The gardens are rushing to life around us—and drawing back our songbirds! The sight and sound of them brings a lift to our hearts. And gives us ample reason to offer Spring Wings programming all week long—back-to-back birdy art and science for school families, live bird demos and a chance to dissect owl pellets, four different bird walks, Family Art Projects dedicated to our nesting instinct and, capping off the week, an enchanting guitar duo Sunday afternoon. Tweet, tweet!
THU, APRIL 9 IN THE SHOP: VACATION WEEK SALE
In celebration of Spring Vacation Week, enjoy 20% off all kids’ gifts. The Shop at Wave Hill offers unique, seasonal gifts inspired by nature; all proceeds from sales support Wave Hill’s world-class gardens and outstanding programs.
THU, APRIL 9 FAMILY ART WORKSHOP: MIGRATING KITES
Join us for a week of bird-inspired activities and art-making, followed by drop-in science explorations, then come back for more over the weekend! Programs are geared to children between the ages of five and 10 with a parent or caregiver. Today, we look at how birds fly. Study their wing structure, then using a simple building technique, assemble a flyable kite with wings as your inspiration. Fashion your kite with color and flare to make a real or imagined migrator. $25/$15 Wave Hill Member per session includes one child and one adult; additional child or adult $10. Registration required, online at www.wavehillorg or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting February 11. Spring Wings Week event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1–2:30PM
THU, APRIL 9 DROP-IN SCIENCE EXPLORATIONS: FASTEN SEATBELTS!
Join us for this drop-in program following the art workshop in the morning. Learn about the mechanics of bird flight, and how wing length and the shape of a bird’s body determine their flight patterns. Make paper airplanes to recreate different patterns of bird flight, and test how weight distribution and wing shape influence flight. Programs are geared to children between the ages of five and 10 with a parent or caregiver. Registration not required. Free with admission to the grounds. Spring Wings Week event.
ON THE GROUNDS, 2:30–3:30PM
FRI, APRIL 10 IN THE SHOP: VACATION WEEK SALE
In celebration of Spring Vacation Week, enjoy 20% off all kids’ gifts. The Shop at Wave Hill offers unique, seasonal gifts inspired by nature; all proceeds from sales support Wave Hill’s world-class gardens and outstanding programs.
SAT, APRIL 11 SPRING BIRDING
Join expert naturalists on a walk through the grounds of Wave Hill and discover the birds passing through the skies during this early migration season. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Birders of all levels welcome! Severe weather cancels. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting February 11. (NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission.) Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Spring Wings Week event.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM
SAT, APRIL 11 TAI CHI CHUAN
Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Sessions in April are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM
SAT, APRIL 11 FAMILY ART PROJECT: A NEST FOR SONG BIRDS
Let’s welcome back our feathered friends as they return to their spring home at Wave Hill! With visiting artist and sculptor Matt Bua, collect sticks, leaves, grasses and found feathers to make a giant, outdoor bird’s nest in the woods. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Spring Wings Week event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM
SAT, APRIL 11 LIVE BIRD DEMONSTRATIONS
Volunteers for Wildlife return to Wave Hill to share live birds such as the eastern screech owl, American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, mallard duck, dove and barred owl. Between programs, get a close-up look at skulls, feathers and other bird-related artifacts. Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Spring Wings Week event.
ON THE GROUNDS, NOON, 2PM
SAT, APRIL 11 CHIRPS AND TWEETS FAMILY WALK
Can you mimic a bird call? Discover a range of birds that fly through Wave Hill, on a walk with naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a walk through the gardens and woodlands. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Spring Wings Week event.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM
SAT, APRIL 11 WINTER WORKSPACE OPEN STUDIOS
For the sixth winter, Glyndor Gallery is transformed into studio spaces for artists to develop new work and offer opportunities for public interaction in the context of the garden. Individual artists share their studio practice with the public on this open studio day. Artists include Julian Chams (a Wave Hill 2015 Van Lier Visual Artist Fellow), Beatrice Glow (also a Wave Hill 2015 Van Lier Visual Artist Fellow), Musa Hixson, Elizabeth Hoy, Sara Jiminez and Amy Lincoln. Registration not required for this drop-in event. Free with admission to the grounds.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1–3PM
SAT, APRIL 11 OWL PELLET DISSECTION
Owls are creatures who swallow their prey whole. Parts of the prey, such as bones, feathers and fur are bound up during digestion into a tight pellet, which the owl regurgitates. Drop-in for this exploratory workshop, and discover the origins of the owl’s diet. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Spring Wings Week event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2–4PM
SUN, APRIL 12 SPRING BIRDING
Join expert naturalists on a walk through the grounds of Wave Hill and discover the birds passing through the skies during this early migration season. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Birders of all levels welcome! Severe weather cancels. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting February 11. (NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission.) Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Spring Wings Week event.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM
SUN, APRIL 12 FAMILY ART PROJECT: A NEST FOR SONG BIRDS
Let’s welcome back our feathered friends as they return to their spring home at Wave Hill! With visiting artist and sculptor Matt Bua, collect sticks, leaves, grasses and found feathers to make a giant, outdoor bird’s nest in the woods. Free with admission to the grounds. Spring Wings Week event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM
SUN, APRIL 12 HATHA YOGA
Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss directorNeem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions in April are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM
SUN, APRIL 12 MEDITATION
Let nature inspire you to find your center and reconnect with your true self using guided mindfulness and other meditation practices. Each session, led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other qualified instructors, includes instruction in simple techniques, followed by guided meditations. Sessions are held indoors. All levels welcome. Session fee, which includes admission to the grounds: $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:45AM‒12:45PM
SUN, APRIL 12 CHIRPS AND TWEETS FAMILY WALK
Can you mimic a bird call? Discover a range of birds that fly through Wave Hill, on a walk with naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a walk through the gardens and woodlands. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Spring Wings Week event.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM
SUN, APRIL 12 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM
SUN, APRIL 12 CONCERT: BRASIL GUITAR DUO
The Brasil Guitar Duo, praised by The New York Times for its “warm melodies and pinpoint dance rhythms”, is two virtuosos, Douglas Lora and João Luiz, who have been dazzling audiences world-wide for 15 years. The ensemble offers a seamless blend of styles, from traditional works to Brazilian popular tunes, featuring the music of Rameau, Gismonti and Bandolim. $28 general admission/$15 child (ages 8 to 18). $22 Wave Hill Member/$12 Wave Hill Member child. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM
MON, APRIL 13
Closed to the public
TUE, APRIL 14 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM
A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.
HOURS Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays:9AM–5:30PM. Closes 4:30PM, November 1–March 14.
ADMISSION $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. FreeSaturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.
PROGRAM FEES Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.
DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.
