House
concerts
[ get in touch ]
“The folks who attended your concert at my house just LOVED IT. For weeks and months following the event, people came up to me and would say how great the concert was and how much they enjoyed it.
It was just a magical evening!” – Jake K. Palos Verdes, CA
let's do something fun
HOST A HOUSE CONCERT!
HOW MUCH SHOULD I RECOMMEND?
Think of it like a concert ticket. $20-30 per person cash contribution is a good amount to recommend to your guests on the invitations.
This, in theory, should cover the show guarantee mentioned above in the payment section ➡ If you have 40 ppl @ $25 each = $1000.
CAN I PAY YOUR FEE IN FULL, SO I DON'T HAVE TO ASK FOR CONTRIBUTIONS?
If you feel uncomfortable asking your guests for contributions, you can choose to pay me upfront in full. If you choose to pay in full, I will still likely put out a contribution jar on my table if anyone is interested to give, however I will mention on stage that you have covered the show as a gift to your attendees and that contributions are not necessary.
- Mention a suggested donation on the invitation –-> 25$ per person is average
- Have a tip jar/container that is LABELLED, well lit and VISIBLE to everyone (at the food/drink table is a good spot)
- During the ‘schmoozing’ hours, mention to the guests where the contribution jar is located
- As you are making an introduction for me to come up on stage, please mention the need for donations and that every little bit will help me to continue being an independent artist
best practices
HOW DO I ASK FOR CONTRIBUTIONS?
If you are opting for guest contributions, it is going to be your responsibility as a host to communicate to your guests the importance of bringing a cash donation for the show. It will also be your responsibility to collect at the show. Travelling to perform is costly, so it is truly appreciated when the host communicates openly to guests, and stresses the importance of bringing a donation in exchange for an intimate and unique evening.
Think of it as an exchange for goods and services... You are providing your guests a comfortable space and an opportunity to be a part of a special musical experience. In exchange, your guests are able to contribute any amount they feel compelled to after the show – and usually they are excited to contribute to the cause!
Before, during and after the show, I will be mingling freely with your guests. Chatting, listening and exchanging life experiences with audience members is one of my most favourite parts of the House Concert model! There aren’t many opportunities where an audience member gets to interact directly one-on-one with the artist performing. This is an important aspect of the House Concert model, to keep everyone comfortable and feeling at home.
Minimum required guests are 35 people but more are warmly invited!! The show can be held in your living room, backyard, patio, sunroom, church, barn etc. Almost any space will do!! As long as there is a power outlet and lots of GOOD VIBES in the air. — Also, it’s important that everyone has a place to sit during the show. Whether that’s a mix of chairs that you’ve found throughout the house, asked your guests to bring lawn chairs, or if you’ve rented chairs and a tent for the evening, having enough seating is a key component to a successful House Concert.
get your mingle on
WHAT'S THE DAMAGE?
The cost of a House Concert depends on where you live, when you’d like to host a show, and how you’d like to show your support! Each show is different and unique. There are two options to choose from that help me get paid as an independent artist by performing a house show:
A SHOW WHILE ON TOUR :
Host Pays In Full = $200 deposit + $1000 at show (no guest contributions required. *note that I may still put out a tip jar)
OR
Guest Contributions = $200 deposit + $1000 at show (collected by guest contributions or ticket sales and topped up by host)
A SHOW FOR A SPECIAL EVENT :
If you have a special event on a specific day that you’d like me to perform
( Wedding / Birthday / Holiday / Work Party / Corporate Event )
please get in touch. My performance fees vary in these situations depending on distance to travel / accommodations / special work visas / equipment requirements etc.
DEPOSIT INFO :
This $200 non refundable deposit paid for by the host acts as a booking fee to lock in your date for the show. It also helps with pre-concert expenses like gas/mileage and visas. Once we agree on a date for the show, I will be asking you to pay the deposit upfront and sign a contract.
If unforeseen circumstances come up and you are no longer able to host a show, please let me know ASAP to make a cancellation. A refund may be arranged 4 weeks prior to the start date of the tour. Any cancellations made after the 4 week window will not be refunded.
the cost and stuff
- Deposit & performance fee
- 35 guest minimum
- a seat for everyone
- no children, no pets (exceptions considered)
- some decent lighting
hosting requirements
HOW DOES IT WORK?
I am a one woman show. I do not have a manager or a label or a faerie godmother up my sleeve to help me run my business.
I am a fan-funded artist.
This means, I gratefully rely on the generous contributions of my hosts and show attendees to keep doing the work I am called to do in this life. It fills me up with so much joy and gratitude to be able to perform and connect with all of you on such a deep level. So, thank you for being interested to support artists like me, from the ground up. Every dollar of your show will be going towards gas, campsites, food and then a well needed rest time after the tour is over.
A house concert is more than just a musician coming to play music in your backyard. It is a time where you get to bring all the people you cherish together in one place, and share a unique, powerful and intimate evening with them. One of the compliments I hear the most from listeners is how special it was for them to be able to hear the story behind each song. For me, this is the best part of performing in an intimate setting like your backyard. Concert attendees really get the chance to know more than just the music, they get to know the artist as a person as well.
I feel like it doesn’t really get any better than that!?
Maybe I’m biased. LOL
a new way of connecting
can we be friends?
I solemnly swear to stick by you through thick & thin, and also to tell you when there's spinach in your teeth. lol
PLEASE SAY YES!
Want to Host?
Have more questions?
CHILDREN OR PETS?
Bringing children to the show is not recommended. My shows tend to run WAY more smoothly if there aren’t kids running around. I say this with love!! But children at an intimate event like this are more often a distraction for hosts, guests and myself. The same goes for pets unfortunately! While it’s ok to have your little fur balls frolicking around before and after the show, during my performance please keep pets enclosed in a separate area/room so as not to be distracting to guests and hosts.
If you are planning to invite friends or relatives who have small children, please suggest it to be a date night for them, where they can get a babysitter and enjoy themselves throughout the evening, rather than be preoccupied with their little ones.
If you have small children of your own and are considering hosting a show, it is fully up to your discretion if you want to host! It IS your home after all!!! And you know your children better than I do. If your kids love music and you believe they will be well behaved during the show, by all means, let’s make it happen!
BUT – If you do end up allowing your children to watch, I suggest hiring a babysitter for assistance throughout the evening to take the stress and distraction off you.
CANCELLATIONS
Sometimes life happens, and things get in the way. I totally get it! Although it’s a huge bummer not getting a chance to meet you and your awesome friends, it’s OK if you have to cancel. Just please try and give me as much notice as possible! If you are able to cancel the show 4 weeks prior to the start of my tour, your deposit will be refunded in full. If you cancel after the 4-week period has passed, your deposit will be forfeited. This helps on my end to make up a bit of the financial loss that comes from a cancelled show. I have to run my business as any other business would, and I really appreciate your understanding!
HALP! WHAT IF I CAN'T BRING 35 PPL!?
You got options! If you’re stressed about getting 35 guests to show up for the event, why not bring a few other households into the mix? I’ve done block parties and cul-de-sac style shows where there are multiple hosts/homes helping to ensure everything runs smoothly and that there are enough people invited for the evening… A really cool alternative - and those shows always turn out sooo lovely!!!
WHERE WILL YOU STAY?
Accommodations: I’d love to stay in your home if you have a guest room available! This helps tremendously to keep touring costs at a minimum. I will also need a place to park my 13′ camper (on the road beside the house is fine, or in your backyard or driveway). If no guest room is available, I can also sleep in Pearl, but would need access to your washroom & shower. If staying more than one night is OK, please let me know!! Often times I have multiple days in between shows, and it makes me happy to be able to spend a day or two sightseeing and exploring with my hosts.
**NOTE: I may have a guest with me – a friend, sister, boyfriend or sister, or parent may be visiting at the time of your concert. If space is an issue, please bring it up in an email!
Lighting is really important if you’re hosting a show - especially outdoors. Mood lighting / twinkle lights help in every circumstance!! Several hosts light tikki torches near the stage which made for a really cool vibe!
Please try and have some lighting directly on or near me if the show will get into late hours. Get creative! Have some fun!! Also, please have extra lighting (like a table lamp) that can be placed near my merch table so that people will be able to see when purchasing keepsakes.
lighting
BEST WAY FOR INVITATIONS?
Promoting the show will be just like promoting your own house party. You can send emails, call or text or even print out invitations and send them via snail mail! 🐌 I’ve found that events sent personally with a service like Paperless, Evite or even email works better than a Facebook Event, as people often brush off Facebook events since they are so common… If you do plan on making a Facebook event, perhaps consider pairing it with another form of invitation to really get the word out! Also, sending multiple reminders and getting an RSVP before the show will be a significant factor to ensure full attendance!
WHAT DOES THE AGENDA LOOK LIKE?
I will arrive anywhere between two days to two hours prior to show time. It will take me 2 hours to set up my ‘stage’ and merch table. When your guests start arriving, I will mingle around and introduce myself to everyone invited. Just before I begin my show, you’ll make an announcement for everyone to refill their drinks & food trays, and use the restroom before the show begins. 10 minutes after that, you’ll come back on the mic to introduce me / how we met / where you first heard my song, where the tip jar is, etc. and then I’ll take it from there! I will entertain your guests for approximately 2 hours, with my stories, songs and a few sprinkles of joy & laughter along the way. 🙂
After the concert, please make a closing announcement. This will be a good time to thank your guests for their attention, and encourage them to visit my merchandise table and stick around for a while. I’ll visit with your guests some more, selling merchandise, and enjoying the rest of the evening, until I get tired and googly-eyed and need to get to bed!
WHAT ABOUT MERCH?
I have tons of really cool merchandise to bring to your shows: CDs, Vinyl, custom jewelry and USB sticks to name a few! Additionally, I have my own table set up so the only thing you’ll have to think about is WHERE I can place my table. I like it to be WELL LIT and visible to everyone coming in to the show, so perhaps at the entrance is a good spot.
Please also write about the merchandise on your invitations so that your guests are aware: “Jessica will also be selling CDs and merchandise after the concert should you wish to purchase a keepsake from the evening.”
Thank you!
I will be in touch shortly!
