In their early days, Pink Martini and bandleader Thomas Lauderdale were famous for throwing a dance party called “Wild Kingdom Rumba.” Is it any surprise then that performing at the zoo has become a semi-annual event? If you haven’t been, it’s one of those summer activities every Portlander must do at least once. Just make sure you brush up on the lyrics for some of their animal songs: “Song of the Black Swan,” “Lily,” “Song of the Black Lizard,” and “Kitty Come Home" (alright, perhaps that last one's a stretch).

The band performs August 22 and 23 at the Oregon Zoo, and we're giving away three pairs of tickets.

This contest is now closed.

Also, if you haven’t seen it, head over to the band’s website for Lauderdale’s Summer Reading List, chock full of fascinating books by and about Oregonians, including The Story of Opal, Geek Love, Portland Red Guide.