Remember how entertaining guests at your home with a live orchestra used to be a privilege of the super-wealthy?
Well, in this day and age, now practically anyone can do it!
Got a living room? A backyard, or even a front yard or basement that can comfortably seat at least 10 people?
Do you have at least 10 friends who enjoy live music and supporting artists that create and perform original music?
What's a Mikro Konzert?
(That means "micro concert" in German. Why German when you're a Japanese-American band? Why not?)
Ok, seriously, it's a house concert.
Isn't that the same as having a party with a band playing?
Well, not exactly. A party with a band playing is just what it sounds like, i.e., the band is part of the background ambiance for the party, and typically plays popular favorites, or "cover tunes", and is paid directly by the host, typically a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. In a house concert, the music is the main focus, and it's a special opportunity to experience original live music in an intimate, private setting in which you and your friends who share your enjoyment of live music can interact directly with the creators and performers while supporting them. In the case of a modern-day house concert, the musicians are typically compensated by concert attendees purchasing tickets or offering a "recommended donation", usually around $15-$20, and purchasing CDs or "merch" from the band, so much less financial burden on the host.
Why a Mikro Konzert?
Plenty of reasons! Proper concert halls are very difficult to get into until an independent artist is very well established, and most informal music venues are not all that conducive to the performance of live music. Do you really enjoy having to drive off to Wherever Venue, scrum (and often pay) for parking, pay for drinks, cover charge, babysitter, etc., to listen to your favorite band playing through a less-than-high-quality sound system and having to compete with vociferous drunks, platter-clatter and other distractions like a TV showing a sports event? Neither do we.
House concerts directly support the artist economically, and performing for a community of friends in an intimate space is an especially satisfying experience.
When to host a Mikro Konzert? That's one of the nicest things about it: you can host your concert at a time that works best for you and your friends! If 3:00 PM on Sunday afternoon is the best time for you, then it's the best time for us.
Let's face it, do those of you with demanding jobs and/or family responsibilities really want to go traipsing off to Whatever Bar at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday night to see your favorite band?
How to host a Mikro Konzert?
There's plenty of room for creative license in how you stage your concert!
First, survey your friends/colleagues/etc. to see if you can find at least ten of them interested and willing to commit to this, and also sort out a mutually convenient date and time, whether/how to do food, i.e., pot luck, high tea, sit-down dinner after the show, everyone order take-out, etc. Then contact us to reserve the date by sending an email to bookings@panacheorchestra.com or calling Brenda K at 323-532-1167.
The Panache Orchestra is a legally licensed California business and we are able to accept payment for tickets via PayPal through our website. We can send you a link to a hidden page on our site that will be created especially for your concert for you to email to your friends who wish to attend that will have all the information, such as date/time, location/map, ticket remittance information, and other relevant details. This eliminates or greatly reduces awkwardness of no-shows, forgetting to bring cash, potential liability for the appearance of running an unlicensed business, etc.
Guests can even participate in the process of creating our set list by selecting pieces from our "menu"! Click the icon to the right →
Watch a video from a house concert in San Diego on March 26, 2011....
How about a theme?
Peaceful and Relaxing...
Potential team effort with an aromatherapy practitioner, massage therapist, etc.
With a Cultural Flair?
Hosting an foreign exchange student? Great for an international pot luck or teaming up with a caterer who does "ethnic" cuisine.
Host a collaborative event with a visual artist, jeweler, fashion designer? The sky's the limit - it's your space - remix it however you want!
How about a Kitty Konzert?
Seriously! Got a bunch of friends who love cats and music? Have everyone bring their cats to the concert (as long as they are healthy and reasonably well-socialized) and favorite kitty treats to share! We can bring a couple Panache cats along, and even contribute 50% of ticket proceeds and CD/merch sales to the host's favorite kitty cause. If anyone's daft enough to try this, we're in!
