‘Elora AmphiTeeter’ a place for intimate summer concerts

ELORA – Matt and Jan Teeter are the opposite of NIMBY.

Instead of saying “not in my backyard,” they are saying “come to my backyard,” as they are hosting two backyard concerts this summer.

Matt Teeter said the couple celebrated the completion of a home renovation, which included a new covered deck, and a friend noted how it looked like a stage.

“Somebody said we should do music back here. It kind of looks like an amphitheatre,” he said in an interview.

“‘An amphiTeeter,” another chimed in. That’s how it started.”

Teeter is a retired teacher and drummer for the group the Doubtfires, so he has a warm spot for house concerts and an appreciation for how tough it’s been on musicians trying to find paying gigs, especially since the pandemic.

“This is what they do for a living and it’s difficult to find places to play that pay the performers,” he said.

So all proceeds from ticket sales will go to the musicians after expenses for lighting and sound are covered.

The first concert at the Elora AmphiTeeter is on July 29 and the Doubtfires will be playing. This concert is already sold out, Teeter said. But next up is Tony McManus on Aug. 26.

Shows run from 8 to 10:30pm, so the concert will be shut down by 11pm, when the noise bylaw kicks in.

Teeter said there’s room for 100 people in his yard. Ticketholders are asked to bring their own chairs and their own refreshments.

None will be sold at the shows, so it really is more like a backyard party than a concert, he said.

The Teeters live on Mathieson Street in Elora and every year he and his neighbours have a street party.

“This year we set up the stage as part of the street party and it went well. So I think it will work,” he said.

Teeter added he’s notified his neighbours and so far there are no objections.

“It should be nice; a nice, intimate outdoor setting for live music without the distractions of being in a bar or restaurant with all the noise and chatter,” he said.

If these go well, there could be another concert in September or October.

For more information and to reserve a spot, visit Elora AmphiTeeter on Facebook.