Events
Fashion Bandana Workshop
Tuesday, June 18, 1:30 –3:30
Time to add something delightful to the summer wardrove! Since the appearance of ready-made garments, home artisans have been embellishing fashion accessories, making them wonderous personal statements. There’s a supply of cotton bandanas awaiting your sumptuous additions in this workshop led by Phyllis Ger. A variety of techniques and materials are offered.
Registration: $10/$8 for members & students. This workshop suitable for teens and adults.
Watercolor Painting Workshop
Tuesdays, July 9 – 30, 1-3:30 pm
The Museum welcomes back Helaine Sollers for guided instruction in painting with watercolors. The four-session series is designed for the novice, for artists returning to painting and anyone furthering their craft. It is an exploratory approach to the watercolor medium. Helaine, an accomplished artist and teacher, encourages the development of individual style and expression. Participants have use of the garden and the air-conditioned workshop annex.
The workshops are suitable for tween, teens and adults. All levels are welcome. You can attend any or all sessions. Painting supplies are provided.
Fees: The series is offered $50/ $40 for students & members. Space permitting, single session attendance is available $12/$10 per session. Advanced registration is encouraged.
Note: For anyone accompanied by young children, we can provide children’s watercolors and other drawing materials for a $1 fee.
A Birdy Birthday
Sunday, July 28th 1:30-3:30
The Museum’s Founding Benefactor, Elisabetha Orth, was an avid birder. It was her vision that created the museum and bird sanctuary. We offer water, seed and haven to wild birds year-round. July 28th was her birthday (she would have been 98).
Learn about birds and local birding resources. Make some art. And enjoy a birthday ice-cream treat. Suitable for all ages.
Admission $4 and $10 a family. Children under 3 admitted free.
Hip to Hip Theatre – Shakespeare in the Garden
Friday Evenings, August 9 & 16 , 7:30 pm (seating opens at 6:45pm)
The garden is the perfect setting for Hip to Hip Theatre’s spirited, richly costumed, family-friendly productions. The performances are free and open to the public. The plays run 90 minutes. At 7pm the Company offers Kids & the Classics – an introduction to the play for children attending the performance.
August 9, 7:30 p.m.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Four young lovers escape the tyranny of the court to find love in a magical forest. On the same night and in the same forest, the king and queen of the fairies declare war on each other, and a company of amateur actors meet to rehearse a play. See what happens when a mischievous sprite called Puck weaves their three stories into one.
August 16, 7:30 p.m.
The Winter's Tale
King Leontes falsely accuses his pregnant wife of infidelity with his best friend. Consumed by jealousy, he makes a series of catastrophic decisions that tear his family apart and leaves his newborn daughter abandoned. Sixteen years later, can time bring healing and reconciliation?
About Kids & the Classics: At 7pm, Kids & the Classics is the companion piece to Hip to Hip’s performances. This free interactive workshop is designed for children ages 4 to 12. It gives children a chance to interact with the text by previewing the characters & situations, and creating links between the text and their own lives through theatre games and close reading of text.
The Garden is wheelchair accessible. Seating is provided. The performance is cancelled in the event of rain.
Annual Honey Harvest Festival
Tuesday, August 20, 1:00-3:30pm
Get the buzz on bees! Don’t miss the annual celebration of honeybees!
Our bees are busy in the summer and honey harvest time arrives in August. Informative, fun and tasty, activities for all ages.
See how our beekeeper harvests honey, make bee-inspired art, sample different types of honey, and learn what it takes to make a bee friendly garden. Enjoy our house punch and yummy snacks. Admission $4 and $10 a family. Children under 3 admitted free. 2024 Voelker Orth Museum honey available for sale.
Looking toward September Events:
Victrola DJ Performance with Speakeasy Tea, Sunday, September 15
Oktoberfest Flushing Style: Sauerkraut & Kimchi, Saturday, September 28
Virtual Activities
For anyone who cannot join us at the Museum we offer virtual activities for kids and families to explore on their own. Each of these are offered free and readily done with simple materials.
Click here for family activity guides to do at home
There are more things to do on our Instagram page (link). Let us know how you're engaging with these activities by commenting or sending us pictures at education@vomuseum.org or posting to our Facebook page.