• All experience levels are welcome.

• For ages 12-15. Adult chaperones must be present.

• Bring gardening gloves and water.

• Remember to wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes.

• Limited space available, RSVP required

RSVP to volunteer@descansogardens.org by Saturday, May 20, 2023. You will be sent additional instructions and will need to sign a waiver form in order to participate.

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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Keep your eyes open on the path leading up to the Boddy House and you may just find eyes staring back at you! These are part of the Wild Sighting installation by artist Leslie K. Gray on display May 30–October 1.

Free with admission, no reservations required.

About Leslie K. Gray

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Leslie K. Gray is a visual artist and theater designer whose work has been seen locally at the Skirball Museum, Highways Performance Space, and others as well as in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Montevideo, Uruguay.

She designed and directed the “Dragons 101” puppet show for Descanso’s Night Garden event of 2020 and the colorful butterflies in Descanso’s Rose Garden in 2021.

For more of her work, visit Haikupenguin.com.

Please note that this class is sold out

Join artist Virginia Hein for a sketch walk through the gardens on Thursday, June 1 from 5–6:30pm. This class is designed as an introduction to quick location sketching and each participant is given a small panorama sketchbook and waterproof pen (included in class price). Bring a spirit of curiosity, play and experimentation.

$40 for members/$45 for non-members, materials are included. Advance registration required.

Image: © Virginia Hein

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.

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Join us for a curator-led tour of the new interactive exhibit Living in a Wildlife Corridor. Meets at 11am and 1pm on Saturday, June 3 at the Boddy House.

Included in the price of admission, no reservations required.

Living in a Wildlife Corridor is open June 3–October 1 at the Boddy House.

About Living in a Wildlife Corridor

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Take a journey through the extensive network of wildlife corridors in Northern Los Angeles in Living in a Wildlife Corridor, an interactive exhibit created by the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy being hosted in Descanso Gardens’ Boddy House, June 3–October 1, 2023.

Discover how these corridors connect islands of open space and how you can help protect and enhance them. Through the lens of talented wildlife photographers and camera trappers, via the paintbrushes and canvasses of local artists, and through the stories and wisdom of the Tongva people who have stewarded this land for millennia, you’ll see our wild surroundings from an entirely new perspective.

Image: Mother of Lions © Robert Martinez, courtesy of Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

Join us for a curator-led tour of the new interactive exhibit Living in a Wildlife Corridor. Meets at 11am and 1pm on Saturday, June 3 at the Boddy House.

Included in the price of admission, no reservations required.

Living in a Wildlife Corridor is open June 3–October 1 at the Boddy House.

About Living in a Wildlife Corridor

.
Take a journey through the extensive network of wildlife corridors in Northern Los Angeles in Living in a Wildlife Corridor, an interactive exhibit created by the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy being hosted in Descanso Gardens’ Boddy House, June 3–October 1, 2023.

Discover how these corridors connect islands of open space and how you can help protect and enhance them. Through the lens of talented wildlife photographers and camera trappers, via the paintbrushes and canvasses of local artists, and through the stories and wisdom of the Tongva people who have stewarded this land for millennia, you’ll see our wild surroundings from an entirely new perspective.

Image: Mother of Lions © Robert Martinez, courtesy of Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

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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