Frequent Questions About Hosting House Concerts
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Q: So what's a House Concert?
A: It's an intimate concert that you host in the safety and
comfort of your own home.
Q: Who attends a House Concert?
A: Your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
They're people you know. You don't have strangers coming to your home.
You have friends over for a party.
Q: Do I need a sound system?
A: Usually not. Many acts that do house concerts are accustomed to "really unplugged." Those that prefer a small amount of amplication will usually have a small system they travel with. However, if you expect 20 guests or more, you should definitely advise the artist and work out what will be needed for sound.
Q: How do I set up my house for a House Concert?
A: Pick one of the larger rooms in your home and choose an area for the performer. Decide where you want the "stage" to be. Choose an area that is viewable from most of the room, and that will be away from the lanes of traffic. Arrange couches and chairs (depending on how many guests you expect) so that everyone will naturally face to performer. You may need to move some tables and other furniture into another room. Arrange chairs to accomodate entrance and exits, lighting, and sight lines to the artist etc.
Q: What about that "stage" thing you mention?
A: Check if the perfomer will want to stand or sit. Some may want to have both options. In most homes, with typical residential height ceilings, that means the "stage" can be something as simple as a 4x8 foot rug or a thick sheet of plywood elevated by cinder blocks. Just make sure it's sturdy!! Elevating the performer just a few inches can really add a nice touch, and allow the audience (especially those in the back) to see better.
Q: What about lighting?
A: Consider your mini concert hall as having two main sections, the audience and the artist. We want to be able to emphasize the focus on the artist and de-emphasize the focus on the audience. A simple way to do this is to dim the room and add some light aimed toward the performer. Try inexpensive clamp on lamps (Home Depot/Lowes) with simple screw-in spot bulbs. General white light mixed with a little red and blue spot light makes a wonderful stage effect. Some acts travel with some basic lights, so check with the performer if you plan on renting or buying anything extravagant.
Q: Do I charge the guests for the House Concert?
A: It's a private party, not a business. We suggest you ask for a donation (usually $10), which goes to the artist. The host collects the donations and presents the money to the performer at the close of the show. Some hosts like to collect as guests enter, but many prefer to wait until everyone is seated, and collect donations shortly before the start of the show.
A host may also choose to pay a flat fee to the performer if they would rather host a free concert.
It's up to you and the artist.
Q: Is there food and drink at a House Concert?
A: Yes. And like all aspects of a House Concert the particulars are up to the host. Some hosts provide simple soft drinks, chips and veggie platters during intermission. Some ask the guests to BYOB alcoholic beverages. Some host an extensive BBQ or pot luck buffet before the concert. It's entirely up to you, the host.
Q: What if no one shows up for the concert?
A: You will usually know, well ahead of time how many guests to expect. We recommend RSVP'ing for exactly that reason. But in the event that you end up with very few or no guests, then you'll get a very intimate, private concert.
Q: How long does the concert last?
A: Typically, an act will perform two sets, each about 45 minutes long. There will be an intermission between the two sets to allow guests to stretch, grab a snack, use the restroom etc. This is also an opportune time for guests to purchase CD's from the artist. Typically, guests will ask for autographs or chat a little with the performer.
Q: Can children attend the House Concert?
A: We recommend against bringing kids under the age of about 14 years. Children have a shorter attention span, and distractions can
really impair an intimate concert setting like this.
Be A Host
Please contact us
if you have additional questions
and would like to talk about hosting a concert.
Thanks!
