Homes become intimate concert venues

By Emily Sorensen

Why go out to hear great music, when you can host a concert in your own home?

Poway couple Al and Jacqueline Jax Silva and Scripps Ranch couple John and Kathy Jenkins have opened their homes to both musicians and eager concert attendees for house concerts in an effort to support the San Diego music community.

“We’re trying really hard to build a community in Poway,” said Jacqueline Jax Silva, a professional musician who, along with her husband, Al, held their first house concert in November in the living room of their Poway home.

John and Kathy Jenkins, who are entering their fourth year of holding concerts in their outdoor concert venue in the backyard of their Scripps Ranch home, have a similar goal. Also a musician, John Jenkins said he wanted to support the San Diego music community. “I wanted to support local, full-time San Diego musicians,” said Jenkins. “It’s very difficult to make it [in the music business] unless you make it big. I want to help them out.”

“As a musician, it’s a little tough to go hat in hand and beg for the opportunity to share your music,” said Silva. “[The house concerts] give artists an opportunity to share their music with the community.”

The Silvas’ house concerts begin with a potluck dinner an hour before the concert begins. “I’d been to a few house concerts over the years, and I liked the venues. I liked the potluck setting, because it gives the guests the opportunity to mingle with the artist and fellow music lovers,” said Silva. Jenkins provides a buffet to the performer and the music crew, and encourages his guests to bring beverages and dessert to share.

While both couples charge for their concerts, neither are in it for profit. The ticket costs generally cover expenses for the concerts. “We mostly break even,” said Jenkins. “But last year, we were able to donate $600 to Rady Children’s Hospital [from excess funds the tickets brought it]. [Jenkins’] goal is to give any profit to charity.”

Silva’s living room venue can seat 35 guests comfortably, with overflow space in an adjoining room, while Jenkins’ outdoor concert venue can potentially seat up to 200 people.

Due to the outdoor venue, Jenkins said they hold their concerts between April and October. Usually, they host five concerts, and performers in this concert season include Gregory Page, Coco and Lafe, Carly Ritter, Berkley Hart, Eve Selis and Marc Twang, and Michael Tiernan. Tickets for concerts at Villa Jenkins House Concerts are usually $25.

The Silvas’ recent February concert, which featured Harold Payne, was the couple’s third. Their next concert, in March, will feature a performance from Emmy award-winning singer, songwriter and inspirational speaker Faith Rivera, with Peter Bolland scheduled to perform in June. “Generally, we’ll be having about one concert a month,” said Silva. “I’ve been very fortunate in the quality of artists I’ve been able to bring in.” Tickets are $20, with child tickets $5.

For more information on upcoming house concerts, visit

harmonyplayground.com/index.php/concerts

for information on concerts held by the Silvas, and

www.facebook.com/VillaJenkinsHouseConcerts

for Villa Jenkins House Concerts.