This Weekend: Catch Summer’s Final Days at the Garden

Posted in Programs and Events on August 21 2015, by Lansing Moore

The week is over, and the humidity is gone with it. Take advantage of the pleasant outdoors this weekend at NYBG with a full schedule of tours, programs, and activities for all ages—including our ongoing exhibition FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden Life.

We’re already looking towards a gorgeous autumn here at the Garden, with a whole new season of wonderful programs. The annual Edible Academy Family Picnic takes place on September 27, and this year’s exclusive benefit for the future of NYBG’s children’s organic vegetable gardening program will feature more activities and special guests than ever.

Click through for the full schedule for this weekend at the Garden.

Saturday, August 22

Ross Conifer Arboretum Tour–12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
The Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum is a historic, 15-acre collection of towering pines, elegant spruces, and mountain firs from around the world. These irreplaceable trees were among the first planted at the Garden, some as far back as the early 1900s. Join an expertly trained Guide for a tour of these exquisite specimens.

Live Music and Dance–1 p.m.
A part of FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life
In Ross Hall
Performances by Calpulli Danza Mexicana, New York City’s premier traditional Mexican dance company, are always colorful, passionate, and inviting, featuring glorious costumes, contagious rhythms, and talented performers. Calpulli expands its audience’s knowledge and appreciation of Mexican dance and culture.

Conservatory Tour–2:30 p.m.
Meet at the entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Explore the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, an acre of plants under glass, with one of the Garden’s Guides. Take an ecotour around the world through 11 distinct habitats, including two types of rain forest, deserts of the Americas and of Africa, and aquatic and carnivorous plant displays.

¡Cámara, Acción! Mexican Film Series–3 p.m.
A part of FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life
In Ross Hall
Experience Frida Kahlo on the big screen with the Academy Award-winning film Frida, directed by Julie Taymor and starring Salma Hayek. On Sundays, a revolving series of compelling documentaries, shorts, and features takes you inside the vibrant culture of Mexico today, presented in partnership with Cinema Tropical.

Today’s Feature: FRIDA (Julie Taymor, USA, 2002, 123 min. Rated R) (English) Frida chronicles the life Frida Kahlo shared unflinchingly and openly with Diego Rivera as the young couple took the art world by storm. Frida Kahlo lived a bold and uncompromising life as a political, artistic, and sexual revolutionary.

Sunday, August 23

Conservatory Tour–12:30 p.m.
Meet at the entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Explore the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, an acre of plants under glass, with one of the Garden’s Guides. Take an ecotour around the world through 11 distinct habitats, including two types of rain forest, deserts of the Americas and of Africa, and aquatic and carnivorous plant displays.

Live Music and Dance–1 p.m.
A part of FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life
In Ross Hall
Performances by Calpulli Danza Mexicana, New York City’s premier traditional Mexican dance company, are always colorful, passionate, and inviting, featuring glorious costumes, contagious rhythms, and talented performers. Calpulli expands its audience’s knowledge and appreciation of Mexican dance and culture.

Native Plant Garden Tour–2:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a tour guide for an insider’s view of the newly designed Native Plant Garden. Enjoy a mosaic of nearly 100,000 native trees, wildflowers, ferns and grasses designed to flourish in every season.

¡Cámara, Acción! Mexican Film Series–3 p.m.
A part of FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life
In Ross Hall
Experience Frida Kahlo on the big screen with the Academy Award-winning film Frida, directed by Julie Taymor and starring Salma Hayek. On Sundays, a revolving series of compelling documentaries, shorts, and features takes you inside the vibrant culture of Mexico today, presented in partnership with Cinema Tropical.

Today’s Feature: Las Marthas (Cristina Ibarra, USA, 2014, 68 minutes. In Spanish and English with subtitles. Not Rated) Las Marthas, The annual debutante ball in Laredo Texas is unlike any other in the country. In 1939, the Society of Martha Washington was founded to usher each year’s debutantes (called “Marthas”) into proper society at the Colonial Pageant and Ball. The girl’s attendants also dress as figures from the Americas colonial history and participate in traditional ceremonies. Celebrated as a striking alternative portrait of border town life (the NY Times) the film follows two Mexican-American girls carrying this gilded tradition on their shoulders during a time of economic uncertainty and tension over immigration.

Ongoing Children’s Programs

Mario Batali’s Kitchen Gardens—1:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Garden beds are filled with plants featured in the favorite recipes of the chefs from Mario Batali’s restaurants. Kids can explore the gardens to solve Mario’s Menu Mystery game.

Dig! Plant! Grow! Salad Days–1:30-6 p.m.
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Plants and imaginations grow at the Howell Family Garden, where kids are allowed!—no, encouraged!—to play in the dirt. Display gardens, such as the Global Gardens and the Bean Tunnel or Salad Bowl, and daily interactive gardening activities delight and inspire. Drop-in activities end at 5:30 p.m.

Cooking with Frida–2 & 4 p.m.
A part of FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Hands-on activities in the Edible Academy’s Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden bring together children and their families to experience the colors, textures, smells, and tastes of Frida Kahlo’s Mexican kitchen. Cooking demonstrations feature recipes inspired by those Frida served to family and friends, using nutritious, garden-based ingredients. Visitors can explore and tend to the plant staples of Mexican cuisine growing throughout the Family Garden: beans, tomatoes, peppers, chiles, herbs, and more!

Frida’s Flora and Fauna–1:30–5:30 p.m.
A part of FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden Weekdays
Visit the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden to experience the inspiration Frida Kahlo found in the natural world that can be seen and appreciated in her artwork. Throughout the Adventure Garden investigate plants and animals growing and living in New York City, using your senses as well as scientific tools to discover your own creative muse.