How to be an AWESOME "Still Here Dancing" 2019 Host
Here are answers to some of the most popular questions we receive from interested "Still Here Dancing" hosts. We hope they'll help you know what to expect and how to create an amazing concert experience in your home!!
We encourage you to read the below list thoroughly.
What exactly is a "Still Here Dancing" Concert?
In 2019 we will be bringing Rhyme & Reason to different homes of fans all over the country, furthering Rob's mission to connect with listeners and his belief that the world is shaped by the power of small communities. Rob Messina & Jimmy Farkas will literally show up at your front door, hang in your living room, and perform a private concert for your friends, family, neighbors, and local Rhyme & Reason fans.
What kind of atmosphere is needed?
For the most part, house concerts are very intimate events, most powerful when your audience is tuned in and comfortable. It is an opportunity for audience members to request songs, ask questions, and hear some of the stories and history behind the music.
As a host, you play a huge role in creating this environment making sure your audience is comfortable, welcome, and encouraged to immerse in a night of music together.
Do I need to have a lot of space?
We request enough room to have at least 40 people attending your show. You’d be surprised at how many people you can comfortably fit into an area when creative about moving furniture and finding a nice, visible performance area for Rhyme & Reason. It’s great if you can provide seating for everyone, but people have been known to have their audience bring chairs and even sit on the floor, steps, or stand on the sides when necessary. We will work with you on your limitations and figure out a way to make it work.
How big is Rhyme & Reason's set up?
Rhyme & Reason doesn’t take up too much room. It’s just Rob & Jim and two guitars and a small speaker system. plan for a 5’x5’ space, and don’t be afraid to bring the audience in close!
Do I need to sell tickets or is this a free show?
This is not a free show. Hosts DO NOT need to by tickets to their own concert, but as a host you will be agreeing to sell tickets to your friends, extended family members, community and our local Rhyme & Reason, (DMB) fans for $25 a person. We will provide an online ticket sale link for you to provide your guests. This will allow your friends/family to purchase their tickets in advance using a credit card. We will update you with your ticket sales, and provide you with a list of names for everyone who has purchased tickets. Once we reach the agreed upon number of tickets sold, we will mark your show as sold out, and will stop selling tickets to your event. You are also welcome to collect cash or checks for tickets day of show if there is still room in your house. All money you collect will be given to Rob Messina of Rhyme & Reason prior to the start of the show. If some of your guests require financial assistance we are happy to provide discounts and even free tickets on a case by case basis. We are happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding pricing and ticket sales voice to voice.
Do I need to invite strangers into my home?
The idea of the house concert is to connect and grow the community that is evolving around Rhyme & Reason's music. With this spirit in mind, we prefer that we can open your show up to the local fan community. This includes listing your show (not your address!) on our website and social media promotions. After tickets are purchased, your preferred contact information or address will be provided. If this is something you really don’t feel comfortable with, we can talk about having you to try to sell out your show through friends, family & your community first. If there are still tickets available 3 weeks prior to your show, we will then ask to open it to the public. Willingness to open up your home to local Rhyme & Reason, DMB fans will factor into our choosing hosts.
How do I promote my event?
The easiest and best way to promote your event is to reach out to your friends, family, and community and let them know how excited you are to be hosting a concert. Give them some information on Rhyme & Reason, what the band has been up to, and why this concert is important to you. Share the music with them! We will provide you materials you can share. (posters, links, downloads, etc). Send emails, make some calls, share the event with your community! We suggest you make a Facebook event and send people the link to all the information through there. You can also communicate with your guests through the event page and get a feel for who is coming. We will be posting your event on our website as well as our social media pages. In addition, there will be email blasts going out to all of our subscribers letting them know about the tour dates.
What do I need to provide for people who are attending?
You do NOT need to provide alcohol or food for your guests, but we have found that successful concerts often involve food and beverage. Many of our hosts do pot-lucks, and have everyone bring something with them to share. Some hosts prefer to provide home cooked meals and appetizers, while others have gone out and picked up a bunch of pizzas! You may only wish to offer simple snacks and drinks, or you may want to offer full meals. It's your night, and we want you to create an experience for your guests that feels good to you!!
What are my responsibilities for the concert itself?
Besides being a host, filling the seats and providing the basic area for the concert, we find that hosts play a tremendously important role in creating a positive listening environment. When you’re guests see you valuing the lyrics and wanting to give your energy to the performance, they will almost always follow suit. We recommend scheduling in time before the show and between sets for you and your guests to catch up and socialize. Especially if you're a person who really cares about everyone having a great time, when it's time for the concert to begin we challenge you to take a break from being a host, find a comfy spot up front, and experience the show as an audience member with everyone else!!
Are children permitted?
TOTALLY up to you. Let us know in advance if you’d like your event to be family oriented or 21+. We are striving for environments in which EVERYONE is comfortable. We have lots of children attending events, and encourage it, however if you’d rather not invite children, that can be fun too!
What’s a typical schedule for the day of a concert?
It all depends on travel and logistics, however a typical show during the week starts around 7PM and goes until about 9PM. Weekends often start around 8PM. The attendees arrive approximately 30-60 minutes prior to the start time depending on when hosts choose to open their doors. Rob & Jim often try to arrive at your home sometime in the late afternoon to help get set up and hang hang for a while before guests arrive. Depending on where the band is coming from, we will work with you on arrival times, etc...
Are there any restrictions on who can host a show?
We are hoping to go to new houses every year. If you have already hosted a show in the past, perhaps you can suggest that one of your friends host this year! The idea is to open this up to as many new people as possible. We love concerts that are larger, and have done over 100 people in certain situations, but a minimum of 40 people is required to host. People also sometimes find creative ways to host their "house" concert at local restaurants, VFW's, barns, you name it!
We cant wait to get on the road this year and meet all of you! Thank you for your continued support!
Cheers!