Arts
Barn
Music
House Concerts and Home Music Studio
What is a House Concert?
3If you have never been to a House Concert, you are missing out on a great musical experience! It is a chance to meet and hear performers up close and personal in a warm, intimate space. A House Concert is an invitation-only music performance in someone’s home, attended by the host’s friends and neighbors, and on occasion, fans of the artist(s) performing. It is NOT a business, and hosts do not profit from the event. Traditionally, artists are paid by a suggested donation requested of each guest.
I host house concerts because I love music, especially acoustic guitar music, and I want to share that joy of music with others. It gives me great pleasure to see a room full of folks captivated by music and enjoying themselves and each other’s company. This is also a very important way to help support independent artists and to give them another avenue to introduce new music and to make new fans.
FAQs:
Q. How do I find out about upcoming concerts?
A. Click here to see upcoming events!
Come back here often to check out what is coming up. I also provide an emailing list. If you would like to be on that list, please click here.
Q. Are these concerts free?
A. Yes, they are technically free and you do not have to pay anything to attend, but a suggested donation (usually 30.00 per guest) is requested. You are welcome to contribute what you can. 100% of the money collected goes directly to the artist(s) in support of their work.
Q. Is this a public event?
A. No. This is a private event by invitation only. You must request a reservation to attend. Click here to make a reservation.
Q. Where are you located?
A. We are located in the historic district in the Town of Herndon. Directions will be provided in your reservation confirmation.
Q. How long is the House Concert?
A. Most House Concerts generally consist of two 45 minute sets with an intermission.
Q. Is there food and/or drink available?
A. I do provide a complimentary selection of beers, wine and bottled water. I also provide some lite snacks. Guests are welcome to bring their own beverages and are encouraged to bring a dish of something savory or sweet to share during the break.
Q. Is the House Concert handicap accessible?
A. Unfortunately it is not. The House Concerts are held on the second floor of the barn and you must be able to climb stairs for access.
Q. Where do I park?
A. Parking is available on Center St., a half block from the barn and the municipal parking lot on Station St., a block and a half from the barn.
***Unlike going to a bar or a party, this is a “listening event” and guests are requested to silence their phones and refrain from talking with their seatmates during the performance. You are welcome to come early and stay after the concert to mix and mingle and there will be an intermission between sets.
***This is a smoke-free environment. Please respect my request not to smoke or vape inside OR outside the barn!
friday, dec 13, 7:00 pm
SORRY! FULL HOUSE
***WAITLIST ONLY***
Hiroya Tsukamoto
Hiroya was recently featured in the January/February 2024 edition of Acoustic Guitar. This is a return visit to the Artsbarn by this one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan.
He began playing the five-string banjo when he was thirteen, and took up the guitar shortly after. In 2000, Hiroya received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and came to the United States. He formed his own group in Boston “INTEROCEANICO (inter-oceanic)” which consists of unique musicians from different continents including Latin Grammy Colombian singer Marta Gomez. The group released three acclaimed records (“The Other Side of the World”, “Confluencia” and “Where the River Shines”). Hiroya has released three solo albums (“Solo”, “Heartland” and “Places”).
Hiroya has been leading concerts internationally including several appearances at Blue Note(NYC), United Nations and Japanese National Television(NHK). In 2018, Hiroya won 2nd place in International Finger Style Guitar Championship.
sat, Jan 11, 7:00 PM
Sunny@Midnight
As Sunny@Midnight, Jeff Smith and Sherry Stewart’s songs reflect their personalities of combined light and dark shades of comic relief, drama and rhythmic verve. Smith brings the dark stomp and happenstance to Stewart’s lightness of spirit and sensibilities.
Smith is a poetic bluesman, whose lyrics tell stories that evolve through their verses and culminate in choruses that often change perspective. Singing in a honey-drenched Appalachian drawl, multi-instrumentalist Smith lays down a funky kind of “countrybluesfolkpoprockstomp”. His songs have appeared in television shows, such as “Young Sheldon”, “The Young and Restless”, “Army Wives”, and in European TV ad campaigns.
Sherry Stewart is a multiple award winning songwriter who writes songs about people, places and things that have left an impression on her. Themes often evoke nature and leave the listener with a sense of longing heightened by her angelic voice and vocal harmonies. She plays mandolin, guitar, and flute.
Sunny@Midnight’s quintet lineup adds fiddle virtuoso Marcy Cochran (Dead Man’s Hollow) John Werntz (Shenandoah Run) on bass, and Ron Goad (DC area man about town) on percussion. Together, they infuse this music with energy and an emotional intensity that delivers an entertaining and unforgettable musical experience.
Their first Recording together is “Break My Heart’ and is getting airplay across the country.
Sat, Feb 15, 7:00 PM
Old Town Tradition Band
Playing their own blend of Bluegrass, Folk, Blues and Americana Roots music, Old Town Tradition has been entertaining DC area audiences for many years. Old Town Tradition picks their high energy string music with delight. And the singing is pretty darn good too.
John Werntz – bass
Marlo Lewis – mandolin
Evan Sands – banjo
Brian Renzella – guitar
Pam Ferguson – violin