Jesse Welles cancels July 29 'Groovin' in the Garden' show at Lewis Ginter, citing solidarity with workers

Musician Jesse Welles has cancelled his sold-out performance Wednesday night at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and announced that it will move to The National in Richmond Sept. 25.

In a post on social media, Welles cited "solidarity with the workers on strike at the botanical garden" as the reason for his cancellation.

"To the fans: we would not want to put you in a position to cross the picket line," he wrote, "we are sorry. To the garden: pay a living wage or get lost. To the workers: never back down."

The National will honor tickets for the originally scheduled show, Welles said. Those who cannot attend Sept. 25 can receive refunds at their original points of purchase.

Several dozen Lewis Ginter workers protested again Thursday morning at the garden's entrance, the latest in a series of demonstrations they've held in recent months as they seek higher wages. About 60 or 70 of the Garden's 110 employees are eligible for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, which is negotiating on their behalf.