The Future of Music
Kevin Kelly at Cool Tools has a great review of The Complete Guide to House Concerts (by Nyree Belleville) and House Concerts: They’re folk presenting (by Tom Neff).
[tease]
What is a 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 we’ll get into later), 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.
(Excerpt from Tom Neff)
[via Cool Tools, Kevin Kelly]