Celebrated by millions across the globe for his unique sound and special connection with animals, Loris Assadian – better known by his social media name, PLUMES – will visit Philadelphia Zoo as a guest to play his signature pink guitar and sing for the Zoo’s animals. This is the artist’s first appearance at a U.S. Zoo. By regularly singing for animals, PLUMES raises awareness about the beauty of the animal world and the importance of its preservation. This unique opportunity provides additional enrichment for the Zoo’s animals; part of the Zoo’s animal care program includes giving animals opportunities to experience something new, like a performance by a world-famous musician. With his signature style and important message of animal preservation, the Zoo hopes to captivate new audiences to celebrate animals and highlight how to protect the natural world.
“We are excited to welcome PLUMES to America’s first Zoo as his first visit to any American zoo,” said Vice President of Animal Wellbeing and Conservation Rachel Metz. “Part of the Zoo’s comprehensive animal care program includes daily enrichment to exercise our animals’ bodies and minds. This enrichment plan also includes novel or new experiences, and we are delighted to have PLUMES serenade some of our animals and see how they react as a part of their enrichment.”
Philadelphia Zoo is located at the corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue in Philadelphia’s historic Fairmount Park at 3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
PLUMES visit begins Tuesday, August 18, where he will be rehearsing and playing at various animal habitats throughout the Zoo. General admission guests and Zoo members on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 19, may catch a glimpse of these private performances during their visit to the Zoo. On Thursday, August 20, and Friday, August 21, the Zoo is offering limited-tickets to “When Animals Listen: A Rare Encounter with PLUMES” during the Zoo’s regular operating hours.
Experience PLUMES special connection with animals as he plays for the Zoo’s giant tortoises, big cats and beautiful birds inside the Wings of the World aviary. Tickets include:
* An intimate musical performance
* An exclusive up-close animal experience following the performance
* A personal opportunity to meet PLUMES
* A souvenir T-shirt
The opportunity to attend one session or multiple unique encounters, each featuring a different animal and musical performance.
The following sessions are available:
Thursday, August 20
10:00am: Giant Tortoises
12:00pm: Wings of the World
2:00pm: Big Cats
Friday, August 21
10:00am: Giant Tortoises
12:00pm: Wings of the World
Tickets begin at $125, Save $25 if you purchase two sessions; $50 if you purchase all three.
Limited tickets available at philadelphiazoo dot org.
On Thursday, August 21, from 6:00 – 9:00pm, the Zoo will host “When Animals Listen: An Evening with PLUMES”:
As twilight settles over America’s First Zoo, enjoy an elegant stroll after hours while savoring handcrafted cocktails, chef-inspired hors d’oeuvres, and artfully prepared desserts as PLUMES serenades the Zoo’s animals in a historic opportunity. Throughout the evening, experience intimate live musical performances woven into the natural beauty of the Zoo, creating unforgettable moments where music, wildlife, and conservation come together in extraordinary harmony. Premium tickets for this one-night event are extremely limited to ensure the intimate atmosphere. Tickets available at philadelphiazoo dot org.
Tickets to each event supports the Zoo’s mission to flourish as an urban oasis where people and animals thrive, transformative memories are made, and passion for conservation helps save wildlife. Tickets available exclusively on the Zoo’s website, philadelphiazoo dot org.
About Philadelphia Zoo
At Philadelphia Zoo, the Zoo moves around you! Pioneering Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of animal exploration trails, Philadelphia Zoo has inspired more than 70 zoos around the globe to design new ways to invite animals to travel and roam through their own campuses. Passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, Zoo360 provides Philadelphia Zoo’s beautiful big cats, playful lemurs, and lively monkeys innovative ways to explore and marvel at one another and our guests. Visit the all-new Carey Bear Country, home to Andean and sloth bears, meet Mommy the Galapagos tortoise and her world-famous hatchlings at the Reptile & Amphibian House, our quickly-growing orangutan infant in PECO Primate Reserve, the Ankole cattle hillside, Amur tigers at Big Cat Falls, Victorian crown pigeons at McNeil Avian Center, and hippos, zebras and white rhino throughout African Plains. Share a space with critically endangered lemurs as you wander through Lemur Island, look up as you feed the world’s tallest animal at Giraffe Experience, or get up-close as you hand-serve colorful birds their meals at Wings of Asia. Philadelphia Zoo is one of the region’s foremost conservation and education organizations and home to endangered, and in some cases extinct, animals in the wild. At Philadelphia Zoo, our mission is to flourish as an urban oasis where people and animals thrive, transformative memories are made, and our passion for conservation helps save wildlife. Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a non-smoking facility. For more information, visit philadelphiazoo dot org. Facebook: PhiladelphiaZoo; Instagram: @philadelphiazoo; X (formerly Twitter): @phillyzoo; TikTok: @philadelphiazoo
About PLUMES
PLUMES is a French artist who dedicates his talent to a cause close to his heart: animal protection. By regularly singing for animals, he movingly raises awareness about the beauty of the animal world and the importance of its preservation. Through his music, he conveys a beautiful message of love and respect. His touching performances and captivating melodies awaken the conscience while offering moments of pure emotion; he is steadily gaining visibility on social media, winning over an ever-growing global audience captivated by his unique blend of music and advocacy—an artistry that speaks to both the heart and the mind. Authentic and sincere, PLUMES is undoubtedly an artist to watch closely. Come discover him and let yourself be swept away!