About BYP
Backyard Party began after the January 2025 Eaton Fire destroyed homes, schools, rehearsal spaces, garages, backyards, and many of the places young musicians around Altadena used to play and gather.
Co-Founders Matt Chait and Sandra Denver started Backyard Party to provide a platform, a communal 'back yard' for young musicians to play, watch, hang out, tell their stories, and find themselves in a time of crisis.
Backyard Party officially launched in September 2025. Since then, we've hosted hundreds of bands, thousands of fans, and we've paid and donated more than $15,000 to artists and local charities. We have rapidly built a community of kids, teens, parents and supporters — people who believe that the culture of music has to survive and thrive, no matter what.
Staff
Sandra Denver
Co-Founder
Sandra has been actively building the local scene since 2023, when she began organizing backyard shows across Altadena and Pasadena that eventually grew into BYP. A former bar manager at The Echo and LAUSD teacher with an M.Ed. in Special Education, Sandra is also a dedicated mother, wife, and homemaker. She handles Backyard Party's booking and scheduling, acting as the bridge between families, artists, volunteers, and the community.
Matt Chait
Co-Founder
Matt is a multi-platinum selling musician, creative director, and startup founder with 20+ years of experience in the music industry. He has worked in entertainment, fine arts, branding, and nonprofit organizations ranging from fire-relief to Alzheimer's. An LA native and lifelong trouble-maker, Matt handles the audio/visual at our shows, web and graphic design, social media, and whatever else needs doing around BYP.
Backyard Party is powered by a community of teen volunteers, parent crew members, local photographers, artists, and writers. Want to be part of it?
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