Music in the Zoo gets Barenaked for its 20th birthday

For the 20th annual concert series at the Minnesota Zoo, there will be something special, something new and lots of familiar favorites.

The something special is an Aug. 7 triple header of 1990s hitmakers Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler and Cracker, each a bona fide headliner.

The new-to-the-zoo names include Feist, Rufus Wainwright, DeVotchka, David Gray and the double bill of Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat.

As always, there will be a parade of regulars, including Brandi Carlile for two nights, the BoDeans, Dark Star Orchestra, Los Lonely Boys, Jimmy Cliff and a cool double bill of Los Lobos and Steve Earle.

About two dozen zoo shows for the 1,500-seat Weesner Amphitheater are being announced Monday. Several more concerts will be added, said promoter Sue McLean.

Kicking off the series June 2 is Feist, who won the Juno Award (Canada's Grammys) Sunday for artist of the year. She is promoting her fourth album, "Metals." Rhode Island Americana band the Low Anthem will open.

The Aug. 7 triple bill topped by zoo newcomers Barenaked Ladies will be the priciest ever at the zoo: $102 for box seats, $67 for reserved. Tickets to beloved and witty singer/songwriter John Prine on June 29 are also $67 but $79.50 for box seats.

Wainwright will make his zoo debut on Aug. 11 to support his album "Out of the Game," due April 23.

Pop hitmakers DeGraw and Caillat (June 27) and Gray (July 1) have received longtime radio support from Cities 97 and KS95 but will appear at the zoo for the first time.

DeVotchka, the polyglot party band from Denver, has been a mainstay at Minneapolis clubs but will head outdoors July 6.

Emmylou Harris, a longtime country and roots-rock heroine, returns to the zoo June 28 for the first time since 1993.

The only local act booked so far is the Pines (June 23), who are expanding their moody sound and fan base. Expect plenty more when opening acts are announced later.

Several of this year's headliners have frequent visitor cards:

• Pop-soul piano man Marc Cohn (July 13), who has performed more zoo shows than any artist.

• Los Lobos, America's most versatile roots band, and Americana maverick Steve Earle (July 25).

• Smooth-jazz saxophonist Dave Koz (Aug. 3).

• Dark Star Orchestra, the Grateful Dead cover band (July 5).

• Blues-rock showmen Los Lonely Boys with Ozomatli (July 22).

• Blues-leaning musicologist Taj Mahal and gospel legends Blind Boys of Alabama (Aug. 8).

Other returnees

• Reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff (June 16).

• Texas troubadour Jerry Jeff Walker (June 17).

• Reggae scion Ziggy Marley (July 3)

• Steel-guitar hero Robert Randolph and the Family Band (July 29)

• Country-pop songstress Mary Chapin Carpenter (Aug. 1)

• Blues guitar star Tommy Castro

• Texas piano powerhouse Marcia Ball (Aug. 4)

Jon Bream • 612-673-1719 Twitter: @jonbream