I really like Americana singer-songwriters. I discovered a new one at the Independent on Halloween 2015: Matt Woods. He put on a great show filled with great songs and storytelling, so I started following him on Facebook. Lo and behold, he returned to Tampa over the winter and at a venue I'd never heard of: The Yard.
There was an address, and the only real details were a start time, $15 donation to the artists, and the words "Bring a dish to share." ???
What does this mean? I'm going to a concert and I'm supposed to bring a dish to share? What kind of weirdo thing is this?
A FANTASTIC ONE. As it turns out, The Yard is someone's back yard. You drive down this strange street where most of the houses are trailers and you're thinking "Google maps has gone and screwed me again." Then there are a bunch of cars parked at the end, in someone's yard. There's a big fence. You can hear music! You walk around the side of the house and there's a lady collecting money and handing out raffle tickets. She welcomes you, shows you where to put your dish, and tells you to have a great time.
I LOVE A POTLUCK. Everyone who attends these shows brings food. There were cakes, cookies, roast pork, BBQ, meatballs, mac and cheese, pasta salad, fried chicken, baked beans, hot wings...evidently the other music fans love a pot luck as much as I do! All the napkins, plates, and plasticware were provided. There are even surge protectors so the crockpots stay hot.
There's a huge bonfire with logs around it for you to sit on. The main stage is covered, then there's a little stage where someone strums a guitar between sets. Most of the viewing areas are covered. There are flush toilets and sinks to wash your hands.
Really the only things you need to bring are:
a seat
$15 cash
a good attitude
a covered dish to share
If you want to buy additional raffle tickets (prizes are handmade by the couple who owns the home or donated by the artists), bring a little more cash.
Concerts are once a month and are on their website. This couple has been doing this for several decades and I'm so excited to have discovered this great place! I can't wait until the next show! read more