LUSH at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The folks at Brooklyn Botanic Garden were so super kind to comp me a ticket to their “LUSH” party this past Friday, February 10. I was thrilled to be able to go, especially considering I can’t really afford to drop $65 for a night out.  My boyfriend (who did purchase his ticket) and I had a great time!

I’d never been to an event at BBG before. This party was held in their event room, called the Palm House, and it’s really gorgeous when all lit up at night:

Palm House twinkling in the night
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Lush on February 10 at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Dave Horak, BBG Orchid Curator with a lovely orchid. Photo by Elizabeth Peters

Attention all Brooklyn orchid lovers-slash-party people! On Friday, February 10, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is throwing what sounds like an incredibly fun bash called Lush. The party is being held in the BBG Palm House and will include the following:

  • Live music from boogaloo band Spanglish Fly (I actually have no idea what “boogaloo” style music is, but I imagine it’s festive)
  • Tunes spun by WFMU’s Mr. Fine Wine and DJ Turmix
  • Open bar with fragrant fruit juices and cocktails
  • Mexican fruit ice pops from La Newyorkina
  • Empanaditas from Purple Yam
  • Latin-inspired confections from Tumbador Chocolate
  • Mexican munchies from Chavela’s (I’ve eaten there and the food is delish!)
  • Tropical fruit bites from Peeled Snacks
  • Custom cut leaf silhouettes by artist Aaron Birk (this in particular sounds really cool and I’m curious to see the end result!)

But the most exciting part? I’ll let the event’s press release speak for itself:

“BBG curator Dave Horak will bring guests behind the scenes of BBG’s orchid collection, introducing some of the world’s most remarkable tropical specimens in BBG’s care. Guests will also have a special chance to see the orchid nursery, usually unavailable for public viewing, and learn about the critical conservation of tropical orchids.”

Dave Horak, BBG Orchid Curator. Photo by Elizabeth Peters

The events runs from 8pm to midnight and tickets are $65 a pop. I’m going to try to swing it, though being mostly unemployed makes it a hard for me to spend $65 for an evening out. The party does sound like it will be well worth it, though. Anyone out there planning to go?

Correction: I originally stated that tickets are $75, but they are in fact $65 apiece.

The Orchid Show at NYBG

I am so incredibly excited to go to this year’s Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden when it opens. This year’s show is called Cuba in Flower. Last year’s theme was Brazil and it was also my first visit to the garden’s annual orchid show. I was so wowed by what I saw that it kicked off this fun obsession hobby of mine.

The 2010 show runs from February 27 through April 11. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors/students, $8 for children, and free for members and children under 2. I fully plan to go more than once and really explore.

The NYBG has posted some videos of their show preparations. The most recent video is below – and by the way, how adorable is the opening graphic?! Kudos to the graphic designer for that.

You can see my extensive photoset from the NYBG 2009 Orchid Show on Flickr here.  Lots of orchid photos  and more. The day that I went was so gloomy out, but inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory was like orchid nerd heaven! I can’t wait for February 27!

Psychopsis Orchid, NYBG Orchid Show 2009
Psychopsis, NYBG Orchid Show 2009