Battle of bands Saturday in The Backyard
4:55 to 5:15 p.m. – Forward Unto Dawn
5:30 to 5:50 p.m. – Defy My Truth
6:15 to 6:35 p.m. – After Effect
6:55 to 7:15 p.m. – IanFlux
7:30 to 7:50 p.m. – Raging Hyenas
8:05 to 8:25 p.m. – Emotions At War
8:40 to 9 p.m. – Over Simplified
9:15 to 9:35 p.m. – Glass Dimensions
9:55 to 10:15 p.m. – Lazarus Threw The Fight
www.facebook.com/TheBackyardYuma
A new outdoor concert venue promises young people a rocking environment that's fun, trendy and deliciously loud, plus perfectly free of drugs, alcohol and bullies.
Called The Backyard, the nonprofit venture looks to entertain young people by bringing bands to town, giving local musicians a stage and a few non-musical events such as political candidate forums.
“If you love music, then this is the place to be,” said Samuel McIntosh, events coordinator. “This is about the music. (Bands') fans can come see a show in a drug-, alcohol- and bully-free environment. Parents can feel safe that their teen is in this kind of environment.”
The Backyard gets its name from its location behind the The Generation Y2000 Diversity Center at 447 S. Main St. Operated by Back to the Basics Please, Inc., the teen center's leaders describe it as a “forward thinking center,” welcoming young people ages 11 to 18 into an environment of safety, respect, dignity, diversity, creativity and personal development.
The Backyard opened its doors last week by hosting a concert. The venue will host a battle of the bands Saturday, followed by a concert with a handful of national-level bands on Oct. 20.
“We are such a diverse center, offering everything we can for our youth of Yuma. The Backyard is just one of the things we are offering,” said Brandon Bennett, president of Back to Basics. “Our youth are very important to us. They are our future leaders of our community.”
Saturday's first- and second-place winners will open for the Oct. 20 concert, which will feature the bands such as The Word Alive, Born of Osiris, Crown The Empire and I The Breather.
The battle of the bands runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday with a $5 admission. Competing bands will include Glass Dimensions, Emotions At War, Lazarus Threw The Fight, Forward Unto Dawn, Over Simplified, IanFlux, Defy My Truth, After Effect and Raging Hyenas.
The battle of the bands is reaching out to young people ages 14-20, but people of all ages are invited.
Other upcoming events include a silent auction Sept. 29 and an art show Oct. 19.
McIntosh explained that like the teen center, The Backyard operates as a nonprofit venture. He said that after event costs are covered, all leftover funds will go toward the center's operation.
“It will also be a means to help fund the teen center, so we will not have to rely heavily on grants and private donations.”
The Backyard is working with The Agency Group and The Pantheon Agency to bring national-level musicians to Yuma.
“(They are) giving Yuma a chance to see if Yuma is ready for their artists. If successful, they will continue to send their artists here,” McIntosh said. “It's important that music lovers buy their tickets in advance and support these shows to help increase the chance for these touring bands to stop here.”
Features editor Darin Fenger can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.
