Russ & Julie's House Concerts

UPCOMING HOUSE CONCERTS
(Links go to the performers' websites.)

Saturday, April 5, 2025, 8pm
Kray Van Kirk

Suggested Donation: $25 per person

A fine finger-style guitarist with a precise baritone, Kray Van Kirk has a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, but he set science aside to write songs, tell stories and summon heroes. "We are driven by myth and the seasons of the heart," he says, "and the stories are all true. There is a dark cave inside each of us, and monsters of all kinds lurk there, all the more lethal for being hidden. The quest is to journey inside, render the monsters powerless, find whatever it is that burns at the core of your soul and bring it back into the light. In a world divided, it is critical to write songs and tell stories that show absolutely everyone they get to be the hero. Nobody is left behind."

Of this charming, Quixotic, and decidedly eclectic performer, the Borderline Folk Club in New York wrote “it is what every singer-songwriter should aspire to." The two times we've seen Kray perform, we were blown away by his songwriting and amazing vocals. We're thrilled to be able to present him on our stage. www.krayvankirk.com

Saturday, June 14, 2025, 8pm
Vance Gilbert

Suggested Donation: $25 per person

Vance Gilbert is one of those rare people whose every fiber of his being vibrates with musical talent. 30 years into his career, the songwriter’s influence can be felt all over the contemporary Folk and Americana realm as he has helped pave the way for many of the BIPOC artists who have followed. Vance Gilbert was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. Starting out hoping to be an R&B and jazz singer once at college, there he discovered his affinity for the storytelling sensibilities of the acoustic singer-songwriter thing. Word spread like wildfire about Gilbert's stage-owning singing and playing, and Shawn Colvin invited him to be special guest on her 1992 Fat City tour where he took much of America by storm and by surprise. “With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god,” wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Noted not only for being the ever consummate performer, Gilbert has recorded 13 albums, including 5 for Philo/Rounder Records. Along with being opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, The Milk Carton Kids, and Southside Johnny, the mid 2000’s even found Gilbert opening 150+ shows for comedian George Carlin. It's been 11 years since Vance Gilbert has graced our stage and we're honored that he has chosen to return. We're in for a very special evening. www.vancegilbert.com

Saturday, October 18, 2025, 8pm
Paula Fong AND Joselyn & Don

Suggested Donation: $25 per person

Paula Fong is an Americana/Folk singer songwriter from Los Angeles who grew up harmony singing in choirs and small acapella groups. She also spent time in the French countryside, and was deeply influenced by the local folk music there at a young age. She continued to explore singing various genres from Classical to Chinese opera and eventually joined an Americana church band where the main musical focus was acoustic country and folk - the kind of music that is both spiritual and also something people can relate to in everyday life. During that time she fell deeply in love with folk and roots music and became enamored with the classic voices and songwriting of Joni Mitchell, Gillian Welch, and Patty Griffin, but was also inspired by indie folk groups like NickelCreek and The Wailin' Jennys. Paula's 2024 EP “Chestnut Mare” was nominated as a finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA). www.paulafong.com

Montana natives turned Angelenos, Joselyn & Don’s intoxicating music feels like a walk through mountain wildflowers and Southern California Joshua trees. The duo’s 2020 debut album "Soar" and 2022 EP "Seeds & Bones" have been warmly received by critics and added to over 200 independent radio stations worldwide, reaching number 5 on Roots Music Report’s Americana Album Chart and the Top 100 of the Americana Music Association's album chart. Joselyn & Don have toured venues throughout the West and have appeared on Prairie Public Radio's The Great American Folk Show and in Noel Paul Stookey's curated Greenwich Village Folk Festival. The duo is currently recording their new album, their most personal work to date. Its moving songs chronicle the search for home amid the complicated history of the backroads of the American West. The album is produced by Graham Richman (Lizzie No) with stellar playing by longtime Jackson Browne band members Mauricio Lewak (drums), Bob Glaub (bass) and Greg Leiz (pedal steel). www.joselynanddon.com

Please enjoy some VIDEOS HIGHLIGHTS from a few of our recent house concerts:

Naked to the World - January 4, 2020

Tom Chapin - February 8, 2020

Chris Webster & Nina Gerber - March 7, 2020

The Black Feathers - April 30, 2022

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

Some of our House Concerts fill up a couple of weeks in advance, so please RSVP early. All our House Concerts begin at 8:00 P.M. unless otherwise noted. A voluntary suggested donation of $25 per person to the musicians is requested. Remember, 100% of all contributions go directly to the performers!

For more information on Russ & Julie's House Concerts,
please contact Russ & Julie at: info@houseconcerts.us

To RSVP, and for directions, please email: rsvp@houseconcerts.us

Please note: "Russ & Julie's House Concerts" is simply the name we choose to describe our private parties, in our private home. These parties are NOT a business nor are they a business-related activity. They are strictly a hobby for us and are simply gatherings of our friends and guests to enjoy live acoustic music, fellowship, food (a potluck dessert buffet) and fun. Our concert parties are officially free (or else it might be considered a business), although voluntary contributions (suggested donation of $25 per person) are accepted at the door on behalf of the artists. 100% of all contributions go directly to the performers. By invitation only.