Why do artists occasionally see their inquiries “dismissed?”

You aren’t doing anything wrong. There are several potential reasons for dismissed inquiries. 

1. Host no longer active or taking an extended break. 

2. Host restarting, and we offer them a fresh start.

3. Most often, it’s because your unanswered inquiry is 6 months old. This happens automatically to give artists a fresh start with that host, since the proposed dates are likely no longer valid, and it’s likely that the inquiry would be at the bottom of a long stack – unlikely to ever get answered. 

Dismissed inquiries are part of our maintenance to make sure that hosts/venues get time-relevant messages, and so that artists are encouraged to update requests if they wish.

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#LRFest – Listening Room Festival 2021 Recap!

Showcase at the Mahaffey Theater, April 2022. Photos by Donna Green

 

Due to Covid, we were forced to explore outdoor spaces for our Listening Room Festival Showcase. Thankfully, we were able to rent the beautiful courtyard between the Mahaffey Theater and the Dali Museum.

This was a technical and financial challenge, as it was the first time we had to rent a stage, sound, and light in addition to the performance space. Our production choices worked out well, and Donna Green was able to capture some of our best pictures ever with this new setting.

We were also forced to scale down in terms of artists, selecting only TWO traveling acts instead of our usual 4 or 5. Joy Ike and Chris Trapper enjoyed enthusiastic audiences at house concerts as well as the showcase, and we were privileged to showcase local act Kristopher James as the opener for the showcase.

When we started LRFest in 2012, it felt like a moonshot. I wanted to create a gathering to celebrate house concerts, and to create a music showcase opportunity in the middle of a profitable tour. Most importantly, they build a base of friends, fans and potential gigs in Florida that will pay dividends for years to come.

As is the case with house concerts, the sweet, listening vibe and profitability are the obvious rewards that mask the more important developments of community and connection. On this front, each year, we see more hosts and fans travel to Tampa Bay area to attend shows and make new friendships. We see them cooperate for routing, lodging, and even for volunteer help at each other’s events. The festival community is creating a rich, cultural tapestry of music support in our region.

See you next year?

Will you apply as a performer? 
Will you host a show in Florida or the southeast?
Will you join your music tribe for a music vacation?

#LRFest – Listening Room Festival 2022 Recap!

Showcase at the Palladium Theater, March 25th 2022. Photos by Donna Green

As we approached our Tenth annual LRFest, we were still in uncertain times, with a significant portion of our community still concerned about Covid, vaccines, and Russian invasions to boot. Despite the jitters, we had a wonderful festival, and managed to please a fantastic group of performers – Danny Schmidt, Sam Robbins, Mare Wakefield & Nomad, and The Whispering Tree.

When we started LRFest in 2012, it felt like a moonshot. I wanted to create a gathering to celebrate house concerts, and to create a music showcase opportunity in the middle of a profitable tour. Most importantly, they build a base of friends, fans and potential gigs in Florida that will pay dividends for years to come.

As is the case with house concerts, the sweet, listening vibe and profitability are the obvious rewards that mask the more important developments of community and connection. On this front, each year, we see more hosts and fans travel to Tampa Bay area to attend shows and make new friendships. We see them cooperate for routing, lodging, and even for volunteer help at each other’s events. The festival community is creating a rich, cultural tapestry of music support in our region.

For me, the biggest thrill is the growing number of hosts and fans who travel to St. Petersburg for this event. They come from different cities, different states, and even different countries – to take in a music vacation filled with house concerts and time with their tribe. Thanks to Dani Goodband, Jim and DeBrenda Michienzi, and Alice Schaefer for making the trip this year!

We hope you’ll join us for this one-of-a-kind festival.

House Concert Photos from LRFest 2022. 

See you next year?

Will you apply as a performer? 
Will you host a show in Florida or the southeast?
Will you join your music tribe for a music vacation?

2019 Artists of the Year

Each year, we recognize three talented acts for their successful use of the site, and the reviews and recommendations we’ve received from our host community. Touring is a difficult sport, and these acts have demonstrated not just talent, but persistence, kindness, and a willingness to go where the opportunities are. Congrats!

Max Hatt / Edda Glass

The Rough & Tumble

The Whispering Tree

Max Hatt / Edda Glass

The Rough & Tumble

The Whispering Tree

Honorable Mentions

These artists had a great year with us as well!

Rupert Wates, Danika & The Jeb, Escaping Pavement, Giulia Milanta, Missy Andersen & Her One Man Band, Dan Frechette & Laurel Thomsen,
Heidi Burson, and Jesse Terry.

Note: Artists of the Year are not eligible to win for the following four years.

#LRFest – Listening Room Festival 2019 Recap!

Photo by Jess Phillips. Listening Room Festival 2019.

When we started LRFest in 2012, it felt like a moonshot. I wanted to create a gathering to celebrate house concerts, and to create a music showcase opportunity in the middle of a profitable tour. This year, our six acts earned a total of $19,500 over 24 house concerts and a beautiful showcase. Most importantly, they created a base of friends, fans and potential gigs in Florida that will pay dividends for years to come.

As is the case with house concerts, the sweet, listening vibe and profitability are the obvious rewards that mask the more important developments of community and connection. On this front, each year, we see more hosts and fans travel to Tampa Bay area to attend shows and make new friendships. We see them cooperate for routing, lodging, and even for volunteer help at each other’s events. The festival community is creating a rich, cultural tapestry of music support in our region.

Our volunteer crew doubled this year, another sign of the health and impact of our festival. For me, the biggest thrill is the growing number of hosts and fans who travel to St. Petersburg for this event. They come from different cities, different states, and even different countries – to take in a music vacation filled with house concerts and time with their tribe.

We hope you’ll join us for this one-of-a-kind festival.

LRFest 2020 is March 25 – 29, 2020

Will you apply as a performer? (Deadline May 15th, 2019)
Will you host a show in Florida or the southeast?
Will you join your music tribe for a music vacation?

House Concert Legal – City of Herndon and Crib Concerts

Once in a while, we get a report that a house concert has had trouble with zoning violations. Zoning laws can cite various reasons why a house concert could be in violation – parking, noise, and commercial activity are the most common.

In the case of Crib Concerts, the complaint is about “Indoor Entertainment,” and specifically because it has been deemed a commercial activity by the local zoning Community Inspector. Unfortunately for Chris Devine, he lives and operates his concerts in a redevelopment district of Herndon that has even more restrictions than the city on property use.

The host is appealing to the city, and we have to give serious kudos to him for honoring the next 5 booked concerts. Since the issue will take months to resolve, Chris created a GoFundMe to cover the cost of the fines. That’s a fine example of commitment to artists, and engaging your community to rally for your cause.

One has to wonder how the complaint originated, but my money is always on someone like this guy.

I’m guessing Mr. Morningwood has never been to a house concert. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

Re-design update!

 

Last October, we embarked on a massive job of re-creating all our websites (Listening Room Festival, Listening Room Network, and ConcertsInYourHome) to deliver you a more stable and attractive platform to connect with your growing community.

Here are some sketches of what we are preparing to launch!

CIYH Artists of the Year – 2017

Each year, we recognize three talented acts for their successful use of the site,and the reviews and recommendations we’ve received from our host community. Touring is a difficult sport, and these acts have demonstrated not just talent, but persistence, kindness, and a willingness to go where the opportunities are. Congrats!

2017 Artists of the Year!

Daniel Champagne

Flagship Romance

Dan Frechette & Laurel
Thomsen

Honorable Mentions

These artists had a great year with us as well!

Rupert Wates, Danika & The Jeb, Matt Bednarsky, The Currys, Kelley McRae, Escaping Pavement, Woody Russell, and Brian Keith Wallen.

Note: Artists of the Year are not eligible to win for the following two years.

Event Insurance for House Concerts

Great to hear from you. The typical questions we get about insurance have to do with liability e.g. if someone slips and falls on your property.  I’ve never had someone ask about insurance that would be specifically about recouping damage to the home itself.

 

We have always discouraged hosts from keeping a percentage of donations, for a couple of reasons. One, to protect the culture of house concerts, which are an act of generosity. Enabling hosts to “cover expenses” is a slippery slope to acting like a commercial venue. We believe that house concert expenses are voluntary – you don’t have to provide booze, sound system, and catering… you can potluck, byob, and have artists bring what they need.

 

The second reason is legal. While there’s no case law on the matter*, we believe a host is on much firmer ground if 100% of donations go the artist. Anything else could suggest commercial activity in the home – which can violate homeowner’s insurance, zoning, and more.

 

Event insurance can range from $60-600 per event, and it’s fairly easy to shop around online for it. Here’s one. https://www.theeventhelper.com/

Hope this helps!

Fran

 

*Know something we don’t? Please tell us if you know of any case law.

On Wed, Jun 21, 2017 at 12:35 PM, Beth Fizell-Jenkins wrote:

Begin forwarded message:

I’ve been working with a friend to do some house concerts at her home. She had a problem with the last show we did – she had a faulty faucet that someone accidentaly left on, and the sink overflowed and caused about $10K worth of damage to her house. Unfortunately she had an issue with her homeowners – didn’t realize that her deductible was outrageously high, but she just renegotiated and now it’s just $1000 which is much more reasonable.

She’d like to continue doing concerts, but she wants to make sure she’s protected, and she doesn’t want to pay out of pocket for supplies. Is there any kind of protocol – any way to get affordable insurance for the shows? Alternatively, I was thinking the host takes like 5 or 10% from the door of each show to fund an escrow account that the host can use to cover supplies, to cover damage or insurance, or to help pay expenses related to the concert series, that aren’t necessarily directly related to that night’s performance. Do you know anybody doing something like that?

When I ran shows, we always just paid the expenses out of pocket, but she’s a little concerned, and after the water damage issue she’s even more concerned. Wanted to get your thoughts on it.

Thanks,
B.

House Concert Tour Contest: And the winners are…

 

We're thrilled to announce the final results of the 2nd Annual 2010 CIYH Video/Tour Contest. This year's winner, from Etobicoke Ontario, is Suzie Vinnick !!
In a virtual tie for second place are the duo Barnaby Bright (Brooklyn NY) and the trio Big Wide Grin (Mill Valley CA). Photos above are linked to their CIYH profiles.

The final round highlights:

45 CIYH hosts viewed all 30 song submissions from our 10 finalists for the final round of judging. The results were very close. All contestants garnered praise from many judges for their songs.

As our contest winners, Suzie, Becky & Nathan (Barnaby Bright) and Elaine, Lawrence & Karl (Big Wide Grin) will receive 5 and 10 gig circuits in the U.S. or Canada during May 2011. Circuit locations will be selected by January 31. (See full list of prizes below.)

Want to host the winners?

We've set up this nice page, where you can

• see 4 videos from each act
• see a map of hosts who are already interested
• and you can email jeff to add yourself as an interested host for a show in May.

Visit the link and hear these wonderful artists, then let Jeff know where you are!

Thank you

to all of our artist entrants who collectively brought 220 videos to the first round of judging. Similarly, we thank each of the 80 judges who worked with us over the course of the contest, tirelessly and (based on their gushing comments) quite enjoyably.
 
The judges saw remarkable new talent well beyond the finalists, and some have said they look forward to booking these artists in the future. Of course, we'd love to know when that happens.
 
Thanks to each of you–artists and judges–for making the 2nd annual contest a great success. 
 
Jeff and Fran

Tours and Prizes

 

• Grand Prize: Suzie Vinnick
  Ten-day regional house concert tour
  $500 in merchandise from D'Addario & Planet Waves
  PLS Lighting System from Q-Lighting ($350 value)
  $100 cash.
• Second place: Barnaby Bright
  Five-day tour
  $250 in merchandise from D'Addario & Planet Waves
  Maestro from Q-Lighting ($40 value)
  $100 cash.
• Third place: Big Wide Grin
  Five-day tour
  $250 in merchandise from D'Addario & Planet Waves
  Maestro from Q-Lighting ($40 value)
  $100 cash.

See additional contest details.

See the finalist videos and mp3s.

Thanks to our kind sponsors, D'Addario, Planet Waves, and Q-Lighting. Check out the special offer from Q-Lighting in our latest newsletter. Offer ends November 30th, 2010.