The VORTEX invites nature-lovers of all ages to enjoy an afternoon of live music, performance art, and springtime gardening activities as we renew our nationally certified butterfly sanctuary. The fourteenth annual Garden Party takes place (rain or shine!) Sunday March 10, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This year’s festivities include a free preview of excerpts from Bridging with Mother, a performance featuring original music, classical Indian dance, and multimedia art created by Tyagaraja Welch and directed by Gunjen Mittal. Bridging with Mother answers the call to “become one with nature” and will be performed in full at The VORTEX the week following the Garden Party (March 21-23).

Additional live music will be provided by Ryan Radtke (world music) and Roland and the Roots Riddim (reggae).

Tiny Tails petting zoo will return with small animal friends for guests to meet, and everyone is invited to try their hands at planting in the garden.

This event is free and open to all ages!

Donations to the garden are encouraged (but not required). In particular, donations of plants that attract butterflies are much appreciated. These include: milkweed, shrimp plant, verbena, frogfruit, Gregg’s mistflower, yarrow, zinnia, and snap dragon. (For further reference, The Natural Gardener offers information on butterfly-friendly plants.) Other plants that enhance the garden include: passion vine, coral honey suckle, Alamo vine, spicebush, lantana, sunflower, flame acanthus, fire bush, bottlebrush, bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, salvia, purple coneflower, Turk’s cap, and yucca (twist-leaf).

Additional garden items––such as pottery, potting soil, mulch, and compost––are likewise welcome donations.

The VORTEX sources gardening supplies and plants from Tillery Street Plant Company.

After the party, guests are encouraged to stay for a performance of UNDARK: A Radioactive Puppet Play, presented by Trouble Puppet Theater Company, inside The VORTEX theatre. More information on the play as well as tickets are available here.