But there are some reliable places you can look. Not everyone is online, but the Internet has become a valuable tool for building folk audiences, nowhere more so than spreading the House Concert message. It isn't always completely up to date, but it's a great place to start. They should know what's going on in the area. As more and more musicians discover house concerts, they are listing them in their itineraries, so if you have a choice of shows in your area you can give one a try.
Reservations help the presenter budget for refreshments, chairs, and party hats.
If you add or drop a guest at the last minute, so be it, but if your six in-laws decide to join you at the last minute, call and say so. Let them know if you have food needs or phobias - you may be the fifth vegan, convincing your host to go meatless this time. The layout of the house may make it painful for parties to walk in after the show's started. Roads close, house numbers confuse, travel times stretch like rubber bands. New listeners are folk's lifeblood.