Monthy study groups begin in January
1st Saturday – Randy Bennett, 2nd Saturday – Kathy Barbazon
(Dawn Koetting will be doing a quarterly group and Dennis Burke is doing a Black Pine group as needed)
Friday, January 26, 2024
Program: Jennifer Price Demo/Lecture on Water Elm 7:00pm
One of the new rising stars in bonsai, Jennifer Price discovered bonsai after retiring from the stage as a professional ballerina. For the last several years she has been involved in an intensive study program with Walter Pall from Germany and Jim Doyle from Pennsylvania as well as Ryan Neil. She has taught workshops and given demonstrations worldwide and was in Germany to be a part of Generation Bonsai and went on to represent America at an international bonsai convention in Shanghai, China. Jennifer was our guest previously for demos and workshops and she is both talented and an excellent teacher!
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Program: Trident Maple Workshop with Jennifer Price 8:00am
Last January, Jennifer conducted a workshop on some large trident maples. Attendees of that workshop are invited to bring their maples back to continue their styling with Jennifer for a cost of $55. For any spots still available , the club has aquired some nice medium size tridents. Cost of the workshop (including a medium size trident) will be $90.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Program: Trident Maple Workshop with Jennifer Price 8:00am
Last January, Jennifer conducted a workshop on some large trident maples. Attendees of that workshop are invited to bring their maples back to continue their styling with Jennifer for a cost of $55. For any spots still available , the club has aquired some nice medium size tridents. Cost of the workshop (including a medium size trident) will be $90.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Program: Bring Your Own Tree Workshop with Jennifer Price 1:00pm
Bring in your own tree for Jennifer’s advice and help on designing, perfecting or advancing your tree to the next stage. Cost of the workshop is $55. There are several spots remaining in this workshop. Email Dennis at dpbbonsai@yahoo.com or Tina at gilberttina662@gmail.com to sign up. Dawn can take payment with a card by phone.
Members not in the workshops are invited to attend as silent observers.
You can learn a lot by watching multiple trees designed and styled.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Program: Silhouette Show 7:00pm
The Silhouette Program is a study of branch ramification and evaluation of plans for further development of our deciduous bonsai. Bring in a deciduous tree for display and discussion. If you don’t have a deciduous tree, you are welcome to bring in any tree. You will be asked for the origin of the tree and a brief history of development. Advanced members will make suggestions to further refine and develop your trees
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Program: Repotting by Carl Gilbert 6:30pm
Program: Club Giveaway and Open Workshop 7:00pm
Carl Gilbert will do a lecture/demo from 6:30-7:00 on repotting your trees.
The club is attempting to acquire 30-40 nice size Parsoni Junipers. Dues paid members will receive a free tree until they are all gone. (first come/first serve). For the rest of the meeting members will work on their free trees with the help of experienced members.
Saturday & Sunday April 6 & 7, 2024
City Park Garden Show
Set up is on Friday, March 31 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Show hours Sat and Sun are 9-4
GNOBS will once again be doing a large exhibit at the Garden Show. We need volunteers to set up Friday, to man the booth on Saturday and Sunday and to take down the display on Sunday. We also need trees from members to display. We would like to have as many species and styles as possible. Members may submit one tree (or two, space permitting). We will have sign up sheets for volunteers and tree submissions or contact Dennis dpbbonsai@yahoo.com (For trees – we need species, approx age and/or time in training)
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Program: Wiring by Carl Gilbert 6:30pm
Program: Bald Cypress Lecture by Randy Bennett 7:00pm
Randy Bennett, one of our foremost experts on Bald Cypress, will do a lecture/presentation. Randy has been conducting bald cypress training and workshops at the request of other clubs across the South. He asks that members also bring in bald cypress for display and he will give suggestions for their development.
Saturday & Sunday April 20 & 21, 2024
Destrehan Plantation Spring Garden Festival
Set up is Friday April 19, 8:30-5 pm.
Show hours Sat and Sun are 10-4
We will have sign up sheets for volunteers and tree submissions or contact Dennis dpbbonsai@yahoo.com
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Program: Tropical 3 Ring Circus 7:00pm
Three members of the club will simultaneously demo three different trees. Bonus: One of the styled trees will be raffled off at the end of the night! (The other two will be in the Auction)
Friday, June 14, 2024
Program: Japanese Black Pine Decandling demo by Dennis Burke 6:15pm
Program: Pedro Morales demo 7:00pm (Demo will be on a very nice Buttonwood acquired at the Florida Convention)
Pedro Morales is an internationally renowned Bonsai Artist based in Puerto Rico with 35 years experience. Though adept at other species, he specializes in all species of tropical bonsai and conducts tropical bonsai schools around the world
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Program: Pedro Morales workshops
Cost of workshops includes use of club wire. Bring your own tools.
Morning Workshop – Sea Hibiscus: 8am – Noon
The Sea Hibiscus were acquired from Underhill and Evan said they are approximately the same size as the one from the May 3 ring circus demo. (approximately 1” caliper trunk, 12-18” tall) Cost of workshop (which includes tree) is $95
Afternoon Workshop – Bring Your Own Tree: 1pm – 4pm
Bring your own tree. Pedro is well versed in all manner of trees – but his specialty is tropicals and this is a great time to work on them. Cost of workshop is $55
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Program: Initial Competition for Johnny Martinez Award 7:00pm
All members (including beginners) are asked to bring in their best trees (limit 2) for a friendly competition. (Note: Only SINGLE trees – NO GROUPS) All members present will get 3 votes for their favorite trees. The 3 trees with the most votes will be displayed at the Auction. Auction attendees will vote for their favorite tree from the 3 for the Johnny Martinez Award. We ask that you not bring in a tree from a workshop done in the past year. Our experienced members will provide a constructive critique with suggestions for further development of the trees. (We encourage you to work on your trees now so they will be ready for display in July!)
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Louisiana Day of Bonsai 9:00am – 5:00pm
Grace Life Fellowship Church
10210 Baringer-Foreman Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
See the LA Day of Bonsai page under News and Events for more details
Saturday, August 10, 2024
2024 Annual GNOBS Auction & Plant Sale
VFW Hall – 1133 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123
Now is the time to go through that overcrowded bench and decide which of your trees should go to the auction for a new home. If you are a beginner, make cuttings now for the bargain table or buy an inexpensive garden center plant and gain some practice by styling it for the auction. All donations contribute to the operating budget of the club and we hope to bring you even better programs next year. Besides, you’ll need the space for the fabulous new bonsai that you just can’t live without and bring home from the auction.
Auction Pre-setup (Kathy,Carl,Felix) – 10:00 am
Auction Setup and Donations Accepted – 12 Noon – 4:00pm
Viewing of trees and plant sale begins at 4:00pm
Auction – 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Program: Lecture/presentation on Displaying Bonsai by Ron Kempinski 7:00pm
Rob, a past President of Bonsai Clubs International, has more than 20 years bonsai experience. He has given demonstrations and lectures all over Florida, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Washington, and globally in India, Mexico, Italy, England, Czech Republic, Poland, Malaysia and Taiwan. Rob has published a book “Introduction to bonsai, Globally Appreciating and Growing bonsai” as well as numerous articles in various bonsai publications. He has displayed trees at many regional and national shows. His personal collection includes both temperate and tropical trees from Shohin to large specimens.
Saturday & Sunday October 5 & 6, 2024
City Park Fall Garden Show
Set up is on Friday, October 4 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Show hours Sat and Sun are 9-4
GNOBS will once again be doing a large exhibit at the Garden Show.
We need volunteers to set up Friday, to man the booth on Saturday and Sunday and to take down the display on Sunday. We also need trees from members to display. We would like to have as many species and styles as possible. Members may submit one tree (or two, space permitting). We will have sign up sheets for volunteers and tree submissions or contact Dennis dpbbonsai@yahoo.com
(For trees – we need species, approx age and/or time in training)
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Program: Open Workshop 7:00pm
Bring your own tree to work on. Club will provide wire. (Bring your own tools). Catch up on styling and maintenance or seek the advice and opinions of other experienced members. This is a good opportunity to bring in any of your Auction purchases to receive some help and advice.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Workshop 1: Doctor Hoe Bring Your Own Tree Workshop 9am
You may bring a tree of any species (species suitable for work at that time of year preferred). Cost for workshop is $55. Sign up sheet will be available at upcoming meetings.
Workshop 2: Soon Cheah Kusimono Workshop 9am
Soon Cheah, an award winning Kusimono artist (and Dr Hoe’s wife) will be conducting a Kusimono workshop. She will do a short powerpoint presentation at the beginning of the workshop and will provide some plants. You may also bring your own small plants and pots. Cost for this workshop is $35. Sign up sheet will be available at upcoming meetings.