Please note that this class is sold out

Join artist Virginia Hein for a sketch walk through the gardens on Thursday, April 6 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

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: Explore SHIKI
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SHIKI exhibit tours with curator Meher McArthur
– Lecture/tour of Sturt Haaga Gallery
– Times: 5–5:45pm | 6–6:45pm

Haiku and tanka poetry reading and performance by Debbie Kolodji and Mariko Kitakubo
– Poetry readings of Kolodji and Kitakubo’s book
– Times: 5–5:30pm | 6–6:30pm

Flashdance DJs
– Times: 4:30–7pm

Activity: Make-your-own haiku poem or woodblock print
– Time: 4:30–7pm

Biographies
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Meher McArthur
Meher McArthur is an Asian art historian specializing in Japanese art. She worked as Curator of East Asian Art at Pacific Asia Museum and Creative Director for the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, both in Pasadena and was Academic Curator for Scripps College in Claremont and Art and Cultural Director for JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.

Deborah P Kolodji Bio
Deborah P Kolodji is the Moderator of the Southern California Haiku Study Group, the California Regional Coordinator for the Haiku Society of America, and a member of the board of directors for Haiku North America. She has given hundreds of haiku workshops over the past 15 years.

Mariko Kitakubo
Mariko Kitakubo is a tanka poet/tanka reading performer born in Tokyo (4, Oct. 1959) and living in Mitaka-city, Tokyo. Mariko has published six books of tanka including three bilingual ones, “On This Same Star” , “Cicada Forest”and “INDIGO”. She hopes to encourage more poetry lovers worldwide to appreciate and practice tanka. URL: www.en.kitakubo.com

Join artist Virginia Hein for a sketch walk through the gardens on Thursday, May 4 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, register here.

Image: © Virginia Hein

Plant propagation is the process of creating new, free plants from cuttings. This class on May 6 from 10–11:30am is for beginners who have never tried plant propagation before. Students will learn the basics and take home a tray full of new, fresh cuttings directly from Descanso’s collections.

All materials are included in the price. Students are welcome to bring their own gardening gloves. Please note that this class takes place outdoors.

$30 members, $35 non-members. Advance registration required, register here.

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.

Click here for the Wednesday class and here for the Friday class

Join us for an eight-week Tuesday yoga class with Barbara Wood in the Rose Pavilion every Tuesday starting May 16–July 4 from 8:30–10am. 

Yoga at Descanso Gardens is based on Hatha Yoga, which includes stretches, strengthening poses, breathing exercises, and mindful movement. The practice adapts to individual needs.Each class includes a 25-minute fitness walk and 60-minute yoga practice.

This class is open to all levels. Students should bring their own yoga mat and water bottle. Students are invited to bring the following props if they have them: 2 yoga blocks 4”x6”x9”, yoga strap with metal buckle 10’, yoga blanket.

Advance registration required, register here.

About the instructor:

Barbara Wood: Certified as a Hatha Yoga instructor, Barbara‘s yoga style incorporates her background as a modern dancer, specifically Alignment Release Technique, and F.M. Alexander Technique. She trained under Dr. Loren Fishman, NY, and is certified as a Yoga for Osteoporosis and Yoga for Back Pain therapist. Her goal is that everyone should leave the class stronger and uplifted regardless of skill level. www.barbarawoodyoga.com

MEMBERS ONLY

Join us for an eight-week Wednesday yoga series with Barbara Wood and Joyce Shuman in the Rose Pavilion May 17–July 5 from 5–6:30pm. 

Yoga at Descanso Gardens is based on Hatha Yoga, which includes stretches, strengthening poses, breathing exercises, and mindful movement. The practice adapts to individual needs. Each class includes a 25-minute fitness walk and 60-minute yoga practice.

This class is open to all levels. Students should bring their own yoga mat and water bottle. Students are invited to bring the following props if they have them: 2 yoga blocks 4”x6”x9”, yoga strap with metal buckle 10’, yoga blanket.

Members only. $136 per participant. Advance registration required, register here.

About the instructors:
.

Barbara Wood: Certified as a Hatha Yoga instructor, Barbara‘s yoga style incorporates her background as a modern dancer, specifically Alignment Release Technique, and F.M. Alexander Technique. She trained under Dr. Loren Fishman, NY, and is certified as a Yoga for Osteoporosis and Yoga for Back Pain therapist. Her goal is that everyone should leave the class stronger and uplifted regardless of skill level.  www.barbarawoodyoga.com
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Joyce Shuman: Joyce Shuman teaches yoga for all bodies; to support you with mindful breath and movement that benefits your individual yoga practice. Joyce is a RYT 500 @ Certified Yoga Therapist through Loyola Marymount University.  www.joyceshumanyoga.com

MEMBERS ONLY

Join us for an eight-week Friday yoga series with Joyce Shuman in the Rose Pavilion every Friday May 19–July 7 from 8:30–10am. 

Yoga at Descanso Gardens is based on Hatha Yoga, which includes stretches, strengthening poses, breathing exercises, and mindful movement. The practice adapts to individual needs. Each class includes a 25-minute fitness walk and 60-minute yoga practice.

This class is open to all levels. Students should bring their own yoga mat and water bottle. Students are invited to bring the following props if they have them: 2 yoga blocks 4”x6”x9”, yoga strap with metal buckle 10’, yoga blanket.

Members only. $136 per participant, advance registration required, register here.

About the instructor:

.
Joyce Shuman: Joyce Shuman teaches yoga for all bodies; to support you with mindful breath and movement that benefits your individual yoga practice. Joyce is a RYT 500 @ Certified Yoga Therapist through Loyola Marymount University.  www.joyceshumanyoga.com

MEMBERS ONLY

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

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: The Five Senses

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Flower installation by florist Whit Hazen

• Watch before your eyes as a flower installation is built throughout the evening, using fragrant plants and flowers gathered from the garden to create a full sensory experience
• Time: 4:30–7pm
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Soundbaths by Marna Currie 

• Enjoy sound baths under the oaks on the Main Lawn
• Times: 5–5:30pm and 6–6:30pm
• Location: Main Lawn
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Flashdance DJ

• 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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Activity: Make your own herbal tea bag to take home

• Time: 4:30–7pm