Calling all ladies and gents, flappers and fellas! R·I·T·Z gala co-chairs Kristi Pieper and Michelle Forsythe cordially invite you to join them for an exclusive evening unlike any other, The Roaring ‘20s – Puttin’ On The R·I·T·Z! Come raise your glass as we toast to the San Diego Zoo’s new Denny Sanford Children’s Zoo.

Be warned that this is no ordinary R·I·T·Z! Guests will be turned loose to forage at more dining stations than ever before, with giggle water aplenty. You’ll explore hidden speakeasies and scintillating live entertainment throughout the night, delight in animal encounters, and grab some treasures from the sensational silent auction.

This is going to be wild, so we’ve got some House Rules: ‘20s-themed attire is strongly encouraged, so don your newsboy caps and strings of pearls, but please leave all feathers and boas at home for the safety of our birds! Mind the barkeep, their word is law. And be sure to keep track of the secret knocks and passwords – don’t want the coppers finding our hooch.

Choose from various seating options in our one-night-only Rex lounge after the sun sets. There, you and your guests can gather to enjoy desserts and the magical music of Wayne Foster under the statue of Rex the lion (he’s the largest bronze animal sculpture in the world.) Buy a table, buy a seat, or try the new R·I·T·Z Party Guest ticket level, which provides unreserved, open seating with all the amenities of the evening.

So, lock in June 20, 2020 on your calendars! Get dolled up in your swanky suits and glitzy frocks and head on over to the San Diego Zoo for an unforgettable evening where you’ll strut your stuff on the dance floor and sip some giggle water from the juice joint. Come on down where fashion sits – right here at the Zoo, Puttin’ on the R·I·T·Z!

Reservations are going faster than moonshine during Prohibition! Find all you need to know about tickets, tables, and sponsorships at ritz.sandiegozoo.org, or contact Marilyn Neumann at (619) 287-5435.

Thank you in advance for your adventurous spirit, generosity, and support as we shatter the old rules and ring in a glorious new decade!

Toodles!

Kristi and Michelle

The 20s were a time of ideals, innovation, and imagination. The San Diego Zoo is bringing those same ideologies to the completely new and redesigned Denny Sanford Children’s Zoo. By supporting R·I·T·Z, you will help bring this incredible place to life and inspire future generations to protect our planet and its amazing species. Connecting with nature early in life ignites a passion for natural wonders of all kinds. The Denny Sanford Children’s Zoo will foster relationships between children of all ages and the natural world through empathy, understanding, and creativity. When children become inspired by plants and animals, they are more likely to protect them; conservation happens one person, and one animal encounter, at a time.