Byamba Girls entertain at Quarryhill gala

The Byamba Girls, a contortionist act from 'America's Got Talent,' will entertain at Quarryhill Botanical Garden's spring party on May 16.

Food sculpting chef and Food Network star Ray Duey will also make an appearance at the event, which will feature Asian-inspired hors d'oeuvres, sparkling wine and cocktails served in the garden.

Dubbed 'Wild Collections: Expeditions for Education,' it is a fundraiser for Quarryhill's science education program. This year the garden provided hands-on science experiences for 1,400 students, an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.

Visitors to the garden on Saturday evening will be escorted in electric cars to the garden past past flowering dogwoods, roses, irises and rhododendron.

British botanist Stephen Blackmore, who oversaw the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh and served as Keeper of Botany at the Natural History Museum in London, also will be on hand to discuss the importance of educating children about nature.

The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 12841 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen. Tickets are $145. For information or to purchase tickets visit quarryhillbg.org or call 996-3166.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204. On Twitter @megmcconahey.