[HANASHIR:4174] Re: House concerts

[Laura Berkson <braveann...>]

Ellen and all:  I have done house concerts for years, and really enjoy
them a lot.  I like playing in a smaller venue where you have that kind
of close contact with the audience. Most of the time, in my experience,
the money goes to the artist.  Occasionally I've made an arrangement
with the hosts that they take $25 off the top for some of their
expenses, something like that.  I have never known anyone to rent chairs
for the ones I've done, though occasionally some people have borrowed
some folding chairs from a school or church or synagogue.  My advice
about house concerts is to keep it simple, personal, and as low-cost to
the host as possible (unless they, in their generosity, offer to make
some delicious refreshments as their voluntary contribution to the
evening.)  

The figure someone mentioned about product being bought by 10% of the
audience at a public venue is the rule I usually go by;  however, I
would also agree that at a house concert the percentage is MUCH higher.  

House concerts are also a nice way to fundraise for a recording.  I have
seen people do them as a "regular" house concert, with $8 or $10
admission, but also have seen people charge $25 per person which
included a pre-ordered CD.  People who come to house concerts generally
want to have some personal interaction with the artist, and many enjoy
being able to help re. the fundraising by paying a larger fee which also
includes a recording.  AND house concerts are another good way to do
little album release concerts.

I have also found that when I've booked gigs and am looking for a venue
to fill an open night or play an extra gig in a town near another
booking, a house concert is a nice option.

So there's my dissertation on the house concert.  I love 'em.

Laura

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