Snow-Day Salsa

Posted in Around the Garden on January 20 2012, by Matt Newman

Rumor has it we’ll be seeing some snow in New York tonight! Does that mean winter’s finally making its frigid entrance stage right? Or maybe it’s just nature’s subtle way of nudging you to get off the couch and pay us a visit for the balmy opening of the Caribbean Garden. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that–yes–the season is giving you a signal. What could it hurt?

Snowflakes or no-flakes, the NYBG will be buzzing with tours, bird walks, and all the swinging, high-heeled dance numbers of the islands. I’m talking salsa. Salsa and warmth. When’s the last time you got to enjoy that kind of two-in-one in the middle of January? And even if the winter was mild until now, it’s a breezy icebox outside today; I’m convinced the threat of frostbite is reason enough to hang out in the jungle habitats of the steamy Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Here’s what’s going on this weekend at the Garden!

Saturday, January 21

Bird Walk — 11 a.m.
Meet at the Leon Levy Visitor Center Reflecting Pool.
It’s raptor season here at the NYBG. Our local Red-tailed hawks have been especially vain this month, posing for local photographers and generally hamming it up at every opportunity. Jr. in particular is making daily appearances–he’s part of 2010’s brood from local celebrity duo Rose and Vince. Join veteran birdwatcher Debbie Becker for a walk through acres of Garden beauty and you might just catch a glimpse of these hunters on the wing. (Debbie has a great track record with this kind of thing.)

Garden Highlights Tour with American Sign Language Interpreter — 12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Conservatory entrance.
Our popular tours are the quickest way to get acquainted with the Garden’s living collections. Join an expert docent for a detailed tour of the permanent exhibitions across our 250-acre grounds. This week’s offering also brings with it an interpreter for those visitors needing assistance.

Salsa: Listen and Learn — 2 p.m.
Meet at the Conservatory Green School.
Educator Jose Obando will be here to teach you a thing or two about the history, culture, and rhythm of salsa music. With classic memorabilia and traditional instruments to help tell the story, Jose will end the get-together by teaching you a few salsa moves of your own. You know the best way to stay warm is to get your feet moving.

Sunday, January 22

Conservatory Tour — 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Meet at the Conservatory entrance.
A more specific version of our Garden Highlights tour, a docent will guide you through our Conservatory to view the permanent collections that make our glasshouse the botanical destination of the northeast. Carnivorous plants, steamy rain forests, deserts and more will enlighten and inspire.

Photography Tips and Tricks
Meet in the Conservatory Palms of the Americas Gallery.
Shutterbugs rejoice! Rich Pomerantz returns along with Alan Detrick for a casual photography workshop open to all Caribbean Garden visitors. Bring your camera for tips, encouragement, and critique from these accomplished and undeniably talented garden photographers. Then use your new techniques to take part in our photography contest running into March.

Ongoing Children’s Activities

Tropical Discoveries and Wintertime Wonders — Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Meet at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden.
The kids will begin with a scavenger hunt under the glass of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, seeking out tropical plants before winding their way to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden for more native plant exploration. When they’re done, they can pot up a plant of their very own to raise at home.

Don’t forget your tickets! The Caribbean Garden is an event for everyone, but you’ll need a Conservatory pass to get in.