August 25 through September 3
Reception August 31, 3 to 5 p.m.
Art Show, Live Painting, and Custom Botanical Abstracts
The Miami Beach Botanical Garden presents an exhibition of 25 original paintings by Paula Richards. If you like stylized art by Picasso, Miro, O'Keeffe or Matisse, then this is a show you'll definitely want to check out. Stylized art is a recognizable representation of reality, such as the art of some contemporary artists and art of ancient cultures like hieroglyphs and the Lascaux cave paintings. Two of Richards's Egyptian themed paintings were taken aboard Air Force One by President Nixon and installed in the American Embassy in Cairo. Over 5,000 of Richards's paintings have been sold worldwide. Richards majored in Fine Art and Design art at the Philadelphia Museum College of Art and also studied sculpture at the Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia.
Her latest works are natural flora botanical abstracts: "From your garden or bouquet to my easel!" Bring your favorite flowers, petals and leaves to the show. Order your custom-designed unique original painting in any size. Your painting will be comprised of your actual flora and acrylic paint. Visit with Paula at the Garden. She will be painting at her easel daily from 10 to 5 for the duration of the show. The reception on August 31 from 3 to 5 p.m. is free and open to the public.
6 to 8 p.m.
FTW! (First Thursday Workshops) Cook Like a Wok Star
This is the first of a new series of monthly workshops held the first Thursday of every month at the Garden. Join us in the Banyan Room for a cooking presentation and tasting led by Eleanor Hoh, who will be teaching a similar class on the eighth (see below). This class was voted in the Top Five Cooking Classes by the Miami New Times. This is a great opportunity to "sample" what the Garden has in store for upcoming workshops, which all have an edible theme! Attendees will learn how to make two fresh and healthy recipes that they can experiment with in their own kitchen. We will also get to sample the dishes and learn the secrets to cooking like a Wok Star! Click here for the full lineup of workshops.
Click here for more info on the recipes and to register for this workshop!
10 a.m. to Noon
Saturday Seminar: Veggie Gardening 101
Start off the growing season right by attending our opening seminar of the season. This free lecture is perfect for the gardener who just moved to the SoFla area, or is just starting to try and live a little more sustainably. The good people from the Miami Dade Extension Service will cover the basics of what you need to know to have a thriving edible garden in South Florida, including planting and harvesting times, environmental requirements, and recommended plant lists for this area. Meet in the Butterfly Room.
Do you already have a green thumb and are looking to dig a little deeper? Then stick around because next month's seminar is Advanced Edible Gardening. Click here for the full lineup of free seminars at the Garden.
10 to 11 a.m.
Planting the Seeds Workshop
Young gardeners are invited to join in this special one-day-only workshop for 5 to 12 year olds. The goal of this workshop is to introduce students to growing their own food; giving them the skills, experience and enthusiasm to garden. The event is taught by Judy Anne Clark, the Mentor for the Miami Beach Garden Club, and Cindy Hill, Director for Once Upon a Carrot. We will learn which plants thrive in Florida, how to prepare the soil, and what to do when they sprout. We will discuss seedlings and how best to plant your new garden! $5 fee for adults, children and scouts free. Refreshments will be served. All supplies except gardening gloves provided. Register here!
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Rain Barrel Workshop
After the free veggie gardening lecture, learn how to water your garden effortlessly and save water at the same time! Rain barrels are one of the most useful tools for South Florida gardeners, both environmentally and economically speaking. How are you going to make sure your grass stays green in the dry season? By watering it with your reservoir from the rainy season of course!
Barbara McAdam from the Miami Dade Cooperative Extension Service will provide you with everything you need to make your own rain barrel and start making it rain! Please RSVP here so we know how many barrels to provide. Lecture is free, workshop materials are $40. This is a deal you're only ever going to find through the Extension Service so RSVP early.
Sunday, September 811 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wok Star Cooking Workshop (Full Version)
Join Wok Star Eleanor Hoh for the full three-hour version wok workshop. It's a perfect activity for parents and kids on a leisurely Sunday afternoon. Her simple, fun, NO-RECIPE technique for busy weeknight dinners using fresh ingredients and only four seasonings keeps it light and healthy.
In this workshop, Eleanor will demystify the art of wok cooking. You'll explore new ingredients and learn Asian cutting techniques. There'll be handouts with brands, Asian markets and a handy stir-fry crib sheet. She'll show how easy it is to wok up one-dish meals in 30 minutes and with very little clean up. Three dishes will illustrate her road map approach to cooking. Drinks are sponsored by Barton & Guestier's Bouvray wine and Fiji Water. There'll be giveaways from premium sponsors. Herbs and seasonal vegetables from the Edible Garden may be used in class. Registration and payment is required and space is limited. Members of the Garden receive a $15 discount!
Click here to register for the class.
5 and 7 p.m.
Free Outdoor Play: Gruesome Playground Injuries
Another outdoor production brought to you by the Ground Up & Rising crew, this play is about two eight-year-old's lives which collide in the nurse's office: Doug rode his bike off the roof and Kayleen can't stop throwing up. As they mature from accident-prone kids to self-destructive adults, their broken hearts and broken bones draw them ever closer. These two rebels may only be fit for one another, but how far can one person go to heal another's wounds? The New York Times says "The play is steeped in a wondering fatalism regarding the basic human urge to hurt." Play runs approximately one hour, showing at 5 and again at 7 outdoors behind the Banyan Room.
6 to 8 p.m.
An Evening with Gilbert Baker
Betsy Ross did not make the Pride Flag. Gilbert Baker created it, and inspired a movement. Gilbert Baker is an artist, civil rights activist and the creator of the Pride Flag. He served in the British Royal Army until 1972 where he was stationed in San Francisco. He taught himself to sew, and he created banners for social movements. It was during this time that he met and befriended Harvey Milk. To symbolize a movement, he created the Pride Flag in 1978 to reflect the diversity of the community. Gilbert will discuss the importance of symbolism, and how he came to create a powerful image that has shaped a movement. Join us for an evening of conversation with Gilbert, as well as an opportunity to meet others. Hosted by Shed Bored, Richard Standifer, Damian Perdo, Efrain Garcia, MD, Cindy Brown and Ivan Cano. This event is free and open to the community.
3 to 5 p.m.
Unleash Peace! To date, more than 200,000 Peace Poles have been dedicated in over 190 countries. The City of Miami Beach Community Relations Board has decided to join these countries by adopting our own Peace Pole Project. The Garden was the spot chosen for its permanent home, as a vessel of contemplation and meeting space to engender the feelings of community, peace and harmony. Designed by Winsome Bolt from the Sunflower Society, the ceremony will take place on the Banyan Room terrace. There will be a tree planting, and interfaith minister group present. Come join us in the name of peace!
Saturday, September 286 to 8 p.m.
An Evening in the Garden: Citizens for a Better South Florida Annual Gala
You are invited to this annual gala for Citizens for a Better South Florida. Citizens is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to protecting our unique South Florida ecosystems. Every year they promote projects that help increase the area's tree canopy, eradicate invasive plants, and educate the public on green living. Your ticket to An Evening in the Garden includes an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, access to the silent auction items and packages from local businesses, as well as live music from local musician Bob Bonnen. $50 for members, $60 non-members, $25 children. Click here to purchase tickets and support Citizens' environmental education and protection of SoFla since 1989!
Wednesdays in September12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Hatha Yoga Classes
These 45 minute sessions are FREE for members with a suggested $10 donation for non-members. The classes encompass a blend of strengthening, stretching, and relaxation. The instructor, Kiki Fries, is known for her versatile classes which cater to individual interests, levels, and requests. Whether you have never practiced yoga before or you are an advanced practitioner with an area of injury, Kiki will ensure that you leave her class feeling refreshed, revitalized, and harmonized. A yoga practitioner for 14 years, Kiki trained at Ayama Yoga in Aventura, FL and teaches a variety of yoga classes throughout Miami. Trained and certified in Holistic Health Counseling, Integrative Nutrition, and Reiki, Kiki helps students to strengthen the body and the spirit while relaxing the mind.
