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Mainstage
Comedy and Music Club Press Release
(SEATTLE, April 7, 2008) Mainstage presents
An Elephant-Sized Comedy Gala and Live Art Auction Seattle's Zoo Elephants Have Some Good Friends Media contact: Cathy Sorbo 206.484.2013 For Immediate Release: Seattle, WA -- April 7, 2008 -- Friends of the Woodland Park Zoo Elephants (FOWPZE) and The Mainstage Comedy and Music Club join forces for an Elephant-Sized Comedy Show and Live Art Auction this Mother's Day. FOWPZE, with the help of Northwest Animal Rights Network and In Defense of Animals, have committed to securing the emancipation of the 3 captive elephants from Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) to the 2,700 Elephant Sanctuary. At WPZ the elephants languish in a tiny barren room 18 hours a day and in the (less than) one acre for the remaining 6 hours. Despite this crushing confinement, the zoo has no interest in releasing Chai, Bamboo or Watoto. The zoo currently holds the dubious credit of being named No.2 on the list of Worst Zoos for Elephants compiled by In Defense of Animals due to their "irresponsible" breeding program which continues today. When Chai was sent away to Dickerson Park Zoo, a zoo which already had elephants die of herpes, she came back pregnant and gave birth to the zoo's star attraction and media sensation, Hansa. Sadly, throughout Hansa’s life, WPZ knowingly and repeatedly exposed Hansa to the herpes virus which caused her death. The zoo has implemented an aggressive artificial insemination regimen in hopes of impregnating Chai again despite the high risk of another baby dying from this horrific disease - for which there is no cure. "The Woodland Park Zoo now has three elephants that are carriers of EEHV (elephant herpes)” says Alyne Fortgang, one of the FOWPZE founders, “Any baby born here will likely suffer the same gruesome death as Hansa." FOWPZE hopes to encourage zoo officials to agree to send Chai, Bamboo and Watoto to The Elephant Sanctuary in Howenwald, Tennessee where they can live like elephants. This 2,700-acre facility has offered to transport and house our elephants at no cost to the zoo or Seattle tax payers. Donating artists for the event include Berkeley Breathed, Galen Hazelhofer, and Bela Fidel. Rounding out the evening is Dwight Slade, with stellar credits including film, radio, television and was hand-picked as the opening act for Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno. Cathy Sorbo, a Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist and performer is donating her time to organize and promote the show, which will have a limited amount of VIP tickets available for $75.00 as well as a general admission ticket at $40.00. She will also act as auctioneer for the event. "This has the potential to be the Mother's Day party of the decade," said Sorbo adding, "The owners of Mainstage and I are all moms, and it will be a bittersweet way to honor Chai as a mother as well." Fortgang has a vision for WPZ: "Wouldn't it be wonderful to visit a virtual elephant exhibit where no elephants are incarcerated and where we can learn about elephants and conservation without their suffering? We want what is humane for our elephants -- to be able to live out the rest of their life with a modicum of dignity and a taste of freedom." Proceeds from the event will go toward securing this campaign with any additional funds directed to The Elephant Sanctuary upon the zoo's release of the elephants. An Elephant-Sized Comedy Gala and Live Art Auction Mother’s Day, May 11, 2008 The Mainstage Comedy and Music Club, 315 1st Ave. N. (directly across from Key Arena) VIP $75.00 doors 5:30pm General $40.00 doors 7:00pm Auction at 7:30; comedy show to follow Reserve tickets at www.mainstagecomedy.com Ph: 206-217-3700. 21+ ### Media contact: Cathy Sorbo 206.484.2013 Related:  Mainstage Comedy and Music Club opened February 2007 to offer Seattle a top-notch entertainment and dining experience as well as catering to our sports and concert clientele. We continue to grow and refine our offerings and are the hottest new club in Seattle. Providing Puget Sound with comedy and music 6 nights a week, you will always find the best at Mainstage. 21 and over only, ID required |