A couple of years ago, Rick decided he would like to host a house concert, featuring a classical guitarist friend. He put out an alert on Facebook and emailed some others. About 30 people came and a tradition was born! Last month he hosted his fourth house concert and again, it was great success.
This time, the "act" was the Grand Rapids Guitar Duo, who performed mostly classical guitar selections along with a jazz arrangement and some original pieces. The members were Brian Morris and Jonathan Marshall.
It was a beautiful, late April day, perfect for music and a reception that would follow.
Here's a sample of the music they performed. (Sorry about the YouTube-inserted ad; just skip it! Not my idea!)
After, we had a reception and fortunately, the weather was perfect so this time we could do it outdoors. We had wine, punch, and lots of treats. I made fruit skewers, cookies and a charcuterie plate; Rick had cheese and bread, and several of our guests brought some wonderful cookies, cakes and macarons to the table.
I hate to say that my favorite part of the afternoon was the reception because that would take away from the music, which was terrific! But I really loved that our guests were able to talk to the musicians -- and for them to speak to those appreciative of their music.
And it was fun for me to see other friends and make new ones!
Among those old friends who attended was my college buddy Bill and his wife, Chris. Bill was part of our "gang" in college and last year was instrumental in helping me find a local printer for my book on my mom's family history! (Who would have imagined, back in those carefree college days!)
Our next house concert will be in the fall -- artist to be announced. If you are in the mid-Michigan area and want to be included on the alert list, let me know! All are welcome. (Events are free, but donations to the musicians are always appreciated!)
(Note: The photos of the concert were taken by guest Gretchen Smith. The badly wiggling video was taken by me. Apologies for the backlighting and shaky camera. This is why my television career was not behind the camera!)
Sharing with: Love Your Creativity / Share Your Style / Friday Face-Off
62 comments:
Too bad I'm too far away to attend. It looks like a lovely friendly music event, just what I like.
...what a fabulous tradition to have. Keep the music playing.
Kudos to all involved. These events should be encouraged and pop up all over the country. What a great antidote to mindless Washington and the endless thumping beat of YMCA.
The house concerts always make me wish I could attend!
A smaller, intimate concert sounds like heaven to me. I'm NOT fond of huge venues and crowds. Also, the socializing with the musicians would be great fun.
This looks like a sweet time. Music like this is rare these days and a home concert-- what a great idea! Those college days were long ago for many of us. Time flies.
What a fun tradition, to host the concerts at home.
The music sounds lovely.
Happy June, have a great day and happy week ahead.
Is so great to have all these good Friends and good musicians, that make a wonderful concert inside home. I am sure that It was fantastic.
And about the notice.of your book, I am Happy to read that younwrote a book. You knows that It is a lot of hard work made daily. I am sure that It is a good story too. Is important to have the correct contacts for to have a good impresión and publication.
Great house concert! I did something similar in 1993. I hosted 2 concerts featuring symphony musicians. Each concert drew 50 guests. 100 total. Unbelievably well received. I haven’t done that again though I host talent shows at my family parties which guests volunteer to participate in. Lots of fun!
Loving this Jeanie and what a very enjoyable experience to have a concert in one’s home, not to mention the camaraderie afterwards while snacking on a very tasty buffet.
This is the one we missed because we were in Detroit--what a loss! Wish we'd been there!
I really appreciate that you all provide this opportunity not only for your guests, but also for the artists you invite. House concerts can be very important to them to get their names out, and also financially. I hosted a couple for storytellers, but our house is so remote we could not get more than a dozen people. It was fun though.
That's really cool, Jeanie! I know everyone enjoyed the evening.
Your friend did really well against the backlight of the widows. Impressive.
How absolutely lovely! I wish I was closer.
Cathy
Beautiful photos, good food and lovely music 🎶 🎵 ❤️
What a wonderful event! And I am glad the weather cooperated so you could be outside for the reception!
What a wonderful event to have. I enjoyed hearing the music, thanks for the video.
This looks lovely. Glad you enjoyed.
Absolutely lovely. It was so nice that the weather cooperated so you could all enjoy some nibbles in the sunshine after listening to wonderful music. If I was in your area I would definitely join you for a fabulous event.
This looks like so much fun, a great opportunity for everyone who attended! Wish I could have been there!
How fun this was! I will have to remember to bring along my guitar when I come to visit you someday! lol
What a wonderful way to blend friendship, music, and community—those house concerts sound like the perfect recipe for lasting memories and new traditions
Jeanie, this is just fabulous! Butch and I would certainly enjoy one of these concerts. The guitarists sound excellent! The reception looks delightful with delicious food! How fun that Rick started this tradition…I love it!
What a lovely tradition for music lovers.
What a fun thing to host. Very, very cool.
That's lovely music. And what a great venue to listen to it. I think Rick has hit on a very good idea. hugs-Erika
Wow I love this-a house concert-I would have loved the music too
This is so wonderful! What a joy for your guests. And what talented musicians. So fabulous all around.
What a lovely idea to host a concert at home! I had never heard of that. I think it's a great idea.
Rick had a wonderful idea. It's a great way to meet new people and catch up with old friends over food and music.
That is such a fun new tradition to have started!
How wonderful that this has turned into a tradition of sorts now. My neighbor use to host a bagpiper every year in the Fall and we would go to his house for an evening of music too. Sadly he passed away last year...but we do have the memories. of those now. Janice
If I were closer, I'd be there for sure. I would enjoy the music, but it would have a hard time beating the sort of receptions you put on!
I’d love to attend your home concert! Makes me think of the salons in Proust’s time or the chamber music in patron’s homes back a couple of centuries. Did they have these delicious goodies after? I wonder.
You two..:) I listened while reading your post.And I love that you still have school friends.Great idea!
It sounds so lovely, I wish I could join you. Such a great thing to organise to gather around music, literature or any interest you have.
love reading about the music events. hope they continue. Music feeds the soul. I can't imagine a life without music. thanks Jeanie for posting.
How fun to host a concert. The talented musicians, the food and the company is amazing. We all need music in our lives.
Very nice idea. My brother in law is a comedy/folk musician who was rather well known in Michigan and the central states. When COVID hit his career essential died. He's leading a quiet life as a gentleman farmer in our neighbourhood now. This would be a great way for him to get back "into the groove" again.
We have had various friends who hosted concerts in their homes over the years, and it’s a great way to connect with music and talented musicians. One musician in the neighborhood even had an extension built to make her space more concert-friendly. Unfortunately we don’t know them well enough to be invited.
Looks like a fun time. Glad it has become a tradition!
That looks like a great event! Such a good idea, and I enjoyed the music! (I didn't even notice the video wiggling because I put it on to play while I scrolled and read.)
How sweet is this! You two are just brilliant. What a great idea and how fun.
I am so glad you have made this a tradition!
What a wonderful way to bring people together through music and friendship! House concerts have such a warm, personal vibe you can feel the joy not just in the music but in the connections made afterward. I especially love that moment when guests get to chat with the musicians; it makes the whole experience feel so real and special. It’s great you’ve kept this tradition going and even found support for your book project along the way. www.melodyjacob.com
what a great idea...the music was lovely!!
What a fantastic initiative - a friend of mine used to do similar gatherings in Brisbane many years ago. So much fun.
Home concerts are the very best. From the YouTube video this one sounds so special. And having new and old friends and wonderful nibbles all makes for a lovely evening. Wish I was closer.
What a great idea! It sounds like such a lovely way to spend some time together.
Hope it continues.
This is wonderful, what a special concert it must have been. I love the idea. Well done!!
Such a lovely event.
Music and friendship a wonderful combination.
All the best Jan
Music, friends and good food.... wonderful!!!!
What a fun event! Lovely faces too.
How delightful! I love house concerts but haven't been to one in many years. If I lived closer, I'd show up at your door, LOL!
How nice to have a house concert. It's not hard to get musicians out to play their music. My brother-in-law even travels to the south every year to get together to play with friends, playing the keyboards and singing....very talented. Your spread looks wonderful, Jeanie. Those grapes look refreshing now that it's getting warmer out. It's nice to meet some old and new friends as well when Rick hosts these house concerts.
~Sheri
What a great event - like a concert in the olden days, where the audience is right there in the middle of the experience . And the food looks fantastic too! Jenny W
Another beautiful event! Listening to music live is so different than hearing it on the radio or Spotify. It really has become tradition at Rick's house, hasn't it? Music and good people together - what a wonderful time everybody must have had. How long do the concerts usually last? An hour?
This is awesome! Such a nice post. The music is fabulous. A nice tradition for sure. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a nice weekend.
I have the follow up to Before the Coffee Gets Cold and hope to read this one before I read mine. Nice series.
I absolutely love this tradition!! Put me on the alert list - it would be a nice event, and maybe I could get away from the boys for a few hours. Lol.
I would love to attend -- or to host! -- something like this. Music, food, and friends, on a small scale: perfect.
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