This Weekend: First Days of Fall & Frida Continues
Posted in Programs and Events on September 25 2015, by Matt Newman
The weather’s on the move. You can see it in the cardigans sprinkling sidewalk traffic, and the words “pumpkin spice” galloping across coffee shop windows from here to the city limits. It’s moving in the Garden, too, however small the measures; the air’s crisp and the summer haze is lifting, and in pockets you see the subtle tease of changing leaves. But while the heat may be pulling up stakes, our blockbuster summer exhibition—FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life—is anything but finished. I’d say it’s just getting started in the new season.
As we head into fall, keep an eye out for the first signs of Día de los Muertos, the Mexican day of the dead held in honor of passed relatives. We’re already prepping for two incredible weekends held in celebration of the holiday come late October, and we’re not about to miss an opportunity to invite our friend Ray Villafane, pumpkin carver extraordinaire, to join us in the adventure. During Frida al Fresco evenings from now through the end of the exhibition on November 1, expect the fall colors to mingle in kind with new schedules of live music, dance, food, and drink to suit the season.
If you haven’t seen FRIDA, now’s your best shot.
Saturday, September 26
Textile Weaving Demonstrations: Artisans from Chiapas — 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
NYBG Shop
Artisans from Chiapas demonstrate their age-old techniques in weaving and embroidery. Using the backstrap loom, these textile artists evoke ancient motifs with natural dyes, striking a beautiful balance between traditional and contemporary. Visiting artisans are part of the Unión de Artesanas de Los Alto women’s cooperative and Chamuchic, a supporter of indigenous arts.
Native Plant Garden Tour — 12:30 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.
Live Music and Dance — 1 p.m.
In Ross Hall
Mexico Beyond Mariachi is a collective of professional teaching artist, musicians, and dancers that creates a bridge that connects audiences to the living traditions of Mexico through a musical journey that begins with the conquest and leads to the present day. The New York Metro area performance group has been seen by more than one million people over the last 10 years.
Perennial Garden Tour — 2:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a Garden Guide for a tour of the Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden, which combines a vast palette of colors, textures, flowers, and foliage to create interest in every season.
¡Cámara, Acción! Mexican Film Series — 3 p.m.
In Ross Hall
Every Saturday at 3 p.m., 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.
Sunday, September 27
Textile Weaving Demonstrations: Artisans from Chiapas — 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
NYBG Shop
Artisans from Chiapas demonstrate their age-old techniques in weaving and embroidery. Using the backstrap loom, these textile artists evoke ancient motifs with natural dyes, striking a beautiful balance between traditional and contemporary. Visiting artisans are part of the Unión de Artesanas de Los Alto women’s cooperative and Chamuchic, a supporter of indigenous arts.
Native Plant Garden Tour — 12:30 & 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.
Live Music and Dance — 1 p.m.
In Ross Hall
Mexico Beyond Mariachi is a collective of professional teaching artist, musicians, and dancers that creates a bridge that connects audiences to the living traditions of Mexico through a musical journey that begins with the conquest and leads to the present day. The New York Metro area performance group has been seen by more than one million people over the last 10 years.
¡Cámara, Acción! Mexican Film Series — 3 p.m.
In Ross Hall
Every Saturday at 3 p.m., 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.
Ongoing 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.
Dig! Plant! Grow! The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, Squash — 1:30–6 p.m.
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
For hundreds of years, the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—have been favorite crops to grow together. Learn more about the life of the Lenape who grew them and make your own corn husk doll to explore the garden with you—then take home!
Cooking with Frida
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays: 2 & 4 p.m.
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
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
Weekdays; 1:30–5:30 p.m.
Weekends plus Monday Holidays; 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
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.
Spotlight on Agave: A Tequila Story
The rich history and long-standing traditions of Mexican tequila will be told through a living presentation of the plant at the heart of it all—the agave—for an informative look into the botany and craftsmanship of one the world’s favorite spirits.
Octavio Paz Poetry Walk
Adjacent to the Haupt Conservatory, the works of influential 20th-century Mexican poet Octavio Paz, many referencing native plants and flowers, will be displayed amid the seasonal beauty of the Garden’s own collections.
The Mexico City of Frida and Diego
In the Ross Gallery
This fascinating panel exhibition in the Ross Gallery presents museums and other sites in Mexico City where Kahlo’s and Rivera’s artwork and personal collections can be viewed, conveying the scope of their artistic and intellectual contributions to the cultural life of Mexico.
