WANT TO HOST A CASSANDRA KUBINSKI CONCERT IN YOUR HOME?
I’M GOING ON TOUR! YOUR HOUSE COULD BE THE NEXT STOP
Hey friends! I just started putting together my annual Back Where It All Began House Concert Tour, and I’d love to come play for YOU! If you’ve ever wanted to host an Erick Baker concert in your backyard or living room, now’s your chance!
This tour is all about bringing the music back to its roots. It’s called “Back Where It All Began” because when I first started playing live music, my only stage was people’s living rooms, backyards, and basements. Those small, intimate shows are where I fell in love with performing and learned what it truly means to connect with an audience.
Over the last 8 years, I have traveled thousands of miles, playing hundreds of house concerts across the U.S. and Canada. These shows are some of my absolute favorites because they let me share the stories behind my songs and create a one-of-a-kind experience with you and your guests.
Watch this highlight video to see what a house concert is all about...
HOW DO I BOOK A HOUSE CONCERT?
If you’re interested, please fill out the form below or email us at
booking@cassandrakubinski.com
In your request, please include your name, the location of the concert, and several dates that you have in mind. Please be flexible with your dates, as there are a lot of moving parts to organizing a tour.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A HOUSE CONCERT?
A house concert is a live music performance held in someone's private residence, typically a living room, backyard, or other suitable space. Known for their personal and informal atmosphere, house concerts allow us to connect on a more intimate level. It's an opportunity to enjoy live music in a relaxed and welcoming environment, where you can treat yourself, your friends, and your family to an exclusive, up-close-and-personal concert experience they'll never forget.
I’ll be performing solo acoustic, just me and a guitar. Whether you prefer a plugged-in setup with a PA system or an unplugged, totally stripped-down vibe, we can tailor the show to fit your space and crowd. No matter the setting, it’s all about the music, the stories, and the connection.
We suggest 20-50 of your closest friends to cultivate an intimate show. A house concert differs from a "party" in that the environment should be respectfully quiet with a focus on listening during the music performance.
HOW SHOULD I SET MY HOUSE UP FOR THE CONCERT?
A solo performance with a sound system takes up about a 6X6 space. Pick one of the larger rooms in your house. For the "stage area", choose a spot that will be away from any lanes of traffic and will be easily viewed from most of the room. Arrange couches and chairs so that everyone will naturally face the "stage". We do encourage you to provide a seat for every guest, so everyone is comfortable. Sometimes this requires a little rearranging of the furniture, and adding a few folding chairs. In the past, some hosts have removed their existing furniture and set up rows of chairs to accommodate their guests.
IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE ON LIGHTING...
Lighting is often one of those very important details that gets overlooked. Consider your mini concert hall as having two main sections, the audience and the artist. You'll want to emphasize the focus on the stage and de- emphasize the focus on the audience. A simple way to do this is to dim the room and add some light aimed toward the stage. This can be as simple as pointing a few overhead bulbs toward the stage, hanging bistro lights, using inexpensive clamp lights (Home Depot), or just setting out a few lamps.
WHAT IS THE TYPICAL FLOW FOR THE EVENING?
Most hosts will generally start with a meet and greet that lasts an hour. This is a great time for friends to catch up over cocktails and food. Some hosts will have their concerts catered, some prepare a seated/family style dinner, while others will host a potluck and BYOB. After guests have filled their bellies and their cups, they'll be invited to take a seat for the concert. This is a good time for you as the host to welcome your guests, tell them how you know my music, and encourage them to be respectful by holding their conversations until the end of the show. I will play a 1 hour and 15-minute set, then stay to talk with guests, sign autographs, sell merch, and take photos.
CAN I HAVE THE CONCERT OUTDOORS?
Of course! Just make sure you have a solid RAIN PLAN. If there is more than a 30% chance of rain at any time during your concert, we'll kindly ask to move it indoors. Our sound equipment and guitars are expensive and not compatible with water. Also, please keep the comfort of your guests in mind when choosing an outdoor setting (extreme heat, cold, wind, or biting insects). Please also consider lighting for your outdoor concert, as it usually gets dark during the set.
DO I NEED ANY EQUIPMENT?
We've got you covered. We travel with a Bose Tower that is compact, and sets up nicely in a corner. The only thing we need is a reliable power source. (If a flight is required we will need to work out equipment rental.)
DO YOU ALLOW CHILDREN?
Of course! We are a family- friendly touring act. My daughter, Annabelle, has been on the road since she was six months old. That being said, she is well- versed in sitting quietly through a show. If you are concerned that your kiddos might be a distraction for your guests, or you just don't feel like "adulting," then bring on the babysitter.
CAN I CHOOSE THE SETLIST?
Absolutely! Please submit your Erick Baker song requests (15 songs) at least one week prior to your show, so I can knock the dust off of any deep cuts you might request.
** PLEASE NOTE **
Prices and booking for a house concert differ from that of a private event (i.e. Wedding, Proposal, or Corporate Event)
HOW DO I BOOK A HOUSE CONCERT?
If you’re interested, please fill out the form below.
In your request, please include your name, the location of the concert, and several dates that you have in mind. Please be flexible with your dates, as there are a lot of moving parts to organizing a tour.
CONCERT INFORMATION FORM
House concerts come in all shapes and sizes and so there are endless variations on how they get put together. Hopefully this form will give you most of the guidelines you need to help plan your event. Please keep in mind that every situation is different and almost everything listed here is flexible.
MY FEE:
$1,500 US Dollars or €1,400 Euros or £1,200 Pounds.
I ask for a 50% deposit at least 2 months before the show so that the date is secured and for the 2nd half to be paid just before the show itself. If I’m flying from another country it’s a good idea to wait until you’re sure I’ve landed on your shores.
I use Wise (formerly Transferwise) for all financial transactions. They cost much less than bank transfers and give better conversion rates. If you are unfamiliar with Wise I can send you an invitation to check out. It's free to join and the fees are very low
TRAVEL:
If I am flying from my home in Spain to another country solely for the purpose of playing at your event then you will be asked to cover my round trip flight and ground transportation. It is possible, however, to put several events together and divide the travel costs up between them. Or, if I am already in your area for other reasons, it might only cost you a train ticket or cab fare. I would need you to arrange picking me up at either an airport or train station close to you and to get me back the following day after the concert. I will also ask you to pay for one night in a decent hotel. Doesn’t have to be 5 star as long as it’s clean and comfortable.
SOUND EQUIPMENT: If it’s just a few friends in your living room then nothing is needed. I’ll just show up with my guitar and sing without a microphone. (I’m told that I project pretty well!) Anything larger than that, however, may require you to rent a small PA system. I only need 4 channels, maximum, with a small effects loop of internal reverb. I usually bring my own microphone but would need you to supply: the boom mic stand, mic cable, guitar cables (airlines don’t like to see guitar cables in your luggage as they think you might try to strangle the pilot with them!) acoustic guitar stand and a sturdy music stand for my lyrics. I like to play sitting down so a high bar stool without arms would be best if you can get one.
DESCRIBE YOUR SPACE: In the form below you will be asked to describe the space you have planned for the show. This helps give me an idea of what sort of show it will be and how many people you are thinking of having attend. Every show is different. Some people rent out a small pub, or a restaurant. Some rent out a small acoustic concert venue. Some have summer parties in their back garden and some just use their living room. I’ve played in castles, barns and wine cellars and they’ve all been fun!
SET LIST: I like to change up my set lists as much as possible to make each show a little unique. The best way to do that is to plan some of it out with you, the host, making sure that you get to hear your favorites. It’s important to know, however, that for certain songs I need to play in a different tuning and might, therefor, require you to get hold of a 2nd acoustic guitar (decent model and make, please. I prefer Taylor, Yamaha or Takamine but there are plenty of good ones) with a new set of strings on it that I can switch to for those songs. It takes too long to retune during a show and I can’t fly with more than one instrument.
FOOD: It’s certainly not required that you feed me but some people do ask so I’ll just let you know that I am mostly vegan. No meat, no dairy, no eggs. I do eat fish. Sometimes this is troublesome for people but don’t worry, we can talk about that further on down the line if need be. And rest assured, I’m not preachy about it. I don’t tell other people what they should or shouldn’t eat. This is just my thing.
CANCELLATIONS: It’s unfortunate, but they sometimes do happen. If I have to cancel, any deposit you have sent will be fully refunded. If you have to cancel and there is plenty of time before the show and no flights have been paid for, then a full refund is no problem. If you cancel with less than 30 days before the agreed date, I may need to charge for any loss or outlay on my part as it would be too late to book another show on your date. As with most of this, it’s not written in stone and sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. We’ll work something out.
SOME IDEAS FOR YOU: There are all sorts of ways that people present their private shows. Some people put on a buffet and bar and charge an entry fee to help with the costs. Some have included tip jars for myself, (not necessary), or charitable causes, (better). Some folks just pay for the whole thing and invite their friends. Some parties have a theme, some are outdoor barbecues, some are for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations or just because.
***House Concerts must remain private and not put on public sale. You can sell tickets to cover your expenses to friends, family & your general circle but you can not advertise your event publicly, say on social media for example. House concerts can not be just open to all to attend, it must be by your invitation only****
Over the last few years these house concerts have proven to be some of the most enjoyable and personal experiences of my life and I’ve made new friends all over the world because of them. I’m very much looking forward to us creating a touch of musical magic in your house!
IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING,
“WHAT’S A HOUSE CONCERT?”
The quick low-down:
A house concert is a concert hosted in a private space (a house, apartment or community room are all common venues) as opposed to being held in a normal public venue (a bar or coffeehouse). Beyond that broad distinction, there are no hard rules for what constitutes a house concert. These events are fun, memorable and a growing national trend. American Airlines and CNN have both done stories about it. Curious to learn more?
Watch this short video some people use to promote these great events to their friends: You’re Invited to a House Concert
We love to create music in an intimate environment for you and your friends, so please contact us if you are interested in learning more. We can compare calendars and decide when BettySoo can be in your area.
How much does it cost? As little or as much as you are comfortable.
Where?
Depending on the available space (and comfort level of the host), house concerts vary quite a bit in size and scope, from a dozen people in a small living room, 30 people in a Yoga studio, 50 people in a basement, or 250 people in a large backyard. 40 people in a medium-to-large living room is about average.
You do want to make sure there is adequate seating for your guests – whether that means gathering all the chairs from around your house, renting or buying folding chairs, or asking guests to bring lawn or folding chairs, cushions and blankets.
What do you do?
Often, house concerts are BYOB and involve a pot-luck dinner or hors d’oeuvres. There is usually 30-60 minutes between when doors open and when the music starts. This allows for quick catching up with friends, noshing, and pouring + sipping of wine!
When there is a critical mass in attendance, or when Start Time rolls around, the concert commences. The host usually gathers everyone, introduces the artist, and delivers the message that this is a focused listening experience, not a party with background music.
The concert
The music, especially with solo artists, is sometimes completely acoustic: unplugged and unamplified. (Personally, I always like to have a microphone to make sure my voice is heard over my guitar, but some singers don’t have an issue belting over instruments.)
Depending on the space, once you start getting bigger than about 20 or 25 people, you should probably think about having a small PA system to help supplement the natural acoustics. This is especially true for duos or groups, as certain instruments (for example, the Dobro is a naturally very loud instrument) can easily overpower vocals or another guitar. Also, some guests may have a hard time discerning lyrics in quieter songs without amplification. You’d be amazed how much sound can be absorbed in a comfy living room – or how an echo-y room can muddle the words! BettySoo happens to be a guitar player who "digs in," so she always prefers to use a PA system, if possible.
BettySoo usually plays two 45-minute sets with a short potty/cookie/refreshment break in the middle. But shorter or longer sets are easily accommodated as well -- for example, one continuous 60 or 90 minute set. She is happy to play whichever of her songs you’d like to hear most (provided she remembers how to play them! Advance notice is required for special requests!).
The Experience
Here’s what is wonderful and unique about house concerts: there’s no vast separation dividing the artist from the audience. Everyone is in the same room together – sharing, listening, connecting. There are certain songs that only work in this sort of setting, as well as a bunch of stories behind the songs artists are only comfortable sharing in this intimate sort of setting.
In general, there’s something very real and tangible and human about the whole set-up that can be very moving and touching, inspiring and invigorating. And that goes for the performers as much as for any listener. Perhaps even more so.
Getting People to Show Up
Enthusiastic word of mouth is by far the most effective way to get folks to come to a house concert you are hosting. Share CDs with your friends, talk up the event and the experience of her quirky humor, and urge folks to visit BettySoo’s website to check out the tunes.
We have plenty of promotional materials available here on this site (photos, quotes, and other stuff – but if putting a flyer together isn’t in your wheelhouse, no problem. Say the word, and we’ll e-mail you something you can use) to help you put together an enticing invitation to send or e-mail to your friends and family and co-workers. If you’re excited about the house concert, spread that excitement among your friends. They’ll be intrigued.
It’s our job to win them over once they’re there — it’s your job to make them curious enough to give the house concert experience a try.
Important: Please make sure, in the promotional process, that your guests understand that this will be a house concert, not a house party that has some music going on in the background.
RSVPs
It’s usually a good idea to have an RSVP system in place to get some idea of how many folks to expect – especially if there’s a second tier of people you’d like to invite. Some folks use Facebook events, Paperless Post, Evite.com, or other invitation sites to keep track of their guest list. Those seem to be pretty good systems.
Unless you’re uncomfortable with it, we will post the house concert date on our website schedule (we do not publish private street addresses unless given permission) and ask that people interested in attending contact the host via e-mail (or your preferred method of contact) for more specific details and to RSVP. This way, you maintain control over to whom you are opening your home and how many people you’re inviting in through your front door.
$ Money Money Money $
Typically, the host collects a suggested donation from the guests, either at the door (upon entry) or during the break. Many house concerts require payment in advance – either at a previous concert, via venmo/paypal, or a check in the mail. This helps when many people reserve a seat but don’t attend -- so the artist is paid even if plans are interrupted at the last minute.
The host and/or artist can’t be expected to fill those seats at the last moment – but they often would have been able to “sell the seats” if they weren’t already reserved. The suggested amount ranges from between $15 to $50 per person, with $20-$30 being pretty typical. We tend to leave it up to the host (since you know the invitee list and the local market) to know much is an appropriate amount to ask of the concert attendees.
We will never begrudge any guests who are unable, or choose not to, contribute. We know that at times, it seems it will be awkward to be explicit about money with your guests, but we’ve found it’s best to just be as up-front and clear as possible from the start – everyone seems to receive it just fine. It is actually much less awkward when guests know what to expect from the start.
For instance, state from the beginning (in invitations, etc.) that there’s an expectation money will be involved in a more formal way than “passing the hat to help pay for gas.” Having the money basket at the door is a good idea, and it actually seems to make things less awkward. I’ve performed at several concerts where children or young adults were put in charge of collecting donations – this seems to ease the tension, and from what I’ve seen, they have fun doing it.
We generally ask for a $500 minimum versus 100% of the donations for BettySoo doing a solo house concert – especially if travel or risk of loss of income is involved. In any case, it’s a really good idea to discuss with us if you think the attendance will be fewer than 15 people, as that may help us to decide what other gigs we may or may not need to accept on that leg of a tour. Yes, we know hosting is a labor of love; we've been on the other end of this relationship and think it's well worth it!
IF/WHEN YOU RECEIVE A CONTRACT from an agent, please don’t be intimidated! Many artists have one standard contract that goes to all venues and/or hosts, whether the show is at a festival, an opera house...or in a living room. Don’t be afraid to call or e-mail back, saying, “I’m happy to provide this part of the hospitality but not this other… or I don’t think I can provide these particular items on the technical rider…” etc. The contract is just a starting point for negotiation and to let a venue know what an artist’s normal expectations are. It may seem demanding, but we’re often flexible on many points!
Thanks!
Thank you for considering hosting a house concert. Whether you’re still interested (or not) or able to host one, we highly recommend that you keep your eyes open for house concerts of your favorite artists. Go attend some of them! We think you’ll enjoy the experience.