At the Gardens, our adage is “let’s try something new and fun, something that inspires us, enlightens us or opens our minds and our hearts, something that makes us better people or allows us to help one another. That adage holds whether you’re a student in elementary school, in college or an adult. We are excited about the introduction of some new and challenging educational initiatives into our 2015 programming that will certainly inspire, entertain and hopefully motivate you to join in.
For adults, the Gardens has an improvisation class for adults. “Improv Yourself” is the Gardens first improvisation class offered to help adults learn how to think on their feet and be in the moment – and, of course, have fun while doing it! The series will start Monday, Feb. 9 and run consecutive Mondays through March 23 in the Gardens Gallery Hibiscus Room from 7-9:30 p.m. No experience in improv or acting necessary! Instructor Carey Kane has a master’s degree in acting through The New Actors Workshop in New York City. She trained with renowned director Mike Nichols (Closer, Angels in America, Wit, The Birdcage, The Graduate) and Paul Sills, founder of Chicago’s famous improv theatre – The Second City. While in New York, Carey performed at The New Actors Workshop and took classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Currently, she performs with the Chasing Tales improv troupe in Miami. Carey has an active career in acting, including: commercials, infomercials and voiceovers. She has taught acting to children and adults in Phoenix, New York and Miami at various schools and non-profits.
For information and registration call 305-968-6502.
POLLUTION SOLUTIONS — A VIDEO CONTEST
With Environment education high on our priority list, the Gardens wants to inspire all Miami-Dade County School students in Grades 4-12 to create a video with the goal of winning $1,000 for their school and $300 for themselves!
Pinecrest Gardens and the Ygrene Energy Fund are extending an invitation to students from Grades 4-12 to enter our first ever video contest. Contestants will make a short video, 1-3 minutes in length, which identifies one of the seven areas of environmental pollution.
Each video must also demonstrate a proposed solution for the pollution issue that is identified in the video. What a neat opportunity for a child to express themselves while tackling the most timely and relevant environmental topics.
The Pinecrest Gardens “Pollution Solutions” video contest begins Monday, Feb. 2 and concludes Thursday,April 2. All entries must be submitted by the contest deadline. For details, visit the contest Facebook page or call 305-669-6990 and speak with the Gardens educational coordinator Lisa Toy.
OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Planting with Craig — A Horticulture Workshop; Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m.
Get in touch with your inner “green thumb” on when Butterfly Gardening for Home Gardens is the topic at hand. Join Gardens horticulturist Craig Morell to learn the easy methods needed to create your butterfly garden. Guests will take home plants for their gardens to start the process of building a habitat for butterflies and other wildlife. The process is easier than you might imagine. Class size is limited to 10 guests, so register early to guarantee your seat. The class begins at 10 a.m. in the Hibiscus Room. Fee is $10 per person and includes take home plants. Call today for your reservation at 305-669-6990.
Creative Crafts for Kids — Singing in the Trees; Sunday, Jan. 18, 2-3:30 p.m. Join us for an afternoon where your child can create a bird feeder using “upcycled” materials. Hang it up in the trees and the birds will love to visit and sing in your yard.
During class time, parents can enjoy shopping at the Pinecrest Farmer’s Market just steps away from the crafts workshop area. All classes are taught by VSAFL’s certified teaching artist Yvette Cotera.
There are two sessions to choose from and each session contains four classes. Limited enrollment of 15 children per class; $52 per session. To pre-register, call 305-753-5341.
Airie in the Gardens presents A Wild Billboard Benefit, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2-5 p.m. AIRIE is launching a campaign to bring Everglades into the urban core with Wild Billboards. Artists will create billboards emblazoned with large-scale images and literary works reflecting our Endangered World Heritage Site. You will roam the 14- acre botanical garden in search of performances, poetry readings, audio and visual art site-specific installations. Everglades inspired art and live performances featuring artists from its 2014-15 residency program. Featured artists include AIRIE fellows Elite Keda, Ana Mendez, Christina Pettersson, Regina Jestrow, Jason Hedges, Reed Van Brunschot, Valerie LeBlanc & Daniel Dugas and Caterina Tiazzoldi. Tickets start at $60 and include an artistic twist on culinary refreshments and a membership to AIRIE, available online at www.airie.org.
Orchestra Miami presents a family fun concert The Purple Palace; Music by Bruce Adolphe — Story by Louise Gikow, Sunday, Jan. 18, 4 p.m. Continuing our tradition of young person concerts in the Gardens, join us on a journey to the land of Chromatica where everything is light and color until the selfish Princess Purple banishes all the other colors! She eventually realizes that her actions were misguided and invites all of the other colors to return, diversity and tolerance, ultimately triumph. Performed by 32 musicians from Orchestra Miami conducted by Elaine Rinaldi; perfect for kids age 4 and up; duration 50 minutes. Tickets: $12 adults, $8 kids, $30 family pack includes two adults and two kids.
Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival and Pinecrest Gardens presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Jan. 23-25; “Deliriously beautiful, deeply magical” — Newsday From 1988-1990, the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival founders produced events in association with the Chamber Theatre of the Palm Beaches and Young Audiences of Palm Beach County.
Their success led to the formation of the Shakespeare Festival in January 1990. Their premiere production was in March featuring Macbeth at the Duncan Theatre, Palm Beach Community College, West Palm Beach campus, with Burt Reynolds as honorary chairman. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is William Shakespeare’s most popular and beloved comedy, and is destined to be one of the best theatrical performances in South Florida this month. You’ll enter a world of love, magic and other worldly creatures in this visually stunning production performed by one of Florida’s most renowned acting companies Jan 23-25.
Tickets available at pinecrestgardens.org.
