Zoo Transforms into Old Havana for a Night

The carefree days of Old Havana will come alive when the Milwaukee County Zoo is transformed into a tropical island paradise tonight at Zoo Ball 2011. Even the weather forecast promises a balmy, tropical-like evening – finally.

The black-tie event, now in its 28th year, has raised more than $7 million for the non-profit Zoological Society of Milwaukee, including $440,000 in 2010. It is the Zoo Society’s largest fund-raising event and includes a gourmet feast, live evening entertainment and several high-end auctions.

Don't plan on showing up in your flip-flops. The Zoo Ball is an elegant event, and prices start at $300 per person. Dress accordingly.

Background details

When/where: Saturday at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 6 to 10:30 p.m. Most guests arrive from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Zoo Ball Schedule:

• 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. El Mercado al Aire Libre (Open Air Market): Silent auction, tropical cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
• 8:30 p.m. Dining room opens for seating
• 9:00 p.m. El Malecón (Seaside Promenade): Music by the Spanglish Band, at the Peck Welcome Center, andLa Habana Vieja  (Historic Havana): Music by Denis Kavemeier Group, at the Stearns Family Apes of Africa building
• 10:30 p.m. Una Verbena Bailable (Street Party): After-dinner drinks, coffee and cigars under a moonlit sky with music by Five Card Studs

Zoo Ball Chairs: Eido and Michelle Walny of Bayside. Eido Walny is an attorney at Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP; Michelle Walny is an English teacher at Nicolet High School.