Flash Dance #10: MO Botanical Garden: Dancing through Dusk
Friday Sep 22, 2006, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Ever hear of “flash mobs”? They're spontaneous gatherings that bring people together on short notice for a brief period of time . Well, here's your chance to join dancers and musicians for a “flash dance” – an opportunity to waltz or contra in a public place . For more on “Flash Dances” see: http://www.childgrove.org/flashdances/flashdance_howto.htm
Place: Missouri Botanical Garden
The MBG is closed to the public that night; so here's your chance to enjoy a private party inside the Garden for free.
The Garden was extremely gracious to grant us permission to dance here this night. We have to make one huge collective promise, though, or else we won't be allowed to return next year.
There's an outdoor wedding and reception that night (5-11pm) and these people are paying big bucks to use the facility. One of the conditions for us to use the space is that we have to be "invisible" to the wedding party and guests and not interact with them in any way. We shouldn't be seen or heard at all if we'd like to return next year.
Here's the Map
Here's a map that indicates where we'll be.
If you stay on the path marked in yellow, you'll find us with no problem.
Even if you're familiar with the Garden, you might want to print a copy of the map and bring it with you.
Click on map for closer, printable view.
PRINT ME: Map of the Garden
(http://www.mobot.org/visit/maps/map_garden.pdf )
How to Find Us
As soon as you enter the Garden, you'll see a large fountain with a blue Chihuly sculpture. - Head to the RIGHT and walk towards the Tram shelter. Going to the left will take you right in the line of sight of the wedding party.
- Stay on the Tram path and please be extra quiet when you cross in front of the Climatron. This is when you'll be most visible to the wedding guests.
- Once you pass the Climatron, keep to the right and head back to the Japanese garden. We'll start the evening as far from the Main Entrance as we can, then work our way back to the front.
Here's a fluid time frame.
5:15 Gather in the MBG Lobby.
5:30 We'll don our Invisible Cloaks and inconspicuously enter the Garden,
keeping RIGHT on the path next to the Climatron, and head to the Japanese Garden.
When you get to the entrance of the Japanese Garden, (you'll see a boat sculpture)
keep to the RIGHT.
5:45 (A on the map) Wooden Bridge: Look at the big fish. Find a coy partner for a dance.
(Okay, we didn't make it this far - the rain was threatening, so we danced under the gourds. Here are Martha and Ben, two/thirds of Chicory, playing in the covered area of the Gourdwalk.)
6:30 (B on the map) Viewing area for the Chihuly Chandelier. Listen to the waterfall and stream. Waltz near the massive stump of a 100 yr old tree recently blown down. (Didn't happen. But we got a brief rainbow during the Gourd dance.)
7:00 (C on the map) Contras under the gourds. Watch out for the ones above. (Here David and Patty are dancing under the "Gourd of Damocles." )
7:30 (D on the map) Waltzing in the formal Boxwood Garden. (This was wonderful. Some folks even abandoned some cookies in the Gazebo for us.)
8:00 (E on the map) Finish up the evening in the lit area just outside the Kemper Center.
Be grateful for the donors whose names are on the bricks below our feet. (We actually went to plan B, "In case of Rain", see below, then adjourned to several fine area restaurants.)
In Case of Rain
In Case of Rain, (and was there ever rain!) look for us at the Cohen Amphitheater, marked with the letter "F" on the Missouri Botanical Gardens map below .
(This turned out to be a lovely place to dance, complete with timpani rolls and special lighting effects from nature.)
(Thanks as always to Greg for organizing this lovely outing, and to Ted, Judy and Eric, who called dances, and to Ben and Martha who kept the music flowing even as they dodged the raindrops to keep their instruments dry.)
Click on map for closer, printable view
If the MBG Security Guards ask us to leave the premises, we'll head to Forest Park and dance at the World's Fair Pavilion (aka Spanish Pavilion), at the top of the hill just southeast of the Boat House and just north of the Zoo's Great Bird Cage. See map below.
We'll hope no one has reserved the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park.
- Closest parking is on Concourse Drive, a little-known one-way street you can find between the Jewel Box and the Muny Opera.
- Easiest Parking is next to the Lake, then walk up the big hill.
- See the map or call 618.444.4975
What makes this place Special?
How often do you get a chance to dance in one of the most beautiful gardens in the world? The Missouri Botanical Garden is a world-class facility.
Virtual Tour of Missouri Botanical Garden: http://www.mobot.org/hort/gardens/overview.shtml
Photos of plants currently blooming: http://www.mobot.org/hort/images/PIB/plantsinbloom2.htm
Know Dancers in Other Cities?
Send them this link so they can host their own Flash Dances: http://www.childgrove.org/flashdances/flashdance_howto.htm
Happy Dancing!