November at Garvan Woodland Gardens Brings Beer Tasting, Tea Party and Holiday Lights

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Woodland Gardens is decorated for autumn.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Garvan Woodland Gardens celebrates autumn with a course on photographing flora, a chance to taste winter beers and the start of the annual Holiday Lights display.

The November art exhibit, featuring work by the Arkansas Pastel Society, will be on display through Nov. 30 in the Magnolia Room. The exhibit will include landscapes, still lifes, flora and fauna and more, with inspiration gleaned from worldwide travel as well as native subject matter.

"Photographing Flora" with Eli Vega will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Magnolia Room. Vega is a highly published photographer and author of the award-winning book Right Brain Photography. Participants will learn to create beautiful flower and plant photographs in this interactive class. If time permits, students will practice their skills in the field. Lunch from the Chipmunk Café will be included.

"Gardening 101: Fall Edition" will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 5 in the Magnolia Room and Southern Inspiration Garden. Master Gardeners will lead this hands-on class on learning about gardening.

The "Janet Carson Farewell Tour: Native Plant Species" will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Nov. 8 in various locations, including the Magnolia Room, Garvan Pavilion and Millsap Bride's Hall. Participants will rotate through lectures given by Carson and friends. Lunch from the Chipmunk Café will be included.

"Landscape Drawing" will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 10 in the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Learning Center. Using the garden as inspiration, each student will produce an original nature still life drawing. Ginger Ladehoff, a local artist, will lead the classes. All materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own pencils if they have them.

"Beer ED: Dark and Strong!" will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Magnolia Room. Jonathan Martin, head brewer at Bubba Brew's Brewing Company, will offer a beer-tasting event focused on dark beers and strong beers for the winter season. Exploring a range of color, clarity and flavor profiles, this class will feature a five-beer tasting flight, accompanied with a history of each beer style, a guide to tasting notes and a souvenir glass to take home.

The "Vinyasa Yoga Series" will continue from 2-3 p.m. Nov. 10 on the Great Lawn, led by Audra Ladehoff. Vinyasa yoga is a flowing practice linking breath to movement in a continuous sequence of poses. Many people feel stronger, more energized and grounded as they practice.

"Mrs. Garvan's Tea" will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Magnolia Room. Susan Harper will play the role of Verna Garvan, garden benefactor, as she shares the story of America's first female industrialist. Traditional tea fare will be served.

The Tai Chi Series "Strength in Motion" will continue on Thursdays through Nov. 15 on the Great Lawn and Garvan Pavilion. The Beginner Short Staff class is from 1-2 p.m., and the Advanced Short Staff class is from 2-3 p.m. The Oaklawn Center on Aging leads this ancient, low-impact practice that increases flexibility, balance and strength. Loose, comfortable clothing and comfortable footwear are recommended. 

"Group Health Walks" will continue at 9 a.m. three days a week through Nov. 16. On Mondays, Sharon Turrentine will lead a three-mile walk in 52 minutes. On Wednesdays, Ginger Ladehoff will lead a two-plus-mile walk at a challenging pace. On Fridays, Dee Garrett will lead a two-plus-mile walk at a comfortable, conversational pace. Groups meet first in the Welcome Center, and pets and strollers are welcome.

"Spanish Language for Beginners: 10 Weeks" will continue from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 15 in the Magnolia Room. The program will feature keys to pronunciation, vocabulary and phrase building, verb conjugation, listening skills and cultural differences among Spanish-speaking countries. Textbooks and/or workbooks will be provided, and no previous experience is needed.

"Bonsai Series: Winter Care and Maintenance" will be held from 3-4 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Learning Center. Bryan Carlan, Garvan horticulturist, will present a review of seasonal care for budding bonsai gardeners.

The "Holiday Lights" display will begin Nov. 17 and continue through Dec. 31 (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, when the garden will be closed). The display will run from 5-9 p.m. each evening, with gates open at 3 p.m. The garden will be aglow with nearly 5 million lights in a myriad of natural settings. Features include the luminescent Garden of the Pine Wind, the Parterre garden on the Great Lawn, traditional holiday scenes in the woodlands and the 50-foot-tall Holiday Tree, which plays holiday tunes animated to a light show. Visitors can conclude their walking tour with free hot chocolate. The Chipmunk Café will be open each night until 9 p.m., serving soups, sandwiches and snacks. 

Visitors can check the Garvan Gardens website for more details about free concerts and events during Holiday Lights. Weekend nights are very crowded, and visitors can expect long wait times to park and enter the garden. Visitors are encouraged to visit the display Monday through Thursday nights, if possible. Holiday Lights will be open when it rains. However, the garden closes in the case of inclement weather that would threaten the safety of visitors, such as lightning, ice or hail. Dogs are not allowed in the garden during Holiday Lights, except for the Jingle Dogs Pup Parade on Dec. 3.

Several holiday concerts will be held in Anthony Chapel in November:

• The Village Big Band Holiday Lights Opening Night Concert — Nov. 17, 6 p.m.
• Sharon Turrentine Holiday Concert — Nov. 25, 4 p.m.
• Crystal Chimes Concert — Nov. 26, 5 p.m.
• The Village Chorale Concert — Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m.
• Voices Rising — Nov. 28, 5:30 p.m.
• Hot Springs Village Men's Chorus — Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas and part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and free for children ages 3 and younger. Some events and activities are free. Some require a fee, advanced registration or prepayment.

For more information about these events or to check on upcoming events, call 501-262-9300 or 800-366-4664.