This year’s proceeds will benefit the restoration of Audubon Zoo’s Tropical Bird House and to creating new aviary exhibits at the zoo, so join Lexus of New Orleans’ Clifton LeBlanc and Superior Energy Services’ Westy Ballard, as well as our other cover models, blue and gold macaws Sarge and Chica (who had to leave the photo shoot early due to illness) and moluccan cockatoos Chopin and Zazous courtesy of the Children’s Zoo, for two of New Orleans’ most popular fundraisers. For information and
tickets, call 861-6160 or visit www.auduboninstitute.org.

Photographed by Greg Miles
Photographed at the Audubon Zoo
Many thanks to Ann Heslin, director of Zoo-To-Doo Events at the Audubon Institute and to our three lovely bird handlers from the Children’s Zoo who made this shoot possible.