NERFA Conference Updates:
- --> Guerrilla Showcase Host Registration available August 1st.
- --> 2018 Conference Registration, Volunteer, Hotel Reservation, Community Meals and Exhibit Hall Tables now available. See FALL CONFERENCE menu above.
- --> Folk DJ Showcase Applications are Closed
- --> Formal and Semi-Formal Showcase Applications are Closed.
NERFA is pleased to officially announce the artists/acts who will perform Formal Showcases during this year's annual Conference, slated for Nov. 8-11 at the Crowne Plaza Stamford Hotel in Stamford, CT.
A large number of talented artists submitted applications, and the judges had a very difficult time choosing 14 showcase artists and 3 alternates.
NERFA’s Formal Showcase artists (listed in alphabetical order by last name or group name) are:
| Alice Howe | Ronny Cox |
| Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio | Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt |
| Jonathan Byrd | Scott Cook |
| Kenny White | Screaming Orphans |
| Louise Mosrie | The Black Feathers |
| Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway: Deeper Than The Skin | Windborne |
| Robinson Treacher | Zoe Mulford |
| Alternates: | |
| Quentin Callewaert | |
| Low Lily | |
| Kolonien |
Note: Alternates are automatically given a Semi-Formal Showcase performance slot unless selected to take the place of any Formal Showcase artists who is unable to perform.
Immediately following the Formal Showcases on Friday and Saturday nights, conference attendees will shuffle between several rooms to enjoy juried 15-minute Semi-Formal Showcases. Artists selected by a separate jury for these newly renamed showcases (formerly known as tricentrics and quadcentrics) will be announced in late August.
Make plans now to attend the 24th annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference, to be held Nov. 8-11, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. The hotel is conveniently located right off 1-95 (for those driving) and just a short train ride from New York City.
Conference registration and hotel reservation forms, along with additional information, appear under the Fall Conference tab on this website (NERFA.org). Register for the conference by Aug. 15 to take advantage of the early-bird discount ($195 for Folk Alliance International members; $255 for nonmembers). After that date, registration prices will rise incrementally, while on-site registration will be $350 and $400, respectively. Presenters, folk DJs and select others also may be eligible for additional discounts by filling out and submitting an online promotional code application that also appears in the drop-down menu.
In response to feedback from attendees, meals are no longer tied-in with the costs of a room -- resulting in significantly lower lodging costs. Communal meals, an important and much-loved feature of NERFA conferences since our inception, will still be available. Indeed, we’ve included dinner on Friday and Saturday nights with conference registration, while other meals may be purchased a la carte (separately or as a package) in advance only. An Additional Community Meal Reservations form also appears under the Fall Conference tab.
Although applications for our official juried formal showcases are now closed and those selected will be notified shortly, artists have until July 9 to apply for semi-formal showcases (formerly tricentrics and quadcentrics) that take place following the formals on Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 9 and 10. Showcase application forms and information also appear under the Fall Conference tab.
Last year, nearly 750 performing artists, presenters, promoters, folk DJs, agents and managers, and others actively engaged in the folk and acoustic music community enjoyed several jam-packed days and nights of music showcases (official, folk DJ and guerilla), song swaps and informal jam sessions, informative panel discussions and workshops, one-on-one mentoring and peer group sessions, a large trade show-like exhibit hall, communal meals, a welcoming party, and lots of informal conversation and networking. More of the same is planned for this year’s conference as we seek to help you forge connections, build community, and learn things that can help enhance and enrich your professional and personal lives. We hope you’ll join us.
Michael Kornfeld, president – NERFA board of directors
Dianne Tankle, conference director