WHAT: The New Orleans Botanical Garden (NOBG) will extend its hours to 8 p.m. every Wednesday during the month of October beginning Wednesday, October 7 to celebrate “Evenings with Enrique.” Throughout the year, each Wednesday is free to Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation.
Located inside New Orleans City Park, the New Orleans Botanical Garden is one of the few remaining examples of public garden design from the Works Progress Administration and showcases the Art Deco influences of three renowned talents of the era: architect Richard Koch, landscape architect William Wiedorn, and artist Enrique Alférez. In October 2015, the New Orleans Botanical Garden unveiled The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden, an 8,000 sq. ft. park featuring sculptures by the famed Mexican-American artist set within sweeping footpaths surrounded by lush tropical flowers and shrubs.
Each week, NOBG will safely welcome visitors to “Evenings with Enrique” for a special experience, viewing the sculptures under enhanced lighting and fire baskets suspended from the branches of the live oak trees. Guests are invited to purchase mojitos and food from the “Kitchen in the Garden.” Additional beverages will be available for purchase, as well.
New Orleans Botanical Garden has partnered with artist Hugo Montero to create a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar, which will be on view from Wednesday, October 28–Sunday, November 1. Day of the Dead altars have typical elements such as artificial skulls and marigold flowers that can be traced all the way back to Aztec times.
In addition to the special programming inside The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden, NOBG will offer tai chi and yoga on the lawn and meditation in the Japanese Garden during the extended hours. Guests are encouraged to practice social distancing and wear a facial covering.
WHEN: The New Orleans Botanical Garden will extend its hours every Wednesday during the month of October (October 7, 14, 21, and 28) until 8 p.m.
Free hours: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Special Programming: 5–8 p.m.
WHERE: 5 Victory Avenue, New Orleans City Park, Enter through the Oscar J. Tolmas Building