This Week at Phipps: July 17 – 23

By Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

There's always something new to see and do at Phipps! This weekly blog post provides a run-down of the latest happenings so you can plan your visit. Events listed below require no advance registration unless noted otherwise. 

Open Daily: 

• EXTENDED THROUGH JULY 30! Flowers Meet Fashion: Inspired by Billy Porter
  This spectacular new show will feature brilliant horticultural displays and breathtaking fashion designs inspired by Billy Porter's local roots and iconic array of accomplishments as an award-winning actor, singer, director, composer and playwright.
• Top it Off: Area Schools Create Sustainable Fashions
  Area middle and high school students were challenged to create their own fabulous, wearable hats made from repurposed materials as part of the Fairchild Challenge. They were encouraged to let their interests and aesthetics inspire them to create a hat that makes a statement. 
• Pittsburgh Botanic Garden's Native Plants 
  Currently on display at Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park, plant lovers of all ages can enjoy stunning illustrations of plants growing at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden's Native Plants is part of the Flora Project, a collaboration between Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden's Botanical Art and Illustration Program and the Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society.
• Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina
  Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina invites guests to take an exciting, immersive journey through the rich history, nature and culture of the Hawaiian archipelago. 
• Planets Earth Virtual Exhibit
  A dynamic exhibit at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (and now online) addresses the pressing environmental issues of our time and proposes a new way of thinking about how to solve them.

Tues., July 18: 

• Knife Skills: Greek Garden Salad | 6 – 8 p.m.
  Learn about knife types, proper grip and all the cuts that make each dish fork-ready! Join us for a fresh Greek Garden Salad with Homemade Greek dressing and your choice of salmon, grilled chicken or chickpeas served with a fresh tzatziki crudité.
• Floral Crown Series: Half Floral Crown | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
  In this floral crown workshop, students will design and build an every-day wear floral crown with the floral materials concentrated in the front of the crown (temple to temple) connecting with ribbon at the back of the crown.

Wed., July 19: 

• ​In-Person Story Time | 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  Kids will love visiting Phipps to listen to our storyteller weave tales about gardens, fruits, vegetables, animals and other fun topics. Attend weekly sessions with a special child in your life!
• Building Solitary Bee Hotels | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Did you know that most bees do not have hives? Learn about the solitary bees of Pennsylvania and craft a solitary bee house based on the ecology of the bees and recommendations by insect specialists.
• Plant-Based Indian Cuisine: Rasam, Beans Curry and Lemon Rice | 6 – 8 p.m.
  Join Chef Jayashree Iyengar of Popping Mustard Seeds in learning to make plant-based Indian cuisine from scratch! Each hands-on cooking session will include delicious plant-based meals full of Indian flavor.
• Jazz in the Garden | 6 – 8:30 p.m.
  In collaboration with the Center of Life, our amazing Jazz in the Garden returns to our Outdoor Garden better than ever! The ProBand from Center of Life is proficient in many styles of music, from soul jazz to Latin jazz, bossa nova to jazz funk, and bebop to rhythm & blues! Listeners can expect to hear standards that everybody knows as well as lively tunes that you can dance to. 

Thurs., July 20: 

• Backyard Composting | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Are you unsure what to do with your kitchen, garden, and yard scraps? Would you like natural, home-made compost for your lawns and gardens in the spring? Join us for this information-packed class, learn best practices for backyard composting, and get all your composting questions answered.

Fri., July 21: 

• Botanical Beverages: Cocktails and Mocktails for Summer | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Back by popular demand! Join Hanna Mosca and Drew Cranisky for another virtual cocktail workshop! This time, they'll be celebrating the bounty of summer by highlighting ingredients you might have growing in your own backyard. 

Photo ©  Phil Johnson II