At a Holiday Inn in North Tampa, Poisonville Songs Project hosts its first DIY gig in a year

Henri Wong of the Poisonville Songs Project has been working at a North Tampa Holiday Inn since April of this year. His hotel in St. Petersburg used to host his intimate DIY gigs, but they’ve moved across the bridge to Tampa— as he traded his Comfort Inn name tag for a Holiday Inn one.

Wong tells Creative Loafing that gigs in St. Petersburg are still an option due to his connections at his previous hotel, but most of his future shows will be hosted at Tampa’s Holiday Inn at 3751 E Fowler Ave.

After taking a year-long break from hosting DIY gigs, Wong is ready to dive back in to the scene. The Hummingbirds—who hail from Detroit but now reside in Tampa Bay— kicks the series back off, on Friday, August 5.

The free show starts at 7 p.m., as snacks, beer and wine can be purchased at the hotel’s cafe.
The country-inspired Americana band that boasts a motto of “southern charm, Detroit grit” has played several shows for Poisonville Songs Project in previous years. The husband and wife duo specialize in  jangly, rhythmic tunes and harmonic melodies , which will ring throughout the hallways of the Holiday Inn next month.

“I believe it’s the fourth time The Hummingbirds are playing for us. They are always the first band whenever we move to a new hotel,” Wong tells Creative Loafing.

Although the duo hasn’t released an album since 2013’s “13 Days,” The Hummingbirds have extensively toured since then, bringing their soulful twang to every corner of Tampa Bay and beyond.

Genre is no deterrent for Wong, who has hosted bluegrass acts, metal bands, rappers and everyone in-between at Poisonville Songs Project. He started the DIY project in 2015, inspired by NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.

Quieter acts play in the hotel lobby, while the louder musicians perform outside in the car port area.

“People see us in two different ways. Some people think we’re really cool and others think it’s kinda corny. People think hotel music, and they automatically assume cover bands. We wanted to break that stereotype, ” Wong told CL in the fall of 2019.

For the latest updates on Poisonville’s upcoming gigs, head to its Facebook page at @pvillesongs. All of Wong’s shows are free to attend, but donations to the artists are always welcomed. 

This article appears in Jul 7-13, 2022.