Maggie Speaks performs at the Niabi Zoo 60th Birthday Bash at the Rust Belt -- May 4.
Thursday, May 4, 7 p.m.
The Rust Belt, 533 12th Avenue, East Moline IL
Fans and friends of the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley are invited to party with a purpose on May when East Moline venue The Rust Belt hosts the Niabi Zoo's 60th Birthday Bash, with renowned show band Maggie Speaks serving as entertainment headliners and funds raised from the event supporting the zoo's animal care, education, and conservation programs.
Since 1998, Maggie Speaks has provided high-quality, experienced, and customizable musical entertainment to private and public events across the United States and around the globe. Having shared the stage with such acts as Earth Wind & Fire, the Doobie Brothers, .38 Special, rapper Ton Loc, Loverboy’s Mike Reno, and Starship’s Mickey Thomas, among many others, Maggie Speaks is considered one of the hottest live bands in the Midwest. They have also performed for some of the largest corporations in the world including: Pepsi, IBM, Estee Lauder, Nike, and Marriott. Covering music from the ‘60s through today, Maggie Speaks plays rock, pop, top-40, dance, funk, country, hip hop, jazz, Motown, R&B, and more, and its members include founder and vocalist David Calzaretta; vocalist Nicole Garza; drummer Blake Cooper; bassist Shawn Sommer; and guitarist Samir Varma.
Niabi Zoo originally began as a private zoo for people to see and enjoy exotic animals. In 1963, the property was purchased and deeded to the community by Pattie S. Wiman, and today, the zoo remains a destination to get up close to rare animals from around the world. Niabi Zoo also serves an education and conservation center that actively works with other programs on field conservation, coordinated breeding programs, and community education to make sure the incredible creatures we share this planet with will stay part of the natural world for generations to come.
Meanwhile, the Niabi Zoo Foundation and Forest Preserves Foundation supports the institutional advancement of Niabi Zoo and the Forest Preserve District of Rock Island County and their initiatives for the conservation of wildlife and habitats, environmental education, as well as animal care best practices. This foundation provides private supplemental financial support through active fundraising efforts for the acquisition, construction, replacement, or improvement of Forest Preserve District facilities such as zoological exhibits, development of habitat for wildlife, educational programming, or strategic conservation initiatives outside the realm of funds currently available to the District.
The Niabi Zoo 60th Birthday Bash at the Rust Belt will begin at 7 p.m. on May 4, with doors for the event opening at 6 p.m., and admission to the all-ages event is $20. For more information and reservations, call (309)799-3482 and visit NiabiZoo.com and TheRustBeltQC.com.
