Photo by BrianMKA.

On October 29, the National Zoo put on Night of the Living Zoo, an evening of rock and roll combined with some harmless Halloween revelry. It sounds like it a rollicking good time — there were palm readers, fire eaters and illusionists, and DCist was on hand to check out the set performed by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (which we rather enjoyed). But some of the Zoo’s neighbors weren’t too thrilled about the noise being made at the show, so they took their gripes to the most captive audience they knew of. To the listserv!

At the risk of seeming like a killjoy, the music from tonight’s Halloween party at the zoo is making our house shake and our heads hurt.

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I was really surprised when the person I spoke to said, “It’s out of our hands. This is the Director’s party” I was told there was absolutely nothing they could do, that I should speak to the Director’s office or his Public Affairs office, both of which are obviously closed. I have lived on this street for about 10 years and have never had this kind of noise from the zoo. If anyone knows who I can write to on Monday – or call tomorrow – I will!

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Agreeing with the neighbors, this is unbearable. It’s never been like this before. I can’t imagine that the animals like it either.

We would hardly classify The Nocturnals’ crunchy sound and Potter’s velvety pipes as noise-rock. But the Cleveland Park listserv wasn’t the only one to see complaints — several people on Adams Morgan’s neighborhood email chain also emailed to complain about the noise. We’re talking DEFCON-1 levels of “get off my lawn” sentiment here, people.