The 21st Annual International Folk Alliance Conference is slated for next February 18-22 in Memphis, Tennessee, while regional conferences of the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance (Folk Alliance) are shaping up for this fall.  The conferences provide useful and enjoyable learning and networking opportunities, not to mention plenty of fine listening and performing opportunities for artists, presenters, agents and managers, folk DJs, folk societies and clubs, media, and others actively engaged in the folk music field; they are not intended for casual folk fans.

Booking gigs is the primary objective of some performers who attend these annual conferences, while many presenters and folk DJs come primarily to scout out new artists and those who they have not previously heard and seen in live performance.  However, the conference experience is much more than that; it’s really about forging connections and building an acoustic community.  Although artist showcases and educational workshops and panel discussions are common to all of them, the regional conferences hosted by Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA), Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM), Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West), Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA), and the new Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) all have their own tenor and style.

 “There’s definitely a different feel at the different regionals,” says singer-songwriter Randall Williams, who has performed and presented workshops at several of them and describes the Folk Alliance community as open and approachable.  Like many others who have been attending regional Folk Alliance conferences over the years, Williams believes they are great for performers and presenters alike.  “The smaller size makes spending time with people easier than at the international conference, and it’s a good way to get to know folks in a particular region,” he says.  “For performers who are working regionally, the regional meetings are a godsend – because they’re not as expensive as the international conference, and they meet the folks who are most likely to book them.”

Folks will converge on the Radisson Austin North in Austin, Texas for the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) conference, Oct 2-5.  In addition to official and in-room showcases, the conference will feature a Thursday night open mic and Saturday afternoon pool party and open mic hosted by Butch Morgan, an exhibit hall, and a wide array of seminars and panel discussions.  An opening party is set for Wednesday night, Oct. 1, at Threadgill’s North, during which each artist registered for the conference will be afforded an opportunity to perform two songs. In addition, all registered artists will be given a song topic to write about and perform following a Sunday brunch.  Conference registration (which includes three lunches, two dinners and a cocktail reception – but not lodging) is $195 if paid by Sept. 2 and $225 after then.  For more information, registration and application forms, visit www.swrfa.com.

Having experienced a 30-percent jump in attendance last year at its new conference location, Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) returns to Techny Towers Conference & Retreat Center in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.  The 2008 FARM Gathering takes place over the Columbus Day weekend, October 10-12.   Although the application deadline for artists interested in performing in 12 juried formal showcases has already passed,  artists not selected to showcase can participate in Performance Lane — a one song, “everyone gets a slot who wants one” performance opportunity for pre-registered conference attendees.  Jamming and song-sharing circles, workshops and panel discussions also are on tap. In addition, FARM will present its annual Lantern Bearer and Folk Tradition in the Midwest Lifetime Achievement awards during the conference.  Although there is no exhibition hall, attendees are welcome to display promotional materials (free of charge) in designated areas.   Both a la carte and all-inclusive conference registration is available.  For more information and registration forms, visit www.farmfolk.org.

The inaugural conference of the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA), takes place Oct. 17-19 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfeesboro, TN, about 45 minutes from the Nashville Airport.  Like the other regional conferences, SERFA’s will feature an array of music showcases and informational workshops and panel discussions, with plenty of opportunities for participants to learn, share, network, hear and make music.  There will be workshops focused on the professional development of artists, as well as some tailored to venues – including ones geared towards house concert presenters with Fran Snyder of concertsinyourhome.com and others.  The rich musical tapestry of the Southeast also will be explored through workshops and panel discussions on old-time/traditional, Appalachian, Celtic, Cajun, and other musical genres and styles with deep roots in the region.  Mentoring sessions, exhibit space, and a Thursday night pre-conference reception also are on the agenda.  Conference registration (not including lodging) is $145 through Oct. 12.  For more information and registration forms, visit www.serfa.org.  

Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West) holds its 5th annual gathering, Oct. 24-26,  at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel & Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.  Besides formal showcases (for which the application deadline has passed) and a Suzanne Millsaps Memorial Coffee House Room featuring performers in-the-round, there will be a number of late night and private/guerilla showcases and jam sessions extending into the wee morning hours, workshops and panel discussions, master classes, receptions, and an exhibit hall.  The annual “Best of the West” Awards, recognizing one performer and one non-performer who have established themselves as true leaders through their talents and efforts on behalf of the community over a period of time, will be presented during a luncheon on Saturday. Various conference registration packages are available.  For more information, visit www.far-west.org. 

The 14th annual conference of the North East Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) takes place Nov. 13-16 at the newly renovated Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonksen, New York, just 30 minutes from another Catskills Mountains resort where folks gathered for the past several years.  The conference will feature a diverse mix of folk and acoustic music presented by artists from throughout the U.S. and Canada, workshops and panel discussions, mentoring sessions, communal meals, and lots of opportunities for schmoozing and networking.  An exhibition hall gives the conference the added aura of a trade show.  The fun begins with a Folk DJ’s choice Showcase on Thursday night.  An AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot featuring several singing folk DJs and a host of performing artists follows.  A family music track has been added on Friday, with performer showcases and workshops geared for those engaged or interested in children’s and family music. Following Friday and Saturday evening formal showcases, folks will shuffle between three conference rooms to catch short sets by various artists during what are known as tricentric showcases.  Later each evening, AcousticMusicScene.com will join dozens of presenters, performers and others in hosting guerilla showcases in their hotel rooms through the wee hours of the morning.  Open mics, informal jam sessions, thematic song circles and round-robin song swaps round out the mix.  Conference registration (not including lodging and meals) is $95 through Oct. 11.  For more information and downloadable applications and registration forms, visit www.nerfa.org.

Although the International Folk Alliance Conference takes place next February, financial savings are in the offing through early-bird registration that is now open, while forms also are available on the organization’s website for performing artists to apply for showcase opportunities.  The early-bird rates apply through Nov. 15.  Some 2,000 people are expected to attend the annual conference in Memphis.  Ranked among the five largest music conferences in North America, it will feature four days of panels and workshops and four nights of showcases, feature performances and private showcases, as well as a large exhibit hall and plenty of opportunities for networking and jamming.  For more information, online registration forms and applications, visit www.folk.org. 

Folk Alliance 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.