| SEPTEMBER EVENTS AT DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS |  |  |
| Written by Guerin Green | |
| FREE DAYS Free days for Colorado residents are held throughout the year at both Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Free Days occur during regular Gardens hours only, and do not include ticketed events. Free Days at Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street location) is on Saturday, Sept. 19. EXHIBITS & ART AT THE GARDENS Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the region’s premiere locations for world-class art, special exhibits and innovative programming. *2009 SIGNATURE EXHIBITION* JURASSIC GARDENS Through – Sept. 30 York Street and Chatfield grounds York Street FREE DAYS: Aug. 20 & Sept. 19 Chatfield FREE DAYS: Aug. 7 Explore plant/animal relationships of prehistoric proportions at Denver Botanic Gardens’ “Jurassic Gardens” exhibit! The Gardens’ York Street location features life-size, realistic dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era. Plant displays will showcase prehistoric plants and their modern relatives. Plant fossils and a dinosaur dig site for kids round out the installation. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield hosts large-scale prehistoric bugs, including a 10-foot sea scorpion. Learn about the interdependent relationship between these amazing creatures and the plants in their environment. This thrilling exhibit is the work of highly accomplished artist, fossil collector/preparation expert Guy Darrough from Lost World Studios. The presenting sponsor of “Jurassic Gardens” is Bellco Credit Union. Other related programs and exhibits at the Gardens that complement “Jurassic Gardens:” Guided Tours Adult group tours are available upon request with a minimum of six people in a group. Reservations must be made three weeks in advance; e- mail tours@botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3539. Weekend drop-in exhibit tours are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and noon. Tour surcharge: $3. RELATED PROGRAMS Darwinians in the Rockies: Three Great 19th Century Botanists Explore Colorado With Steve Ruskin Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. Gates Hall Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street Although Darwin never visited Colorado, three of his followers (Asa Gray, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker and Alfred Russell Wallace) did and found important evidence in the native flora for the theory of evolution. Hear about the work done by these men and the way Darwin was received in Colorado, including how the press and citizens reacted to evolution and the story of a “missing link” hoax perpetrated in Pueblo. Suggested donation: $10 “Darwin's Galapagos: Garden of Eden or Hell on Earth?” by Dr. Dean Saitta Thursday, Sept.10, 6:30-8 p.m., Mitchell Hall Further investigating the science of evolution, University of Denver Anthropology Professor Dean Saitta examines Charles Darwin’s revolutionary exploration of the Galapagos Islands. Journey to the real-world biological laboratory with Dr. Saitta as he presents the conflicting narratives that characterize the archipelago as either "Garden of Eden" or "Hell on Earth." Concluding his discussion, Saitta will revisit Darwin's thinking about human evolution and how much of what he hypothesized has been verified. Suggested donation: $10. Digital Nature: An Evening of Multimedia Arts Thursday, Sept. 17, 7-10 p.m. Gates Hall and Mitchell Hall Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street The Gardens’ annual Digital Nature event explores the intersection of the digital and natural worlds in the context of themes from this year’s “Jurassic Gardens” exhibit. Using the latest in sound, video and interactive technology, digital artists will present works that explore evolution and extinction. Enjoy this juried show in a lounge atmosphere with snacks, bar and spaces to mingle, listen to music and participate in interactive art. Come early to enjoy the fall splendor of the Gardens. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Cost: $8 member, $10 non-member. EXHIBITS JURASSIC GARDENS LEARNING GALLERY Through Oct. 4 El Pomar Room Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street Children and adults alike will find this learning gallery a fun exploration of “Jurassic Gardens” concepts. Fossils, timelines and activities sharpen the view into our prehistoric past. ALCHEMY GARDEN: MIXEDMEDIA WORKS BY BONNY LHOTKA Aug. 1 – Sept. 20 Reception: Aug. 6, 6-8 p.m. Gates Garden Court Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street Relying heavily on botanical sources, Bonny Lhotka uses cutting-edge digital technology to create images that comment on humankind’s relationship with nature. CHARLES DARWIN: PLANT OBSERVATIONS Aug. 8 – Sept. 20 Connors Exhibition Case Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street Selections from the Gardens’ rare book collection tell the story of Darwin’s scientific investigations into plant fertilization and migration. Displayed texts include: “The Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilized by Insects” (1890), “The Power of Movement in Plants” (1880) and “The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom” (1876). HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GARDENS’ BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION PROGRAM Sept. 26 – Nov. 8 Reception: Sept. 27, 2-5 p.m. Gates Garden Court Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street Students of the Gardens’ certificate program display their best work from various classes exploring botanical art and illustration. Many of the works are for sale; proceeds benefit the Gardens’ Botanical Art and Illustration Program. EVENTS AT DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS Our calendar includes many more events, classes and lectures. AMERICAN GARDEN AWARD June – First Frost Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street Visitors to Denver Botanic Gardens will have the unique opportunity to help choose the most popular flower in the United States. The Gardens is one of 17 public gardens in the country participating in the new “American Garden Award” competition. Located at the All-America Selections (AAS) Garden, visitors, patrons and gardeners can cast their vote for their favorite flower in the competition by sending a text message or dialing a toll-free number. Signage at the garden will coach people through the voting process. Visitors are encouraged to vote “early and often” for their favorite flower. Plant entries in the competition for 2009: Pentas lanceolata 'Northern Lights Lavender' Petunia x hybrida 'Baby Duck Yellow' Petunia x hybrida 'Opera Supreme Purple' Petunia x hybrida 'Plush Lilac Pearl' Rudbeckia 'TigerEye Gold' Catharanthus roseus 'Viper Orchid Halo' After votes have been counted in the fall, the three American Garden Award winners will be announced as the sovereign ornamentals, chosen by popular vote. FAMILY DAYS 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. On weekends this summer, we’ll be offering free family activities designed for your family to discover the world of plants and dinosaurs. This event is included with your admission and no pre- registration is required. Check at the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center for activity locations. *Fall Harvest – Sept. 19 and 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield) Fall brings a bounty to the kitchen. Discover all of the wonderful things the garden provides and create a few harvest treats to take home. CORN MAZE Every Fri., Sat. and Sun., from Sept. 4 through Oct. 31 Member Night: Thursday, Sept. 3 Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Negotiate the twists and turns of the newly designed cornfield this fall at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield’s Corn Maze – one of the most attended corn mazes in the country. Each year the design of the 8.5-acre Maze changes, creating a new and better challenge! The Maze features numerous winding pathways created by 12-foot tall stalks of corn. Two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges overlook the giant Corn Maze, and a mini-maze will thrill younger children. The Haunted House will return during the 2009 Corn Maze. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is located at 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton, just south of C-470 on Wadsworth Blvd. FALL PLANT AND BULB SALE Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Member shopping from 8-9 a.m. Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street You’ll find an incredible variety of more than 10,000 bulbs, Garden Grown plants, pansies, and a hand-picked selection of trees and shrubs at the Gardens’ Fall Plant and Bulb Sale. Gardens horticulturists will be on-site to answer questions and offer expert gardening advice – come learn which plant is best for your fall and winter garden, and how to plant your spring bulbs! GARDENING HELP We have answers to your gardening questions! Colorado Master Gardeners are available to answer questions every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Free Day, from noon – 4 p.m., through September. From October through December, questions will be answered every other Tuesday from noon – 4 p.m. Access our experts the following ways: In-person at the Gardens' Helen Fowler Library By phone: 720-865-3575 Via e-mail: gardeninghelp@botanicgardens.org Gardening Help is a joint program of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and Denver Botanic Gardens. - The Cherry Creek News - |
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