House Concerts
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As venues have become scarce for concert presentation, more and more music lovers are taking the initiative by presenting concerts in their own homes. See photos of a few house concerts here
To have Jessica Williams play at your house, you need a few basic things; a house large enough to accommodate 35 to 75 or more people (not necessarily your own house... you may also rent a facility); a tuned grand piano in good repair (absolutely no uprights); and enough friends and fans to sign up for an evening of intimate solo piano.
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| Above, Frank Hanny has many soirees - house concerts - in San Francisco, and Jessica Williams is a regular guest. How to make it happen here | Above, Jessica in Des Moines, Iowa, with Abe Goldstein on his 50th Birthday. Abe rented the Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University, and Jessica filled it. How to make it happen here |
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| Above: Jessica played a house concert in Los Angeles, CA, for Ralph Ehrenphreis. How to make it happen below... | |
How to put on a house concert
Also see the house concert web site
Have a nice piano and a living room that can accommodate 35 or more people? Some choose to serve cheese and French bread, have friends do a "pot-luck", make some coffee, suggest a 'donation' of $50, $75 or more per person. Jessica's fee will vary in different areas.
If Jessica is coming to your area, she may be able to stay an extra day and perform. The bigger the living room, the better. She has even gone on the road just for one "stand-alone" house concert sponsored by a friend of the music. These individuals usually pay out of pocket, and present the concert free to their friends.
House too small? No piano? Is there a church, community center, or hall in your neighborhood that is amenable to presenting a cultural event? Is there a college or university in your vicinity that has a music department and a reasonable or supportive administrator or department head? Can you supply Jessica or one of her staff members with a phone number or email address? (see also The New Music Initiative)
If you notice that Jessica is performing in your area and you would like to put on a 'soiree', this can work too. If she is already in the neighborhood, it becomes eminently easier to present her in a small, personal, intimate venue.
"Of all the many musical experiences that I've had in almost forty years of performing publicly, house concerts and privately presented venues (churches, community centers, etc) remain the most fun and the best way for me to develop closer, lasting relationships with my fans. We'll discuss how to best make the event happen. It can be an incredible amount of fun, a healing experience that changes the lives of everyone - and the beginning of a wonderful new way of relating to music, art, and the world." - Jessica Williams
Send an e-mail, outline the details; include your phone number and a good time for us to call you.