Wednesday, April 8, 2020

(Not So) #Wordless Wednesday: YOU are cordially invited to a super lit Virtual "Happy Hour" hosted by @NYBG #OrchidNYBG #Photo and #Video

NOT SPONSORED!


Orchid Show Jeff Leatham Kaleidoscope New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020, Flowers, Orchids
Faceted Mirrored Vanda Flower Fountain - New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020


Are you feeling a bit stir crazy?

Would an in-depth guided virtual tour of The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham's Kaleidoscope put a little 'spring' in your spring?

I got the chance to attend the Media Preview Day of New York Botanical Gardens 2020 Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham's Kaleidoscope. I normally host a giveaway for our readers to have a chance to experience the exhibit via Orchid Evenings. But with the self quarantine and social distancing that is being enforced right now sadly NYBG is temporarily closed, but they are hosting an amazing virtual Happy Hour which I very much plan to attend and hope you can too!

Experience this year's exhibition without leaving home, RSVP for Orchid Evenings Highlights: Happy Hour at Home here: https://www.facebook.com/events/147013020084720/

It will be held on Thursday, April 9th between 5PM -6PM RSVP RIGHT NOW!!!

Pour your own cocktail and get ready to not only enjoy Orchids, but to get off your couch and turn your favorite room in your house into a dance floor. Dancer/Choreographer Princess Lockerooo, accessorize with simple DIY floral decorations and Bronx Night Market will share Happy Hour Recipes and Marc Hachadourian, NYBG's Senior Curator of Orchids will share about the mysterious night lives of many orchid species.

Even though I had the chance to attend the Media Preview Day, I will also attend the virtual happy hour tomorrow and I hope my butterflies will too.

Here is a quick sneak peek (Photos and Videos):

Orchid Show Jeff Leatham Kaleidoscope New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020, Flowers, Orchids
Above: Jeff Leatham, Floral Designer, has worked with celebrities such as Oprah, Cher, and the Kardashians. His work is currently featured in the New York Botanical Garden's "The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham's Kaleidoscope. Welcome Remarks from Jeff during the Media Preview Day.

I nabbed video of his closing remarks:



Above: So much love, work and man hours goes into The Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden each year, Jeff hit the nail on the head when he said how truly amazing it is that this space is so utterly transformed from year to year into something new and entirely unforgettable. I am lucky enough to live near The New York Botanical Garden and have been visiting since I was a child. The creativity of the team and the visiting artists always amazes and inspires me.

Orchid Show Jeff Leatham Kaleidoscope New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020, Flowers, Orchids
Above: Jeff was posing for a different Photographer in this shot. You guys know how much I love nabbing shots that are not what I feel 'totally posed and perfect', I try to capture a moment a feeling, and I also love that it looks like the Orchids are pointing straight to his heart as he put so much love into this exhibit!

Orchid Show Jeff Leatham Kaleidoscope New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020, Flowers, Orchids, Rare Vanda Orchid
Above: This Vanda Orchid is super rare! You can press on this or any photo to see it in full size, sometimes my blog template tends to compress certain photos.

Orchid Show Jeff Leatham Kaleidoscope New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020, Flowers, Orchids
Above: This Moth Orchid Photo was actually taken at a totally different angle. I took some time to play with this one in Corel Paintshop Pro X9 as I loved the light and airy springtime color combo! (Currently shooting with Nikon!)

Orchid Show Jeff Leatham Kaleidoscope New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020, Flowers, Orchids
Above: Remember the Video I posted of The Three Graces Fountain inside The Enid A Haupt Conservatory at New York Botanical Garden on Instagram? (Refresh your memory: https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJumgmA8sK/) THIS is that same area made over for the new exhibit! Press this one to make it bigger! (and if you are not already, please follow Ascending Butterfly via Instagram, our handle is @Ascending1)

Orchid Show Jeff Leatham Kaleidoscope New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 2020, Flowers, Orchids
Above: You may remember a similar photo to this one (and the one above) contained in a brief video I posted on Instagram shortly after the media preview day here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B8gWH0nAQrs/

Isn't this passageway between exhibits awesome? It is an entire mood with its modern industrial vibe! 

I made a brief walking through the Kaleidoscopic Tunnel of Lights video below (pardon the ambient noise of people talking, I couldn't edit it out, so I sped it up a bit and added some background music):


Above: LED Lights transform this tunnel into a moving immersive experience!

MY TAKE:

As usual I took WAY more pictures than I could ever have time to Edit. I will definitely feature more soon.

I am saddened by the enforced quarantine keeping everyone from being able to immerse themselves in this amazing exhibit and experience Jeff Leatham's vision and creativity, but very happy about the Virtual Happy Hour!

I am hoping this Virtual Happy Hour will bring so many orchid and nature lovers together at the same time to celebrate the gifts that mother nature shares with us!

I love that NYBG is bringing the Orchid Evening Experience to everyone.

So this year I won't be able to host my annual giveaway of passes to the show, but now more readers who live in other states can get a chance to experience this for themselves.

Readers: If you are planning to RSVP please remember to use the link above to the RSVP Page, but I would love it if you took a moment to post here that you are attending!

Remember Butterflies: Please stay safe and stay home! 


And a special Thank You to all frontline, healthcare, law enforcement, firemen, truckers, delivery men and women who are essential personnel and are out there on the frontline every day!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, all opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway / Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure this butterfly out of her cocoon: Technology, Travel, Fashion, Beauty, Spirits (Sparkling, Champagne, Prosecco, Sake, Bourbon, Craft Brews), Foodie Fare - really I'm such a *simple girl*.