Nest Western

Ornithic connoisseurs, design enthusiasts and devotees of flora and fauna will flock to the Denver Botanic Gardens on June 27 for its eighth annual Birdhaus Bash Garden Party and Auction. The event, which wraps up a two-week showing of avian abodes designed by area artists, celebrities and plain old bird-loving folk, provides attendees the opportunity to purchase the cleverly styled nests while raising money for the Gardens' programs.

Hop to it: A whimsical Birdhaus Bash entry.

Details

5:30-9 p.m. June 27
$50 per adult (two children ages sixteen and under free with paid adult)
20-865-3500, www.botanicgardens.org

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street

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More About

• Birdhaus Bash Garden Party
• Denver Botanic Gardens
• Kim Christiansen
• Professional Hockey
• Hockey

Awards will be given, with categories ranging from Most Functional to Wackiest. But mostly, it's a chance to have some feathery fun.

Stressing fashion rather than function, the more than 150 birdhouses on display are works of dazzling color, unusual form and whimsy. Behold the birdhouse engulfed in sparkling blue tulle sharing space with an old-fashioned one made of wood and glue. Other entries include a shrine to the Colorado Avalanche and a birdhouse covered in popular board-game pieces.

Letting their imaginations take wing, local artists, architects, curators, students and children, as well as media personalities Bertha Lynn, Kim Christiansen and Andrew Resnik, created the birdhouses, all of which will be auctioned off throughout the evening. Visitors (this party is open to everyone, so bring the whole brood) will also get to enjoy music from local a cappella group Proof Positive, a strolling accordionist and other musical acts. Those with appetites bigger than a bird's can peck at complimentary food and beverages provided by the Wynkoop family of restaurants.

"Birdhaus Bash is a great event, because anybody can participate," says Rhetta Shead, special events manager for the Botanic Gardens. "The judging is based on the designer's creativity, and with crazy entries such as With This Wing I Thee Wed, The Crystal Birdlier, and the Condobirdium, participants will truly be in for a treat."