SEX AND THE CITY ZOO 4: SEXY BEAST! Comes to Greater LA Zoo, 2/9

"SEX AND THE CITY ZOO 4: SEXY BEAST!," an extraordinary Valentine's Day event celebrating romance in the animal kingdom, is presented by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) on Saturday, February 9, 2013, 5 pm, in the Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium.

The adults-only affair features a lighthearted and enlightening talk by actress Joleen Lutz, who is also known for her work as an interpretive naturalist of zoology. Also included are a reception featuring tempting desserts and wines; "animal walk-abouts," which include chats with keepers and the chance to observe small animals up close; and an optional four-course dinner at Reggie's Bistro inside the Zoo. Proceeds from the fourth annual fund-raiser, generously sponsored by Whole Foods Market West Hollywood, support the Zoo's mission of wildlife preservation and conservation at the Zoo and around the world.

Lutz, a long-time volunteer docent at the Los Angeles Zoo, was a regular on the popular series "Night Court" and currently plays Eleanor Carter in the Lifetime/Renee Zellweger pilot "Cinnamon Girl." She has made guest appearances on "Desperate Housewives," "CSI," "Pushing Daisies," and "Boston Legal," and has appeared as an animal expert on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and on MTV and Animal Planet.

Dinner guests receive a long stem rose per couple and a glass of champagne per person. The meal begins with Ahi Tartare-Avocado Mouselline and Pickled Breakfast Radish on Sesame Soy Crisps, followed by Local Baby Frisee-Torn Duck Confit with Point Reyes Cheese, Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes, Mission Figs and Hive Honey Emulsion. Entrée choices are Veal Osso Buco with Citrus-Root Vegetables and Gremolata-Natural Juices; or Pistachio Crusted Northern Halibut with Chilean Bing Cherries in Red Wine; or Sage Brown Butter Potato Gnocchi with Roasted Market Vegetables and Light Saffron Cream. Entrees are accompanied by Porcini Mushroom Polenta Cake with Hints of Truffle. Dessert is titled Perfect "Pear" Cabernet with Poached-Mascarpone Ice Cream and Praline Brittle. Iced tea and sodas are included, and wines are available for purchase.

"SEX AND THE CITY ZOO 4: SEXY BEAST!" is among many Los Angeles Zoo events presented by the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), founded in 1963. For nearly five decades, GLAZA has funded exhibits, plant and animal species conservation, capital projects, and education and community outreach programs at the Los Angeles Zoo, an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. GLAZA also builds and invests endowment funds and operates five essential departments on behalf of the Zoo, including development, publications, membership, volunteers and oversight of the Zoo's food/retail concessions. There are currently 73,000 GLAZA member households representing more than 300,000 adults and children, the largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles, and a volunteer corps of over 700.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, Calif., in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.

Tickets to "SEX AND THE CITY ZOO 4: SEXY BEAST!" are $30 per person for GLAZA members, with the dinner option an additional $65 per person, and $40 per person for non members, plus an additional $75 per person for the dinner option. (Adults only, age 21 up.) Seating is limited, and reservations are required by February 6. Call 323 644-6042 for reservations. For more info, go to www.lazoo.org.

Pictured: Los Angeles Zoo Gerenuks Kissing. Photo Credit: Tad Motoyama.