Molly’s House Concerts is a proud member of Folk Alliance International. Our concerts are presented in accordance with FAI’s House Concert PRO agreement, and we are an Official House Concert Presenter of FAI.
As you’ve surely guessed, this concert is hosted in my otherwise private home, so I only provide my address to those who have purchased tickets. It is critical that you RSVP to let me know that you plan to attend (see the How do I reserve my seat? FAQ for details). Space and seating is limited and a correct audience count is necessary.
All the etiquette of visiting a friend’s house should be observed – be polite, don’t disturb the neighbors, and enjoy yourself! We begin with pot luck food (anything from chips & dip to full meals). Please bring something you can eat, particularly if you have dietary restrictions. Cans of soft drinks, coffee and water is available at no charge, otherwise it’s BYOB.
I began hosting house concerts in 2017 after being a live music junkie for years and attending others’ house concerts. I contact musicians, arrange concert dates, collect suggested donations, post shows on my website and Facebook, send e-mails to attendees letting them know of upcoming performances, and provide a welcoming venue for performers (providing equipment, food, and overnight accommodations) and for the audience (providing a venue, chairs, bathroom, and soft drinks). ALL of the money collected goes directly to those playing music.
If you use PayPal, please send your suggested minimum donation of $25 per person to paypal.me/MollyLenz. Send as “friends & family” to avoid PayPal taking a fee from your donation. Donations not sent in this manner will be returned so you can resend them as friends & family. Venmo @Molly-Lenz-8 and Zelle (using the cell phone number below) are also options. RSVP via e-mail at MollysHouseConcerts@gmail.com, or call or text me at 312-479-0627, and note your name, e-mail address, cell phone number and how many people are in your group. I have limited seating and need to know how many people will attend so I don’t oversell the space. Those who show up without RSVPing or without paying first will not be admitted to a sold-out show, although this is rare.
Entrance: Doors open one hour prior to the performance (at 6:00 pm for evening shows). BYOB and pot luck – bring something you can eat. Soft drinks, coffee and water available.
Music: Begins at 7:00 (Sunday shows begin earlier), and you’ll probably be on your way home two hours later. Our concerts have a suggested minimum donation of $25 to show some love to our musicians. Send your donation in advance to reserve your seat(s) – see individual performance pages to do this. Merch will be available at the show. Every penny received goes directly to the performers.
Molly’s House Concerts is in Lincolnwood, IL. Take the Edens (I94) to Touhy Eastbound, or take Lincoln Avenue to Pratt. Specific street address will be provided when you reserve your seat. If you have any questions, please call or text me at 312-479-0627.
Other FYI notes
Concerts are held in my basement, down 9-12 stairs, or in my back yard, weather permitting. Ice, soft drinks, coffee and a bathroom are available. You’re welcome to BYOB. You will be admitted one hour prior to show time (6:00 pm for 7:00 pm shows) – prior to that time, the musician(s) will be setting up/performing a sound check.
We begin with pot luck food. Please bring something you would like to/be able to eat. Depending on those attending, you may find chips, dips & desserts or full meals, buffet style. Some items are vegan or vegetarian, some are “meatatarian”.
The focus at house concerts is, of course, on the music. If you arrive late or must leave early, please do so quietly, so as not to disturb those enjoying the music. Random comments are fine; for longer conversations, please move to the driveway or street in front of the house during the musicians’ sets, or wait until after the set ends.
Be respectful of my neighbors. There’s plenty of street parking. Don’t block anyone’s driveway and don’t be noisy, particularly when leaving. Smoking is not permitted in the house. An ashtray is available outside for smokers – please don’t leave your butts in my driveway or street.