February 29 is the deadline for artists to submit online applications for Official Showcases during the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble and IBMA Business Conference that are part of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual five-day World of Bluegrass, September 29 – October 3, 2020. Considered the genre’s annual industry gathering and family reunion, World of Bluegrass takes place in Raleigh, North Carolina for an eighth consecutive year.
Invites to participate as official showcase artists during the Bluegrass Ramble at various music venues in downtown Raleigh, as well as two stages in the Raleigh Convention Center, will be extended to up to 30 acts. Artists/bands will be chosen through a juried selection process that takes into consideration the applicant’s entertainment value, level of professionalism, potential appeal, quality of work, and potential to benefit from the opportunity, according to the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass website.
Selected Official Showcase acts will have at least two performance opportunities — a 25-minute set during the IBMA Business Conference and a 45-minute set at an IBMA Bluegrass Ramble venue. They also will receive full conference registration, complimentary exhibit hall booth space during the business conference, up to three individual IBMA memberships, and various promotional opportunities.
Online applications and additional information may be found at https://worldofbluegrass.org/participate/apply-official-showcase/. All applicants will be notified via email by April 15 as to whether they were selected for an official showcase, an alternate slot, or not. There is a $25 application fee, while selected artists also will be assessed a $500 fee to offset costs of services and showcase production.
World of Bluegrass also features a wide array of professional development seminars, meetings and forums; sponsored artist showcases and late-night hospitality functions; plenty of networking and relationship-building opportunities; the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show, and the Wide Open Bluegrass festival – a two-day event that includes more than 100 free live musical performances on eight stages plus a dance tent, along with arts & crafts and food vendors galore. According to the IBMA, last year’s World of Bluegrass and Wide Open Bluegrass festival collectively drew more than 218,000 attendees.
IBMA (https://ibma.org) seeks to facilitate the growth and development of the bluegrass community – for professionals and enthusiasts who share a passion for the music.
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