Inside The New York Botanical Garden

This Weekend: Counting Down to Dinner

Posted in Programs and Events on July 19 2013, by Matt Newman

Mario's Kitchen GardensJust over one more week to go! We’re counting off the days until Mario Batali‘s first Family Dinner of the summer, with eminent chefs from both Lupa and Babbo presiding, and already our appetites are piqued. Not that it’s all too surprising—the promise of Mozzarella di Bufala, strip steak with marinated runner beans, pistachio olive oil cake and more would have the gourmand in almost anyone hopping with anticipation.

The event goes well beyond the family-style dinner, too. If you’ve got kids in tow, don’t worry about antsiness playing into it: we’ll have a bunch of hands-on gardening and craft activities to keep the little ones happy. Meanwhile, cooking demonstrations from Mario’s top chefs round out the experience in the Whole Foods Market® Family Garden Kitchen. It’s a lot to pack into one evening, but we’re not shy of saying how proud we are to host it! That said, we only have food for so many guests in the Family Garden at one time, so tickets are limited—better to register now than wait until next weekend! Check out The Edible Garden for more on this MasterCard® event, or head straight over to Priceless NY to get your tickets. Your tastebuds would thank you if they could.

For this weekend’s activities, Wild Medicine is as much the belle of the ball as ever, with horticulturists working each and every day to keep the Conservatory display at its peak. And we’re doing it one better this weekend with Saturday and Sunday gardening demonstrations geared toward the flower arrangers among you (or those who are hopeful of becoming one). Check the rest of the schedule below!


Saturday, July 20

The NYBG Weekend

Tour Wild Medicine in the Conservatory
In the Conservatory, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Guides throughout the exhibition help bring the stories of Wild Medicine to life and guide your experience. Learn about featured medicinal plants and their cultural significance, the origin of medicinal gardens, and more.

Film Screening: Wild Medicine

In the Ross Hall, 11:30 a.m., 12, 2, and 4 p.m.
Orchid Rotunda, Ongoing

This 15–minute introductory film narrated by Sigourney Weaver helps set the tone for your visit, celebrating the beauty of the real Garden of Padua while highlighting the importance of healing plants and the work of Garden scientists.

Music and Dance of the Italian Renaissance
In the Ross Hall, 1 and 3 p.m.

Enjoy a rich repertoire of music and dance of the Italian Renaissance period presented by members of Early Music New York and The New York Historical Dance Company.

Home Gardening Demonstration: Fab Floral Arranging
In the Home Gardening Center – 2 p.m.

Create a masterpiece in your home with a fresh floral centerpiece. Join us for a demonstration on how to arrange flowers in simple yet elegant centerpieces.


Sunday, July 21

The NYBG Weekend

Film Screening: Wild Medicine
In the Ross Hall, 11:30, 12, 2 and 4 p.m.
Orchid Rotunda, Ongoing

This 15–minute introductory film narrated by Sigourney Weaver helps set the tone for your visit, celebrating the beauty of the real Garden of Padua while highlighting the importance of healing plants and the work of Garden scientists.

Tour Wild Medicine in the Conservatory
In the Conservatory, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Guides throughout the exhibition help bring the stories of Wild Medicine to life and guide your experience. Learn about featured medicinal plants and their cultural significance, the origin of medicinal gardens, and more.

Music and Dance of the Italian Renaissance
In the Ross Hall, 1 and 3 p.m.

Enjoy a rich repertoire of music and dance of the Italian Renaissance period presented by members of Early Music New York and The New York Historical Dance Company.

Home Gardening Demonstration: Fab Floral Arranging
In the Home Gardening Center – 2 p.m.

Create a masterpiece in your home with a fresh floral centerpiece. Join us for a demonstration on how to arrange flowers in simple yet elegant centerpieces.


Ongoing Children’s Programs

The NYBG Weekend

Outdoor Nature Exploration at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
Open daily during regular Garden hours; Guided Activities: Tuesdays-Fridays, 1:30-5:30 p.m.,
Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Explore nature and plant science through seasonally changing programs, themed galleries, and hands-on activities in the William and Lynda Steere Discovery Center as well as through outdoor exploration of the 12-acre Adventure Garden.

Mario Batali’s Kitchen Gardens
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
April 6 – October 11, 2013; 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Kids can explore with Mario’s Menu Mystery game, featuring favorite vegetables and herbs from nine of his restaurants’ kitchens, including Otto and Del Posto.

Included in any All-Garden Pass.

Cooking Demonstrations
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, at the Whole Foods Market® Family Garden Kitchen
May 11 – October 11, 2013: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays: 2 & 4 p.m.

From late spring into early fall, learn to cook up flavorful new recipes using garden-fresh ingredients, twice a day on Wednesdays and weekends in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.

Sweet and Stinky
Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
July 20 – August 16, 2013, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Go on a Pickle Parade through the Family Garden to learn about plants—both familiar and unfamiliar—that take part in the pickling process. Learn what it takes to pickle and make your very own batch of pickles to savor back at home.