More than 40 artists/acts have been selected for juried formal and semi-formal showcases during the 24th annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference, slated for Nov. 8-11, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stamford, CT.

With only 14 artists/acts chosen for 15-minute slots on Friday and Saturday nights, the Formal Showcase is the premiere and most coveted performance opportunity at the conference. Featured in these showcases will be (listed in alphabetical order by last name or group name) The Black Feathers, Jonathan Byrd, Scott Cook, Ronny Cox, Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway: Deeper Than The Skin, Alice Howe, Louise Mosrie, Zoe Mulford, Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio, Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt, Screaming Orphans, Robinson Treacher, Kenny White, and Windborne. Named as alternates were Quentin Callewaert, Low Lily, and Kolonien.

Note: Alternates are automatically given a Semi-Formal Showcase performance slot unless selected to take the place of any Formal Showcase artists who are unable to perform.

Immediately following the Formal Showcases on Friday and Saturday nights, conference attendees will shuffle between three rooms in close proximity to one another to enjoy juried 15-minute Semi-Formal Showcases (formerly known as tricentrics and quadcentrics). Artists selected by a separate jury for these showcases include Rod Abernethy, Asaran Earth Trio, Big Little Lions, C. Daniel Boling, Ellen Bukstel, Susan Cattaneo Band, Noah Derksen, Emerald Rae, Josh Harty, Cassandra House, House of Hamill, Joe Jencks, Rachael Kilgour, Erika Kulnys, Kipyn Martin, The Next Generation Leahy, Moonfruits, Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt, Diane Perry, Kerri Powers, The Promise Is Hope, Quarter Horse, Monica Rizzio, Annie Sumi, Jesse Terry, UPSTATE (formerly Upstate Rubdown), and Suzie Vinnick. Named as alternates were Roger Street Friedman, Mike P. Ryan, and All Types of Kinds. Like the Formal Showcases that precede them, nothing else is allowed to compete with the Semi-Formal Showcases during the conference.

After the juried showcases each evening, AcousticMusicScene.com will join dozens of presenters, performers and others in hosting guerilla showcases in their hotel rooms that extend through the early morning hours. The Suzi Wollenberg Folk DJ Showcase, informal jam sessions, thematic song circles, round-robin song swaps, and community sings round out the musical mix.

[Here’s a link to a short song video by Neale Eckstein featuring images and scenes from the 2017 NERFA Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt-A_DnX1OY.]

As in years past, besides several jam-packed days and nights of music showcases, the NERFA conference, also will feature informative panel discussions and workshops, one-on-one mentoring and peer group sessions, communal meals, a large trade show-like exhibit hall, a welcoming party, and lots of opportunities for schmoozing and networking. Singer-songwriter Dar Williams will be the conference’s keynote speaker.

NERFA Logo roundedNERFA is a regional affiliate of Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community — traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional — through education, advocacy and performance.

NERFA’s geographic boundaries extend from the eastern provinces of Canada south to the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Last year, its annual conference drew nearly 750 performing artists, presenters, promoters, folk DJs, agents and managers, and others engaged more than peripherally in the world of folk and acoustic music. The conference is designed to help them forge connections, build community, and learn things that can help enhance and enrich their professional and personal lives. For more information and to register to attend the conference, visit www.nerfa.org.

Editor’s Note: I am president of the NERFA board of directors and also serve on the Folk Alliance International board. In addition to hosting late-night showcases under the banner of AcousticMusicScene.com, I will moderate a panel discussion on social media and your online presence and offer mentoring sessions on strategic communications, PR and other topics during the conference.