HOUSE CONCERTS.
Why should I have a house concert and How
The Scenario: You only attend a few concerts a year and pay anywhere from $60 to $120 for tickets for the best seats that you are able to secure. You could have bought the performer's complete body of recordings for the price of you and your partner's tickets. After parking a few blocks from the venue and then finding your way to your less than ideal seats you find that you can barely see the stage and realize you should have brought your binoculars or better tickets (cah ching!). Oh well! When the concert finally begins you also realize that the sound in the local convention center is anything but pleasing if not totally unbearable as might be the talkative patrons seated around you. You would like to go get some refreshments or possibly use the restroom but you fear running the risk of getting lost and never finding your way back to your seats or getting stuck in a line. Gosh that sounds like fun!!!. At least you can say you experienced the concert and bought the T-shirt to be sure you remember but honestly it was not the most pleasant experience.
House Concert Scenario: You hear Dougiedog will be rolling through your neck of the country and that he is looking to put on an exclusive series of "House Concerts" or just one special one for you. Through a series of friendly emails you agree with Me on a date and time to have the opportunity to host your very own "House Concert" . A "House Concert" is an intimate concert in your home where I perform two 45 minute sets where I will entertain and interact with you and your guests in a way that harkens back to the days of cozy nightclubs with accessible artists in a setting in which you can hear every note, every word and notice every expression. I love to joke, tease, tell stories and banter with my audiences and I am a great adherent to the concept of frivolity. I believe that my songs and the stories behind them are valuable and best experienced by a conversational style in an atmosphere void of distractions and annoyances. The give and take between artist and audience is palpable and makes for a profound and memorable evening or afternoon far from the typical large venue concert tedium.
HOW
As a the Host your responsibility is to invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, clients and other music lovers to the concert and request RSVP's and provide email reminders to insure an adequate audience of between 15-30 people or even more if your space permits. There is a suggested donation of $15 going to the performers and the host is free to ask concert attendees to bring food and beverages in a pot luck fashion or the host can provide them. Some folks offer a "desert and song evening," others an ice cream concert, etc. Usually the average living room cleared of tables and fitted with all available household and borrowed chairs can seat up to 30 people. Some folks choose to use a recreation room if they are in a condo setting or even church fellowship halls. The point is to keep the emphasis on providing an intimate listening room. I will provide lighting and sound reinforcement. I also will provide you with letters of invitation you can copy and send to potential attendees, links to my music and videos and a more thorough checklist of ideas and tips to make your concert be a vibrant and enjoyable time for all who attend. In most instances away from Maine I like to be provided with lodging for the night in a spare bedroom, the couch or camped in your yard. I am not fussy and I usually pick up my socks and I do not snore.
Your friends will be grateful you invited them. You will all have an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with all who attend and me as well. You will affirm your deep love of music and have the satisfaction of knowing you have supported the arts in a tangible and vital way possibly even increasing your profile in your community by offering such a worthwhile event. email me at doug@dougnye.com or call 207-568-3253.
Can't wait to put on a memorable show in your home.
