Out in the Garden at the PHS South Street Pop Up Garden

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Visit Philadelphia will partner this September and October to host “Out in the Garden,” a series of LGBTQIA+ community events that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. The series kicks off September 7 and will welcome The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists’ National Convention taking place in Philadelphia on September 7-10 and culminates with Lady Geisha in the Garden on October 8 to honor National Coming Out Day and Philadelphia’s inaugural OURfest. The series will feature a variety of special events hallmarked by a breathtaking floral installation that will adorn the entrance of the PHS Pop Up Garden at South Street starting September 7. 

While the PHS Pop Up Gardens and all PHS public gardens and landscapes are safe spaces for members of the LGBTQIA+ community year-round, with support from Visit Philadelphia, PHS will activate its South Street Pop Up Garden with programming to celebrate this vibrant community and the many identities that exist under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. 

The celebration kicks off on September 7, 2023 with the unveiling of a beautiful, colorful floral installation celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and created by Eric Schellack, longtime PHS Philadelphia Flower Show exhibitor and founder of Arrange Design. The installation will accentuate the entrance into the garden and is inspired by ancient classical Greek, Indian, and Egyptian architecture featuring the rainbow colors of the Pride flag. The installation will overlay the joy and hope of the present with the strength and historical foundations of the past, converting the entrance of the garden into a modern, floral temple. Then, from 6-9 p.m. on September 7, Sip City Mixers will activate the garden for an exciting evening of celebration, socialization, and fun! 

Throughout the month, special events will provide opportunities for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to mingle, celebrate, and enjoy delicious food and drink in the South Street Pop Up Garden’s stunning and lush garden oasis. For more information on specific events happening during “Out in the Garden,” please see the list below.  

The PHS Pop Up Gardens are safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community, families, and dog lovers on a year-round basis to connect, enjoy delicious food and beverage, and spend time with friends and loved ones. For more information on the PHS Pop Up Gardens, please visit phspopupgardens.com. 

“Out in the Garden” Event Schedule
Note: Entrance is FREE, food and beverage are not included. 

Sip City Mixer – September 7, 6-9 p.m.
Sip City Mixer, winner of Best of Philly by Philadelphia magazine for “Best Gay Night Out”, will host their standing LGBTQ Women, Trans, and Non-Binary Mixer. 

Garden Party and Free Concert – September 17, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
This exciting operatic concert event from partner Astral Artists will feature a performance by baritone Nathaniel Sullivan and soprano Kayla Harriott singing solos and duets of varying genres. Accompanying on piano is local pianist Ting Ting Wong. This event is sponsored by St. Germain. 

 Melamixin – September 24, 2-4 p.m.
Visit the South Street Pop Up Garden for this mixer event celebrating members of the queer, trans, and BIPOC communities in Philadelphia. 

 Sip City Mixer – October 5, 6-9 p.m.
Sip City Mixer, winner of Best of Philly for “Best Gay Night Out” by Philadelphia magazine, will host their standing LGBTQ Women, Trans, and Non-Binary Mixer. 

Lady Geisha in the Garden – October 8, 1-3 p.m.
Philadelphia’s OURfest celebrates the city’s LGBTQIA+ history and community with a parade and a packed festival schedule. Come see Lady Geisha along with other queens and a DJ perform as part of a weekend of celebration! Enjoy Bacardi drink specials all evening long. 

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