A Botanical Bash: Celebrating Science at Party with the Plants
On paper, a plant science research institute might not seem like the best place for a party. Yet on the night of September 27, the Danforth Center treated guests to a unique, fun-filled, and entertaining night in support of a meaningful cause at the sixth-annual Party with the Plants.
This year, the Danforth Center Young Friends set a goal to raise more than $100,000, and as the evening’s master of ceremonies, Blake Whiteside, told the crowd as the event kicked off: “I have a feeling we’re going to be able to make that happen!” The event turned out to be the most successful Party with the Plants yet, generating more than $130,000 to help fund early-stage research projects, training for young scientists, and local STEM education opportunities.
See. Hear. Taste. Learn. Win.
Around every corner at Party with the Plants, there was something new to experience. Along with a wide array of food and drinks from local vendors, there were also games and raffles (where lucky guests could win anything from a bucketful of booze to a 2-night stay in a private lake house) and a host of skilled performers. Local band New Crime Theatre played era-spanning cover songs throughout the night. Magician Josh Weidner and juggler Ryan Himmel offered wandering entertainment. Additional fun and games of chance included a plant pull/wine pull, booze ring toss, and artistic face and body painting.
And while many events can boast live performers and great refreshments, fewer can tout disease-infected plants and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
Organized by Drs. Katie Murphy and Kerri Gilbert, six different science stations offered guests the opportunity to meet with Danforth Center scientists and learn firsthand about their work through interactive displays. This included one of the night’s most popular attractions: a “piano” where guests could make music by touching different fruits and vegetables, thanks to their ability to conduct electricity.
“It’s very inspiring to see this young generation’s talent, creativity, and imagination,” said Liz Beeks, director of accounting at Christner Architects. “I’m learning just being here.”
Overheard: “I just played chopsticks on a zucchini!” The Veggie Piano was one of six hands-on science stations.
About the Event
Since its inception in 2017, Party with the Plants has been the signature event of the Danforth Center’s Young Friends—a community of professionals, aged 40 and younger, who champion the Center’s mission. Since 2022, the event has also served as the culmination of the Grow Challenge Week of Giving, an online, peer-to-peer fundraiser in support of the Center’s Impact Fund. Co-chairs of this year’s event were Matt Plummer, chair, and Erin Jones, vice-chair.
While our financial success is obvious, getting new minds and new hearts through these doors to see what the Danforth Center is up to is just as impactful.
Matt Plummer, chair, Danforth Center Young Friends
After Party
Although this year’s Grow Challenge + Party with the Plants has ended, you still can play a part in the Center’s work to feed the world, heal the planet, and enhance the region by making a gift today.
Thank You!
The Danforth Center and Party with the Plants organizers are grateful to the following volunteers and vendors:
Party Co-Chairs: Matt Plummer, chair; Erin Jones, vice-chair
Emcee: Blake Whiteside
Scientist Organizers: Kerri Gilbert and Katie Murphy
Scientists: Luke Brewer, Autumn Brown, Keith Duncan, Kristen Edgeworth, Patricia Gallardo, Vanessica Jawahir, Johnny Johns, Divya Kanna, Ray Kannenberg, Stefanie King, Trey Klaas, Clara Lebow, David Li, Dan Lin, Neeta Lohani, Doris McCarter, Meter Nusinow, Dom Pham, Seth Polydore, Nushrat Rashid, Rhiannon Vargas, Emma Wozniak
Festive fun: band New Crime Theatre; magician Josh Weidner; juggler Ryan Himmel; photography Zettl Photography; drone photography Stewart Morley
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