What's Happening - Current Arboretum Events

Current  Arboretum hours: Grounds open every day from 8 a.m. to sunset.  Visitor Center- Gift Store-Restaurant: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon-Sat & 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sun. Andersen Horticultural Library: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.  Learning Center : 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon to 4 p.m. weekends.   
Arboretum admission: $9 for adults; free for members & youths 15 and younger.  

Exhibits

Patrick Dougherty's 'Uff-da Palace"
On display now til April 2012
In front of the Oswald Visitor Center
Don't miss this whimsical natural sculpture created from branches and sticks by acclaimed artist Patrick Dougherty.  

'Wild Green Things: The Art of Anne Ophelia Dowden'
Jan. 18-May 2, Andersen Horticultural Library & Snyder Building
An exhibit of artworks by acclaimed botanical artist Anne Ophelia Dowden. 

"Explore, Experience, Remember" Photography Show & Sale
Jan. 6-May 27, Restaurant Gallery, Oswald Visitor Center 
Annual show and sale of works by Arboretum Photography Society members.

Tiny Treasures: Fairies & Gnomes at the Arboretum
Jan. 28-March 4, Oswald Visitor Center
Enjoy several fairy and gnome gardens inspired by imagination!  Presented by Tonkadale Greenhouse in Minnetonka. 

FEBRUARY

Thursday, Feb. 9

Dinner with a Chef: Valentine Cuisine
6:30-8:30 p.m., Learning Center
$50 Arb member/ $60 non-member.
Amalia Moreno-Damgaard demonstrates a five-course, small-plates French menu with Latin flair. Register at 952-443-1422 

Friday, Feb. 10

Ladies' Evening Escape
6-9 p.m., Oswald Visitor Center
$10 per person 
Fun evening of music, shopping, fashion and more!  Call 952-443-1422 to register or click here.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Weekend Family Fun: Chocolate! 
noon-4 p.m. Learning Center (drop-in basis)

Saturdays in the Kitchen: Chocolate!
9 a.m.-noon, Learning Center.  $35-45
Learn the history of the cocoa plant and all its wonderful creations from Anna Bonavita, Ph.D., scientist and chocolate expert. 952-443-1422 for reservations. 

Sunday, Feb. 12

Weekend Family Fun: Chocolate
noon-4 p.m. Learning Center (drop-in basis). Free with gate admission. 

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Valentine's Day Gourmet Dinner
6:30-9 p.m. Snyder Auditorium & Great Hall
Reserve at 612-626-3951.
The evening starts with appetizers and champagne in the Snyder lobby followed by dinner in the Auditorium. First course: warm salad of citrus-braised endive with prosciutto and greens. Second course: seared jumbo scallop with roasted fennel puree and saffron jus. Third course: pheasant cake with wild mushroom cream sauce. Entrée: seared beef tenderloin medallion on a bed of lobster mashed potatoes, roasted corn and wilted leeks. Dessert: soft baked chocolate cake with raspberry and caramel. Plus wine pairings. $65 member/ $70 non-member. Reserve at 612-626-3951 or click here.  

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Inside the Collection: Gone to the Birds
Noon-1 p.m. Andersen Horticultural Library
$7.50 members/ $10 non-members
Delve into the library's wonderful collection of ornithological books with library head Kathy Allen.  Register here. 

Thursday, Feb. 16

Music in the Garden: Vivaldi
7-9 p.m. Oswald Visitor Center
A music appreciation session focusing on composer Antonio Vivaldi and his great work "Four Seasons."  Instructor is Daniel Freeman, Ph.D., musicologist & professor.  $35-$45.  Call 952-443-1422 or click here.

Storytime in the Library
10:30-11 a.m. Andersen Horticultural Library
Stories for the young and young-at-heart.  Geared toward preschoolers and adult companions.  

 Saturday, Feb. 18

Saturdays in the Kitchen: Tea & Aromatherapy
9-11 a.m. Learning Center; $30-$40
Call 952-443-1422 or click here.

Weekend Family Fun: Chocolate
Noon-4 p.m. Learning Center (drop-in basis). Free with gate admission.  

Introduction to Winemaking
9:30 a.m.-noon, $90/$95
Learn the basics of winemaking from Katie Cook, university enologist. Register here or call 952-443-1422.  

Sunday, Feb. 19

Weekend Family Fun: Chocolate
Noon-4 p.m. Learning Center (drop-in basis). Free with gate admission. 

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Walk for the Curious: Snowshoe Trek
10 a.m.-noon. Meet in Ordway Parking Lot. 
$5 - $7.50
Take a snowshoe romp with Matt Schuth.  If no snow, this will be an outdoor hike. Call 952-443-1422. 

Saturday, Feb. 25

Planning Your Garden for Seed-Saving
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Marion Andrus Learning Center
$35 member/ $45 non-member 
In this special collaboration with Seed Saver Exchange, Shannon Carmody, public programs manager, leads the first of three classes.  Explore the difference between open-pollinated hybrid seed and gain understanding of plant taxonomy, reproduction and pollination methods.   Call 925-443-1422 or click here to register. 

Weekend Family Fun: Chocolate
 Noon-4 p.m. Learning Center (drop-in basis).  Free with gate admission. 

Sunday, Feb. 26

All About Weddings Fair
1-3 p.m. Oswald Visitor Center
$5 member/$10 non-member
Learn about the many options available to create your special day. Meet with florists, wedding planners, caterers and more.  Special preview opening at noon for those who have booked 2012 weddings at the Arboretum. Click here for info.

Weekend Family Fun: Chocolate
Noon-4 p.m. Learning Center  (drop-in basis). Free with gate admission.  

For Future Events, click here.