You are invited to a Berkshire Botanical Garden members-only potluck supper in the Pergola at the Lodge on August 25 from 5 – 7. Please bring a sweet or savory family-friendly dish of your choice. For complete information, and to join to be a part of the celebration, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.
Boston Lights is back again, illuminating Franklin Park Zoo’s 72-acres with a stunning array of all-new lanterns and lights. Experience the rich cultural history of China through traditional lantern scenes including a 200-foot-long display of pagodas, cranes and lotuses, as well as a glowing walk-through dragon tunnel spanning over 80 feet. 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm. $22.95 For more information visit https://www.zoonewengland.org/engage/boston-lights
Discover a world of wonder as you meet some of the mythical, magical, and monstrous creatures that have inspired fascinating legends and captured human imaginations for centuries. From majestic unicorns and fire-breathing dragons, to trolls, fairies, and phoenixes, magical beings made of natural and nature-inspired materials come to life in an exhibit that will leave you spell-bound. This fall in The Ramble at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, journey with us through a realm of Myths, Magic, and Monsters, where anything is possible, and the impossible is real. The exhibition and activities run from September 1 – October 31. And thank you, NEBG, for that Oxford comma in the title.
On select Friday and Saturday evenings this fall, Myths, Magic, and Monsters becomes even more mesmerizing with dazzling light displays and illuminated mythical creatures. These family-friendly evening events include enchanting activities, atmospheric music, and real-life folklore friends. Explore the wonders of the season and experience The Ramble in a whole new light. Don’t forget your wings and wands.
Join us Octobrer 7 – 9 from 10 – 4 for a weekend full of legends and lore this autumn as our mythical guests transform the Garden into a realm of imagination, wonder, and magic. Enjoy brews and local fare at our Beer Garden, browse our magical marketplace, and discover hidden mythical creatures along the way. This weekend will feature enchanting crafts, workshops, and entertainment for all ages. Come dressed up as your favorite fantasy being!
In a special adult class, instructor Merry Beninato will conduct a workshop on Needle Felted Fairy Houses on September 9 from 1 – 3:30. Create a three-dimensional wool sculpture of a fairy house, complete with tiny windows, flowers, beneficial bugs, and a curl of smoke drifting from a wee crooked chimney. Students will start with a basic shape of core wool and add layers of colorful wool by hand with a felting needle, according to their own tastes. The finished creation can serve as decor, or a useful pincushion.
All materials and supplies will be provided in this make-and-take class. Beginners welcome. $60 for NEBG members, $75 for nonmembers.
For complete schedule and information visit www.nebg.org
Bonsai, tiny trees in pots or miniature landscapes on trays, have delighted and intrigued people for centuries, from their origins in China to their extraordinary refinement in Japan to their global popularity today.
Join Michael James, the U.S. National Arboretum’s bonsai curator, and Ann McClellan, author of Bonsai and Penjing: Ambassadors of Peace and Beauty, for an illustrated talk about the Arboretum’s National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and its unique collections. They share stories about how the diminutive trees were created and came to Washington plus a few tips on how to care for these living works of art. The Zoom presentation is sponsored by Smithsonian Associates on August 23 at noon Eastern, and is $25 for Smithsonian Associates members, $30 for nonmembers. Register at www.smithsonianassociates.org
Join Jef Taylor in Franklin Park, at the Tennis Courts in front of the Shattuck Hospital, on either August 20 or 26 at 10 am for a free walk on The Summer Nature of Franklin Park. Even in the heart of the city, we’re surrounded by incredible wildlife. On these upcoming walks, learn how to look for and identify a range of native species from insects to birds to small mammals. Participants should come prepared to walk in the woods and should dress accordingly by wearing long pants, sturdy walking shoes, and bug spray. If raining, the walk will be cancelled. Please check the website to make sure the scheduled walk is happening. Pre-registration is required at https://www.zoonewengland.org/engage/biodiversity-walks/
In partnership with the Berkshire Humane Society, Berkshire Botanical Garden’s beloved event, Dog Days of Summer, is returning on Sunday, August 20, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dog Days brings families and their furry friends together for a full day of canine fun in the Garden. Dog Days offers activities for both canines and their families, including dog-related workshops, vendors, demonstrations, and a dog pool party!
Admission is $18 for Non-Members and free for BBG members. An additional $5 per dog will be donated to the Berkshire Humane Society. The first 100 dogs to be admitted into the Garden will receive a Tito’s bandana provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, non-retractable leashes provided by Benson’s Pet Center, and waste bags, and natural biscuits provided by Chez Pet. Fresh hot dogs from Stylin’ Franks will be available for purchase and refreshments will be provided by BBG. All dogs must be registered, up to date on vaccinations, and kept on a non-retractable leash.
This October, you’re invited to join The Royal Oak Foundation on a seven-night voyage around Sicily, Italy’s island paradise featuring a treasure trove of ancient art and history. On this cultural journey of discovery, cruise the Mediterranean’s enchanting waters under the billowing sails of the luxurious Sea Cloud II.
Explore Sicily’s culture, art, history, and public health from fascinating perspectives. Travel with guidance of an exhibition design manager who oversees the displays at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and two professors from Harvard University. Step ashore in towns steeped in ancient history, where the echoes of the Graeco-Roman, Carthaginian, and Byzantine worlds still linger. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of mountains, verdant pastures, and fragrant citrus groves as you delve into the rich cultural heritage of Sicily. Download the brochure HERE.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, the international best-selling novel by Holly Ringland, has been adapted into a Prime Video series starring NYBG Trustee Sigourney Weaver starting August 4, 2023.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart follows the story of a 9-year-old girl taken to live with her grandmother June (played by Weaver) at Thornfield flower farm, after tragically losing her parents in a mysterious fire. On the flower farm, Alice learns to find solace amongst the native wildflowers and plants that sweep Australia’s breath-taking natural landscape. Family secrets come to light as Alice’s journey unfolds and she is forced to weed her way through her family’s past. In a tale that explores the symbolic language of flowers and indigenous connections to the land, Alice discovers that to move forwards, she needs to unlock the past.
Join author Holly Ringland and show-runner and producer Sarah Lambert for an exclusive conversation about how they brought these pages to life on screen, their deep respect for each other’s work, and the transformative power of the language of flowers across both time and cultures. This online New York Botanical Garden talk will take place August 24 at 7 pm, and is $35 for NYBG members, $39 for nonmembers. Register at www.nybg.org.
The Griffin Museum of Photography will be running an Anthotype class at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester on August 27 from 9 – noon. Come enjoy a wonderful morning learning how to make plant based prints with Anne Eder, an interdisciplinary artist and educator. There will be a Wednesday evening (September 6) follow up to share finished prints and enjoy a public talk by Anne Eder about her work. Tiered pricing from $105 – $185, plus a $10 materials fee. Register at https://www.wlfarm.org/adult-education-programs/
Turmeric Print – copyright Anne Eder
Would you like to learn how to use seasonal ingredients to make delicious cocktails and mocktails? Join Adrienne, the farmer at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, and Amy (Farm to Go) on August 16 at 7 pm in the All Seasons Barn to learn about some great options for using fresh, seasonal herbs, fruits, and flowers in your liquid libations. This class will be focused on the great options available during New England summer. Register at https://www.wlfarm.org/adult-education-programs/
Please note, this class will be more about tasting and less about drinking.
Cost
Tiered pricing available:
Tier A $35 (pay-it-forward)
Tier B $25 (cost to run the class)
Tier C $15 (reduced price)
