Two regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International -- an association that aims to foster and promote contemporary, traditional and multicultural folk music -- hold their annual conferences this month. Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) convenes Oct. 16-19 in Oakland, California, while the Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) Gathering is set for Oct. 23-26 in St. Louis, Missouri. [To read the full article previewing these conferences -- including events that are open to the public -- click on the headline.]