New York Restoration Project Spring Picnic

A “bold and brassy” rose debut, rose-themed sing-a-long led by Bette Midler and original poem read by Candice Bergen are set to usher in summer fun at the New York Restoration Project (NYRP)’s Spring Picnic on June 19. Hosted by Last Comic Standing alum Bonnie McFarlane, the annual event celebrates NYRP’s work to create and renovate gardens, parks and open spaces throughout New York City’s five boroughs to ensure green space for every New Yorker.

The evening begins in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at New York Botanical Garden, where hundreds of guests will celebrate the first blooms of the new “Divine Miss M” rose, which was hybridized to honor Ms. Midler’s leadership to ensure New York’s fundamental right to nature. After cocktails and dinner, Ms. Midler and friends will lead a lively sing-a-long of classics like “Rose Garden”, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “The Rose” with music by the John Pizzarelli Trio.

Spring Picnic festivities will also feature an original poem read by Emmy Award-winning actress Candice Bergen and program honoring noted conservationist and seed-saver, Amy Goldman Fowler, with special salute to Brad Jalbert and Stephen Scanniello for their important efforts in protecting global plant diversity.