Calendar
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Come join our monthly walk for birders of all levels. Bring binoculars!
Keep your bird count tallied on the updated and now downloadable Descanso Bird Checklist.
No reservations required.
MEMBERS ONLY
Come see what happens in the garden during extended hours. Take a tour, dance to music amongst the flowers, learn about nature, enjoy food and drink. Grab some friends and enjoy the gardens in a new way.
Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required.
Cultivate: Native Plant Stories
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Storytelling workshop with Tina Orduno Calderon
– Tina will share stories and songs with guests as well as speak about the revival of the Tongva language and the fluidity of culture which is integrally connected to language and place
– Times: 4:30–4:50pm and 5–5:20pm
– Location: Amphitheater
Lessons from wildlife with Horticulturist Diana Nightingale
– Times: 5–5:45pm and 6–6:45pm
– Location: Meets at Center Circle
Theodore Payne Nursery Table
– Learn about fire prevention and native plants with Theodore Payne Nursery
– Time: 4:30–7pm
– Location: El Portal
Flashdance DJs
– Have a drink in the Rose Garden bar and enjoy a mix of classic and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs
– Time: 4:30–7pm
– Location: Rose Garden
Craft activity: Native seed packet
– Time: 4:30–7pm
– Location: Main Lawn
Biographies
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Tina Orduno Calderon
Tina is a Culture Bearer, traditional singer and dancer, storyteller and poet who strives to honor her ancestors and inspire others to respect the lands, water, sacred elements and environment.
Treat your mom to specialty drinks and French toast this Mother’s Day, May 14. The Kitchen at Descanso will be serving cocktails and more from 10:30am onwards in the courtyard.
No reservations required. Menu subject to change, while supplies last.
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Join us for a guided walking tour to see what’s blooming at Descanso. Meets from 11am to noon on March 17 and 18, April 21 and 22, and May 19 and 20.
Meets at Center Circle. Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required.
Join us for a guided walking tour to see what’s blooming at Descanso. Meets from 11am to noon on March 17 and 18, April 21 and 22, and May 19 and 20.
Meets at Center Circle. Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required.
Come join our monthly walk for birders of all levels. Bring binoculars!
Keep your bird count tallied on the updated and now downloadable Descanso Bird Checklist.
No reservations required.
MEMBERS ONLY
Coming to Descanso on Memorial Day? Check out The Kitchen at Descanso’s special menu with chili cheese dogs, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, and more.
No reservations required. Menu subject to change, while supplies last.
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Meander through the Japanese Garden with the accompaniment of acoustic music during our extended summer hours. Enjoy a drink from the Tea House bar in this new twelve-week series.
The Camellia Lounge is open from 4:45–6:30pm, Fridays through Sundays from June 2- August 27*.
Entry to the Camellia Lounge is included with admission, no reservations required.
*Please note that there will be no music on June 9, July 14, and August 4, 5, 6, and 11.
See the full schedule here:
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Friday–Sunday: June 2–4 | Philip Graulty– Guitar
Philip Graulty is a Los Angeles-based guitarist and composer whose unique approach to the guitar is informed by myriad styles including classical guitar, contemporary jazz, and country blues.
Saturday–Sunday: June 10–11 *No Friday | Tina Lenert- Harp
Tina has provided music both solo and with the California Shakespeare Ensemble shows at Descanso for years, with her harp as a perfect complement to a walk through the gardens.
Friday–Sunday: June 16–18 | Rachel Rudich and Kozue Matsumoto– Shakuhachi and Koto
This fusion of traditional, modern, and improvisational music creates an incredibly vibrant and exciting showcase for Japanese culture through music.
Friday–Sunday: June 23–25 | Fang Fang Xu- Cello
A doctorate in cello performance from USC and having performed with Pacific Symphony, USC Thornton Symphony, LA Phil, and LA Chamber Orchestra, Fang Fang’s cello playing is a favorite at Descanso.
Friday–Sunday: June 30–July 2 | Angelo Salazar– Guitar
A native of Peru, Angelo is a leader in Afro Peruvian Music and works in large and small ensembles blending styles from Cuban Latin jazz, boleros, salsa, chachacha, bossa nova, rumba, to flamenca.
Friday–Sunday: July 7–9 | Marc Gasway– Slack Key
A multi-instrumentalist and music director, Marc’s guitar playing infuses slack key tunings with elements of traditional American forms such as ragtime, Piedmont, Delta blues, and indie rock.
Saturday–Sunday: July 15–16 *No Friday | Kale Stiles- Pedal steel
Born on the big island of Hawaii, Kale grew up immersed in the local native sounds and upon living in LA, has dived deep into Jazz Manouche and modern-retro country scenes while never losing the nostalgic sounds of the Pacific.
Friday–Saturday: July 21–22 | Christopher Garcia– Percussion of MesoAmerica and India
A native of East Los Angeles, Christopher is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who entertains and educates with indigenous sounds from around the world.
Sunday: July 23 | Marc Gasway– Slack Key
A multi-instrumentalist and music director, Marc’s guitar playing infuses slack key tunings with elements of traditional American forms such as ragtime, Piedmont, Delta blues, and indie rock.
Friday–Sunday: July 28–30 | Tadaima– Taiko Jazz Ensemble
This unique ensemble comprised of Russel Baba, Gary Fitzgerald, and Leon Abner performs original music influenced by the traditions of jazz improvisation, world cultures, and modern music through a captivating combination of taiko, flute, saxophone, bass, and percussion instruments.
Saturday–Sunday: August 12–13 *No Friday | Abe Lagrimas Jr.- Ukulele
A Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts) recipient who has released multiple albums and headlined many ukulele festivals, Abe brings his expert sound of this beloved instrument to audiences across the globe.
Friday–Sunday: August 18–20 | Fang Fang Xu- Cello
A doctorate in cello performance from the USC and having performed with Pacific Symphony, USC Thornton Symphony, LA Phil, and LA Chamber Orchestra, Fang Fang’s cello playing is a favorite at Descanso.
Friday–Sunday: August 25–27 | Philip Graulty– Guitar
Philip Graulty is a Los Angeles-based guitarist and composer whose unique approach to the guitar is informed by myriad styles including classical guitar, contemporary jazz, and country blues.
.
Meander through the Japanese Garden with the accompaniment of acoustic music during our extended summer hours. Enjoy a drink from the Tea House bar in this new twelve-week series.
The Camellia Lounge is open from 4:45–6:30pm, Fridays through Sundays from June 2- August 27*.
Entry to the Camellia Lounge is included with admission, no reservations required.
*Please note that there will be no music on June 9, July 14, and August 4, 5, 6, and 11.
See the full schedule here:
.
.
Friday–Sunday: June 2–4 | Philip Graulty– Guitar
Philip Graulty is a Los Angeles-based guitarist and composer whose unique approach to the guitar is informed by myriad styles including classical guitar, contemporary jazz, and country blues.
Saturday–Sunday: June 10–11 *No Friday | Tina Lenert- Harp
Tina has provided music both solo and with the California Shakespeare Ensemble shows at Descanso for years, with her harp as a perfect complement to a walk through the gardens.
Friday–Sunday: June 16–18 | Rachel Rudich and Kozue Matsumoto– Shakuhachi and Koto
This fusion of traditional, modern, and improvisational music creates an incredibly vibrant and exciting showcase for Japanese culture through music.
Friday–Sunday: June 23–25 | Fang Fang Xu- Cello
A doctorate in cello performance from USC and having performed with Pacific Symphony, USC Thornton Symphony, LA Phil, and LA Chamber Orchestra, Fang Fang’s cello playing is a favorite at Descanso.
Friday–Sunday: June 30–July 2 | Angelo Salazar– Guitar
A native of Peru, Angelo is a leader in Afro Peruvian Music and works in large and small ensembles blending styles from Cuban Latin jazz, boleros, salsa, chachacha, bossa nova, rumba, to flamenca.
Friday–Sunday: July 7–9 | Marc Gasway– Slack Key
A multi-instrumentalist and music director, Marc’s guitar playing infuses slack key tunings with elements of traditional American forms such as ragtime, Piedmont, Delta blues, and indie rock.
Saturday–Sunday: July 15–16 *No Friday | Kale Stiles- Pedal steel
Born on the big island of Hawaii, Kale grew up immersed in the local native sounds and upon living in LA, has dived deep into Jazz Manouche and modern-retro country scenes while never losing the nostalgic sounds of the Pacific.
Friday–Saturday: July 21–22 | Christopher Garcia– Percussion of MesoAmerica and India
A native of East Los Angeles, Christopher is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who entertains and educates with indigenous sounds from around the world.
Sunday: July 23 | Marc Gasway– Slack Key
A multi-instrumentalist and music director, Marc’s guitar playing infuses slack key tunings with elements of traditional American forms such as ragtime, Piedmont, Delta blues, and indie rock.
Friday–Sunday: July 28–30 | Tadaima– Taiko Jazz Ensemble
This unique ensemble comprised of Russel Baba, Gary Fitzgerald, and Leon Abner performs original music influenced by the traditions of jazz improvisation, world cultures, and modern music through a captivating combination of taiko, flute, saxophone, bass, and percussion instruments.
Saturday–Sunday: August 12–13 *No Friday | Abe Lagrimas Jr.- Ukulele
A Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts) recipient who has released multiple albums and headlined many ukulele festivals, Abe brings his expert sound of this beloved instrument to audiences across the globe.
Friday–Sunday: August 18–20 | Fang Fang Xu- Cello
A doctorate in cello performance from the USC and having performed with Pacific Symphony, USC Thornton Symphony, LA Phil, and LA Chamber Orchestra, Fang Fang’s cello playing is a favorite at Descanso.
Friday–Sunday: August 25–27 | Philip Graulty– Guitar
Philip Graulty is a Los Angeles-based guitarist and composer whose unique approach to the guitar is informed by myriad styles including classical guitar, contemporary jazz, and country blues.
.
Meander through the Japanese Garden with the accompaniment of acoustic music during our extended summer hours. Enjoy a drink from the Tea House bar in this new twelve-week series.
The Camellia Lounge is open from 4:45–6:30pm, Fridays through Sundays from June 2- August 27*.
Entry to the Camellia Lounge is included with admission, no reservations required.
*Please note that there will be no music on June 9, July 14, and August 4, 5, 6, and 11.
See the full schedule here:
.
.
Friday–Sunday: June 2–4 | Philip Graulty– Guitar
Philip Graulty is a Los Angeles-based guitarist and composer whose unique approach to the guitar is informed by myriad styles including classical guitar, contemporary jazz, and country blues.
Saturday–Sunday: June 10–11 *No Friday | Tina Lenert- Harp
Tina has provided music both solo and with the California Shakespeare Ensemble shows at Descanso for years, with her harp as a perfect complement to a walk through the gardens.
Friday–Sunday: June 16–18 | Rachel Rudich and Kozue Matsumoto– Shakuhachi and Koto
This fusion of traditional, modern, and improvisational music creates an incredibly vibrant and exciting showcase for Japanese culture through music.
Friday–Sunday: June 23–25 | Fang Fang Xu- Cello
A doctorate in cello performance from USC and having performed with Pacific Symphony, USC Thornton Symphony, LA Phil, and LA Chamber Orchestra, Fang Fang’s cello playing is a favorite at Descanso.
Friday–Sunday: June 30–July 2 | Angelo Salazar– Guitar
A native of Peru, Angelo is a leader in Afro Peruvian Music and works in large and small ensembles blending styles from Cuban Latin jazz, boleros, salsa, chachacha, bossa nova, rumba, to flamenca.
Friday–Sunday: July 7–9 | Marc Gasway– Slack Key
A multi-instrumentalist and music director, Marc’s guitar playing infuses slack key tunings with elements of traditional American forms such as ragtime, Piedmont, Delta blues, and indie rock.
Saturday–Sunday: July 15–16 *No Friday | Kale Stiles- Pedal steel
Born on the big island of Hawaii, Kale grew up immersed in the local native sounds and upon living in LA, has dived deep into Jazz Manouche and modern-retro country scenes while never losing the nostalgic sounds of the Pacific.
Friday–Saturday: July 21–22 | Christopher Garcia– Percussion of MesoAmerica and India
A native of East Los Angeles, Christopher is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who entertains and educates with indigenous sounds from around the world.
Sunday: July 23 | Marc Gasway– Slack Key
A multi-instrumentalist and music director, Marc’s guitar playing infuses slack key tunings with elements of traditional American forms such as ragtime, Piedmont, Delta blues, and indie rock.
Friday–Sunday: July 28–30 | Tadaima– Taiko Jazz Ensemble
This unique ensemble comprised of Russel Baba, Gary Fitzgerald, and Leon Abner performs original music influenced by the traditions of jazz improvisation, world cultures, and modern music through a captivating combination of taiko, flute, saxophone, bass, and percussion instruments.
Saturday–Sunday: August 12–13 *No Friday | Abe Lagrimas Jr.- Ukulele
A Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts) recipient who has released multiple albums and headlined many ukulele festivals, Abe brings his expert sound of this beloved instrument to audiences across the globe.
Friday–Sunday: August 18–20 | Fang Fang Xu- Cello
A doctorate in cello performance from the USC and having performed with Pacific Symphony, USC Thornton Symphony, LA Phil, and LA Chamber Orchestra, Fang Fang’s cello playing is a favorite at Descanso.
Friday–Sunday: August 25–27 | Philip Graulty– Guitar
Philip Graulty is a Los Angeles-based guitarist and composer whose unique approach to the guitar is informed by myriad styles including classical guitar, contemporary jazz, and country blues.
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