House Concerts Made Easy

Prior to the show –

• Agree on a date that works with the performers schedule and according to best date for the host to gather audience.

• The host needs to determine how many people their listening room can comfortably hold, and will guarantee in good faith a minimum attendance of 30 people at $10 donation per person.

• Invitations: we can supply our host with flyers, posters, press releases, and photos  – anything they need to get the word out.  It is strongly recommended that the host take reservations, not deterring people if the room fills, but rather starting a waiting list.
• Sending prospective audience to our website is singularly best way to inform folks of what they’re in for, with our sound clips, photos, essays, and biography.

• Performers often need accommodation depending on routing of the tour, and night the concert falls on.

• Is a sound system necessary for the room? Usually, unless there is more than 50 people attending, or the room or rooms are awkwardly shaped, a sound system is not needed.

• Is there adequate lighting? Maybe a lamp could be repositioned, or a clip on light could be placed above and in front to shine on the singers.

• How’s the seating? High backed chairs in back, low fold out chairs in front, couches usually work well on the sides of the room.

During the show

• Have some flat surface available (dining table, kitchen counter, card table) located where people will be congregating during the intermission to set up for CD sales and mailing list.

• Regarding refreshments – I recommend providing the minimum basics: coffee, tea, and some simple snack food. I also advise casually asking more familiar guests to bring something to potluck like cookies, chips and salsa, brownies, carrot sticks, etc… Depending on hosts discretion, guests may also bring their own beer and wine.

• To gather donations, set out a wide mouthed bowl or basket in a central location with a sign nearby that reads, “Donation $10 for musicians, Thank You!”

• To begin the show I very much like the host to welcome the audience, mention the donation bowl, and make a simple introduction for the musicians. A small mention might be made of our CD’s being highly recommended and for sale during the intermission.

• We usually do two 45- 50-minute sets with a 20-minute intermission.

• To begin the second set, thank everyone for coming, make a last mention of the donations bowl, and introduce us for the second set.

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• End of performance – Thank everyone for coming!