Bok Tower Gardens celebrating 84th anniversary with weekend celebration

Bok Tower Gardens is celebrating its 84th anniversary the weekend of Feb. 1 through 3, 2013 by opening the Singing Tower’s gates, guiding tours around the Tower’s exterior, performing special carillon concerts, and presenting a performance by Curtis Institute of Music president Roberto Díaz.

The festivities kick off with a special Moonlight Carillon Concert performed by Geert D’hollander at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1. Admission is $5 per person and free for members.

Throughout the weekend, visitors have the unique opportunity to walk through the wrought iron Yellin gates surrounding the tower and cross the moat to see the tower up close. Each day at noon, volunteer guides tour visitors around the Tower’s exterior, sharing historical and architectural information. Tours are included with general admission.

To wrap up the celebration, the Curtis Institute of Music returns to the Gardens at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 for a unique evening of string trio music by Curtis president and renowned violist, Roberto Díaz, accompanied by Steven Copes on violin and Tessa Seymour on cello. Tickets are $35 per person and advance reservations are required.

“Having Curtis Institute musicians perform at the Gardens carries on the musical legacy created by Mr. and Mrs. Bok 84 years ago,” said David Price, president of Bok Tower Gardens. “While her husband was working to build the tower and gardens, Mary Louise Curtis Bok was busy starting one of the world’s leading music schools. We’re very excited that Roberto Díaz will be here performing and that we’re continuing to work together in celebration of the Bok’s vision for both organizations,” Price said. “It’s going to be a wonderful evening.”

The Great Brass Door and wrought iron gates on the north side of the Tower were the masterpiece of Samuel Yellin, America’s premier metalworker. The door depicts the Book of Genesis, starting with the creation of light and ending with Adam and Eve being ousted from the Garden of Eden. The iron gates leading to the tower were hand-wrought and showcase zoomorphic figures with various expressions and wings for flight.

For tickets or more information, visit www.boktowergardens.org or call 863-734-1222.