Below is an inexhaustive list of house concerts in the Houston area, compiled by Songbird Sanctuary's host Tom Yeager. If you want to receive concert announcements, contact the venues on this list directly to join their individual e-mail lists. Please tell any of the venues you contact where you learned about them, and by all means, let me or Tom know of any area non-commercial folk music venues or series which are not shown.
Tom Yeager's
Guide to Houston Area
House Concert and Intimate Folk Music Venues
August 2006
OUTLYING VENUES:
CHAPPELL HILL (BRENHAM AREA):
About 65 miles northwest of downtown Houston, Cheryl Duckett welcomes the locals and quite a few Houstonians each month in her FLOWERS IN THE DESERT series, held at various places in the Chappell Hill/Brenham/Burton area, usually on Sundays afternoons. Cheryl has been super busy remodeling her home, and is behind in her booking, but new concerts will undoubtedly materialize. [ www.houseconcerts.com/fitd ] [ music@houseconcerts.com ]
COLLEGE STATION:
This time, it's 100 miles to the northwest. Martha Raney Taylor (aka the Chick in Charge) is in her third year of ROCK PRAIRIE HOUSE CONCERTS. Martha presents folk and Americana's best to Aggieland in a very casual "mi casa es su casa" atmosphere. Highlights of her series have included Warren Hood, Fred Eaglesmith and Slaid Cleaves and her friend Dana Cooper is a series regular. Word among artists is that this is a great venue by all musicians' standards. Folks of every age attend her shows from as far away as Tyler, Lubbock, Austin and Houston, including (well behaved) kids - or as she says, our future musicians. BYOB and a covered dish. Reservations required! [ www.rockprairie.com ]
WOODLANDS:
About 30 miles north of downtown Houston, the Northwood Universal Universalist Society has sponsored MILLBEND COFFEEHOUSE since 1992. Pat Hanna and Teresa Allen conduct one of the best-attended community venues in our area. Its suburban wholesomeness is family friendly from foot to follicle. Coffee and desserts are available as well as snacks for chewing, chosen from cheerful church cherubs unchallenged by their chore. Teresa’s favorite artists speak the progressive hopes for political overthrow, and she is instrumental in bringing those artists to Texas. Many other concerts are just for the music. [ http://www.millbend.org/] [ teresajallen@sbcglobal.net ]
CONROE:
About 45 mile north of downtown Houston, James and Katren Coumbe started PINEY WOODS PERFORMANCES in 2001 and have brought many great performers “to the rug” as they say, there. It’s always acoustic, there are only 26 seats, and they usually host a nationally touring artist of advanced stature, like Rod Picott who just played on August 5. Hayes Carll said a show there “... is what a house concert should be. Relaxed, intimate, and fun. Just a guitar and your songs. It's as real as it gets." [ pineywoods@myway.com ]
PATTISON:
About 45 miles west of downtown Houston, you'll find the very dedicated hosts, Sandy and Janet Buller, at CHOCOLATE BUDDHA HOUSE CONCERT SERIES . A fabulous outdoor stage with professional lights and sound and the estate-like lawns under the giant oaks create an atmosphere like a small festival, but the down-home hosts are pure wipe-your-feet-and-come-on-in. If it rains, you WILL wipe your feet and go on in. Bring your own chair. [ http://www.chocolatebuddha.org ] [ sandy@chocolatebuddha.org ]
LA GRANGE:
And, now, 100 miles west of downtown. THE BUGLE BOY, though technically a commercial establishment, is more so a labor of love listening room of Lane Gosnay and her team of volunteers. In a little more than a year, they have earned their place as an important part of the folk music community in Texas with their three night a week music schedule of area and national folk and pop performers. Houstoners are making easy weekend jaunts centered around The Bugle Boy and a B&B. [ www.thebugleboy.com ]
MISSOURI CITY:
BILLY AND GINGER HUFF have been to all nine Woodie Guthrie Festivals, but since they lived on Oklahoma most of that time, it was the natural thing to do. They appreciate a spectrum of folk music as long as it fits Woody's definition, "good honest music by good honest folks". They've had up to 45 attendees but have room for more. [ billy.huff@gmail.com ]
STAFFORD:
About 25 miles southwest of downtown, THOREAU'S GOOD FOR SOMETHIN' COFFEEHOUSE is sponsored by the Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Most of their past concerts have featured performers of social conscience, held the day before or after the artist’s appearance at Millbend Coffeehouse, the Woodlands UU venue. They seat about 50 people, but with a new building going up, I’m sure they will eventually grow into an family-oriented entertainment anchor for that area. Michael Crouch is the new host for this season. [ michael-crouch@houston.rr.com ]
FRIENDSWOOD:
About 25 southeast of downtown, one of the older house concert venues in our area is TEXAS NIGHTS HOUSE CONCERTS , hosted by Barney and Beverly Goodman on their deck, or inside, if needed. [ www.texasnightsconcerts.com ]
EDNA:
Continuing with the 100 mile theme, this time southwest, we come to JACK AND LURA FAYE MOTLEY'S HOUSE in Edna. They've hosted Terri Hendricks and Lloyd Maines, Eric Schwartz and Billy Jonas, Still on the Hill, and other great performers, sometimes in the hay barn and sometimes by the lake. At Kerrville, last spring, Jack traded dried sausages and held court around his campfires. He’s one of the more relaxed loungers, but when he plays, it’s a song to be seen and a sight to be heard. [ jackmotley@yahoo.com ] [ www.jackmotley.com ]
NEWEST VENUES:
MEYERLAND:
Last spring, at an Emily Kaitz concert in Belton, Sarah Logan happened to mention as a compliment to that eccentric source of side-splitters that Emily’s music would be great to have around the house. Perhaps Sarah meant that she wished to buy a CD - one doesn’t know. But to that laudation, Emily named a June date and added that she’d bring a band in the form of Bruce Jones and the Monotones featuring Eastside Flash to back her up. Such was the birth of SARAH LOGAN’S HOUSE CONCERTS in Meyerland.
That’s not an unusual story, actually. Many of us had to be pushed over the brink to hold our first show, but in reflection, we wonder why. It’s easier than it looks to invite a favorite performer in for an evening to entertain friends and acquaintances. More people should do it. Perhaps you are one. If you need some help or encouragement, just ask.
Sarah’s first show was a fun success, recalling that mantra that Larry Lyons (Texas Firelight Theatre Concerts 2001-2004) used to chant - about folk music being too important to leave to the professionals to host. There were about 20 of attending, but Sarah can fit more than that, so get on her mailing list, especially if you live in the southwest part of town. [ stslogan@yahoo.com ]
SPRING:
A new venue is THIBEAUX HOUSE CONCERTS in Spring. Katherine Thibeaux’s brother-in-law, Michael Terry, is the sovereign of Camp Coho at the Kerrville Folk Festival, as well as the wand wielder of the well-attended weekly folk series, Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, in Dallas. So, it's a good bet that Katherine will have unfettered access to just about any folk performer in the country. About 40 seats will be available. It’s an inside show in the afternoon, and Katherine suggests folks bring snacks to share during intermission. [(281) 251-2475] [ kthibeaux@sbcglobal.net ]
GALLERIA AREA:
Some of the folks at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church had a sweet vision come true in June when they hosted the Dreamsicles to inaugurate their UNITUNES COFFEEHOUSE. Beth Hill and Dan Barfield are the managing hosts for this series held in the church sanctuary. [ www.unitunes.org ] [ bethhill1@mac.com ]
KEMAH AREA:
30 miles southeast of downtown, Gulf and western trop-rock performer, Kelly McGuire recently started his UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL series in a marina restaurant near Kemah. It’s in a private room with theater seating for about 100, and he’s come close to filling it for artists like Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, and Adam Carol, who share the stage with Kelly. [ kelly@redfishisland.com ]
ESTABLISHED HOUSTON VENUES:
DOWNTOWN:
What once was a warehouse for paints and some tints is now used to store large paintings and tenants. Dakota Loft’s third floor is home to BRUCE’S LOFT HOUSE CONCERTS and its host Bruce Poppe. The open floor plan works well for house concert-ing and allows about 40 people to sit in Bruce’s living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedroom all from their same chair (which you should bring yourself, by the way.) If you don’t know, Bruce’s downtown-ness should not give you pause. It’s easy off and on via the McKee exit of I-10 and there is plenty of free parking right there in the shadow of the building. There’s always a potluck before hand, but The Last Concert and Dharma Cafes are a block away for the non-cookers. Bruce books on short notice grabbing those touring folk performers who venture into Texas without a long held Houston engagement or who deserve a secondary date in our area. So read all his emails - they might disclose a rare and last minute opportunity. He’s had many great shows in the last four years, among his favorites, the Prince Mishkins. I best loved Jack Williams, Michael McNevin, and Louise Taylor there. Something’ soon, says this sultan. [ brucesloft@yahoo.com ]
DOWNTOWN:
HOUSTON WOMEN'S FESTIVAL will return to Jones Plaza downtown, unless there’s another hurricane on October 21. Knock on knotty pine. There’s a lineup of 10 performers, both rocker-girls and singer songwriters, including Beth Wood, Natalie Zuckerman, Melissa Ferrick, and others. [ www.hwfestival.org ]
MONTROSE:
SONGBIRD SANCTUARY house concerts are hosted by Sara Draper and Tom Yeager, in their turn-of-the-century home in the historic Avondale district of Montrose. Their motto, "Preserving the Songwriters' Art", sums up their mission of delivering to songwriters of acoustic music a discerning audience in an intimate venue in trade for their most heartfelt and creative performances. Almost all concerts are full with 55 attendees, and most are fully reserved well in advance. [ music@songbirdsanctuary.org ]
MONTROSE:
A house concert where you can easily find 100 attendees enjoying the great music, the potluck, the keg party, and the long jams afterwards is JEFF ABRAMS’ HOUSE. Jeff hosts his events irregularly, often as good-cause fundraisers or fun-cause goodraisers. Send him your snail mail address, since he uses postcards to announce his shows. [ Mediator7@aol.com ]
MONTROSE:
DIVA HOUSE CONCERT SERIES starts its second season of feminist-oriented singer-songwriter shows in the Montrose, this fall. Supreme Mega Grand Diva, Deborah Bell is the host. [ thedivadeb@yahoo.com ]
MONTROSE:
The documentary movie about Anderson Fair should be released soon and I can’t wait to relive some of those magical Montrose moments of the 70’s. The Fair, a no smoking, no talking, but a little quiet drinking listening room ranks among the important such establishments in the country. Some artists say it was a good place to get their start. Them some include Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams, and Nanci Griffith. Friendly volunteers and clientele now give the place a laid-back, quiet, near living room-like atmosphere, unusual for a commercial club. [ www.andersonfair.com ]
Since 1998, Anderson Fair has also served as the home venue for Ken Gaines’ Songwriters Nights where Ken shares the stage with one touring performer, one local performer, and one Wayne Wilkerson on about half of the Thursday nights. There’s always interesting interaction among the artists. We hard-core listeners shouldn't dominate the audience, so get 10 of your friends, and contact Ken. [ kengaines@charter.net ]
HEIGHTS:
Mary Scott Hagle and Daniel Kornberg finally settled on a name for their series that has made many musical nights in the Heights for a few years. CORTLANDT STREET HOUSE CONCERTS is in their beautiful 1904 Victorian cottage with its newer additions that include, most importantly, a large open space perfect for hosting concerts for a comfortable audience of 60. Mary Scott usually selects performers from the modern urban pop-folk genre. [ mshagle@gmail.com ]
HEIGHTS:
For years, the Rouse family encampment at the Kerrville Folk Festival has operated as a welcome wagon, retreat, and commissary for the Newfolk finalists. As expected, Deb Rouse and Lindsey Lee will pick artists from the best of those new performers for their series, which was relocated this year from Deb’s parents’ house in Austin. The Houston version of ROUSE HOUSE CONCERTS had a great start at the beginning of the year with a full house for Erik Balkey and a fabulous meal that Deb and Lindsey provided. They have a strong season ahead of them but they do ask us all to bring food to share, from now on. [ rouse_house_concerts@yahoo.com ].
HEIGHTS:
Specializing in traditional and mountain performers is OXFORD HALL, an impressive multi-service center Mike Head built behind his Heights house. He and Alice Bohlae are delightful hosts, especially to the folk dance and clogging communities. Mike hosts monthly English country-dances (with lessons), frequent banjo workshops, and occasional seated concerts. [ michead@sbcglobal.net ]
HEIGHTS:
Betty Shumate will complete her first year of her Flashback Coffeehouse home concerts this fall, but unlike most of us, she didn’t slow down during the summer. Betty hosts a touring writer, occasionally, but her specialty is to fill our need to see Houston’s hometown performers in the best of surroundings, the pleasant, intimate, and interesting atmosphere of an enthusiastic fan’s home. [ bluebonnetpromo@sbcglobal.net ]
MUSEUM DISTRICT:
Perhaps, Houston's most unusual home venue is Mark Larsen's THE ARTERY. I have enjoyed a variety of events in this experimental space, and I have marveled as this art eco-system evolved over the past 20 years. Mark no longer lives there, but he continues to offer his treasure arthome and its forested and art-filled grounds for frequent concerts, political events, films, theater, and more. The Houston art experience is not complete until you have attended an event at the Artery. [ www.arteryhouston.org ]
WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE:
Bob Pangle continues his habit of over 25 years, selecting the artists for the most important folk music series in our area’s history, the 2ND SATURDAY CONCERT SERIES of the Houston Folklore and Music Society. The society has monthly music sharing meetings, picking parties in members’ homes, and those famous concerts they host in the West University community center. It's all open to the public, but a $15 membership gets you a monthly hardcopy newsletter of stories and listings of everything FOLK going on in town. The season opener is usually a songwriters night. [ www.houstonfolkmusic.org ]
WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE:
Linda Lowe’s WRITERS IN THE ROUND series, another Houston institution now hosting in West University Place will see its 17th season of concerts this year. Dates are undecided but the location will be the WITR headquarters and music school in West U. Some of WITR’s historical highlights include presenting Townes Van Zandt several times, Tom Paxton, Greg Brown, and Darcie Deaville. But don’t forget those Arlo and Loudon concerts. [ lindalowe@witr.org ] [ www.witr.org ]
SPRING BRANCH:
The most intimate concerts in Spring Branch for the past few years have been at little ol’ Lucy’s house, ANDREWS HOUSE CONCERTS. Lucy Nell Andrews has been listening to music a lot longer than most of us and it has kept her young. (Well, young at heart, at least.) Frail of finger and computerless, Lucy uses mail and the telephone to alert her audiences to fill her 25-seat living room. She’s like a night owl on coffee, so if Charlie Rose is still on (or Lenoman - whoever) it's OK to call to give her your contact information. [713-465-9677]
SPRING BRANCH:
HABITAT HOUSE CONCERTS is a beautiful outdoor urban wildscape venue hosted by Selia Qynn. [ www.selia.com ] [ selia@selia.com ]
SPRING BRANCH:
HARMONY OAKS has an outdoor stage under large trees. Saylor White hosts mostly local performers to about 40 attendees. [ www.saylorwhite.com ]
THIRD WARD:
Don Derouin, a rocket scientist, by occupation but a community organizer by heart uses his outdoor concerts as a social tool, a gathering of the neighborhood, and a jubilation of cooperative spirit. While many hosts are elated if a single neighbor comes to their concerts, Don’s shows are a focus for nearly all the residents of all ages for blocks around. Sometimes the music is by a touring singer songwriter, but these days about half of his shows are of unknown gems, promising musicians right from his 'hood. Whatever the music is, expect to see young kids jumping off their bikes and running to the fire, grabbing a weenie and jamming it on a stick to roast. Expect to see an elderly toothless grin or two. And expect everything in between. Just don’t expect it to be like the homogenous sterile-by-comparison house concerts that you are used to.
Don’s home is not unlike the shotgun shacks and four-room bungalows typical of his Third Ward neighborhood. His yard may contain a little more art than some, but less for sure than in neighbor Cleveland Turner’s yard. Cleveland, the Flower Man, is an accidental and for-self folk artist - the real kind. This well-known character-about-town thrives in life, legend, and song. Kelly Mulholland and Donna Stjerna of Still on the Hill met Cleveland when they played at Don’s house in 2003 and they were inspired to write one of their most touching modern ballads called “Flowerman”, of course. The next year Kelly and Donna presented to Cleveland that song which celebrates his remarkable attitude and the close-knit neighborhood that takes care of but also preys on itself.
Again, don’t expect the norm, but if you want a hint of what a real neighborhood is like, one where everyone knows each other and every night is Neighbors Night Out, then contact Don about his unnamed events that are Don's gift to his neighborhood. [ donhouston@yahoo.com ]
OTHER RESOURCES:
For a comprehensive weekly email list of musical events concentrating on folk and bluegrass music, ask Rick Gardner to be added to his Pick and Swing list. [ pickandswing@aol.com ]
For a comprehensive monthly hardcopy list of folk music events, and more, join the Houston Folklore and Music Society. [ www.houstonfolkmusic.org ]