Calendar

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Aug
5
Sat
AFC’s Wildlife Corridor Education Series @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 5 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Come enjoy a special education series put on by Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy this summer. Each day will have a hands-on learning activity in the morning and a panel discussion in the late afternoon.

Free with admission to the garden or Descanso Gardens membership, no registration required.

Schedule:

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Saturday, August 5

10–11:30am | Public event and presentation: Monarchs + Milkweed (including native milkweed plant giveaway)

4:30–6pm | Public expert panel discussion: Make Your Backyard a Native Habitat Refuge!


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

AFC’s Wildlife Corridor Education Series @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 5 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Come enjoy a special education series put on by Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy this summer. Each day will have a hands-on learning activity in the morning and a panel discussion in the late afternoon.

Free with admission to the garden or Descanso Gardens membership, no registration required.

Schedule:

.
Saturday, August 5

10–11:30am | Public event and presentation: Monarchs + Milkweed (including native milkweed plant giveaway)

4:30–6pm | Public expert panel discussion: Make Your Backyard a Native Habitat Refuge!


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

Hansel and Gretel by Pacific Opera Project @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 5 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Sung in English, this hour-long adaptation of an opera based on the Brothers Grimm tale is ideal for audiences of all ages and is free with admission to Descanso.

POP’s production of Hansel and Gretel has been praised by Opera News as “fresh, imaginative, witty, and imbued with a keen sense of both rhyme and rhythm.”

Free with admission, no reservations required. No assigned seating, seats are first come, first served.

Schedule:

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Friday–Sunday, August 4–6 | Amphitheater | 5:30–6:30pm

Sunday, August 6 | Amphitheater | Additional show at 3:00-4:00pm

 

Aug
6
Sun
Hansel and Gretel by the Pacific Opera Project @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 6 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Sung in English, this hour-long adaptation of an opera based on the Brothers Grimm tale is ideal for audiences of all ages and is free with admission to Descanso..

POP’s production of Hansel and Gretel has been praised by Opera News as “fresh, imaginative, witty, and imbued with a keen sense of both rhyme and rhythm.”

Free with admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required. No assigned seating, seats are first come, first served.

Schedule:

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Friday–Sunday, August 4–6 | Amphitheater | 5:30–6:30pm

Sunday, August 6 | Amphitheater | Additional show at 3:00-4:00pm

 

Hansel and Gretel by Pacific Opera Project @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 6 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Sung in English, this hour-long adaptation of an opera based on the Brothers Grimm tale is ideal for audiences of all ages and is free with admission to Descanso.

POP’s production of Hansel and Gretel has been praised by Opera News as “fresh, imaginative, witty, and imbued with a keen sense of both rhyme and rhythm.”

Free with admission, no reservations required. No assigned seating, seats are first come, first served.

Schedule:

.
Friday–Sunday, August 4–6 | Amphitheater | 5:30–6:30pm

Sunday, August 6 | Amphitheater | Additional show at 3:00-4:00pm

 

Aug
11
Fri
Cultivate: Mindfulness in the Garden @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 11 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

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. Please note that chairs, blankets, outside food, and picnics are not permitted.


Cultivate: Mindfulness in the Garden

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Guided Nature Meditations

  • Enjoy mini meditations with Mariko Tu. These nature meditations will introduce you to the value of nature and wellness
  • Times: 4:45–5pm | 5:30–5:45pm | 6:15–6:30pm
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Ecotherapy and Nature Mandala

  • Come collaborate with two certified ecotherapists on an earth mandala using found nature objects throughout the garden. Experience the benefits of ecotherapy as a way to deepen your connection to the natural world
  • Time: 4:30–7pm
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Craft Activity

  • Decorate an aromatherapy sachet by flower pounding
  • Time: 4:30–7pm
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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

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Aug
12
Sat
Community Service Day @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 12 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Get hands-on gardening experience by mulching in the garden and help care for Descanso at this volunteer opportunity. Instruction will be provided.

  • All experience levels are welcome.

  • Ages 16 or older.

  • Must be able to lift, bend and stand for long periods of time. Moderate to heavy lifting involved.

  • 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, August 5, 2023. You will be sent additional instructions and will need to sign a waiver form in order to participate.

Camellia Lounge @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 12 @ 4:45 pm – 6:30 pm

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 the Camellia Lounge will be closed on August 20


See the full music lineup here:
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Friday–Sunday: August 18–19 (Closed August 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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Aug
13
Sun
Camellia Lounge @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 13 @ 4:45 pm – 6:30 pm

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 the Camellia Lounge will be closed on August 20


See the full music lineup here:
.

 

Friday–Sunday: August 18–19 (Closed August 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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Aug
17
Thu
Makers’ Night at The Store @ Descanso Gardens
Aug 17 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join us on August 17 from 4–7pm to meet local artisans whose products are sold at The Store. Learn more about their creations and the processes that go into them while enjoying samples from Duba Tea and and Verdugo Coffee Roasters.

Free with admission, no reservations required.
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Meet the artisans
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Misty Jane: Handmade jewelry
L&K Elegance: Elegant and comfortable handmade resin jewelry
Duba Tea: Descanso private label blend
Verdugo Coffee Roasters: Descanso private label blend
Kris Erickson: Handmade ceramics
Max Haberman – Handmade vintage notecards