ZooFari Passport Adventure

Jul 2 - Aug 29

Even if you don’t have big summer travel plans, you can still see the world this summer at the Bronx Zoo. Visit on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in July and August and receive a special ZooFari passport. Then collect stamps for your passport as you journey along a wildlife safari to see grizzly bears in North America, lions on the African Plains, anacondas in South America, and lemurs in Madagascar! Also enjoy multicultural dance performances, crafts activities, and storytelling with representatives from the Museum for African Art, El Museo del Barrio, the Asia Society, and the Thunderbird Dance Troupe.

All activities take place at Dancing Crane Plaza.

Schedule of Events

African Crafts with the Museum for African Art

These Focus Africa workshops are designed to spread awareness and appreciation of various African art forms and cultures in a fun, multi-generational way.

Basket Making: July 17–18

Experience the beauty of basket making as it is practiced by Bakongo people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gourd Adornment: July 24­–25

Learn the intricate signs and patterns used to adorn gourds in the tradition of the Ndebele people of South Africa.

Making Dolls: July 31–August 1

Learn how to make dolls using African fabrics, cowry shells and beads, in the tradition of the children of Cameroon.

African Print Making/ Dance and Storytelling: August 7– 8

Get a rare glimpse into the world of fabric prints known as Adinkra, as created by the Ashanti people of Ghana. Also enjoy interactive dance performances by the Harambee Dance Troupe.

Celebrating South America, presented by El Museo del Barrio: August 14–15

Storytelling with Carmen Peláez

Gather 'round for Brazilian folk stories with a wildlife theme, performed by an acclaimed actor and playwright.

Brazilian Dance by Capoeira Arts Dance

Enjoy performances of Afro-Brazilian dance like samba and sambareggae, as well as capoeira (pronounced ka-poo-eyh-da), an African-Brazilian martial art that incorporates acrobatics, dance, music, and songs, guaranteed to energize your body and spirit.

Crafts

Create a worry doll, a tradition of Central American children, who tell their troubles at bedtime to tiny dolls made of colorful threads–one doll for each worry. Take your doll home with you, place it under a pillow, and when you wake up, your problem will be solved!undefined

Celebrating Asia, presented by the Asia Society: August 21–22

Traditional Dance from India and China

Chinese Theater Works will present traditional dances from India and China. Each piece will be performed in authentic traditional costume and accompanied by a kid-friendly explanation of the performance and its related costumes, and props. Additionally, the performance will include opportunities for audience participation and questions.

Times: 11:00–11:30 a.m., 12:30–1:00 p.m.

Hao Bang Ya, Tigers: Puppet Show

Hao Bang Ya, Tigers! features a set of beautifully carved and costumed hand puppets, plus comic slapstick and acrobatic feats that will thrill children and adults alike. The puppets perform traditional choreographies (arranged by Taiwanese puppet-master Wushan Huang) as well as contemporary scenes and musical numbers. English explanations, hands-on demonstrations and audience participation make the Chinese cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members.


The program includes the "Lion and Dragon Dance," "Wu Song Fights the Tiger" and "Tiger Suite," in honor of the Chinese Year of the Tiger, "Zodiac Parade," presenting the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac in music and dance, and more.

Times: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:00–1:30 p.m.

Craft Workshop: Storytelling & Origami

Learn origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, through storytelling! Acclaimed origami instructor Gay Merrill Gross makes learning origami easy and fun through her creative use of storytelling.

Times: 12:00, 1:30, 2:00 & 2:30 p.m. (25 minutes per session)

Celebrating North America, presented by Center for Traditional Music and Dance: August 28–29

Dance, storytelling and crafts will be presented by the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers.

Craft Workshop (limited to 25 people per session)

Workshop participants will make a Winnebago "Life Cycle" necklace and learn about various tribal regalia.

Storytelling

Audiences will hear stories from the Iroquois and Great Plains people. Stories include "The Origin of Turtle Island," "How The Old Grandfather Got His Crooked Face," and "How The First Flute Came Into Being."

Dance

  • Grass Dance from the Sioux tribe, originating from when the people followed the buffalo herds and had to clear a space to put up their tipis
  • Eagle Dance from the Hopi Tribe, a dance performed to honor the strength, power, and magnificence of the eagle
  • Robin dance from the Iroquois tribe, a dance that welcomes the spring season and imitates movements of the robin
  • Contest dance from the Winnebago tribe, a challenge dance in which the dancer must pick up a feather off the ground with their mouth, without putting their hands, knees or elbows on the ground. We also ask for volunteers from the audience to participate.

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