Hybrid Events at a Historic Venue
House’s historic spaces, restaurant‑level hospitality, and performance‑ready showroom in Nevada City.
Hybrid events aren’t just for tech companies anymore. Fundraisers, conferences, product launches, and even weddings increasingly need to include people who can’t be in the room.
The good news: you don’t have to choose between character and capability. Stone House combines a historic 1857 stone building in downtown Nevada City with a performance‑friendly showroom, bar spaces, and farm‑driven restaurant service. That makes it a strong base for in‑person + virtual gatherings.
Here’s how to plan one.
Step 1: Decide Who the Virtual Audience Really Is
Before you think about cameras:
Are remote attendees donors, coworkers, VIPs, or the general public?
Do they need to participate (Q&A, chat, breakout rooms) or just watch?
Is the hybrid format a one‑time thing, or will this event repeat annually?
Your answers shape how much tech you need—and which Stone House spaces you’ll use.
Step 2: Choose the Right “Broadcast Room”
The most natural broadcast base at Stone House is the showroom / performance space:
Built for live events and cabaret dinners, with a stage, lights, and sound designed for audiences.
A layout that keeps speakers, panels, or performers clearly visible in the frame.
Enough depth and height to set cameras without blocking guests.
For smaller hybrid segments (like a fireside chat), the Dining Room or Lounge can also work, leaning into stone walls and warm lighting as your backdrop.
Step 3: Keep the Tech Plan Simple but Intentional
Hybrid doesn’t have to mean a full broadcast truck. For many events, you’ll need:
One primary camera on the stage or focal area.
One roving or side camera (if budget allows) for alternate angles.
Clean audio feed from the venue’s sound system into your streaming platform.
A laptop or switcher managed by a dedicated tech or vendor.
Because Stone House already supports live music and performance, you’re starting with a sound and light system built for real‑time experiences.
Step 4: Design an Experience That Works in Both Directions
Think about:
On‑site guests:
They get full hospitality—farm‑driven food and drink, movement through spaces like the Courtyard, Parlour, and Dining Room, and the energy of being in the room.
Virtual guests:
They get a thoughtfully framed window into key moments: talks, performances, ceremonies, or key announcements.
Short, clearly hosted segments rather than an unedited four‑hour stream.
You don’t have to show everything online—just the parts that matter most.
Step 5: Use Stone House’s Layout for Breakouts & Networking
While your online audience takes a break, in‑person guests can:
Move from the showroom to the Parlour for drinks.
Head into the Courtyard for fresh air and informal conversations.
Break out into the Lounge or Cavern for small groups or VIP huddles.
Build your run‑of‑show so that both in‑person and virtual participants know when to engage and when to pause.
Step 6: Feed Everyone (Even Online)
For in‑person attendees, Stone House’s restaurant‑level food—organic, seed‑oil‑free, and increasingly sourced from Stone House Farms—sets the tone.
For virtual guests, consider:
Sending gift boxes (tea, coffee, snacks) ahead of time.
Providing recipes or drink prompts so they can “join” a toast.
Partnering with local vendors in their city for pick‑up treats.
It helps remote attendees feel like more than faces in tiles.
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If you’re exploring hybrid formats and want a venue that can support live performance and hospitality and plug into your streaming setup, Stone House’s showroom and layered spaces make it a strong candidate. The team can coordinate with your AV vendor to keep both sides of the event feeling intentional.