Groovin’ In the Garden

8/25/24

This week I had the amazing chance to go to an outdoor concert at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Good friends of ours invited Nick and me to join them in July, and it has been nice to know that a fun activity was scheduled, even with it being our first week with students, and a school night. Luckily, the weather was gorgeous! We had unexpected low humidity and cool temperatures for August so that instead of sweating in the sunshine, it felt perfect as we waited for the band to come on stage and as the sun set no one was chilly. The bugs even seemed to give us a break while we watched the Fleetwood Mac cover band belt out all their greatest hits in the rose garden.

As we sat to listen and occasionally danced in the aisle, I realized it had been two years since I last attended an outdoor concert. Once, I went to outdoor concerts a lot. In my 20s, I attended Friday Cheers, or other outdoor music festivals around Richmond weekly. Later, as I married and had kids, the shows became less frequent, but still every summer there would be a few shows at Dogwood Dell, Agecroft Hall or other outdoor venues nearby. My kids and I danced together until it was no longer cool for them to be seen dancing with their mom. Later, as our children aged out of attending concerts as a family, I would dance with girlfriends at these types of events, always coming away feeling vibrant, alive, and connected.

There is something magical about listening to great music outside on a warm summer evening. The smell of the fresh mown gras, the sight of flowers in bloom, and the songs of birds fill the air before the show begins. Tasty snacks and beverages brought from home or purchased from local vendors are passed around. Laughter and the buzz of happy conversation bring a lightness to the anticipation of the main event. Once the band or orchestra comes on stage, nature sounds are drowned out, but the sky provides a natural light show as it transitions from blue to varying shades of pink, purple and peach before turning into a starlit celestial sphere. People in attendance all manage to get a long despite the differences and division in our modern world. I wonder sometimes if we all could just attend a few more outdoor concerts and dance with random community members if there would be less strife?

For me, this concert gave me well needed respite from my worries, grief and fears. It was a break from the busyness of life and a chance just to be in the moment. Perhaps, if I am lucky, I will sneak in another concert before summer officially ends in September? If not, I will make it a priority next summer to attend more of these thoroughly satisfying events!