Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater

Why any agent would book an artist here is beyond me. Ashley simpson’s infamous SNL set is too good for this venue. Seating? Horribly uncomfortable. Getting to the theatre? Walk 1,000 miles. Bugs? Hope you like them flying around your face and sometimes into it. Sound? Actually decent. Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate this venue. I’d rather watch an artist perform in a pitch dark closet than this. This venue should simply not be used for anything other than zoological educational talks/​performances.

I love coming here on a hot summer night. The concert lineup always offers a great variety of musical flavors. There is not a bad seat in the house. I personally wouldn’t spend the extra cash for a VIP seat, when they seem cramped and are the farthest from the stage. Get there early to have some food and drinks. I recommend not stopping at the first stand you see, but go further towards the venue and get food from that stand, the nachos are killer!
The only negative is the drive from the cities is a stretch. Bring a cushion for your bootay!

Maybe I’m biased because I saw one of my favorite artists of all time here, but this place is a MN gem in the summer. In my mind, there’s nothing better than sitting in this intimate outdoor venue to see a show — beer in your hand, looking out over a scenic wooded lake-​scape as the sun sets. Summer night to perfection. It’s also pretty fun that you can visit and tour the zoo for free before any concert. My one and only complaint is that it’s not closer to the cities… but then it might not be as «intimate,» so scratch that! :)

The Bird Show is one we have been to at least once a year, as we are members of the zoo. It might have the same jokes, but it is always entertaining because the animals aren’t always predictable and the education and conservation learned is always valuable and you can never hear it too much!

Minneapolis Zoo Amphitheater or Music at the Zoo…
This shouldn’t take long… 5 Stars!
Kate and I went to the 3^rd outdoor concert at 3 different venues in the last 5 days. Let me just say the Zoo does it right. Again it was a perfect night. We totally enjoyed Mark Cohn and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Both did some of their own songs they did each other’s songs and they did a few covers also. This was definitely the most intimate of all the venues we have been to. There is ample parking but at $ 7.00 is a bit high for out in the burbs. We had a couple of cold beers and just sat back and enjoyed the music. The pond next to the amphitheater was like glass and mirrored the trees. We were nearly close enough to reach out and pour ourselves a glass of Scotch Mark Cohn was drinking.
We have a second show we will be attending later this summer and can only hope for as nice as weather.
So the show gets 5 stars also.
Part 2
Robert Cray and Lamont Cranston
We took in the second of two of our concerts at the MN Zoo Amphitheater. It was a lot steamier than the last time we were here. We needed water and beer to make it through instead of just beer. It is still one of the best places to see an outdoor show.
Lamont Cranston…
Now don’t get me wrong we enjoyed him, but we have seen him in the past. He is always doing shows in the area. I would have preferred to see someone I hadn’t seen before.
So only 3 stars.
Robert Cray…
I have been a fan for a long time. Stevie Ray Vaunghan and Robert Cray introduced me to contemporary blues. Great Guitarist, distinctive voice, and little «thank you very much» after each song. What more could you want.
5 stars.

If there is ever a band or musician you want to see that is coming to the zoo amphitheater, do not hesitate to get tickets. The venue is perfect… great setting, great sound, and not a bad seat in the house.