On Sept. 21, the Dallas Arboretum will dedicate and open the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. To celebrate, it launched the “Year of the Children’s Garden” initiative to herald its opening, with celebrations the week before and beyond its launch.
For starters, on Sept. 17, the Dallas Arboretum will host the “Big Talent from Big D” concert, featuring four finalists and top contestants from The Voice and American Idol — all who claim Dallas as their home.
The triumphant singers include Amber Carrington, Jason Castro, Stephanie Crews (who tweeted about the show; check it out.) and Taylor Beckham, together exclusively for this benefit concert. Actor and guitarist, Sterling Knight, of Disney fame will be a special guest. Also, the Arboretum’s most popular band, Emerald City, who will perform with them.
Three food trucks including The Butcher’s Son, Gandolfo’s and What’s Da Scoop?, will provide delicious food for purchase or people can bring their own picnic. The event is from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adult members and $30 for adult non-members.
Then, on Sept. 18, the Arboretum will host a classical concert with two young virtuoso award-winning musicians, also from the Dallas area, in the DeGolyer.
The event will start in the DeGoyler at 6 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres and wine. At 7:30 p.m. the musical program will begin. General tickets are $55, and  contributor tickets are $75.
And finally, on Friday, Sept. 20, the Arboretum will host former NASA Astronaut, Tom D. Jones, Ph.D., scientist, author and pilot.
Jones flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth orbit. On his last flight, he led three spacewalks to install the centerpiece of the International Space Station, the American Destiny laboratory. He has spent 53 days working and living in space. Jones piloted B-52D strategic bombers, studied asteroids for NASA, engineered intelligence-gathering systems for the CIA, and developed advanced mission concepts to explore the solar system.
The event will be in the St. Mark’s Decherd Performance Hall. Student tickets are $5, adult tickets are $15, and contributor tickets are $25.
All these events will benefit the children’s garden.
