Jewels of the Rainforest

Ok, first off this will be a different type of coverage because as the season continues I will be adding additional pictures to the JR show section. So check back every so often to see new show pictures and others from Nighttime Zoo.

*** caution, extra wordy comment with opinions, pictures below ***

The San Diego Zoo has for another year graced us San Diegans with the greatness of Nighttime Zoo. Over the years there have been changes or might I say an evolution of show and attractions in the park. This evolution reached a near maxima in 2001 with the introduction of a show titled "Jungle Dreams" in the Hunte amphitheater. This show was unlike anything before it at the zoo, just the year prior in the amphitheater was a laser and multimedia show that had just minor tweeks over the years and had only held the attention of the youngest in the audience. Jungle Dreams represented a change from video and stills of real animals to live actors and gymnists in the role of jungle animals presenting a story of conservation and extinction while thoroughly entertaining the audience with fun music and amazing performances. Jungle Dreams ran for two more years, each years show's story continuing the previous years ('01 you meet Gimbura the orangutan and his jungle friends, '02 Gimbura and his significant other Kayla convince the animals of the jungle to not fear the humans Way Station, '03 Faith the human is introduced into the story where after a fire at the Way Station she tries to find the orangutan families only son) though the concept of the show remained the same.

In 2004 a new show not based on Jungle Dreams was performed in the Hunte amphitheater, it was called Absolutely Apes in recognition of the media buzz over the zoos opening and remodel of some of the primate facilities. This show unlike the previous Jungle Dreams show had no underlying story of conservation or the amazing gymnastic performances, in fact the whole story was about some of the "apes" throwing a surprise birthday party for their favorite keeper. I like many other San Diego citizens who have AP's to the zoo had grown accustom to the quality of Jungle Dreams watched Absolutely Apes only once and never went back that summer to see the show. The show was not an evolution but a digression back to the times where only little children could sit through the full show.

As the Absolutely Apes shows numbers got lower and lower another show at the entrance to the zoo grew in popularity. The "Fountain" and "DeVine" mini shows kept crowds coming back again and again, these shows were the equivalence of some high quality side show only found in worlds of fantasy. But it was there ability to entertain the adults in the crowds in conjunction with the children in a classy way that keep the public coming back.

The times have changed and the San Diego Zoo has brought back a more sophisticated "aero- and acro-"style show called Jewels of the Rainforest. The only way that I can describe it is as "... take Jungle Dreams and make it even better." This show was a total surprise and I am expecting as the word gets out that this show will fill up every night. After the show the first night I saw Jewels of the Rainforest I over heard many of a comment that went along the lines of "... I came all the time for Jungle Dreams, but last year I only came once. Now I will be here every weekend with the whole family again!". If you are a fan of gymnastics, acrobatics, aerobatics, lively (and also sophisticated) music, and performers with awesome personalities come see this show. To all of those at the SD Zoo, Thank you for bringing us another excellent show.

The cast of Jewels of the Rainforest:

Jaguar - Kaden Stewart	Butterfly - Zoey Phillips
Monkey - Elizabeth Glassco	Plant - Arthur Davis 1
Monkey - Rachael Carlson	Orchid - Shenea Booth 1
Grasshopper - Pete Wray	Parakeet - Danielle Heider 2
Grasshopper - Dan Perna	Toucan - Samantha Schabow 2
Frog - Brett Phister	Rainbow Lorikeet - Jennifer daSilva 2

1 Two time world and National Champions Sport Axrobatic Mixed Pair in 2002 & 2004, 2004 Olympic USA Gynastic TJ Maxx Tour of Champions
2 Bronze Medallists World Champions and two time National Champions in 2003 & 2004

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	Photo description : Welcome to "Jewels of the Rainforest" Date and Time : 2005:06:26 20:11:45 Shutter speed and aperture : 1/16 sec @ F2.8 Original width x height : 768 pixels x 1024 pixels Metering mode : Unknown (12334)
	Photo description : Before the show begins two friendly monkeys entertain the audience. Date and Time : 2005:06:26 20:25:18 Shutter speed and aperture : 1/8 sec @ F2.8 Original width x height : 1024 pixels x 768 pixels Metering mode : Unknown (12334)
	Photo description : A rain falls over the stage as Gaia introduces herself. Date and Time : 2005:06:26 20:36:58 Shutter speed and aperture : 1/4 sec @ F4 Original width x height : 1024 pixels x 768 pixels Metering mode : Unknown (12334)
	Photo description : an excelent use of multimedia builds up the story of extinction and the rain forest. Date and Time : 2005:06:26 20:38:59 Shutter speed and aperture : 1/1 sec @ F4 Original width x height : 1024 pixels x 768 pixels Metering mode : Unknown (12334)
	Photo description : The main portion of the show begins with a little butterfly excaping from her cocoon. Date and Time : 2005:06:26 20:39:45 Shutter speed and aperture : 1/8 sec @ F4 Original width x height : 768 pixels x 1024 pixels Metering mode : Unknown (12334)
	Photo description :   Date and Time : 2005:06:26 20:40:09 Shutter speed and aperture : 1/4 sec @ F4 Original width x height : 768 pixels x 1024 pixels Metering mode : Unknown (12334)
	Photo description : Once free of the cocoon she flies across the stage. Date and Time : 2005:06:26 20:41:21 Shutter speed and aperture : 1/0 sec @ F4 Original width x height : 1024 pixels x 768 pixels Metering mode : Unknown (12334)

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