The Pine Island based trio, Yard Dogs will celebrate its seventh annual Cinco De Bayou celebration on Thursday, May 5.
Utilizing a new venue, the Yard Dogs have invited the group Strange Arrangement along with Tequila Tom to join them in this celebration and fund raiser for two special causes.
In years past, the Yard Dogs have hosted Cinco De Bayou close to home at Woody’s Waterside in St. James City and as far away as the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West. This year however, the Yard Dogs and company will introduce Cinco De Bayou to fans in Cape Coral as this year’s event will be staged at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Pavillon at 5819 Driftwood Parkway in Cape Coral.
“We are hoping that our loyal Pine Island and Matlacha fans will venture off-island for the afternoon and help us to celebrate Cinco De Bayou and raise funds for our causes,” said organizer Kip Lawrence. “I know it’s difficult for some of us to force ourselves to cross over the Matlacha bridge, but I promise they will enjoy an evening of great music and fun they are used to getting on the island.”
A portion of the proceeds from this event are earmarked to benefit, “Hands Up Charity” geared to assist the underprivileged. Hands Up Charity, helps to provide equipment to the disabled that is not normally covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Items generally not covered by Medicare or Medicaid include personal hygiene items, special bandages, and certain types of hospital beds necessary for the comfort of those who are paraplegics, according to Lawrence.
The Yard Dogs began hosting Cinco De Bayou seven years ago when they hopped aboard the Key West Express with 300 of their fans to perform at the Schooner Wharf Bar and the Green Parrot in Key West. During this year’s event, those traveling to Cape Coral will enjoy musical renderings from the group’s 10th and newest CD of original music that has been heard at festivals and other venues spanning from Key West to the state of WIsconsin and many points between. The Yard Dogs refer to the music they perform as Florida Swamp music which focuses on people and places familiar to those who reside on or visit Pine Island and Matlacha.
Strange Arrangement, headed by the brothers Van Kirk, also an island based group, is a much sought-after band. The performances of Strange Arrangement are often described as high energy and diverse and brothers Warren and Greg Van Kirk and have developed a strong local following. Proceeds raised from the Strange Arrangement performance will benefit Baker’s Buddies, a life-skills program promoting social awareness and acceptance of all types of people with a variety of disabilities. In addition to being popular on the local front, Strange Arrangement recently was nominated for Artist of the Year by the Alliance of the Arts.
Less familiar to island audiences is Cape Coral resident Tequila Tom, also know as Reverend. According to Lawrence, Tequila Tom is an entertaining singer/songwriter with many stories to tell and is well know for his diatribes regarding local politics.
Cinco De Bayou will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Pavilion.
While no coolers will be permitted, food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Tickets for Cinco De Bayou are on sale for $5 in advance or $10 on the evening of the event.
Advance tickets are available at Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery and Gifts, at 4332 Pine Island Road in Matlacha, a sponsor of Cinco De Bayou along with Sound Cru Entertainment and Halloween Mega Stores.