It’s hard to believe that summer has come and gone. At Planting Fields, we’re excited about fall just as much! We’ve spent lots of time outside the last months and most of our programs have enabled attendees to enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
The public programming lineup is one area where visitors may have noticed a new approach at Planting Fields. With the arrival of our new Executive Director, Gina Wouters, earlier this year and the addition of new staff in the programming and marketing areas, we have had an opportunity to redefine our offerings. The overarching goal has been to create distinct experiences for a community that is very familiar with Planting Fields, but also to generate compelling incentives to build our Membership program. New programs like our Neighborhood Night, Twilight Tours and Nature Sundays are free for members, while all other offerings such as Yoga in the Garden, Spotlight Talks, A Moveable Feast or Paint and Sip workshops are discounted for members by as much as 45%.
Programs like our Celebrate Summer series have taken a spin on the traditional concert series to make sure we put Coe Hall and the stunning landscape front and center rather than have either serve as a backdrop. Each Celebrate Summer night has highlighted a dance or musical performance in a novel way. Attendees begin the night with a tour of the gardens or house during which they encounter an unexpected musician performing in spaces like Mai Coe’s bedroom or the Gallery of Coe Hall. With individual performances scattered throughout the house and grounds, each Celebrate Summer night has culminated in a full musical or dance performance in the Cloister Garden for a seated audience.
Programs are an important reason why people return to Planting Fields and we want to be sure they are dynamic and worthwhile. Our fall and winter 2020 lineup will feature music, dance, art and talks by leaders of each industry. We also want our guests to enjoy the estate as the Coes once did so keep an eye out for our reader’s series, cards and backgammon game nights, and after-hours experiences.
Visit our website regularly to see what’s on the horizon. We hope to see you here as the leaves begin to change!
Planting Fields Foundation Staff