House Concert

House Concert
The definition's flexible, but generally, it's a show that's presented in someone's home, or a nearby private space (barn, backyard, shearing tent, you name it).

· Usually, but not always, the audience capacity is smaller than at a coffeehouse or club.

· The money collected usually (but not always) goes straight to the performers, with no "profit motive" on the presenter's part.

· Often, but not always, house concerts are conducted "by invitation" (for practical reasons), rather than as "public" concerts like a club or concert hall.

· Often - again with exceptions - there is little or no "sound system" - performers play and sing acoustically, unless someone needs a little amp for their keyboard.

· Refreshments, if any, are usually either a "pot luck" brought by the listeners, or provided by the hosts using a bit of the gate receipts.

· Sometimes - but definitely not always - the performers get a meal and/or lodging with the presenters as part of their compensation.

There are House Concerts being given in almost every part of the US and Canada is becoming popular in the UK. Some house concerts are "one-shots," but most are presented as a series, usually every two to eight weeks over a "season" of anywhere from six to twelve months. Some concert rooms hold 200 people, some hold 20 or fewer. Some house concert series sell out every time, while others are lightly attended (without the presenters having to quit, as a for-profit club might!). Some are held inside, some outside.

EXTERNAL LINKS

House Concerts.org

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House Concert