May 18, 2014

House Concert

Have you ever heard about a house concert?

I hadn't until my niece Ally went to one.  It sounded phenomenal; absolutely an evening I would love.

It is an old tradition that is breathing new life into the music scene.  In past centuries, music was played in people's houses or salons.  Prior to recorded music, most people only heard music played in someone's home and often a member of the family played an instrument.  It was only during the time of Beethoven that halls were specifically built for musical performances.


We probably all have had the experience of listening to high school rock band (or punk, am I dating myself here?) playing in someone's basement or going to a kitchen party if you're Irish.  Here's one on Youtube...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1j6ETXwvK4

House concerts are held by people who love live music and are willing to use a space in their home for musical performances.  These are professional musicians often playing their own compositions acoustically in a very intimate setting.  Mostly these events are not advertised, except by word of mouth, underground e-mail list kind of thing.  If you ever get the chance, I urge you to go!  There is usually some kind of a "donation" system that pays the artists.  

On Friday night, I attended a concert that was a potluck, BYOB event.  The hosts, Rob and Annie had their living room transformed into a music hall with a stage, sound system, lighting and stadium seating.  I kid you not.  There was a lot of carpentry work that went on so everyone got an amazing view.  The food was fabulous and the artists were amazing.  It is so cool to get to know the singer/songwriter and to hear the stories about writing every song.  I didn't take pictures as I was a first time guest (a music hall virgin, I was told) and didn't want to be rude.  I definitely wanted to be invited back!

Going to something like this, out of my comfort zone and spending time with people I have never met before was a great experience.  Even though it may seem small, to me it was an adventure.  Everyone was friendly, the hosts were so welcoming, their house is gorgeous and the musicians were great.  I walked out of there like I was lifted up by clouds of pure joy.  Listening to music, stripped down to the essentials was absolutely the best.

Faye Blais

JD Edwards

Rob films the concert and posts some videos on Youtube.  Ones from the concert I attended aren't done yet but I've added a couple of links here so you can get an idea.  I'll add ones of Faye and Trish and JD when they are on-line.  Enjoy....(highlight link and right click and choose go to)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnxdDZUuybY&index=26&list=UUxINyqTZTCPVFf8QB9ymb4g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipuyP3RxIX4&list=UUxINyqTZTCPVFf8QB9ymb4g&index=2

Videos of Faye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhPixKQV99Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYsAUA8gBB8

Julie

17 comments:

  1. This sounds like a very entertaining evening. I haven't heard of any going on around here though sometime in the early summer there is a Porchfest that goes on in town and there is lots of music being played on various porches around town.

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    1. Hey Linda - it was great. Porchfest sounds like a good time too, J

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  2. Well that sounds fun. I've never heard of anyone doing that lately. I'm glad you got to go and enjoyed it.

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    1. It was so much fun, Kim. I can't wait for the fall when they start again! J

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  3. Hello Julie,
    This is a great piece. Thanks for coming and sharing your experience. I'm so glad you enjoyed your time at the concert. I hope to see you again down the road. Cheers, JD Edwards

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    1. Thanks JD - you are an amazing singer!!!! And I loved your stories, especially the wedding ring one (lol). Glad you and Faye and Trish were my "first". J

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  4. We have concerts outside in Minnesota in the summer..not too fancy:)

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  5. Hi - we have a free series in the park which is really great, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. They attract a lot of people though and I really don't enjoy the crowds. The tourists especially like them because the park is right beside the marina. We get a lot of boaters from the US. J

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  6. Hey Julie! I'm swinging over from Muddy Boot Dreams to say hi. I haven't heard of these concerts. In my new prairie home potluck dinners are pretty huge. This sounds like something that would go over well here. I'm going to go have a wander and check out some more of your posts now. Blessings, Carolynn

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    1. Hey Carolynn - thanks for dropping by. Love your blog....I love chickens. I want to live in the country and have chickens. What a great chicken coop you are going to have!!! J

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  7. Good for you going to the concert and opening yourself up to new possibilities. I love that.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  8. Thanks Mere - it was so much fun. This is my year of saying "Yes!" J

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  9. Hi, I'm Thammie. I'm dropping by after glimpsing at your post on Jen's Google+. I missed last year and the year before for that, enjoying house concerts in friends and acquaintances' gardens. I'm happy you enjoyed yourself and I'm sure you will still do since you will get many invitations.

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  10. Thanks Thammie - it's so kind of you to drop by. J

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  11. I had never heard of a house concert, but it sounds wonderful. My house or yard wouldn't be big enough to host one of these, but I would love to go to one!

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  12. I hadn't either Melanie but it was so much fun. The "hall" isn't terribly big - maybe 12 by 20 ft but they've used every inch of space and the room is just for concerts. There's not too many people who would or could give up their living rooms for others' entertainment. J

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  13. Go to www.concertsinyourhome.com for more details.

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