House Concerts

 

The contemporary folk circuit contends with an abundance of quality artists flanked against a scarcity of well-paying venues – particularly in the Northeast. For the last 20 years, house concerts have emerged as an innovative and perhaps even necessary response to the effects of the "Second Gilded Age" – 1981 to the current moment. Such echoes of wealth discrepancy have – perhaps ironically – rekindled a salonesque sub-culture, reminiscent of the late 1800s and early 20th century, when friends, neighbors, and the aesthetically like-minded, gathered in the parlor room for music, singing, dancing, probably too much drinking, and general merriment. 

By transforming the dining area, den, or back porch into a performance space, the presenter and audience become liberated from the stresses of conventional venues:

  1. No need for sound engineers. Most performers play unplugged.
  2. No light tech. An inviting aura can be generated by ringing the room with candles, muted lamps, or even a glassed-doored wood stove if you're lucky.
  3. No expensive, often tedious promo. Attendance is generated primarily from the host's friends, neighbors, and co-workers seeking a unique listening experience.
  4. Parking is hassle-free, near the host's home, on a public street. Unless you're exceptionally creative, you probably won't get towed.
  5. Dinner can be as easy as a collective potluck, finger food, or a dessert spread.  Guests who hate to cook – like my mom – can offer juice, seltzer, wine, beer, or even single malts.
  6. Donations go directly to the artist – usually 100% –  a more robust payout than many clubs can offer due to obligatory fees and staff compensation.

 

             – click the contact page if this approach interests you…