House music

The name Underberg House Concerts leaves nothing to the imagination. They are concerts in a house owned by Larry and Jean Underberg.

I attended my first one Sunday to see the Canadafest singers -- four Canadian singer/songwriters traveling to South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. I've run stories about the house concerts in the entertainment section before, but I'd never gone to one.

I'll be going to a lot more.

I'm usually a little skittish going into a situation I'm unfamiliar with. Going to a concert in a bar or club, I know what to expect. Going to a concert in a house seemed awkward. It's not, as I was delighted to discover.

Walking up to the house, I could hear a woman singing. The door was cracked and when I pushed it open I spooked a gray cat making its way to the musicians.

People sat in a sunken living room area and in dining room chairs in the "balcony" created by the higher floor level of the entryway and walkway.

The 'Bergs set coasters around the house for whatever beverage people chose to bring. They make coffee and set up a merchandise table in their breakfast nook.

I laughed when I saw the baskets of individually wrapped soap and mini shampoo/conditioner/body wash. Larry and Jean often host the musicians for a night before or after the concerts.

I thought going would be uncomfortable, like crashing an intimate party. Instead, it was one big party with the main focus on the music. An intermission for visiting and time afterward gave us a chance to talk to the featured musician.

Who knew that one of the best concert venues was a living room on Patricia Drive?