Tree House Concerts

Very cool, intimate venue...that is literally someone's house.  I've heard of underground restaurants and even food markets, but this is the first time I'd heard of an underground music venue.

Tickets are purchased online and are "donations" - all proceeds go to the bands, minus the cost of the sound system and chair rentals.

The "stage" is in the bay window area of the front living room.  Chairs are squeezed in (50) to fill the rest of the living room as well as the dining room, which is just behind and one step up.  Then there's some standing room further behind in the kitchen.  They have some crackers and stuff to nosh on, but other than that, it's BYOB and food.

The family of the house as well as their friends put on shows about 4-6 times a year.  The two families' kids are all in attendance, and the vibe is almost like a party your parents had when you were little...but the kids and their friends are encouraged to attend, too.  And yeah, the whole live band thing.  I think that's why the shows are a bit early (doors often open at 6 & shows often start at 7) - that, and probably so that it doesn't disturb the neighbors past 10pm.   The crowd seems to be family friends that all know each other - mixed with people "crashing" to hear the band.  However, everyone new is welcomed like they are friends of friends.  Very interesting atmosphere.

They tend to have mostly indie rock shows, but also include some folk, jazz, Cajun, and bluegrass.  I've bought tickets to 2 Jenny Owen Youngs shows here, and the most recent one was a great show, probably one of the best J.O.Y. shows I've seen.  The atmosphere just made it so neat and intimate, and the sound was surprisingly pretty good.  The only thing that the space prevented me from doing is standing up and dancing (unless I wanted to hang out back in the kitchen) ;).

Have to say, these guys are probably the coolest parents ever.