#InTheLoop | Queens Botanical Garden Presents ‘World of Orchids’ Show
They look fantastic. They smell great. They make you happy. And they’re coming to Flushing.
Queens Botanical Garden will host Taiwan: A World of Orchids from Friday, Aug. 12, to Sunday, Aug. 14.
Presented via a partnership with the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in New York, this ninth annual showcase will feature more than 750 pots of orchids, along with yo-yo tricks, calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and the chance to buy flowers at the end. Plus, Maggie (Meira) Chiang, a Visiting Scholar at University of Pennsylvania, will be on hand to explain ancient poems and tell stories.
Admission to Taiwan: A World of Orchids is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors (62+) and students with ID, and $2 for children ages 4 to 12. Those under age three can attend for free.
“The orchid’s rich hues remind us to live in style, while its underlying beauty reminds us to enjoy the little things in life,” stated Ambassador James K.J. Lee, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York. “We hope this exhibition evokes cherished memories for members of the Taiwanese community, and we are excited for New Yorkers to catch a glimpse or our beautiful country.”
Here’s the schedule.
Aug. 12
9 am to 5 pm: Orchid exhibition in Visitor & Administration Building Terrace, Auditorium, and Meeting Room; Orchid sale at Main Street Entry Plaza; and Orchid Crafts in the V&A Terrace;
11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm: Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration in the V&A Meeting Room;
1 pm and 3 pm: Jazz Trio Performance in the V&A Terrace;
2 pm and 4 pm: Paper Cutting Craft Demonstration in the V&A Meeting Room; and
4:30 pm to 5 pm: Recorded video reading of Wang Xizhi’s poem Preface to the Orchid Pavilion (or Alan-t’ing Chi); Reading and translation by Maggie Chiang of works by Xizhi (303–361 AD), a renowned Chinese calligrapher, politician, general, and writer during the Jin Dynasty, in the V&A Terrace.
Aug. 13
9 am to 5 pm: Orchid exhibition in V&A Terrace, Auditorium, and Meeting Room; Orchid sale at Main Street Entry Plaza; and Orchid crafts in the V&A Terrace;
11 am to 5 pm: Food & Beverage in the Oak Allée and QBG Store;
11:30 am, 1:40 pm, and 3:45 pm: Tea Ceremony Demonstration in the V&A Meeting Room;
Noon to 5 pm: Beer & Wine Garden in the Oak Allée;
Noon to 12:45 pm: Stories from the Chinese novel Monkey King: Journey to the West (or Hsi-yu chi) by Wu Ch’eng-en (c.1506-1580); and Storytelling by Maggie Chiang in the V&A Auditorium;
1 pm and 3 pm: Jazz Trio Performance in the V&A Terrace;
1 pm and 3 pm: Jelly/3D Flower Art Demonstration in the V&A Meeting Room;
2 pm to 4 pm: Orchid Care Demonstration with orchid expert Amanda Dorn in the V&A Terrace; and
2:15 pm and 4 pm: Taiwanese Puppet Master Workshop in the V&A Auditorium.
Aug 14
9 am to 4 pm: Orchid exhibition in V&A Terrace, Auditorium, and Meeting Room; and Orchid sale in Main Street Entry Plaza;
9 am to 2 pm: Orchid crafts in the V&A Terrace;
11 am to 1 pm: Diabolo Yo-Yo Tricks in the Oak Allée;
11 am to 5 pm: Food & Beverage in the Oak Allée;
11:30 am, 1:40 pm, and 3:45 pm: Tea Ceremony Demonstration in the Meeting Room;
Noon to 5 pm: Beer & Wine Garden in the Oak Allée;
Noon to 12:45 pm: Stories from the Chinese novel Monkey King: Journey to the West (or Hsi-yu chi) by Wu Ch’eng-en (c.1506-1580); and Storytelling by Maggie Chiang in the V&A Auditorium;
1 pm to 1:30 pm: Paper Cutting Craft Demonstration in the V&A Meeting Room;
2 pm to 4 pm: Orchid Care Demonstration with orchid expert Amanda Dorn in the V&A Terrace;
2:15 pm and 4 pm: Taiwanese Puppet Master Workshop in the V&A Auditorium;
3 pm to 3:40 pm: Jelly/3D Flower Art Demonstration in the V&A Meeting Room; and
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm: Post-exhibit orchid sale in the Wedding Garden Plaza.
QBG is located at 43-50 Main St. Parking in QBG’s lot, whose entrance is at 42-80 Crommelin St., is $15.
Editor’s note: They grow around the world, but Taiwan’s southern tip has the ideal climate, sun, and soil for cultivating orchids. Thus it’s no surprise that these flowers have been part of the East Asian island’s culture for many centuries.
Images: Queens Botanical Garden
