datamusicata

These are, I believe, the ten most important things for you to remember when you are a house guest. This especially includes when you are the performer at a house concert as well; because when you do a house concert you are frequently also a guest for the night.

1. Keep the host in the loop. Call in advance, let them know when you are coming. If you are going to be late, or early, let them know. Don’t leave them hanging. And keep your word. Arrive when you say you will.
2. If you have dietary needs; if you are diabetic; if you are allergic; whatever, let them know.
3. Arrive with everything you need and something for them; a gift, a bottle of wine, something. If you need batteries or strings, a strap, bridge pins, music, whatever, have it with you when you arrive so no one needs to go looking for; shopping for; racing like a maniac for whatever you forgot.
4. If you require time to yourself before the gig (as I always do) let them know that you require that. If you don’t want to be disturbed before the performance, let them know that. If you like to mingle before the gig, let them know that. Let them know your personal, psychological and/or performance needs in advance, so that they can accommodate them and be prepared for them before you arrive.
5. Do an inventory before you leave for the gig. Do the same inventory when you arrive. Know how many different things you carried in. And if someone helps you, only let them do so after you have put everything together for the trip from or to the car. This way you don’t forget anything and you don’t leave anything behind.
6. Once there, keep everything consolidated. The easiest way to leave something behind is to have it in another room, another place. Always put everything back when you use it. This includes their things as well. And if you keep all your things in a small consolidated space, you impose less on your hosts space.
7. Respect their space and their property. No muddy boots on the kitchen table. Inquire as to whether you are supposed to take off your shoes when you are in their home. Some folks don’t care. But always ask. Be considerate of them as people and as hosts. Imagine how you ‘d like to be treated by your guests and surpass that.
8. Be neat and clean. Your socks on their bannister, your toothbrush out, your used toothpaste in a glob in the sink is not cool. Be like the indians and leave no footprint, and never bring a sleepover date.
9. Gather your towels, strip your bed, put everything in a little pile and find out where the laundry room is. Put all your used linens there. Simply make it as easy as you possibly can for them to have you as a guest in their home.
10. Thank them for having you when you arrive. Thank them from the stage for having the concert. Thank them for their hospitality when you say good night. Thank them for all the trouble that they went to on your behalf. And send them a thank you note when you get home. Demonstrate your gratitude and do it sincerely. It is a magnificent gesture they are making by having you perform in their home.