July Events

Animal Houses

Don't miss your chance to visit-and play in-a Raccoon Den, Beaver Lodge, and nine other whimsical, oversized "Animal Houses." This exhibition is nestled throughout the Arboretum's woodlands, wetlands, and prairie. Kids can climb up, into, and through the Squirrel Drey; pretend to go underwater in the Pollywog Pond; and they won't even have to hold their noses in the Skunk Den! Other houses are The Great Blue Heron Rookery, Spider Web, Ant Colony, Coyote Den, and Rotting Log. The Guest House human residence is near the Visitor Center. Visitors can learn how animals, including humans, rely upon trees. All ages. Sara Lee Foundation is the Healthy Lifestyles Supporting Sponsor of Animal Houses.

Now - November 15, 2009: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. or sunset (whichever is earlier)

In Tune with Trees

Legendary Motown superstar Smokey Robinson, who rocketed to stardom with The Miracles, scoring hits such as "Tears of a Clown," headlines the July twilight performances in The Morton Arboretum's 2009 Summer Concert Series, "In Tune With Trees". Robinson recorded 37 Top-40 hits between 1960 and 1987, including "Ooh Baby, Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears," "You've Really Got a Hold On Me," and "I Second That Emotion." Tickets, $50 in advance. On Sale now. (discounts for Arboretum members).
July 25: 7-9:30 p.m.

Grammy Award-winning Keb' Mo' is "a blues artist whose witty tunes will take some of those blues away," according to National Public Radio. Keb' Mo' has released six critically acclaimed albums, won eight W.C. Handy Awards, and embraces multiple genres, including pop, rock, folk, and jazz. Special guest: the subdudes. Tickets, $45 in advance (discounts for Arboretum members) Now On Sale.
July 24: 7-9:30 p.m.

Kids and parents can sing along to the zany, upbeat songs of Disney's Ralph's World. Led by irrepressibly enthusiastic performer Ralph Covert, the band brings resonant song-craft (with wry, inventive wordplay), musical sophistication, and energetic, rock 'n' roll performances to children's music. Individual tickets, $16 (discounts for Arboretum members), On Sale Now. Also available: Family Four-Pack of tickets: $54

July 26: 4-5 p.m.

Children's Garden

Explore some ants up close, and find out why they're so interesting in "The Underground Farmer." Learn more about these remarkable creatures that we see above ground, even though they make their homes below ground, in this drop-in activity in the Children's Garden. All ages.
Daily in July: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Take your friends to hear a fun story in "Arbor Reading." All ages, the Children's Garden amphitheater.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays July-August: 11 a.m.-11: 20

Come one and all to join the Children's Garden staff for "Anything Goes," a drop-in activity that's full of fun and variety. Each day is a surprise: possibilities include an insect hunt, outdoor games, and nature-inspired crafts. All are unique and educational.
Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August: 1-1:20 p.m. (weather permitting)

Take a trek with us beyond the Children's Garden gates during the drop-in activity, "Into the Wild." Explore the natural habitats that surround the garden, while singing songs, playing games and pretending to be animals. Hikes will last approximately 45 minutes. All ages, the Children's Garden.
July 2 and 16, and August 6 and 20: 1-1:45 p.m. (weather permitting)

What little girl doesn't like to dress up? Take your little girl to an enchanting afternoon of fairy stories, sparkly crafts, and special treats. Bring her dressed in fairy wings and skirt, or purchase some here."Fairy Garden Party." Tickets are $10-15, reservations are required. Call 630-719-2454. Ages 4 and up, The Arboretum Store.
July 18: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Take advantage of a rare opportunity to see a live wolf and a coyote-up close! They'll be among the rescued and rehabilitated animals from Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport on display in "Mammal Mania." John Basile, the ranch president, will answer your questions and show off the creatures in this drop-in activity. All ages, the Children's Garden.
July 26: noon-3 p.m.

Can you imagine living underground where there's no light switch? How do those underground animals see in the dark? Find out about them and more in the drop-in activity, "Burrow Sweet Burrow." All ages, The Children's Garden.
Daily in July: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Theatre-Hikes & Bikes

Bring the whole family for a thrilling play based on what's been called the best children's book of the past 200 years. Charlotte's Web is the July-August "Theatre-Hike." The show features the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who's determined to save the irresistible young pig, Wilbur, in a beautiful tale about the value of friendship. The show unfolds in multiple locations; the audience hikes to each spot to see a new scene. All ages, the Thornhill Shelter. Tickets, ranging from $10-$25, are available at www.mortonarb.org or 630/725-2066. "Low Impact" hikes (suitable for wheelchairs, strollers) on July 11.
Weekends in July and August: 3-5:30 p.m.

Oscar- and Tony Award-nominated playwright David Mamet's work The Duck Variations is this year's "Theatre-Bike" performance. Two men in their 60s meet in a park and strike up a conversation about the ducks before them, a discussion that shifts to law, friendship, death, and the dimensions of human nature. After the play, the audience enjoys cocktails and snacks and a backstage "chat" with director and cast. This show is suggested for mature audiences only. Attendees must bring their own bicycle. The cast presents a scene in one location, after which audience and cast bicycle to a second location for a second scene, and the process repeats. Tickets, $35-45, available at 630/725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org. The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges Bicycles Etc., the Theatre-Bike sponsor.
July 5, August 2, and September 6: from 5-7:30 p.m.

Not into bicycling? Then enjoy Duck Variations as a low-impact Theatre-Hike: a non-strenuous walk that's suitable for wheelchairs or walkers. Show only, no cocktails afterward. Tickets $17-25, via 630/725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org
July 4: from 5-7:30 p.m.

Classes

Discover the amazing art of bonsai at this fascinating show by the Prairie State Bonsai Society. Bonsai, the art of growing dwarfed trees in a pot, goes back more than 2,000 years. All ages, The Visitor Center. Regististration Now Open.
July 18: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Take the plunge and learn to shape live trees into elegant artistic expressions. Beginners welcome! Work with a Brazilian raintree; a Sea Green or procumbens ‘Nana' juniper; or a Hokkaido elm. "The Art of Bonsai: Exhibits and Demonstrations."Children ages 8-14 can learn how to style a ficus tree. Advance registration required; fees $20-48 plus materials. Call 630-719-2468 or visit "Education" at www.mortonarb.org for details and to register. Research building.
July 18 and 19: (times vary)

The Arboretum Store

Trees, flowers, landscapes. They're all gorgeous this time of year. But did you ever stop to see the small and stunning details? Come to The Arboretum Store where featured artist Linnea Matson shows off her nature photography that brings a new appreciation for trees and other plants in the latest "Trunk Show." Her works have been sold via framed and unframed prints and greeting cards. All ages, The Arboretum Store.
July 11: Noon-3 p.m.

Meet author Pamela Todd, who signs copies of her latest novel, "The Blind Faith Hotel." The book is a "wrenching, funny, heartwarming" story, according to Nancy Horan, author of "Loving Frank: the Novel." Todd did research for her book at the Arboretum's Schulenberg Prairie. All ages, The Arboretum Store.
July 18: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Feast your eyes on stunning, mixed-media collage paintings that incorporate natural and hand-made materials in a "Trunk Show" featuring artist Cheryl Holz. She says her exquisite art conveys the "beauty and fragility of our environment." All ages, The Arboretum Store.
July 26: Noon-3 p.m.

The Sterling Morton Library

Enjoy a fascinating collection of Charles Darwin's works that supported his theory of natural selection as the driving force of evolution. See archival photos, copies of the titles that Darwin wrote, lithographs, botanical prints, and plant diagrams in the exhibition, "Darwin's Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection." All ages, Sterling Morton Library.
July through January, 2010: Tue-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February.

Media Contact: Gina Tedesco, (office) 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Allison Phelps, (office) 630-719-5768, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it