The Little Flower House Concert Series Hosts Local Artists
Have you ever hosted or considered hosting a concert in your home?
Musical Family Tree board member Kati Loreen Taylor has a special way of spreading Indiana music with her friends and neighbors. Every month she hosts concerts at her home and brings the arts to her Near East Side Indianapolis community. Check out the Little Flower House Concert Series!
There’s a different artist, style, genre, and vibe to every house concert but one thing remains the same, everyone who wants to listen and support live music is welcome. House concerts are all-ages events so families are always welcome to join! Some guests have become regular attendees, many bring their friends, and new guests also join every month to make up a diverse audience of listeners at every house concert.
Kati says, “I started the Little Flower House Concert series over 3 years ago in May of 2019. I host this series because I love live music and I love my friends. I want to support performing artists and share my love of music with everyone. Everyone is welcome and the house concerts are also livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.”
While it might seem odd to attend a concert at a person’s home, the idea is nothing new. House concert hosts are true champions of live performing arts because they welcome people into their home. These intimate house concerts create a concert experience like none other.
There are several house concerts around Indiana. Some other ones you may want to check out include Flying Cat House Concert Series, Redbud Tree House Concert Series, Susie’s Basement, The Switchyard House Show Venue, and more!
An Intimate Setting for Live Music
The Little Flower House Concerts are very welcoming and typically have 30 to 60 guests in attendance. Guests gather in the backyard space which has a deck stage set up in one corner. Many bring their own lawn chairs and blankets but folks are also welcome to use the provided folding chairs. When the weather is cold or rainy, the house concerts are held inside Kati’s house in the living room. Guests have to get cozy but there is plenty of listening space for everyone. The connected dining room and enclosed front porch (which was recently opened up by adding doors to her home) give guests even more room.
While there is food and drink available, these concerts are not parties. Instead, they are a unique community gathering. And, it truly is a listening space. Those who make up the audience are attentive and respectful to the artists who perform.
Creating Experiences for Artists and Audiences
The opportunity for artists to play for this special house concert crowd is unique. Many musicians and groups are hungry for an audience that truly listens and wants to hear what the musicians have to say. Artists who perform at the Little Flower House Concert Series enjoy a safe space to experiment with new ideas with an attentive and appreciative audience. It’s no wonder this house concert series is already fully booked into next year!
Kati says, “My goal in hosing house concerts is to support live local and touring musicians. I want to provide a comfortable, happy experience for my friends and neighbors. I want to share my love of live music with others and enjoy time spent listening together.”
$20 Suggested Donation and All Money Goes to the Artists
No tickets are sold to the Little Flower House Concerts. Instead, the host, Kati, asks that guests RSVP so that she can get an idea of how many will be attending. The events are essentially free with a $20 suggested donation via tip jar or virtual tip jar. At the end of the night, whatever is in the tip jar goes directly to the artist performing. Artists always make money and they have the opportunity to sell merch, interact with guests, and gain new followers.
For Kati Loreen Taylor, while there is a lot involved with hosting a house concert each month it is entirely a labor of love.
Although Kati hosts the house concerts, she does not make money from these events. She does all of the booking, promotion, communications, cleaning, set up, tear down, providing consumables, and more. Kati says she is grateful for her community of supporters and wants to thank everyone who as donated or volunteered to help at the events.
Currently the Little Flower House Concert Series has one sponsor and is interested in partnering with additional community sponsors. Sponsors who donate understand the value of supporting the arts and bringing live music to Near East Side Indy neighbors. Sponsorship money goes to support the bands and pay for hosting related expenses. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can reach out at littleflowerhouseconcerts@gmail.com for details.
Local Artists Who Have Performed at the Little Flower House Concert Series
Over 50 artists have been hosted at the Little Flower House Concert Series. While some artists who perform are regional or touring, over half of those who perform are local Indiana artists. You can see summaries, photos and livestreams from all of the past house concerts on the website.
Here is a list of some of the local artists who have performed at the Little Flower House Concert Series.
Charlie Ballantine & Jesse Wittman
Chad Mills & Grover Parido
Rob Dixon & Triology
If you’re interested in getting invites or reminders to upcoming Little Flower House Concerts you can join the email list. You can also check the RSVP page of the website for the next concert and get details!
MFT on WQRT Episode #80
If you missed it, you can check out the Musical Family Tree on WQRT archive to listen to an episode hosted by Kati Loreen Taylor, host of the Little Flower House Concert Series. In this episode she features music by some of the artists who have performed at her house.