10 Essences of Healthy Concerts

1. HOUSE CONCERTS - Live Entertainment in the Home environment - a private space briefly opened up to the community in a carefully negotiated way, to facilitate the enjoyment of live performances, arts, talks and demonstrations.

2. HEALTH AND CREATIVITY - Relaxation without addictions. Establishing event conditions that contribute to wellbeing (e.g. alcohol restrictions) - Transformation of consciousness through arts activity and appreciation - The healing power of creative self-expression.

3. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY - Unplugged is often the best and candlelight perfect. Otherwise, high quality, portable and affordable new technology, such as the new line of flash-recorders suitable for location recording, is appropriate for a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.

4. COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION - All Healthy Concerts Network members are given the opportunity to be artistic directors and design their own concerts and programmes, reflecting the talents of the people around them, attributing value to that which is often neglected - a song, poem, picture, idea, activity or art work... even a home-made cake!

5. CHOICE AND DIVERSITY - We can explore different roles within the Healthy Concerts community - be the host, artist, mentor and audience interchangeably. One positive result is that more people are enabled to develop their artistic and creative abilities, at least part of the time.

6. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - Think globally and act locally. Healthy Concerts are designed on a 'small is beautiful' scale - an average of 25 people attending. This supports greater intimacy and communication and is easily replicable, making thousands of living rooms potential venues!

7. SOCIAL INTEGRATION - Hundreds of events in Brighton UK have persuasively demonstrated that Healthy Concerts help to build friendships, relationships and partnerships - even marriage! Scheduling intervals and providing wholesome refreshments is a prerequisite. The Healthy Concerts Network includes people of all ages, sexualities and cultural backgrounds.

8. SMALL BUSINESS NETWORKING - Bring your leaflets and brochures to life by giving a talk or demonstration at a house concert. Artists can introduce their work to a new and unexpected audience! Taster evenings are designed to draw together different and contrasting circles of friends and acquaintances.

9. MEMBERSHIP BASE - This is at the core of what we do. The revenue from membership pays for technical and administrative services AND over and above this, finances the Mentor Partnerships that are necessary to deliver the benefits of Healthy Concerts to those people who are socially or economically disadvantaged.

10. SHARED RESOURCES - In wider society Artists and Bands are generally encouraged to develop their own fan bases and contact lists. The Healthy Concerts Network has a different perspective, encouraging the development of regional email lists that all Artists can benefit from. Our E-newsletter service is the main way of promoting events posted on the website.

JOIN Become a member of the Healthy Concerts Network.