WHAT:  The New Orleans Botanical Garden (NOBG) will extend its hours to 8 p.m. every Wednesday during the month of October beginning Wednesday, October 7 to celebrate "Evenings with Enrique." Throughout the year, each Wednesday is free to Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. 

Located inside New Orleans City Park, the New Orleans Botanical Garden is one of the few remaining examples of public garden design from the Works Progress Administration and showcases the Art Deco influences of three renowned talents of the era: architect Richard Koch, landscape architect William Wiedorn, and artist Enrique Alférez. In October 2015, the New Orleans Botanical Garden unveiled The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden, an 8,000 sq. ft. park featuring sculptures by the famed Mexican-American artist set within sweeping footpaths surrounded by lush tropical flowers and shrubs.

Each week, NOBG will safely welcome visitors to “Evenings with Enrique” for a special experience, viewing the sculptures under enhanced lighting and fire baskets suspended from the branches of the live oak trees. Guests are invited to purchase mojitos and food from the “Kitchen in the Garden.” Additional beverages will be available for purchase, as well. 

New Orleans Botanical Garden has partnered with artist Hugo Montero to create a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar, which will be on view from Wednesday, October 28–Sunday, November 1. Day of the Dead altars have typical elements such as artificial skulls and marigold flowers that can be traced all the way back to Aztec times.

In addition to the special programming inside The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden, NOBG will offer tai chi and yoga on the lawn and meditation in the Japanese Garden during the extended hours.

Guests are encouraged to practice social distancing and wear a facial covering. 

WHEN:  The New Orleans Botanical Garden will extend its hours every Wednesday during the month of October (October 7, 14, 21, and 28) until 8 p.m. 
Free hours: 10 a.m. –8 p.m. 
Special Programming: 5–8 p.m. 

WHERE:  5 Victory Avenue, City Park
Enter through the Oscar J. Tolmas Building 

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About The Helis Foundation 
The Helis Foundation is a Louisiana private foundation, established and funded by the William Helis Family. The Helis Foundation’s resources and objectives are divided into two areas: the general fund, and the Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin Art Funds. The general fund focuses on community needs primarily within the Metropolitan New Orleans area by granting funds to numerous local nonprofit organizations. The Art Funds were established by bequests from Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin. The Art Funds make grants to sustain operations, to provide free admission to, and to acquire significant art works on behalf of major institutions within the Metropolitan New Orleans area.
Learn more at www.TheHelisFoundation.org

About New Orleans City Park 
New Orleans City Park is a self-funded, public park in the heart of New Orleans. Restrictions implemented due to COVID-19 have caused the Park to close some of the income generating attractions, which has led to a severe decrease in operating budget. The Park has taken many actions to remain afloat, including furloughing part-time staff and nearly a third of the full-time staff. The Park is working to raise $5 million in government and private funds to help offset the loss of revenue due to COVID-19. Without the support of the government and community to help raise these funds, City Park will be unable to maintain current operations and will be forced to make even more cuts, which will impact the quality of experience of those visiting the Park. We encourage everyone who loves and uses the Park to visit NewOrleansCityPark.com to find out how they can help City Park.
New Orleans City Park is distinguished by its large menu of sports and recreational activities, attractions for children, and its natural beauty. City Park has a special place in the hearts of generations of New Orleanians and is a must visit for visitors to the city. The 1,300 acres of parkland provide enjoyment for people no matter their age. City Park is home to the world’s largest collection of mature Live Oak trees in the world. To learn more about the Park, visit NewOrleansCityPark.com.
 

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