Fidos After 5

The Garden partners with the Richmond SPCA and leashed dogs are allowed during Flowers After 5 on these special nights only (second and fourth Thursdays): May 23; June 13 & 27; July 11 & 25; August 8 (cancelled due to predicted severe weather); September 12 & 26; October 10 & 24.

All dogs must be leashed (no retractable leashes) and current on rabies vaccinations. Please Note: We welcome dogs in the Robins Visitor Center and Conservatory but ask that they not enter the Kelly Education Center building. Please read our rules and guidelines for visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with dogs.

Leashed dogs are allowed on Fidos nights only.

Performances run from 5-8p.m. with a brief intermission. Event will be held rain or shine; in the event of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.

Food & Drinks

Guests are welcome to bring chairs and blankets to spread out on the lawn, and there are a limited number of chairs and tables available on a first-come, first served basis.

PLEASE NOTE: Outside food and drink are not allowed to be brought into the Garden.

Food and drinks are available for purchase from 5-8p.m. at the concert site, under Bloemendaal House tent. Alcohol sales end at 7:45p.m.

FIDOS AFTER 5 2024 MUSICAL LINE-UP

Dates: May 23; June 13 & 27; July 11 & 25; August 8; September 12 & 26; October 10 & 24.

May 23 (cancelled due to severe weather warnings) – Kozy Cats are the convergence of friends who got the band back together – with stellar results. The musical pedigrees for this group of locals are too long and wide to list, but include appearances on Soul Train, piano-playing with Chubby Checker, and week-long stands at the legendary Peppermint Beach Club. Currently this group is delighting audiences with danceable covers of Wilson Pickett, Herman’s Hermits, David Bowie, and a couple dozen more soul & pop artists. This performance will feature the mighty Kozy Cats Horns, ensuring a rollicking good time for everyone.

June 13 – PRIDOS Night in partnership with VA PRIDE, featuring cocktails and performances by Richmond drag superstars, plus a dance party with music from DJ Barebonez! As night falls, be sure to enjoy the Conservatory as it is illuminated in pride colors for the month of June.

June 27 – Dan & The Fam: a psychedelic groove rock band that has gained an explosive following from their unforgettable live performances showcasing a melodic odyssey of sonic exploration. Starting out as an idea for an improvisational songwriting project, Danny “Jams” DeMarais formed The Fam in 2021 and has been curating a signature sound of twangy swamp rock guitar riffs with hints of knee-buckling space funk ever since.

July 11 – Tara Mills Band: an original blend of folk, bluegrass, and Americana based out of Charlottesville, VA. Writing and singing most of her life, it wasn’t long before Tara picked up a guitar and taught herself how to express the melodies in her head through her songs and hauntingly beautiful lyrics. Influenced by bluegrass, old country, and traditional mountain folk, she creates an original sound that captures true human feeling and emotion.

July 25 – Florencia & The Feeling, a high-energy pop/funk fusion band from Johnson City, TN. Since its conception in April 2021, the five-piece has been impressing listeners with its upbeat funky grooves, heartfelt songwriting, and all-around good vibes, loading its music with four-part harmonies, hints of jazz, and Latin roots

August 8 (cancelled due to predicted severe weather)– Michael Hazelwood and The Freight Train Five are Central Virginia’s hottest classic country band! Cranking all the best 90’s country from Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and George Strait – they also play your favorite old-school hits from Cash, Jones and Waylon – as well as today’s hottest songs from Combs, Pardi, and Swindell. Formed in Richmond, VA in 2022, Michael Hazelwood and The Freight Train Five recruited the area’s best players to create the most exciting, danceable country show in the region.

September 12 – The Dan Schutt Band: Hailing from Richmond, VA, The Dan Schutt Band is a funky blues-rock band that always gets the crowd dancing and the party started.  The band performs a catalogue of high-energy and recognizable tunes, influenced by rock, blues, country, jazz, and reggae.

September 26 – Main Street Station is a fun, high energy band that entertains with the best in New Country, Classic Country, Classic Rock, and Southern Rock. The driving force behind the sound is “Barefoot Joe” McMinn and powerhouse female vocalist Lori Sclater. Their amazing harmonies and powerful lead vocals are enhanced by guitarist/vocalist Mike Sisler and guitarist Jeff Doyle. The rhythm section of Matt Bottone on bass and Mike Scott on drums provide the foundation of the band’s rock solid groove. Influences include Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Blackberry Smoke, Guns-N-Roses, and AC/DC among many others.

October 10 – Whiskey Rebellion: Drawing on their diverse musical backgrounds, The Whiskey Rebellion mix the spontaneity of bluegrass, the collectiveness of jazz, and the urgency of rock and roll to create their own unique take on everything from traditional bluegrass to anthemic party favorites. The band covers a wide array of artists ranging from The Beatles to The Talking Heads to Guns ‘n’ Roses, but their approach is always steeped in their acoustic roots and uniquely lends itself to being both listenable and danceable.

October 24 – The Atkinsons first set foot on Richmond, VA stages well over a decade ago. The Atkinsons meld roots, country, and rock music into their own style of rambling swing rock & roll. Heartfelt story-telling is at the core of The Atkinsons, and it is complemented with three-part harmonies layered over mandolin, fiddle, drums, bass and electric guitars. The band’s influences run the gamut from country, mountain, bluegrass, to straight up rock & roll music, and the sound ends up being quite a musical stew.

To see the full Flowers After 5 line-up please visit the Flowers After 5 page.

BEFORE YOU COME WITH YOUR DOG

Before attending Fidos after Five with your dog, it’s important to understand what your dog tolerates and will enjoy. Ask yourself:

  • How does my dog handle being in a new environment?
  • How does my dog react to close proximity to unfamiliar people and dogs of various sizes?

– All dogs must have a current rabies vaccine.
– Retractable leashes are not permitted. Flat leashes will be available to borrow from the Richmond SPCA’s table in the Robins Visitor Center.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE WITH YOUR DOG

  • An adult must maintain control of the dog’s leash at all times.
  • Please ask before approaching or allowing your dog to approach an unfamiliar dog.
  • All dogs must be well-behaved; the Garden reserves the right to determine whether an owner and pet may be asked to leave, based on guest safety.

Please be aware this can be a stressful event for some dogs. It is at night and there can be a lot of people, especially children, and other dogs in close proximity. Families planning to attend on this night should monitor children closely.

Please Note: We welcome dogs in the Robins Visitors Center and Conservatory, but ask that they not enter the Kelly Education Center building.Richmond SPCA logo

Leashed dogs are allowed on Fidos nights only. Ticketed event; $2 suggested “pet admission” benefiting the Richmond SPCA.