Overview

A House Concert is a great way to hear good music.  It's just what
it sounds like...a concert in someone's house.  Here's how it works:

Many traveling musicians are looking for fill-in dates (often on week-
nights) around their venue appearances.  An increasingly popular way
to fill this need is the "House Concert".  Someone with an interest in live
music, and a room that will hold 20 -50 people comfortably, books the
performer and invites their friends in for a show.  Here are the essentials
(beyond which there's plenty of room for creative variation):

SPACE -- You'd be amazed how many people can fit in a modest sized
living room in relative comfort!  It's a concert - NOT a party with music -
so people won't need room to move around and socialize except before
and after the show and during the break in the middle (if you and the artist
decide to have a break).  Depending on the number of folks attending you
can simply rearrange your existing seating or bring in folding chairs, etc.  
Some folks have the audience bring their own folding chairs (but it's pro-
bably better to set up your own so that you can control the layout).  Don't
have a suitable room in your house?  Talk a GOOD friend into volunteering
theirs!
One more thing on space -- Parking.  In many neighborhoods you can fit a
lot more people in your living room than you can cars in your driveway.

LAYOUT -- There needs to be a "stage" area for the performer.  This can
be as simple as a rug, or something more elaborate.  The main thing is that
the audience should be able to see and hear the performer without distrac-
tions...so don't set things up where late arrivals, or guests needing the rest-
room, will have to pass back and forth between the performer and the
audience.  The performer will also need to get to and from the "stage" without
climbing over folks.

SOUND -- Depending on the size of the audience, many house concerts are
done without sound equipment.  When the room and the audience are small
this is great; if the room is large or acoustically challenging, or the group is
big, it may be necessary to use sound.  Many traveling performers carry a
small P.A. system with them.  This is a decision best left to the performer.

LIGHTING -- This need not be elaborate - but it is critical.  The goal is that
the audience be able to see the performer clearly without shining bright lights
directly in the performers face!  Dim the house lights.  Dim the background
lights.  It's best not to black out the room entirely though.  One or two inex-
pensive clip-on lights - mounted near and ABOVE the performer - and you're
all set .  You may have adequate lighting in place already (track lighting can
be adapted very easily if it's already in the right place).

MONEY -- We love what we do, and we also have to make a living at it.
Typically house concert guests pay $15 to $20 each.  

Typically all proceeds go to the performer.  (I don't know anyone who
presents house concerts and expects to make money on the deal.  It has to
be for the love of the music.  Sort this out with the performer in advance to
avoid misunderstandings.)

REFRESHMENTS -- Most sponsors provide light refreshments; some en-
courage guests to bring something to share as well (or BYOB).
And some make it a full-fledged "pot luck" before or after the show.

AUDIENCE -- The audience will be drawn mainly from your network of friend's
and acquaintances (sometimes augmented by those on the performer's emailing
list -depending on how many you expect and if you're comfortable with having non-acquaintances in your place). The important thing is that you take reservations
and ask those who express interest to commit to attending - since seating is limited
and the performer needs a decent turnout to make it worthwhile.

If you're in the right place and can make your house and your
friends available on a date that suits the performer's schedule,
you can get some GREAT music in your home.