LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After a 15-year hiatus, the Louisville Orchestra will bring the ROARchestra back to the zoo this year.

The concert event will be held Saturday, July 6, at the Louisville Zoo's Oasis Tent & Field, city leaders announced Wednesday morning.

The ROARchestra dates back to 1989 and is a "deep well of nostalgia and fond memories" for the community. Mayor Craig Greenberg remembers attending. 

"I remember as a kid coming out here with my family and playing with other kids enjoying the music and playing with other kids and having picnics," Greenberg said. "Parents would bring their kids and grandparents would bring their grand kids, and its missing and it's been missing for 15 years."

ROARchestra took its final bow in 2008, but the partnership was quickly reignited with a conversation, according to Zoo director Dan Maloney. 

"It's all about the leadership of the Louisville Orchestra. I just reached out to Graham and Teddy, and we were on a Zoom call and these guys couldn't have been more responsive," Maloney said. 

Grammy award winner Teddy Abrams will conduct the concert, which is near the lion exhibit. National gospel recording artist Jason Clayborn and Daria Raymore, with backup singers Teaira Dunn, CeCe Dunn and Latiana Clayborn will perform.

The orchestra's chief executive, Graham Parker, said Clayborn's style matches the event. "He's going to be representing some great music from the church tradition and also Motown and all sorts of fun things, and the orchestra is going to be playing some light summer classics."

Officials said the concert will blend classical masterpieces and soulful pop hits that will "resonate with audiences of all tastes."

Kicking off the show will be Leonard Bernstein's Three Dance Episodes from "On the Town" and will immerse the audience in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9.

Doors open at 7 p.m. to allow guests time to explore the zoo and get to the Oasis Field for the show that starts at 8:30 p.m.

Families are encouraged to bring their blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets, just like they did in the past. 

Tickets are available now and cost $30 for adults, $15 for kids ages 3-11, and children who are 2 years old or younger get in free. Parking is included in admission. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

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