Our collection of links Get in the House performing artists:
Anne-Marie AkinFreebo *
* These artists appeared on the The Great House Concert Tour
Other links you may want to visit:
Musi-Cal: check out when and where your favorite performers are appearingPollstar: another place to look for schedules of performances
Folkmusic.org: this site includes a database of house concert series
Folkweb.com: an on-line CD store for independent folk and acoustic artists and labels. Over 600 reviewed CDs are presented with song samples.
Acoustic Music.com: a resource for acoustic music venues and performers to help get out the word about what they are doing, where they are playing, etc.
eFolkMusic.com: A great source for legal mp3 downloads (some free) of music by some great folk artists. They explore music in most folk genres, including bluegrass, Celtic, country, Modern Folk, Old-Time, Roots Rock, and Traditional Folk. Sign up for their biweekly newsletter. You can also order CDs from their site.
SongCraft.com: This site offers features artists, information on venues (including house concert venues), an annual song contest, and more.
North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance was created to increase public awareness of the vital artistic and cultural importance of folk music and dance and to create new and better opportunities for all those involved in the performance folk arts.
Yahoo! Directory: House Concerts lists a variety of series, as well as some of the other links featured here.
Publications of interest
Dirty Linen -- and check out their Illinois listingsNo Depression (an excellent "alt country" [whatever that is] bimonthly magazine)
Performing Songwriter (what the performers read about their craft)
Pure Music (This internet magazine covers several artists each month, offers audioclips, reviews, and links. There is even a reminder service to let you know when a new issue is available online).
Sing Out! The Folk Song Magazine -- a quarterly journal which includes complete lead sheets for 20 or more traditional and contemporary folk songs, feature articles and interviews, tons of recording and book reviews, a comprehensive and current folk festival listing, and more.
Folk Festivals
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (held annually in Hillsdale, NY in late July at Dodd's Farm in the Berkshires. Ppast performers have included Greg Brown, Eddie from Ohio, George Marshall with Wild Asparagus, The Clayfoot Strutters, and Tracy Grammer.)Kerrville Folk Festival (an annual fest in Kerrville, TX late May to early June. Past festivals have offered performances by Richard Shindell, Dardin Smith, Bill Morrissey, Sally Fingerett, James Kellaghan, Richie Havens, Slaid Cleaves, Kathy Mattea, Tish Hinohosa, David Wilcox, Peter Paul and Mary, Stacey Earle, Ellis Paul, Vance Gilbert, John Gorka, Sarah Hickman, Patty Larkin, The Burns Sisters, Jimmy LaFave, and Ray Wylie Hubbard.)
Newport Folk Festival (held annually in August in Newport, RI. Recent past performers have included Bob Dylan, Shawn Colvin, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Jonatha Brooke, John Gorka, Maura O'Connell, Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem, Arlo Guthrie, Dar Williams, Bruce Cockburn, Natalie MacMaster, The Kennedys, Richard Shindell, Melissa Ferrick, The Waifs, Slaid Cleaves, Rachael Davis, Mark Erelli, Laurie Lewis, Lynn Miles, David Massengill, Alastair Moock, Kris Delmhorst, & Josh Ritter)
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (an annual fest in mid-August in Lyons, CO. Past lineups have included Greg Brown, Vance Gilbert, Todd Snider, Dan Sheridan, Norah Jones, Patty Griffin, Utah Phillips, Richard Thompson, Indigo Girls, Ellis Paul, Dar Williams, & Christine Kane.)
Telluride Bluegrass Festival (an annual fest in Telluride, CO in June. Past year'ss performers included the Alison Brown Quartet, the Tim O'Brien Band, Susan Tedeschi, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Waifs, the Jerry Douglas Band, Kasey Chambers, Bela Fleck, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Nickel Creek, Alison Krauss & Union Station, and the Sam Bush Band)
Other Chicago area house concert series
Green Note House Concerts Series is a fabulous Chicago-based house concert series that features independent singer/songwriters. They aim to create an environment for frequently sharing great music, developing artists and building community. Some amazing performers have graced the Green Note living room including Edie Carey, Teddy Goldstein, Danya River, Anne Heaton, ellis, Brian Joseph and Brenda Weiler, and many more.This Old House Concerts is a house concert series located in suburban Berwyn in a century-old Prairie Style frame house. Their roster of past performers includes Pierce Pettis, Jeffrey Foucault, Johnsmith, Don Conoscenti, Stephen Fearing, and Rad Lorkovic. As at Get In The House, their performers usually play 'unplugged', without amplification. This series is on a bit of a hiatus. Check their website for more information.
Musical Chairs Concerts, a new house concert seres, based in Elmhurst, IL was started to fill a gap created by a hiatus in the Renaissance series. Their performer roster has included Cosy Sheridan, Ariane Lydon, Tom Dundee, Kat Eggleston, Andrew Calhoun, Connie Caldor, SONiA, Sons of the Never Wrong, Stacie Earle, Xavier Rudd, and several more.
"on the map"™ house concerts in Highland Park, IL, offers a warm and acoustically comfortable music experience for both the artist and audience. What began as an experiment in October of 1999 quickly became something very important to this family. The music and the people have enriched their lives and helped them create a wonderful community of folkie friends. This venue is highlighted by a 13 foot by 8 1/2 foot map of the world that acts as the backdrop for the performer. With a suggested donation of $10 or $12, 35 sells out the house and the performer takes all the door. At intermission, sweet treats brought by concert goers are served. The hosts offer a guest room, meals and transportation as needed for the artist. Past performers include John Gorka, Alice Peacock, Justin Roth, To be added to the on the map mailing list or to seek information, you can email thepsyche at aol.com or telephone 847 926 - 8636.
Denise hosts an irregular series of concerts in Oak Brook, IL. She has recently featured California singer/songwrite Michael McNevin and Milwaukee's Lil' Rev. with Larry Penn. For information on these or other shows in her series, call her at (630) 969-4602.
Molly's Place (house concerts in Mokena, IL -- south of Interstate 80, 40+ miles from the Andersonville neighborhood home of Get In The House). Her website tells you who is next on her calendar of performers. Molly has offered house concerts for over ten years! She has featured artists such as Bonnie Koloc, Bill Staines, Anne Hills, Kat Eggleston, James Keelaghan, Michael Smith, Small Potatoes, Sons of the Never Wrong, and many more.
Other Chicago area concert venues which regularly book acoustic/folk artists:
The Old Town School of Folk Music -- a Chicago institution. Founded in 1957, the school has taught thousands how to play music and is renowned for its concert series in its wonderful new auditorium where no one is more than 46 feet from the stage. The school now teaches 3,500 students each week and hosts over 30,000 concert-goers annually. Become a member and get discounts on concert tix and classes.Schubas Tavern: This Lakeview club has one of the premiere listening rooms in Chicago. They present a diverse line-up of live music eery night, including acoustic/singer-singwriter performers (past performers include Ellis Paul, Kate Campbell, Susan Werner, Lynne Miles, Dave and Tracy, Peter Mulvey, Carrie Newcomer, Cheryl Wheeler, Patty Larkin, Lucy Kaplansky, Anne Heaton, and Dar Williams). You can get on their mailing list and buy tickets on-line. Their Harmony Grill offers discounts for post-concert dinners. And now the music room is a non-smoking venue!
Fitzgerald's, Berwyn, IL: This club offers a diverse asortment of performers, including singer-songwriters in the mix (past performers have included Rosanne Cash, Kate Campbell, Cheryl Wheeler, Robbie Fulks, Tish Hinojosa, Cheryl Wheeler, Joe Ely, Susan Werner, Mark Erelli, Patty Griffin, and Sara Hickman). You can get on their mailing list on their website and check out their concert schedule.
The Hideout: Rolling Stone called it one of Chicago's best bars. The exterior looks like a misplaced Southern bayou juke-joint. They offer a truly diverse mix of music and include some folk artists in the mix for their alt-country hipster crowd.
Uncommon Ground: New City readers rated this one of the best coffeehouses in the city.Waterbug Record'sAndrew Calhoun calls it "Chicago's Best Acoustic Listening Room" (he obviously has not been to a Get In The House concert). A variety of artists have performed here, such as Anne O'Meara Heaton, Kat Eggleston, Christopher Williams, Stacey Earle, Ellen Rosner, Alice Peacock, Sons of the Never Wrong, Don Conoscenti, Rose Polenzani, Kris Delmhorst, Upsy Daisy, and a host of local aspiring musicians. You can also have a tasty meal here.Call for reservations for dinner if you want a seat for the performance.
Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. bills itself as the premier Lincoln Park nightspot. They usually have excellent sound in this 750-seat venue. Oddly, they lack a schedule of shows on their website, but check weekly ads in the Reader for upcoming shows. They book a wide mix of acts, including singer-songwriters such as Patty Griffin, Dar Williams, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Rosanne Cash, Rufus Wainwright, Patty Larkin, Richard Thompson, Jonatha Brooke, Suzanne Vega, Martin Sexton, and Catie Curtis. Note - their drinks are quite expensive!
The Vic Theatre, 3145 North Sheffield, offers a wide mix of artists with the occassional folk or acoustic artist tossed in for your listening enjoyment. They have hosted Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Joan Armatrading, Nanci Griffith, Bruce Hornsby, Beth Orton, Holly Near, Willy Porter, Dar Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krause, and more. Check out their website. The theater was built in 1912 as a vaudeville house and is still quite beautiful with great acoustics.
Martyrs' is a restaurant/bar. They feature live music almost every night -- with a mix of Irish (traditional Irish every Monday night), folk, jazz, and more. Please note, all shows are 21+.
Ravinia Festival: A wide range of classical and contemporary artists -- usually including some folk/acoustic favorites. Sit on the lawn for cheap or buy pavillion seats so you can actually watch the performers. Watch for next summer's schedule in the spring.
Acoustic Renaissance Concert Series: Their concerts are held at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale and annually offer several artists. Members of the ARC get a discount on tickets and preferred seating. This series regularly sells out. Past performners have included SONiA, Mark Dvorak, Joel Mabus, Kat Eggleston & Kate MacLeod, Lee Murdock, Judith-Kate Friedman, and David Francey. Season tickets get you one concert free and are discounted to seniors and student. Season ticket holders also have preferred seating locations (i.e., down front!).
No Exit Cafe, one of the Chicago area's oldest coffeehouses (it started in 1958), is located at 6970 N. Glenwood. It has had multiple owners and addresses, and even was closed for a short while -- but it's back! Check the Reader or New City for upcoming performers or check out their website (which may or may not be current). They feature a variety of artists (including Kris Delmhorst and Mark Erelli). Phone: (773)528-2241
Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss Street in Downers Grove, IL has live folk music every Friday night. Their schedule offers such artists as Jeffert Foucault, Victoria Parks, Eric Lugosch, Dona and Dan Benkert, Dennis Johnson and Duane Larson, Joe Jencks, Sunnyside Up, Linda M. Smith, and Sara Grey. For more information visit their website or call 630-969-9720.
Maple Street Chapel Concert Series is an on-going performance program in Lombard, offered monthly from September through April in an antique, wooden, prairie-gothic church. The performances are folk related but span the musical spectrum from traditional to contemporary, folk-rock to blueswith some bluegrass thrown as well. This year's artists include Annie Gallup, Rick Rickren & Drew Carson, Harmonious Wail, Dennis Warner with Chris McNamara, Tim Grimm, The Teflons, Arranmore, David Massengill, Mustard's Retreat, and Akire Bubar. Tickets are $10 - $15 per person.
Fox Valley Folklore Society sponsors more than 100 folklife events every year in Chicago's western suburbs, including concerts,sing-arounds, old-time community barn dances, storytelling gatherings, open mikes, and Illinois' largest folk festival. Their site offers both folk info and concert listings in the Chicago area, Society contacts and other web links. The site appears to be a bit out of date.
Hogeye Folk Arts, Ltd. is a non-profit organization which sponsors about a dozen folk concerts a year in Evanston. Recent performers included Paul Germia,Tom Dundee, Anne Hills, Susan Trump, Lou & Peter Berryman, Ed Trickett, Isla, Mike Seeger, Mustard's Retreat, Bryan Bowers, Tom Dundee, and Paul Geremia. Tix are only $10! You can subscribe to their email list and get the HFA concert flyer text and periodic reminders.
Lake County Folk Club: This is a group of folk music enthusiasts in Lake County, Illinois. They meet most Sundays at 7 pm at The Greenleaf Grill, 301 Greenleaf St, Park City, Illinois. Either local "folkies" or national touring performers appear (past performances have featured the likes of Garnet Rogers, Dave and Tracy, Robin & Linda Williams, Small Potatoes, Michael Smith, Willy Porter, Sons Of The Never Wrong, Mustard's Retreat, Anne Hills, Tom Dundee, Mark Dvorak, Eddie From Ohio, Kat Eggleston, and Carrie Newcomer ). The Lake County Folk Festival is on the first Sunday in August.
The Masthouse: This Woodstock, IL institution has offered twenty-two years of community singalongs in a private home. They also feature concerts by folk artists. Past performers have included Mark Dvorak, Kat Eggleston, Tom Dundee, and Dan Zahn. For information on monthly singalongs or periodic concerts, check their website or call their hotline (815-338-FOLK).
Since 1985, the Woodstock Folk Festival has brought to McHenry County some of the best musical and storytelling entertainment. This year's season includes Claudia Schmidt; Cooper, Nelson and Early; and Clarke Buehling and the Skirklifters. Their concerts are held at The Corner Room, 303 Hoy Avenue in Woodstock. Check their website for the schedule.
LVD's Concert Hall is on a farm at 54738 CR 43 in Middlebury, IN 46540. Yes, this is a bit of a drive into Indiana's scenic Amish Country but you can hear some amazing artists in a converted pull barn (seats only 130 people). Bring a dessert or snack to share at intermission. For information call (574)825-7785 or email. lvds43@yahoo.com. Provides family-friendly entertainment featuring bluegrass,folk, celtic and blues music by nationally known (e.g, Ralph Stanley, Cheryl Wheeler, Dave & Tracy, Carrie Newcomer, Lucy Kaplansky, Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem, and many more) and local artists.
Singer-Songwriters on the Radio
The Midnight Special: This folk music shows airs weekly in Chicago on WFMT (98.7 FM) on most Saturday nights from 9:00 - midnight. The website offers playlists, information on Folk Stage (which broadcasts live concerts on WFMT on approximately twenty-two Saturdays at year from 8:00 - 9:00) upcoming concerts, and more.The college of DuPage's station, WDCB (90.9 FM), carries Mountain Stage, Folk Festival, Folk Traditions, Folk Sampler, Strictly Bluegrass, E-Town, Wood Songs Old Time Radio Hour, and River City Folk among its many programs. This station can be difficult to pick up in some parts of Chicago but is worth the effort or you can listen online.
Northwestern University's WNUR (89.3 FM) airs a weekly folk program on Sundays from 10:00 am - 12:30 p.m. You can listen online to their live streaming with RealPlayer if you can't get the signal where you live. You may also make online requests to hear certain artists or songs on the Folk Show.
The University of Chicago's WHPK, a southside radio station (88.5 FM) broadcasts at only 100 Watts of power so you may have trouble picking it up beyond an eight mile radius of their tower. They offer folk every Monday and Wednesday evening and on riday mornig - country, blues, Irish, Celtic, Old Timey, gospel and more. Check them out online for more information.
RadioBoston.com is dedicated to making the best music and artists of Boston and New England directly available to the music fans of the world via truly interactive medium that allows you to experience the thriving Boston/New England music scene right from your computer. They broadcast live shows from the Boston folk venue Club Passim (6 - 11 pm Central every night) and the alt country music/unplugged alternative club, the Kendall Cafe.
Folkradio.org includes a listing of the top 60 folk airplays, info on FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for people interested in all folk-based music, and more.
House Concert Information
Houseconcerts.com includes information on hosting house concerts, listings of house concert venues, folk festivals, and more.How to Put on the Perfect House Concert: Banjo player Bob Bossin (The Old Folksinger) includes a guide to holding house concerts on his website. It includes his rationale for house concerts, how to find performers, the money issue, promotion, tickets, seating, technical issues, and more.
House Concert FAQ by singer-songerwriter Darryl Purpose covers the why of house concerts, planning, promotion, and production concerns. It is interesting to read this stuff from the performer's viewpoint as to what is important.
Home Made Music's House Concert Guide is directed at performers but has useful ideas for house concert producers as well.
Let's Do A House Concert is Tom Neff's detailed House Concert Guide. It also addresses the why as well as attending, presenting, performing, booking, publicizing, and other key concepts about house concerts.
How to put on a House Concert is a free guide by Steve Gardner that also covers the "why a House Concert?," finding/choosing performers, his House Concert Circuit Idea, costs & payment, booking, structuring shows, publicity, and the goal.
Lowry Olafson's House Concerts page goes through 12 questions about the why's and how to's of house concerts, concluding with information on how to book him (he's a Vancouver-based singer, songwriter, violin & guitar player). His answers are concise and useful to the novice.
Hugh Blumenfeld, host of About.com's Folk Music section offers How to Host a House Concert. He covers hosting, selecting an artist, finding a date, contacting the artist, and financial issues.
The House Concert Mailing List is designed for house concert producers. It is a discussion list of how to mount a house concert, including booking tips, refreshment options, chairs, and includes outdoor concerts and sound requirements. You can read archival postings without subscribing at the website. This is not intended as forum for performers to seek gigs and postings are unlikely to be of interest to casual house concert listeners. If interested in learning the behind-the-scenes work that goes into house concerts so you can give-it-a-go yourself, this list can provide a useful network of support and knowledge.
Other Assorted Links
Music Moz: Concerts and Events: Folk:Based around the Open Directory editing model, MusicMoz aims to be a comprehensive directory of music, built by volunteers around the world, with contributions from the web public.
Google Web Directory: Arts > Music > Concerts and Events > Folk
This area of Google's directory lists a variety of folk music venues.About us / Schedule / Invitations / Reviews / Gallery