Kenny Dorham's Backyard

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Kenny Dorham's Backyard Outdoor music venue & event space with food trailers named after the East Austin jazz trumpet legend

Named for the legendary jazz trumpeter and East Austinite, Kenny Dorham’s Backyard is DiverseArts’ outdoor music venue, located in the heart of the historic East End cultural district, just down the street from Kenny Dorham’s last home in Austin. Home to the Austin Jazz and Arts Fest, East End Summer Music Series, SoulFest, and the Backyard Blues Series, the bulk of the live music programming honors the traditional African American music community- jazz, blues, rhythm and blues and gospel- once anchored along East 11th Street in classic venues such as the Victory Grill and Charlie’s Playhouse. DiverseArts uses this space to pursue our mission of presenting multidisciplinary, multicultural events and activities which mirror the face of contemporary Austin. Remember, kids 12 and under get in free to all events and we also provide family discounts.

10/19/2026

🎶 BETTER BELIEVE ITS BLUE MONDAY 🎶

🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | Jam 8:15–10PM
đź“Ť 1106 E 11th St | Austin, TX | 78702

Looking back on the early days of Kenny Dorham’s Backyard - Matthew Robinson and the Central East Band performing at our once monthly series, East End Fourth Fridays, back in July 2008.

For two decades, Kenny Dorham’s Backyard has been a space for the reconvening of multigenerational East Austin blues fellowship. We are grateful to our community and take pride in how this music is amplified in the heart of the city.

Join us tonight at Blue Monday and get clued in on what’s coming next for East Austin Creative Coalition, Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, and the ground where this stage sits! Celebrate the history of East Austin music with us— The Blue Monday Blues Jam is a generations-old tradition of coming together to share in the gift of music!

Everyone is welcome - players, singers, and dancers alike! Bring your instrument!

Come be part of the legacy!

Blue Monday is hosted by the Assorted Chocolates with Willie Johnson on guitar ( ), Damien Greene on drums ( ), Trevor Villwock on keys ( ), Vinnie LimĂłn on sax ( ) and ( ) on bass!

Suggested $10 donation to help pay our talented band and support the live music, art, and archive programs led by our nonprofit team at East Austin Creative Coalition!

Photo by Brontë Wittpenn of the Austin American Statesman - they released an article last year featuring Kenny Dorham’s Backyard as one of the top 5 East Austin spots with low-key vibes and reasonable prices. Check it out at the link in our bio!

🎶 BETTER BELIEVE ITS BLUE MONDAY 🎶🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | ...
10/19/2026

🎶 BETTER BELIEVE ITS BLUE MONDAY 🎶

🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | Jam 8:15–10PM
đź“Ť 1106 E 11th St | Austin, TX | 78702

Come on out tonight and celebrate the history of East Austin music! The Blue Monday Blues Jam is a generations-old tradition of coming together to share in the gift of music!

Everyone is welcome - players, singers, and dancers alike! Bring your instrument!

Come be part of the legacy!

Shout out for our brilliant Director of Programming, Stacie Shea Williams, who makes the jam possible!!

Blue Monday is hosted by the Assorted Chocolates (Assorted Chocolates ) with Willie Johnson on guitar (Willie ), Damien Greene on drums (Damien Greene ), Trevor Villwock on keys (Trevor Villwock ), Vinnie LimĂłn on sax (Vincent Limon ) and (Harold McMillan ) on bass!

Suggested $10 donation to help pay our talented band and support the live music, art, and archive programs led by our nonprofit team at East Austin Creative Coalition!

Photo by Brontë Wittpenn of the Austin American Statesman - they released an article last year featuring Kenny Dorham’s Backyard as one of the top 5 East Austin spots with low-key vibes and reasonable prices. Check it out at the link in our bio!

10/19/2026

Looking back on the early days of Kenny Dorham’s Backyard - Matthew Robinson and the Central East Band performing at our once monthly series, East End Fourth Fridays, back in July 2008.

For two decades, Kenny Dorham’s Backyard has been a space for the reconvening of multigenerational East Austin blues fellowship. We are grateful to our community and take pride in how this music is amplified in the heart of the city.

Join us tonight at Blue Monday and get clued in on what’s coming next for East Austin Creative Coalition, Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, and the ground where this stage sits!

🎨🎶 CALL FOR ARTISTS & MUSICIANS — AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR 2026Want to be part of our Austin Studio Tour stop at Kenny Dorham’...
10/18/2026

🎨🎶 CALL FOR ARTISTS & MUSICIANS — AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR 2026
Want to be part of our Austin Studio Tour stop at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard? We’re looking for visual artists, musicians, and performers to join us for art, live music, community, and one very special final season.
✨ Apply here: tinyurl.com/ASTKD2026
This year is especially meaningful: 2026 will be the final season of Kenny Dorham’s Backyard. We want to fill this last season with the artists, musicians, neighbors, and friends who have made Kenny Dorham’s such a special part of East Austin.
For nearly a decade, artist and musician Alex Westphal has brought artists and musicians together at Kenny Dorham’s for Austin Studio Tour. What began in 2016 has grown into a yearly tradition of local art, live music, open blues jams, conversation, and community. Many artists have returned year after year, while new artists have joined along the way.
Kenny Dorham’s Backyard is named for legendary jazz trumpeter and East Austinite Kenny Dorham, and its spirit has always been deeply connected to East Austin’s music and cultural history. The space has been a place for music, art, gatherings, and community for years.
Today, the East Austin Creative Coalition (EACC) is working to preserve and carry that cultural legacy forward. EACC is a grassroots cultural heritage preservation nonprofit rooted in the historic African American Cultural Heritage District, working to preserve the stories, spaces, and voices that shaped East Austin and ensure Black creativity continues to help shape its future.
This is our last Austin Studio Tour at Kenny Dorham’s. Come be part of the final chapter. ❤️🎨🎶
🎨 Visual artists
🎶 Musicians
🎭 Performers & creatives
🤝 Community-minded folks
Apply: tinyurl.com/ASTKD2026
Please share this with another artist or musician who might want to join us this year!

🎨🎶 AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR IS COMING TO KENNY DORHAM’S!Come spend some time with us at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard for a celebrat...
10/18/2026

🎨🎶 AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR IS COMING TO KENNY DORHAM’S!
Come spend some time with us at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard for a celebration of local art, live music, and East Austin community.
Browse artwork from local artists, meet the people behind the work, listen to live music, enjoy the blues, grab something from a nearby food spot, and settle in for a while. It’s a relaxed, welcoming place where art and music are meant to be experienced together, not just looked at.
This year is especially meaningful: it’s the final season of Kenny Dorham’s Backyard. After years of bringing music, art, and community together on East 11th Street, we want to celebrate this place with the people who have made it what it is.
📍 Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
1106 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Come see the art. Hear the music. Meet the artists. Say hello to old friends. Make some new ones.
Help us celebrate Kenny Dorham’s one more time. ❤️
.

10/16/2026

The Huston-Tillotson University Jazz Orchestra is excited to welcome GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist and bandleader Christian McBride!

Join us Sunday, October 18 at 7 PM in King-Seabrook Chapel for an incredible evening of music featuring the HT Jazz Orchestra performing selections from a variety of great jazz composers and arrangers, including music from Christian McBride’s big band repertoire.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW — $20!
Students are FREE with a valid student ID, but must register in advance through the ticket link below.

https://tinyurl.com/JazzOrchestraConcert2026

Reserve your tickets today, we look forward to seeing you on October 18!

🎶 UNDER THE SPELL OF BLUE MONDAY 🎶🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | ...
10/12/2026

🎶 UNDER THE SPELL OF BLUE MONDAY 🎶

🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | Jam 8:15–10PM
đź“Ť 1106 E 11th St | Austin, TX | 78702

The music of East Austin doesn’t die! Come on out to the Backyard for tonight’s jam, swap ghost stories, and revel in the return of spirits passed!

The Blue Monday Blues Jam is a tradition started long ago by the generations that came before us. This jam is all about coming together as a community to share in the gift of music!

Everyone is welcome - players, singers, dancers, poets and tellers of ghost stories alike! Bring your instrument!

Blue Monday is hosted by the Assorted Chocolates (Assorted Chocolates ) with Willie Johnson on guitar (Willie ), Trevor Villwock on keys (Trevor Villwock ), Vinnie LimĂłn on sax (Vincent Limon ) and (Harold McMillan ) on bass!

Suggested $10 donation to help pay the band and support the nonprofit work of East Austin Creative Coalition

Experience art, music, and community at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard during Austin Studio Tour 2025! 🎨🎶Each weekend, the hist...
10/10/2026

Experience art, music, and community at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard during Austin Studio Tour 2025! 🎨🎶
Each weekend, the historic East 11th Street venue will host a group show of local artists, live music, murals, food trucks, and an open blues jam—all in a laid-back BYOB setting.

This year’s lineup includes art and music by Alex Westphal, Harold McMillian, Ariel Ximenes, Rik Gern, Dan Skarbek, Alex Salinas, Wil, Motion Planet, Damien Valenzuela, Shanik Hughes, Maddie Armstrong, DJ Santi, Riff & Chance and more.

📍 Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (1106 E 11th St, Austin)
🗓️ Nov 8–9 & Nov 15–16
⏰ 12–6 PM

Bring a friend, bring a drink, and spend the afternoon exploring art and music in the heart of Austin’s East End Cultural District.
.fairy_art

https://channelscanner.bandcamp.com/album/traveling-bows
https://linktr.ee/ShanikHughes
https://madasamedia.wixsite.com/cyfilms

Experience art, music, and community at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard during Austin Studio Tour 2025! 🎨🎶Each weekend, the hist...
10/10/2026

Experience art, music, and community at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard during Austin Studio Tour 2025! 🎨🎶

Each weekend, the historic East 11th Street venue will host a group show of local artists, live music, murals, food trucks, and an open blues jam—all in a laid-back BYOB setting.

This year’s lineup includes art and music by Alex Westphal, Harold McMillian, Ariel Ximenes, Rik Gern, Dan Skarbek, Alex Salinas, Wil, Motion Planet, Damien Valenzuela, Shanik Hughes, Maddie Armstrong, DJ Santi, Riff & Chance and more.

📍 Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (1106 E 11th St, Austin)
🗓️ Nov 8–9 & Nov 15–16
⏰ 12–6 PM
Bring a friend, grab a drink, and spend the afternoon exploring art and music in the heart of Austin’s East End Cultural District.

.fairy_art

https://channelscanner.bandcamp.com/album/traveling-bows
https://linktr.ee/ShanikHughes
https://madasamedia.wixsite.com/cyfilms

10/05/2026

🎶 GRAB YOUR INSTRUMENTS! ITS BLUE MONDAY! 🎶

🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | Jam 8:15–10PM
đź“Ť 1106 E 11th St | Austin, TX | 78702

Grab your instrument and come celebrate the history of East Austin music tonight at the Blue Monday Blues Jam! This is a tradition passed down for generations, bringing the East Austin community together to honor cultural heritage and play some music together! Everyone is welcome - players, singers, poets, and dancers alike!

Come be part of the legacy!

Blue Monday is hosted by the Assorted Chocolates (Assorted Chocolates ) with Willie Johnson on guitar (Willie ), Damien Greene on drums (Damien Greene ), Trevor Villwock on keys (Trevor Villwock ), Vinnie LimĂłn on sax (Vincent Limon ) and (Harold McMillan ) on bass!

Suggested $10 donation to pay the band and support our nonprofit work in the district East Austin Creative Coalition

🎶 BLUE MONDAY IS BACK AGAIN 🎶🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | Jam 8...
09/28/2026

🎶 BLUE MONDAY IS BACK AGAIN 🎶

🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | Jam 8:15–10PM
đź“Ť 1106 E 11th St | Austin, TX | 78702

Come on out tonight and celebrate the soul of East Austin! The Blue Monday Blues Jam is a generations-old tradition of blues, community, and sharing in the gift of music! Everyone is welcome - players, singers, and dancers alike! Bring your instrument!

Blue Monday is hosted by the Assorted Chocolates (Assorted Chocolates ) with Willie Johnson on guitar (Willie ), Damien Greene on drums (Damien Greene ), Trevor Villwock on keys (Trevor Villwock ) and (Harold McMillan ) on bass!

🎶 BLUE MONDAY ONCE AGAIN 🎶🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:47-8:15PM | Jam 8:15...
09/21/2026

🎶 BLUE MONDAY ONCE AGAIN 🎶

🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:47-8:15PM | Jam 8:15–10PM
đź“Ť 1106 E 11th St | Austin, TX | 78702

Come on out tonight and celebrate the history of East Austin music! The Blue Monday Blues Jam is a generations-old tradition of coming together to share in the gift of music! Everyone is welcome - players, singers, and dancers alike! Bring your instrument!

Blue Monday is hosted by the Assorted Chocolates ( ) with Willie Johnson on guitar ( ), Damien Greene on drums ( ), Trevor Villwock on keys ( ), Vinnie LimĂłn on sax ( ) and ( ) on bass!

Image: Photo taken by of Rattlesnake at Blue Monday at

Balledjo American Social Guild and East Austin Creative Coalition are all about community and supporting local businesse...
09/13/2026

Balledjo American Social Guild and East Austin Creative Coalition are all about community and supporting local businesses.

Please join us for the first East Austin Farmers Market at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard on Saturday 09/19/26 from 11am-5pm.

Local Vendors, Farmers and Producers from all over Central Texas are coming to provide the East Austin community fresh homegrown and healthy produce straight from the source.

Come check out our market!

Interested in Joining as a Vendor, please DM Us.

🎶 LABOR DAY PARTY - BLUE MONDAY TONIGHT! 🎶🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8...
09/07/2026

🎶 LABOR DAY PARTY - BLUE MONDAY TONIGHT! 🎶

🎸 Every Monday night at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
⏰ Doors at 7:17PM | Show 7:45-8:15PM | Jam 8:15–10PM
đź“Ť 1106 E 11th St | Austin, TX | 78702

HAPPY LABOR DAY! Come celebrate tonight with the Blues! The Blue Monday Blues Jam is a generations-old tradition of coming together to share in the gift of music! Everyone is welcome - players, singers, and dancers alike! Bring your instrument!

Blue Monday is hosted by the Assorted Chocolates ( ) with Willie Johnson on guitar ( ), Damien Greene on drums ( ), Trevor Villwock on keys ( ), Vinnie LimĂłn on sax ( ) and Harold McMillan ( )!

Our nonprofit organization, East Austin Creative Coalition, which manages the Backyard and puts on the weekly Blues jam relies entirely (100%) on grassroots community supporters. The Blues legacy of East Austin is able to survive because our neighbors and community members show up to make it clear that Black artistry is valued in this city.

So come by tonight and help keep it live on the East Side, support the artists on stage, and enjoy an evening of Blues under the stars!

09/07/2026

Another hit from the Blues Family Tree archives! The Dynamic Duo Band live at the 311 Club with Blues Boy Hubbard, Matthew Robinson, Donald Duck Jennings, Pat Patterson and Ural Dewitty (filmed by Michael Emery).

The Blues Family Tree Archives came together in the 90’s through the production of live music performances and oral history interviews with the last generation of East Austin’s Black Blues Masters, musicians with direct ties to Austin’s founding Blues community, long before the opening of Antone’s. The project served to create a documentary trail and a living record of a core creative community that was slowly vanishing.

This record of East Austin’s blues legacy is still alive, still growing, and still fueling the creativity of musicians working today. East Austin Creative Coalition is hard at work to preserve and publicize these archives, so that in 100 years, if you’re standing on East 11th St, you’ll know where you are.

Every week, on Monday evening, we celebrate this legacy and fill the streets with the sound of old school music, carrying forward a tradition of blues fellowship and community.

Join us tonight at 7:30PM for Blue Monday hosted by the at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard! Dust off your instrument, drop your name on the sign up list for the jam, and come be part of the legacy!

To support our efforts in the digital and physical preservation of the Blues Family Tree archives, get in touch with us, make a donation at our Zeffy link in bio, or invite friends to come out for our weekly programming that honors the cultural roots of this neighborhood.

“Old Blues ain’t bad, the Blues is alright!”

Address

1106 E 11th Street
Austin, TX
78702

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 10pm
Tuesday 11am - 9pm
Wednesday 11am - 9pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 11pm

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