Mini House Concerts

I’d be surprised if this idea hasn’t been brought up before, but I haven’t found a related posts on the internet.

Basics of a Mini House Concert:

One hour event on a weeknight
A one-set performance
Reduced donation ($5-10)
Reduced audience (10-20 people)

Saturdays seem by far the most popular night for house concerts, though Fridays and (to a lesser degree) Sundays are also common. Weekends have obvious advantages, and there’s no need to elaborate here.

That said, many (house concert) artists would appreciate the opportunity to do a house concert on a weeknight. If the travel is short or strategically advantageous, and the traditional “place to stay” is included, I believe many artists would relish the opportunity to make a few extra fans and dollars. Unless the act had a significant fanbase in the area, it’s likely a traditional venue wouldn’t be any better on a weeknight.

this keeps me awake through folk concerts

I can see a few potential ways mini house concerts would benefit presenters as well:

1. Scheduling an artist you might not otherwise get the chance to see.
2. Putting on a smaller event would involve much less prep and time: less chairs, less food, less parking, etc.
3. Might be a great way for new presenters to try hosting an event - especially those who feel their place is “too small.”

Attracting an audience on a weeknight might seem daunting, but many people can get out for an hour on a weeknight. They do it for soccer games, HOA meetings, and happy hours. Wouldn’t attending a house concert be a great way to revitalize your spirits during a tough week at work?

I know this isn’t for everybody - many presenters feel stretched already. But I suspect some presenters would hold more events if they weren’t intimidated by the prospect of having 25-40 people in their home.

I look forward to getting some feedback on this… please comment below.

Best,

Fran Snyder
http://concertsinyourhome.com
Fran and a house concert fan