September 2023

The Folk Music Ontario Conference 2023 is just around the corner, taking place from October 12th to October 15th in the beautiful city of London, Ontario. In the past two years, NERFA has strengthened its collaboration with this fantastic event. Both organizations have shared important resources and worked together to facilitate cross-border connections, enabling NERFA to extend its reach into Canada and providing valuable opportunities for American artists to showcase their talent in Canadian settings. NERFA Member Exclusive Offer: We understand the importance of community and collaboration in the world of folk music.  NERFA members are entitled to a $100 discount off the Regular Registration Rate of $539.30 (CAD) for the Folk Music Ontario Conference 2023. Yes, you read that right – $100 in incredible member benefits! How to Claim Your Discount: To seize this opportunity and secure your spot at the conference, follow these simple steps: Visit the official registration page by clicking on the link below: Folk Music Ontario Conference Registration During the registration process, enter the following promo code: 30nerfa2023 With this exclusive code, you’ll instantly enjoy $100 off the Regular Registration Rate, making this event even more accessible and rewarding for our NERFA members! NERFA’s FMO Showcase We are also elated to share that NERFA will be hosting a showcase at this year’s FMO Conference showcasing some of the best artists to have participated in NERFA. Congratulations to our showcasing artists: Shanna in a Dress The Bombadills ILYAIMY Rachael Kilgour Quote the Raven  Les Royal Pickles

Apply to be a Volunteer! What do they do? Volunteering at NERFA works the same as going to NERFA. Volunteers, or Routers, are given a free registration to the event in exchange for being part of our team. We call our volunteers Routers because, simply speaking, their job is to get folks where they need to go. The routers help make NERFA a great experience for attendees. Routing is work. You’re still working, so you have to be on time and work well with others. Also, you will be working with attendees, so being service oriented, or having customer service experience will be helpful. NERFA Routers are primarily responsible for making the event awesome and ensuring the attendees have a good time. Some of them do this from a ‘customer service’ standpoint — interacting directly with Attendees — while others work behind the scenes, doing the 1001 unseen jobs required to make an event like NERFA function. To clear up misconceptions sometimes held by new Attendees: Routers do not generally act as security guards or bouncers. Very rarely, if there’s a critical failure, some Routers do have to put a ‘security’ hat on, and there are a few Router managers whose role is purely security-related. In general, though, the team’ role is to manage details, answer questions, and run all the behind the curtain knobs and switches that make the NERFA machine tick over so nicely. If you are excited to meet and work with the NERFA team, and nearly every attendee we would love for you to join the team! Organization Volunteers are typically assigned to a department, and generally also to a morning, afternoon or evening shift. (They do get to voice their preferences but are not guaranteed to be assigned their choice of work area). Each department is overseen by a manager and one or more Deputies, who are generally on-shift for most or all of NERFA. Some departments operate the physical locations that Attendees can visit, such as Exhibit Hall and Showcase floors. Other departments, such as Entertainment and Logistics, are responsible for various other tasks required to make NERFA run smoothly. If you ever have comments, good or bad, about a Router, the first step is to let their area Manager or Deputy know. If you can’t find them, or if it concerns a manager or Deputy in the first place, you can come to the Registration Desk and ask to speak to the Info Desk Manager or Director, who will pass on your comments to the appropriate parties. Visibility All volunteers will receive brightly colored shirts to aid visibility at the event. And so, NERFA Routers wear red shirts. Where do they come from? Can I be a Volunteer? NERFA makes recruitment calls to the community as needed. The aspiring Router fills out a form or questionnaire and sends it to the NERFA staff member responsible for onboarding the Router. Applicants are reviewed and those who best meet the established standards are asked to join the team. Apply to be a Volunteer!

Are you ready to shine the spotlight on your favorite musicians at the NERFA Conference? Private Showcases are your chance to do just that! These showcases happen in individual hotel rooms, which can either be your own room or a separate one that you book exclusively for this purpose. The shows run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, starting at 10:30 pm and continuing as late as you’d like. The only requirement? You must be a registered conference attendee to host a Private Showcase. What’s New this Year This year, we’re thrilled to announce our revised pricing structure. For just $100 per night or $200 for all three nights, you can secure your spot as a Private Showcase host. Many presenters choose the three-night option and share a room with fellow presenters to make it even more cost-effective. To sweeten the deal, given the increased hotel room costs this year, we have a special offer for those who book all three nights: following the conference’s conclusion, we’ll issue you a $75 refund! How to Become a Private Showcase Host Register for the conference today: Register Now Fill out the Private Showcase form: Submit Here Make your hotel reservation: Book Now Remember, you can use your own sleeping room for a Private Showcase, but it does mean you’ll be sleeping in the same space where the showcases happen. While you can’t reserve a specific room for your showcase, you can specify the room size you prefer, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to share your musical passion and be part of NERFA 2023’s vibrant community. We can’t wait to see you there!

It’s with great excitement and enthusiasm that we introduce you to this year’s Formal Showcase Artists at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance’s (NERFA) conference in Asbury Park, NJ. Selected from an impressive pool of over 150 applicants, these artists stood out and captured the hearts of our esteemed judging panel comprised of Fosalyn Dennett from Folk Music Ontario, Beth & Perry Stein of the Ethical Brew, Lisa Schwartz booking manager of the Cambridge Folk Festival, and Ron Olesko of Folk Music Notebook. Their performances moved and inspired us, and we are thrilled to showcase their incredible talent and passion for folk music in November! Meet this year’s Artists: Acoustic Nomads Alice Howe & Freebo Big Sky Quartet Cricket Blue Ellis Paul with Radoslav Lorkovic  Flamy Grant Geneviève Racette Jillian Matundan Katie Martucci Madeleine Roger Rebecca Loebe Ryanhood Sam Robbins Sarah Peacock Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes Shauit Suzie Vinnick The Pairs Tim Ball & Upstate Crossroads Youth in a Roman Field These remarkable artists represent the heart and soul of folk music, offering a diverse range of styles and voices that promise to captivate your senses and leave a lasting impression. From soul-stirring ballads to foot-stomping anthems, you can expect a musical journey like no other at NERFA’s 2023 conference. Join us in celebrating the spirit of folk music and the incredible talent of these artists. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and thoroughly entertained as they take the stage at the conference in Asbury Park. Stay tuned for more updates and information about the conference, including performance schedules and special events. We can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with you.

We are always seeking ways to empower and inspire our vibrant community of artists and enthusiasts. That’s why at this year’s conference we are thrilled to introduce a brand-new series of workshops that promise to take your skills and passion to the next level: “Master Classes.” We are very proud of the content offered at the conference, but we have long been asked about opportunities for more in depth hands on courses. The “Master Classes” evolved from that request and this year we are opening the conference a day early for those who sign up for these courses. Are you looking to hone your craft, connect with fellow musicians, and elevate your presence in the folk music scene? Look no further – NERFA’s “Master Classes” have got you covered. These immersive four-hour workshops offered Wednesday afternoon are designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge, invaluable insights, and practical tools that can transform your artistry. What to Expect: Expert Instructors: Our Master Classes are led by industry professionals who are masters in their respective fields. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from the best. Interactive Learning: These workshops are hands-on and interactive, ensuring that you not only gain knowledge but also apply it to your own work. Networking: Connect with fellow artists in a small group, build meaningful relationships, and expand your network within the folk music community. Here’s a Sneak Peek of Upcoming Master Classes: Songwriting Secrets – with Ellis Paul Elevating Your Musical Career with Patreon with Rebecca Loebe Ready to take your folk music journey to the next level? Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! To reserve your spot and explore the full schedule, visit our conference registration page. Elevate your craft, connect with fellow folk enthusiasts, and make your mark in the vibrant world of folk music with NERFA’s “Master Classes.” We can’t wait to embark on this educational journey with you. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and announcements from NERFA. Together, let’s celebrate the richness of folk music and take it to new heights.