House concerts are a wonderful grassroots phenomenon where developing local talent as well as established performers alike perform in the comfortable intimacy of private homes and similar nontraditional spaces. The house concert format is a fun and easy way to share brilliant, warm, exciting music with your friends by having a concert in your own home, and is a whole new way of entertaining guests. They are fun to attend, fun to present, and fun to play.

Need more explanation?

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

	Usually, the audience capacity is smaller than at a coffeehouse or club.
	The money collected usually goes straight to the performers, with no "profit motive" on the presenter's part.
	House concerts are conducted "by invitation", rather than as "public" concerts like a club or concert hall.
	Often 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 (if the performers are from out of town) the performers get a meal and/or lodging with the presenters as part of their compensation.

If you're wondering whether hosting a house concert is for you ....

	Do you like to sit up front near the stage at folk/acoustic concerts, so you feel that the performers are playing a private concert just for you?
	Do you like the kind of house party where people share good times and good music?
	Is it a long drive before you can hear music at your favorite club or coffeehouse?
	Have you wished that someone would open a great venue right in your neighborhood - someplace safe, clean and fun to visit?
	Do you play an instrument yourself and wish you could have a party where the evening focuses on music and perhaps at some point in the evening you get to pull that instrument out of the closet and do a little performing yourself with professional musicians?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then hosting a house concert may be for you. You can have perfect sound, a great party, and world-class music right in your own home or the home of a neighbor. There's no experience quite like it for the listener or presenter.

What can you do?

Any and all of the following:

	Attend a house concert
	Present your own
	Perform at one
	Book your acts into them
	Spread the word

For booking information contact: urbanfolk@carolebackman.com