City January 16, 2013 6:26 PM

Night Lights at the Gardens 2013

queenseyes 21

I must admit that I don't get to the Botanical Gardens nearly as much as I should. To me, this is one of the greatest places to visit in the middle of winter, especially when the Night Lights event is underway. This is the third year that The Gardens has hosted the impressive show, which runs in early February. Each year more effects are added, enhancing the experience of the visit. It's an awesome way to see the conservatory and horticulture collection in a different, and spectacular light.

After checking out the show last year, along with 8000 other visitors during the 12-night span, I wondered what would be in store for 2013... new lights, displays, art? Little did I know that some of the latest features would be additional lighting designs, lasers, video projections, enhanced sound systems and a maze on the front lawn - the works!

With live music by Dotsun Moon, photographic displays by projection artists Mark Reginald WonderGhost, strolling musicians, a fire spinning troupe, drummers, unique rock bands, and art and sculptures by Ashford Hollow, you really couldn't ask for more. Or could you? On the final night of the show, there will be a grand finale featuring the displays, and live creations and performance work of Queen City Sight & Sound (collective of Buffalo artists - Facebook).

*Performers include Smackdab on February 2, Ben Perrello on February 7, Lazlo Hollyfeld on February 9 and John & Mary on February 15. Each performance will begin at 8:00 p.m., will be about an hour and is included in admission. Spun Out Fire Productions on February 1 and 14 and Queen City Sight & Sound on February 16 are also include with admission and will perform throughout the evening. NIGHT LIGHTS at the Gardens powered by National Grid will take place on Wednesday through Saturday nights January 30 through February 16, 2013. Show hours will be 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will stay open until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. each night and admission is $10 for adults, $8 for Garden members, seniors (55+) and students (13+), $5 kids 3-12 and kids under 3 are free. Tickets are available at the door and online at www.buffalogardens.com starting January 21. Garden Guest passes, discounts and coupons are not valid during NIGHT LIGHTS. Cameras and mono pods are welcome every night however, tripods are not permitted. Photographer Night on February 5 form 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. welcomes professional and amateur photographers only and tripods will be permitted on this night only! The lighting designers are SitlerHQ, LLC and Volt Vision, Inc.

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society, Inc.

2655 South Park Ave - Buffalo, NY 14218

Photos: Ben Read

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21 Comments Leave a comment

paulsobo

January 16, 2013 8:44 PM

Whenever one visits South Buffalo/Lackawanna, then there is this island represented by South Park, The Buffalo Botanical Society, the Father Baker Orphanage and Basilica.

They are extraordinary resources for our city that I both appreciate and wish more people would visit.

I hope one day the Light Rail will make it down South Park to the Buffalo/Lackawanna Border so everyone can visit with ease of access.

On the other hand...there are many times that South Buffalo enjoys being somewhat separated from Buffalo and its problems.

What I can say is that we may not have the top notch donors and exhibits but much of what we do have is world class and envious of other cities.

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 12 votes )

Old First Ward

January 16, 2013 8:49 PM

Paulsobo someday we must have lunch. You think almost exactly like I do. Too bad, we would make a fantastic development team.

[ Reply ]

replied to paulsobo

Score: -3 ( 7 votes )

LouisTully

January 16, 2013 8:55 PM

Too bad many of Paul's ideas are off-the-wall fantasy or simply inaccurate. Though, I do appreciate the effort and passion.

[ Reply ]

replied to Old First Ward

Score: 4 ( 6 votes )

Buffalo All Star

January 16, 2013 9:40 PM

Definately wins the awards for most passionate and most posts.

[ Reply ]

Score: -1 ( 3 votes )

DeanerPPX

January 16, 2013 11:35 PM

Great deal for $10! I went to the Atlanta botanical gardens with my family before Christmas for their light display. Much less impressive display and facility, no music, and tickets were $27 each, plus $5 parking...

[ Reply ]

Score: 4 ( 4 votes )

onestarmartin

January 17, 2013 11:50 AM

Really? 1.5 million lights was less impressive? A facility funded by the likes of Fuqua, Coke, Delta and A Southern Company less impressive? No music? So you missed the fantastic giant ornaments sinked to music on the great lawn I take it. Maybe you also bypassed the wonderful outdoor bars, the permenent glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly? The outdoor cooking class kitchen along with the herb and winter veg garden? The model train displays outdoors? The bridge in the tree's 30 feet up? The indoor "snow" lights in the tropical garden with frogs as the backdrop sound? You Dolt.

[ Reply ]

replied to DeanerPPX

Score: -5 ( 9 votes )

DeanerPPX

January 17, 2013 1:03 PM

Yep. 1.5 million lights that looked like they were strung up by the Griswalds to distract from the fact that the only plants in the facility were some garden cabbage and potted poinsettias. I was at the Chihuli exhibit a few years ago and that, too, was just a reminder that the Fuqua is a lovely building with nothing of substance inside. I'd love to know what ABG's financials look like... all those corporate sponsors and outrageous ticket prices must go toward more fund raisers and private parties, because they certainly don't go toward the plant collection.

LOVED the skybridge that cost a few million dollars and a construction worker's life... only to provide an aerial view of the parking ramp and the same trees in my back yard, could have gotten the same effect by standing on a ladder on the side of the house. I suppose the light-synced ornaments on the lawn would have been more impressive if they decorated something more exotic than, um, grass (and half had been knocked over by little kids, same with the trains). I must have missed the cooking class, was that near the cramped patio with wet barstools that was selling thimbles of hot cocoa for $6? Snow lights and frog recordings would have been nicer if the place wasn't so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, much less a single plant... (that part was more like a haunted house attraction than a botanical garden)

I could go on and on. I understand why Atlanta loves it, it's probably the closet they have to nature or culture since the giant Christmas tree crashed through the roof of the shopping mall. But it was a cheesy attempt at over-hyped flash akin to visiting a Las Vegas casino and thinking you've actually been to Paris, Venice and Egypt.

While Buffalo's Garden Lights may not have as many bulbs and is condensed into a smaller space, even the last time I visited it, it was far more beautiful and better highlighted the impressive botanical collection. It was an actual garden with lights, not a dueling set of neighbors pasting lights on their lawn to hide the fact that their homes are on the verge of foreclosure and the furniture has been sold off on craigslist.

Call me a dolt, but I'd rather spend $40 on a memorable experience in Buffalo than $140 on a disappointing carnival sideshow in Atlanta. "This way to the Egress!"

[ Reply ]

replied to onestarmartin

Score: 7 ( 7 votes )

DeanerPPX

January 17, 2013 1:50 PM

To be fair, my Mom did see a plant that she thought was interesting, so we tried to find out what it was. No signage anywhere nearby, of course, not that the millions of lights would have been bright enough to read it. Only employee we could find was a bartender who had no clue and suggested we ask a guide. We eventually did locate a guide, who couldn't answer any questions more complicated than where the restrooms were. She suggested we come back during daylight hours (spending another $22 for the ticket) to ask an actual docent.

Score zip for Atlanta's educational experience.

[ Reply ]

replied to DeanerPPX

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

Meliq

January 18, 2013 1:05 PM

OMG DeanerPPX--I don't know if you're a man or woman, young or old but you are hysterical and I loved reading your post!!!! Witty, and true--Buffalo does do a really good job at a lot of things, unfortunately we don't have the caché or perceived (and often inaccurate) 'cool' outward appearance that places like Atlanta do. So many people say "I'm going to the Carolinas or Atlanta" and when they do, it's not as rosy as they're led to believe. Yeah taxes may be lower but schools are worse, there is no sense of community interaction nor a sense of history. Everything is 'new' so that must make it better, right?

[ Reply ]

replied to DeanerPPX

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

DeanerPPX

January 18, 2013 6:32 PM

Thanks, lol. Male, 39 (I'm not gonna call that young or old). My Uncle moved to Atlanta in the '60s when it was still probably smaller than Buffalo, before it hit its boom. Mom and Dad followed about 10 years ago when they retired, wanting to be near him but avoid the Florida cliche. I made a temporary move to Atl to help them as they age, but will be packing back home as soon as they're, um, gone.

The south is quintessential suburban boom frontier. Things are new, flashy, lots of people. But things were built so quickly that no thought or meaning was put into it. You miss the little things, like libraries (the main library here offers less than some of the neighborhood branches back home). Buffalo complains about its public schools, but I live in a county that actually lost its accreditation. We have Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, but any local restaurant that comes up with a unique menu goes out of business within six months. There's no sense of community, homes and businesses are cookie cutters of each other, because everybody spends three hours a day stuck in traffic, not paying attention to anything but their steering wheel. Even as Buffalo is debating stadium deals and Canalside, Atlanta is already getting ready to replace its 20-year-old dome, fighting historic preservation for remnants of the '96 Olympics, and trying to decide if casinos and alcohol will bring people back to the downtown underground shopping. And yes, they are currently building a trolley and pedestrian mall to 'upgrade' the MLK district...

Taxes are lower, but cost of living is enormous. $3 gas isn't so cheap when you have to drive 60+ minutes to get to work. Lower heating costs, but you get a $300 A/C bill for 6-8 months each year. There is no Toronto or Niagara within an hour's drive. Summers are hot as hell and winters suck too (schools closed today because of THREAT of cold, and one idiot driving in the rain or ice causes more problems than Buffalo has during 2' of snow)

The Aquarium here is amazing (at $45+ each), but Buffalo's zoo, gardens, parks, museums, theaters and events are far better, especially considering how much cheaper they are (and without the endless corporate sponsors).

[ Reply ]

replied to Meliq

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

Timothy Domst

January 20, 2013 8:56 PM

If it's really that bad, why aren't people moving here instead of down south?

[ Reply ]

replied to DeanerPPX

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )

The Boss

January 17, 2013 6:37 AM

"I hope one day the Light Rail will make it down South Park to the Buffalo/Lackawanna Border so everyone can visit with ease of access".....or just take a 15-20 min drive from anywhere in Erie Co. and park 15 feet from the front door for free

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 11 votes )

Move Along Plz

January 17, 2013 8:06 AM

Agreed!

[ Reply ]

replied to The Boss

Score: -2 ( 6 votes )

DeanerPPX

January 17, 2013 10:52 AM

Just like the argument against casino gambling, that kind of talk is exactly what keeps this one of Buffalo's 'hidden treasures' that feeds off of local support, while keeping it off the radar for tourists and visitors (and their wallets).

Sure, most WNYers know how to get there and can easily do so if they have a car. Not so much for people who are passing through the area on their way to Toronto or Niagara Falls. Foreign tourists especially are least likely to rent a car just to drive 20-30 minutes through an unknown area to see something that rivals or betters attractions in their home nations. (I'm adding OLV and South Park to the Gardens as a perfect afternoon side trip). Jaded American tourists would be turned off half way through the drive along Rt5 to discover a set of features that are rare anywhere else in the nation.

And that's without mentioning locals who are ecologically minded to forego owning a car and would most appreciate the gardens' natural beauty; The budget-minded residents who prefer to put their paychecks toward supporting the local economy rather than feeding a quarter of their income to foreign oil companies, car manufacturers and insurance companies; And of course the lower income residents who simply CAN'T afford a car and can most benefit from the gardens' educational qualities.

The Gardens, Park and OLV are served by the South Park and Ridge Road Loop bus... but I've made that ride many times and it is time consuming, difficult and unpleasant. A rail connection would link this (and other significant portions of the city) into a much easier, more pleasant and faster network for ALL of the Gardens' target audiences... tourists, eco-friendly, family budget and educational visitors.

Yet the folks who rarely get out of their car to make a phone call or pick up a drive-thru hamburger -the ones least likely to even give a damn about the place- remain the ones who have the best access to it. Makes all those resources that paulsobo mentioned into tempting victims for demolition to make way for a new parking lot...

[ Reply ]

replied to The Boss

Score: 3 ( 5 votes )

whatever

January 18, 2013 6:33 PM

Anyone can shoot the messenger if they like, but...
rail transit for South Park Ave sounds like an off-the-wall fantasy (to borrow LouisTully's phrase from above), considering federal funding criteria would look at predicted ridership and likely lack of local funding.

As was said for the Amherst possibility being studied...
'Federal transit officials say they have money through the New Starts Program for “meritorious” transportation projects, adding that local governments also must commit their own funds. ...'

I'd doubt the amount of daily riders would be viewed by federal DOT as meriting (if even Amherst might not have merit that way), and the city or county govt won't raise taxes for fed-required local funding. Two big reasons it won't happen.

If there's really enough demand from tourists or others who'd refuse to ride NFTA buses to the Gardens from downtown, perhaps the Gardens org should consider scheduled shuttle vehicles as hotels use for customers to/from the airport, or like some people rent for party nights out - Zolads, etc?
Money for that could come from charging the tourists themselves - again, if there's really enough of them. Compared to wishing someone would build and operate a rail line, this could have a benefit of being possible.

[ Reply ]

replied to DeanerPPX

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

DeanerPPX

January 18, 2013 8:39 PM

The CRTC did a study about a decade ago that included a southern rail line. While it didn't pass directly next to the Basilica/Gardens area, it would have included a stop just a few blocks up Ridge Rd. A main line would have connected Downtown to Lackawanna via South Park Ave and existing rail ROWs, providing the majority of ridership. Two additional spurs from there would have used ROWs to connect Orchard Park/Ralf Wilson, and one along the lake toward Hamburg and Angola.

There have already been many calls to connect the airport, and I would hazard a guess that South Buffalo would have a similar population density and ridership to the east side. With an anchor like the stadium at the end, I think east or south rail lines would carry even more riders than the Amherst line.

You may be right that it's a fantasy, but perhaps not an unfounded one.

[ Reply ]

replied to whatever

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

whatever

January 19, 2013 6:36 PM

Deaner - at the end there, did you mean unfounded or unfunded?
I think the issue is the latter.

Yes, CRTC has ideas for rail transit which they nicely describe at
http://www.citizenstransit.org/corridors
That page is kind of like paulsobo plus details and maps (minus blaming Muriel for anything lol)

And yes like you said there's 'many calls' for an Airport line, which I'd also consider off-the-wall fantasies because of $.

As my previous comment's link says, the federal govt - even under Obama - won't fund new rail transit lines without local commitments for long term funding in addition to ridership projections (which I don't know whether a Southtowns line would meet, but even if we leave that aside...)

NFTA eliminated bus routes recently due to budget and reduced frequency of some others, faced huge outcry from some when it raised fares even 25 cents last year, and has no taxing power. It depends on Erie County govt for taxing.
Our sales tax is already higher than in your new home county/state (8.75% vs 8%) if you're in Fulton, and I'd suppose our combined county+local property taxes are much higher than yours are down there, and our gasoline taxes are already 30 cents per gallon higher than yours. So it just doesn't look to me like much room for increases up here, realistically.
The past 3 Erie Co execs (current + 2 predecessors) all suffered political harm from raising taxes or trying to.
Is it realistic to think any county exec plus the suburb-dominated county legislature would agree to a tax hike for new rail lines?

I already wrote too much if my fan club notices this comment... but what makes it look like fantasy is what's any serious practical idea of where will enough local $ come from to help build it then fund it yearly?
As far as I know, the CRTC and paulsobo are silent about that.
(A separate q could be - even if Santa brought that $ surprisingly, would it be a greater good to spend on new rail or to restore previous cutbacks to bus system all across the city? But no sense debating how to spend $ which probably doesn't exist... so let's start with where would it come from?
btw, that's a rhetorical question - so nobody should accuse me of demanding answers or being outraged - just explaining why it sounds like off the wall fantasy.)

Good luck to Falcons tomorrow! I'd like to see Harbaugh lose badly.

[ Reply ]

replied to DeanerPPX

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

Michal

January 17, 2013 8:02 AM

Just think how much better the gardens would be if they used the money charged as admission to improve the main gardens.Next time you are there check out the brand new building next to the gardens where the so called " staff" has office space.A dozen people show up every day and do nothing.

[ Reply ]

Score: -7 ( 9 votes )

Perry

January 17, 2013 11:46 AM

Michal, oh how wrong your are. I've had some business dealings in the past with the Gardens and their former offices were horrendous. Two people shoved into a room, smaller than a college dorm room. Plus the new building is where they have teaching space (downstairs) and more grow houses. It's obvious you have some beef with the Gardens. I go there a few times a year, and it looks better and better each time.

[ Reply ]

replied to Michal

Score: 6 ( 6 votes )

Perry

January 17, 2013 11:48 AM

And yes, the NIGHT LIGHTS at the Gardens show is really cool! A wonderful thing to do on a cold, winter's night. The Gardens should be commended for creatig such a neat event. It's much different than their other shows.

[ Reply ]

Score: 4 ( 4 votes )

Old First Ward

January 17, 2013 12:59 PM

BTW, the circle was finally paved after years of neglect. It was one of the worst park roads I've ever traveled, Front Park is right up there with it.

They should install some dedicated walking paths on the sides of the road for skaters and joggers too. Too often these people just wander into traffic without even looking because they are too busy singing along to music in their ear plugs and not paying attention to anything else. Even with traffic speed set at 15 MPH I've seen many close calls.

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

Night Lights at the Gardens 2013

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