NERFA Hosts One-Day Mini-Conference in NJ

Showcase artists have recently been selected and workshops and panel discussions have been lined-up for the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) New Jersey Area One-Day Mini-Conference slated for Saturday, April 5. Presented in partnership with The Sanctuary Concerts and The Folk Project at the Presbyterian Church (240 Southern Boulevard, Chatham, NJ) that is home to The Sanctuary Concerts, the event, which extends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., is designed to give artists, presenters, DJs, agents and others engaged in the folk music scene a small taste of what takes place during the annual NERFA Conference each fall.

The following artists/acts were selected to perform in juried showcases during the conference: Jeremiah Birnbaum, Marci Geller, Thea Hopkins, The Levins, Low ‘N Lonesome, Lindsay May, Paddy Mills, Rebecca Pronsky, Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes, and Wool & Grant. Each will perform a 15-minute set. Named as alternates were Natalie Gelman and Josh Joffen.

Prior to the showcases, conference attendees will have an opportunity to choose from among an array of morning and afternoon workshop sessions and to enjoy networking over lunch. Booking agents Robyn Boyd (Wooden Ship Productions) and Mary Granata (The Granata Agency), along with singer-songwriter Carolann Solebello, will discuss the nuts and bolts of “Booking and Touring.” Folk DJs Wanda Fischer (host of “Hudson River Sampler” on the Albany, NY-based WAMC Radio Network), Ron Olesko (host of “Traditions” on WFDU in Teaneck, NJ) and Joltin Joe Pszonek (host of “Radio Nowhere” on WMSC in Montclair, NJ) are among the panelists for “Get It Played – How to Get Radio Airplay for Your Music.” Wendy Keilin (The Prosperous Artist Revolution) and others will explore “Making Music AND Money.” Michael Kornfeld (communications & PR strategist, editor & publisher of AcousticMusicScene.com) and Jessica Wrubel (Razzi Entertainment) will delve into “Marketing and Promotion for Artists and Venues.” NJ-based presenters Gina Auriemma (Outpost in the Burbs), Sara Gallman (Music at the Mission) and Scott Sheldon (Sanctuary Concerts) will discuss “Taking Your Coffeehouse to the Next Level.” Mary Granata moderates NERFA’s popular “On the Griddle” instant critique session, during which Bill Brandenburg (Outpost in the Burbs), Scott Moore (Focus Music) and WFDU’s Ron Olesko will share their thoughts in rapid-fire fashion after listening to the first 60 seconds of a song as submitted on CDs with sticky notes by interested artists prior to the start of the session.

In addition, “The Interview Room” will provide up to 20 ten-minute slots to performing artists who have not been chosen for the juried showcases, during which they will be interviewed by a folk DJ or journalist and perform one song live. The performances and interviews will be recorded so that artists can use their session for website/marketing/promotion purposes, says Joe Pszonek. DJs can also use the audio for their shows if they choose, he adds. Interested performing artists may apply by visiting the Facebook group: NJ NERFA Music Conference Artist Interview Room and requesting to join. Once added, you can, post a link to a brief bio and one mp3 of the song that you plan to perform if selected. Friday, March 14 is the deadline to post the link. Participating folk DJs and/or journalists will select their interview choice(s) starting on that date, and applicants will be notified by March 26.

An online registration form for the NERFA New Jersey Area One-Day Mini-Conference appears in the drop-down menu on the left side of the organization’s website. Conference registration is $40 through March 15 and $50 after that date. The juried showcases, beginning at 4 p.m., also will be open to the public for a nominal fee.

NERFA is part of the larger Folk Alliance International, an association that aims to foster and promote multicultural, traditional and contemporary folk music, while strengthening and advancing organizational and individual initiatives in folk music and dance through education, networking, advocacy, and professional and field development.