Folk Alliance Region West is one of five regional chapters of Folk Alliance International. The seventh annual FAR-West Regional Conference will be held October 21 - 24 in San Jose, California. The conference includes ample opportunities for networking with Western US based venue, festival and house concert presenters, radio programmers and other artists. They are known for their excellent educational panels and workshops which include artist business development topics as well as inspirationa>...
Folk Alliance Region West is one of five regional chapters of Folk Alliance International. The seventh annual FAR-West Regional Conference will be held October 21 - 24 in San Jose, California. The conference includes ample opportunities for networking with Western US based venue, festival and house concert presenters, radio programmers and other artists. They are known for their excellent educational panels and workshops which include artist business development topics as well as inspirational panels and master classes.
Last year, 48 artists were Selected via Sonicbids for its Premiere Showcase program. At least one Sonicbids artist is guaranteed to perform this year. In addition to the genres listed above, contra dance and Old Time genres are also accepted.
The FAR-West Premiere Showcase program provides an opportunity for concert presenters, radio programmers and others in the business of promoting folk and acoustic music in the to hear and experience the best folk and acoustic acts who are actively pursuing touring in the Western states. Many presenters throughout the West book their venues and concert series' for the next year from the talent they discover at FAR-West.
In addition to its juried Premiere Showcase program, the conference includes many other ways to connect with presenters in the Western US including a private guerilla showcases. Most artists find that showcasing must be combined with networking throughout the conference to be effective.
All bands and solo acts in the folk and acoustic music realm who are actively pursuing tour bookings in the Western states beyond their local areas are welcome to apply for a FAR-West Premiere Showcase. Application and audition requirements are similar to those required by the concert presenters for whom they will be showcasing at FAR-West Conference. This is an opportunity to market your act to potential concert presenters and programmers – FAR-West is not a festival, and its Premiere Showcase program is not open to the public.
In evaluating showcase artists, the judging panel considers musicianship, songwriting (in the case of original artists), professionalism, and readiness to tour. Performers and groups that have been selected for the Premiere Showcase program for BOTH of the prior two consecutive years may not apply in the third consecutive year.
Please Note: Artists who have been selected for a FAR-West official showcase in BOTH 2008 and 2009 are not eligible .
Artists chosen as Premiere Showcase performers must be members of Folk Alliance International at the time of the conference, be registered for the full conference, and will be assessed a $50 production fee to help offset professional sound and lighting in the showcased rooms. Selected artists are expected to defray their own travel and lodging expenses.