|
HOW TO PUT ON THE PERFECT HOUSE
CONCERT. They are dirt simple to organize, cheap to produce and
virtually fail-safe. You are pretty much guaranteed a packed
house, a great atmosphere and, for the performer, a decent wage.
The key to success is this: a house concert is a gathering of
friends; only secondarily is it a show for the general public.
When you invite friends to a party, 30 or even more will come,
right? So it is with a house concert. Yes, strangers are welcome
but they are the icing, not the cake. The performer can walk
away with anywhere from $300 to over $1000.
NUMBERS AND SPACE. Minimum of 20-30 and higher. The basic
ingredients for a house concert are: a) 25 + people and b) a
place for them to sit comfortably and enjoy the performance
(you'd be amazed how many people can fit in an average sized
room!) The actual size of the room will pretty much determine
the potential audience. A good rule of thumb is 3 square feet
per person. Your living room is too small? Remember the sponsor
and the host need not be the same person. It is a long-standing
and sensible tradition to guilt-trip a wealthier friend with a
big living room into offering it for the occasion. Do not feel
badly about this, but rather, think of it as a favor. There are
several ways to seat 40 people in a living room. Ask everyone to
bring a folding chair or a cushion; borrow stacking chairs from
a church or union hall. Sitting on the floor for an hour (with
cushions) can be done in relative comfort. In fact it can feel
kind of good, psychologically.
MONEY. The amount of money the performer needs to make can
change depending on the day of the week. Hosts charge an
admission fee (usually $10 to $20). $300 to $400 is a pretty
fair base rate for a solo musician on a quiet night, and that
breaks down to only $10 or $15 per person for 15 couples.
Convincing 15 friends to come (with a partner or guest) is not a
big deal. You know best what price is suitable for your friends.
But don't skimp. Be comfortable charging $15 or "whatever you
can afford." An "earlybird" price is recommended, expiring a
week or two before the show. Say $15 for the early bird, $20
after that. Add a few more people, or a few bucks to the ticket
price, stir in record sales, and the gig quickly moves from
subsistence to downright profitable. Remember, one of the main
reasons for a house concert is that there are no hall costs. Or,
often enough, any costs at all. When it comes to disposing of
the proceeds, various arrangements are possible. Many sponsors
will give performers the full door. Some take out expenses for
the coffee, etc. But bear in mind: a house concert is something
that is sponsored for love not money. That is part of the charm,
part of what makes it personal, part of the reason friends will
come even though they have never heard of the performer.
TICKETS. Should there be printed tickets? A reservation list?
RSVPs? This is a judgment call for the host to make. Advance
ticket requests and/or (preferably) pre-paid reservations are
advisable for several reasons: People who have already bought
tickets don't change their minds at the last minute. The best
advertisement is someone who has already bought a ticket. *You
have somewhat of an idea of numbers.
GETTING PEOPLE OUT. Although the house concert host will tell
his/her e-mail list about the event, the "public" doesn't
usually come to house concerts. The newspapers usually don't run
information about house concerts, posters only work in specific
cases, etc. The attendance basically depends on the host.
PROMOTION. Promote the event in the same personal way you
would any celebration/event you have decided to host at your
home. Whether you phone people or send written invitations, the
personal contact is crucial. If you want to advertise (whether
by a poster at the office, a note in a newsletter, or an
announcement in the press) that is grand, and the resulting
extra sales are a bonus; but the friends you invite yourself
must fill most of the seats. DO REMEMBER THAT IT IS A CONCERT
AND, THEREFORE, A LISTENING EVENT! You should also encourage
your guests to bring money to purchase cds...it is a great
chance to get it autographed by the artist. Most performers have
friends and fans most everywhere. Just spread the word!
*Performers can (and should) provide promo material, including
graphics, poster art and a write-up the sponsor can send out or
draw on. To increase the warmth and appeal of the event, invite
people to bring a plate of finger food and/or a bottle.
ACCOMMODATION. Remember that the performer is on tour and
appreciates the offer of accommodation to help avoid the cost of
a hotel while on the road. It could be your home or someone you
know who would be willing to offer theirs. A meal is always a
nice touch and provides a social opportunity for you to get to
know the human side of the performer.
AND FINALLY... House
Concerts build strong friendships between musicians, presenters,
and listeners. Most importantly, House Concerts provide the most
intimate and compelling performance environment available. They
are as different as the personality and inclinations of the
host. Here's your chance to shine!
|
